The one game-changing detail in Bridgerton’s viral sex scene.

Everyone might be buzzing over the anticipated mirror scene in the latest Bridgerton season — but they're talking about the wrong moment.

In fact, when Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) have sex in the second part of season three, there's so much more to discuss. 

This TV sex scene was revolutionary.

The sex scene goes down in episode five after Colin defends Penelope from her mother's cruel comments after she finds out that the two are engaged. 

"Were you not so narrowly concerned with your own standing, you might see that Penelope is the most eligible amongst you," Colin tells Portia Featherington. 

That's hot. 

Listen to Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan talk about a sex scene that went terribly wrong. 

When Penelope and Colin are alone, they have sex for the first time. Not only is this sex scene much longer than any other in the series — running for a generous six minutes — it's one worth celebrating for multiple reasons.

 And they're not the reasons you might think.

Yes, it's extremely sexy. Yes, the mirror scene first depicted in the Julia Quinn book does not disappoint. Yes, Nicola Coughlan is a goddess among us mere mortals.

But the scene was also one that diverted away from the sorts of sexy scenes that are synonymous with Bridgerton's love stories. 

Firstly, there were two times consent was discussed. 

"You must tell me to stop if you do not wish for it?" Colin asks at the beginning. 

This is a far cry from season one which controversially featured a scene where Daphne Bridgerton forces Simon Basset into ejaculating inside her without his consent. 

Colin then undresses her in front of a mirror and instructs her to 'lie down' on the daybed before he gets nude too. Penelope asks Colin to 'tell her what to do' which speaks to her inexperience, which was a refreshingly honest depiction of women in the 1800s who were not taught about sex. 

Colin against requests consent, asking 'May I?' before they get into some foreplay. 

Foreplay before sex? On a TV show? How novel. 

Before they begin having sex, Colin warns Penelope that "this may hurt," a rare acknowledgment in TV that sex the first time isn't often a pleasant (let alone pleasurable) experience for a young woman. It can hurt like hell. 

And hurt it does. Unlike previous seasons where Daphne is writhing in pleasure from the first time she has sex with the Duke, Penelope is in visible pain when Colin first penetrates her. 

Thankfully, it gets better, as is the reality for most women. The sex continues and they end by having a giggle before Colin asks "was it alright?" 

"It was perfect. Can we do it again?" she asks.

"Give me five minutes. Maybe ten," Colin sheepishly replies.

We stan a realistic and relatable sex scene. What a concept. Before this moment, sex scenes in Bridgerton felt like something out of a romance novel — all passionate groans and instantaneous orgasms. 

Of course, these steamy scenes have a place in the series, but it was important for Bridgerton to stay true to how women experience losing their virginity and include these important missing details: it can be awkward, it will probably hurt, and consent should always be the priority. 

Feature image: Netflix.