It’s a tale as old as time. Prince Charming spots a mysterious, bewitching beauty from across the ball. They share a dance, a tender conversation, maybe even a kiss.
But then the clock strikes midnight and the lady departs, leaving behind a single memento for Prince Charming to remember her by.
Except in “Bridgerton”’s fourth season, Prince Charming isn’t a prince — he’s Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson), the second of eight Bridgerton siblings and the eternal bachelor of the family.
Though initially reluctant to join the marriage mart, Benedict finds himself entranced by a brief encounter with an anonymous attendee at the Bridgertons’ masquerade ball.
Unbeknownst to Benedict, the captivating lady in silver he’s searching for is Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha): a hardworking maid under the employ of her cold-hearted stepmother Lady Araminta Gun (Katie Leung).
When Araminta finds out Sophie snuck out to the Bridgertons’ ball, Sophie is fired and cast out into the countryside, where she ultimately crosses paths with Benedict again. Sympathetic to her situation and intrigued by her boldness — yet still oblivious to her identity — Benedict offers her a job as a servant at the Bridgertons’ house instead.
In true “Bridgerton” fashion, the rest of the season is rife with tension, gossip and countless butterfly-inducing love confessions — and a healthy dose of sex scenes, of course.
As the main character of this season, Sophie offers a refreshing take on the classic historical drama heroine. She’s self-possessed, clever, capable and entirely willing to put Benedict in his place when the situation demands it.
Benedict, in turn, is charming and almost boyish in his adoration of her. He brings a much-needed buoyancy to most of the season, which makes his serious moments all the more impactful.
Season 4 also offers an intriguing glimpse into the class dynamics of high society, an aspect of Regency England that the show’s previous seasons barely explored.
Sophie, like the many cooks, footmen, housekeepers and ladies’ maids at Bridgerton House, is relegated to the background of society. Her only purpose, ostensibly, is to ensure the family’s lavish life runs smoothly and her relationship with Benedict constantly calls into question the gross power imbalance present between the servants and the served.
Despite being the show’s number one proponent of the power of love against all odds, Benedict’s mother Violet (Ruth Gemmell) also steadfastly opposes his relationship with Sophie solely because of her class.
It’s ironic at best, and outright hypocritical at worst: a family as idyllic as the Bridgertons, with enough star-crossed romance to last ten lifetimes, is willing to sever ties with one of their own simply to maintain appearances with the rest of society.
The most romantic part of the season, perhaps, is that even his family’s opposition does little to deter Benedict. He’s willing to drop everything and retreat to the countryside, losing his siblings, his cushy lifestyle and his good standing in society in the process, if it means he can be with Sophie.
At the end of the day, Season 4 is a stunning return to form for the “Bridgerton” franchise. While the season might not have the most novel storyline, its swoon-worthy leads and persuasive writing make for a charming, captivating watch nonetheless.
