Dearest Gentle Reader, this reporter can confidently say the first half of “Bridgerton” Season 4 has not disappointed. If you’re someone who was nervous to see what Netflix would do with this fourth season after the iffy audience reception to the third, you will be pleasantly surprised.
The show is loosely based on England’s Regency era, focusing on the drama that elite families— referred to as the “Ton” — go through while navigating the search for marriage, or even love. Lady Whistledown, a gossip writer, then amplifies the Ton’s scandals. Each season surrounds a different sibling of the Bridgerton family, focusing on their success and drama within the journey of love.
The focus of the fourth season is Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) and Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha). This plot is a Cinderella-inspired love story that feels both familiar and new, as the nature of their relationship explores themes of class, secrecy, and yearning.
In the first episode, Benedict meets Sophie at a masquerade ball, the first ball of the season. Although Sophie’s identity is unknown to him, she does not fail to catch his attention. The trope of the main couple struggling with unknown identities makes you fall in love with the characters as they value connection and personality over a face and reputation. Benedict and Sophie’s romantic tension under the guise of secrecy is not new to the media. This secrecy is similar to the show “Miraculous Ladybug,” where the two main characters are superheroes who fall in love while being unable to reveal their true identities to one another.
This trope of “masked identities” gives more depth to Benedict and Sophie’s relationship. He fell in love at first sight with the “lady in silver,” but he grew to be fond of Sophie and loves her despite her class status.
Benedict’s storyline feels more focused and emotionally grounded than in previous seasons. His reputation as a “rake” — another word for “playboy” — and the struggle between personal desire and social expectations, adds depth to his character. Sophie’s perspective as a maid gives the romance real stakes. Her position in society constantly conflicts with Benedict’s world of privilege.
One of the strongest parts of the season is how it blends subplots into the main story without losing focus on the central couple. These smaller storylines help show the pressures of society and family, while still keeping Benedict and Sophie at the heart of the season.
Instead of pulling attention away, the subplots make the main romance feel richer and more complex. For example, the subplot of Lady Whistledown’s paper about the “maid wars” directly stems from Sophie being kicked out as a maid from her childhood home. This subplot also gives viewers a perspective on the experience of being a worker for an elite family.
Just like the use of subplots, the season beautifully uses symbolism. Benedict and Sophie’s class differences are a significant part of developing their story, and the symbolism used perfectly encapsulates that. These class differences are different from the past seasons of “Bridgerton,” as the main couples of each previous season are both people of elite status.
One scene shows Benedict walking upstairs while Sophie remains on the first floor, visually separating their worlds. Another powerful scene shows Benedict laughing with his brothers as shaving cream is thrown around, only for the moment to cut to Sophie cleaning the mess as a maid. This contrast quietly emphasizes their unequal positions.
These moments rely more on visuals than dialogue, making their message even stronger. The class divide becomes something the audience can see rather than just hear about.
As the story goes on, it becomes silly that Benedict cannot tell Sophie is his “lady in silver.” On the other hand, I like to think that Benedict simply forgets the “lady in silver” when he is around Sophie Baek.
Their chemistry is amazing, and their romance carries emotional weight as they learn more about each other. Benedict Bridgerton has a heavy interest in the arts, whether it be sketching and painting, despite his reputation as a “rake” throughout the Ton. Sophie Baek is very knowledgeable despite being a maid. They both carry deeper personalities and explore that together. I believe this is a reason why they work so well together.
One scene that did not sit well with me was Benedict’s “be my mistress” proposal. The moment feels uncomfortable and diminishes Sophie’s worth in a way that clashes with the romance. At the same time, it reflects Benedict’s limited view of what is possible within his society. In his mind, this is the only way he can stay close to her.
This scene adds complexity to his character and highlights how trapped he is by class and expectation. It creates tension that pushes the story forward and is the cliffhanger of the fourth episode, “An Offer From a Gentleman.”
Overall, Part 1 of Season 4 succeeds in restoring the emotional depth that had been missing. The focus on romance, symbolism, and character development makes the story feel intentional and grounded.
The season ends with unresolved conflict that leaves much still to be explored. Benedict and Sophie’s future remains uncertain. The direction this season takes is bold, romantic, and introspective of the characters, leaving you excited to see how their story continues in “Bridgerton” Season 4, Part 2.
