Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton book series may be the most popular modern romance series in literature, and with good reason. Great romance, steamy couplings, and a truly compelling story were enough to even spark a Netflix adaptation that’s now entering its fourth season.
Split into two parts, Bridgerton Season 4 tells the story of Benedict Bridgerton and adapts Quinn’s An Offer From a Gentleman. While the season juggles numerous plotlines, Benedict’s story stands out as one of the show’s most inventive romances yet—and surprisingly, it even turns one of Netflix’s most frustrating habits into a strength.
Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1 Offers Its Most Inventive Romance Yet
Image via Liam Daniel / ©Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection
One of the defining strengths of Bridgerton has always been its ability to balance fiery romance with deeply rooted emotional obstacles. Penelope Featherington’s secret life as Lady Whistledown and Anthony Bridgerton’s fear of commitment are prime examples of how internal struggles shape each season’s love story. Benedict’s journey, however, is driven by external forces, as circumstances — and society itself — keep him apart from Sophie Baek.
The season acts as a Cinderella story, fitting of the Disney treatment, as Benedict finds a mysterious woman who is both intelligent and independent, knowing who she is and what she wants. Unlike previous seasons, the romance is there from the start, but the tension lies in Benedict’s inability to identify the woman he has fallen for, sparking a search that complicates matters more than necessary.
In many ways, the story fits the show’s typical romance formula, which audiences may be tired of by a fourth season, but Bridgerton elevates its material through its performances. Luke Thompson is finally able to give more depth to Benedict, showing him growing tired of his cavalier lifestyle and yearning for something that stimulates his mind and heart together. Meanwhile, Yerin Ha absolutely steals every scene as Sophie.
Ha captures the many layers of Sophie’s character, and it’s impossible not to both admire and root for her the minute her story is made clear. This is also effective thanks to how well Katie Leung (Cho Chang from the Harry Potter series) brings the evil stepmother, Lady Araminta Gun, to life. But even when there are scenes shared with the two leads, the chemistry is impressive.
Where past seasons focused heavily on the steamy passion between the central couple and the tension between how badly they’re yearning for one another but can’t do a thing, this season does things differently. Yes, there is yearning, but the story, more than any other, is about two people forming a deep connection, though they are from different walks of life. It’s not a matter of appearance or similarity but simply a matter of circumstance that keeps them apart.
To that effect, Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1 feels like a truly traditional romance that focuses less on tension and more on the cute moments these characters share. The season feels a bit more subdued in its “spicier” moments thus far, but it’s a change that benefits the story as a whole.
Unfortunately, while there isn’t a dull moment between the main characters, the main struggle of this season so far is just how many moving parts there are between other characters. While this is still clearly Benedict’s season, it doesn’t feel as though it’s getting the necessary attention all the time.
Bridgerton’s Main Struggle is Its Many Plot Points
Image via Liam Daniel / ©Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection
Every Bridgerton season tells multiple stories, much like in the books. For example, Penelope’s secret life as Lady Whistledown and Lady Danbury’s friendship with Queen Charlotte are staples of every season. Last season alone saw how the Featheringtons fought to maintain their wealth and status. Yet Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1 feels like a season that makes every extra plot point feel just as crucial as Benedict’s story.
Where last season felt like every B plot was a setup to something larger, this season feels more like the payoff to many elements. For example, Lady Danbury has played such a crucial role in the many subplots of Bridgerton. But it’s this season that puts her relationship with Queen Charlotte to the test and even nods to the many struggles of the Queen first seen in her bingeable miniseries.
There’s also the budding romance between Violet Bridgerton and Lord Anderson, something that finally reaches an even more serious point in Season 4. It’s not that it’s an issue for the show, but with so many big moments happening in the season, it makes Benedict’s romance feel like a story running in the background when it should be center stage.
It could be because Benedict’s romance isn’t as intense as the others, or it could be that the more exciting moments of the season will come in the back half, but it’s hard to get overly engaged. Especially when the series made key moments happen for other characters outside the main plot, which is a shame when Benedict’s narrative has been pushed aside for so long.
There are bright spots, however. Lady Araminta and her daughters establish themselves as compelling antagonists, and the family dynamics surrounding Sophie are rich enough to leave viewers wanting more—though much of this, once again, seems reserved for Part 2.
There’s also the matter of Eloise Bridgerton, who is clearly being set up for her future season. Again, while this is all mostly par for the course with a series like Bridgerton, it can give a feeling that audiences should already be getting excited for the future rather than appreciating what is here already. These are all symptoms of the incessant need for Netflix to continually break up single seasons. However, Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1 does prove that the method can still work, to a degree.
Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1 Uses a Problematic Netflix Trend But Still Makes it Work
Image via Liam Daniel / ©Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection
The final season of Stranger Things is a series that struggled with scrutiny, including the decision to split the show into three parts. It’s a trend that Netflix has adopted to build hype, and while this may make sense for some big event seasons or shows, it’s not always beneficial, as it manufactures a mid-season break found in 22-episode seasons, while Netflix does this for eight. Surprisingly, Bridgerton Season 4 actually benefits from this structure.
Episode 4 functions as a genuine mid-season finale, bringing tensions to a head with major reveals, twists, and emotional turning points. The framing feels intentional, giving Part 1 a sense of closure while still leaving plenty unresolved. It’s a balance many shows fail to strike, making this approach feel unusually effective here.
If Part 2 feels just as complete as Part 1, watching the season as a whole will fit seamlessly. The content is all balanced well, save for the constant moving plots within the narrative, and the surprises make viewers excited for the future. That said, this doesn’t make a case for shows to continue on this trend.
Bridgerton feels like an outlier in terms of a season that benefits from a split. The episodes end with so much to discuss and great quotes to gush about that the month-long wait will likely fly by for audiences. However, because of how little actually happens until the fourth episode, it also leaves viewers with great expectations of what they hope will happen in the back half.
Visually and tonally, Season 4 also course-corrects from some of Season 3’s missteps. The garish colors and exaggerated makeup have been toned down, returning to the elegance that defined earlier seasons. These refinements, combined with a more character-driven romance, signal that the series still has plenty of life left.
Despite occasional distractions and a slight lack of focus on Benedict, Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1 stands tall. Sophie Baek is a standout addition to the series, instantly lovable and instrumental in revealing new dimensions of Benedict’s character. Their shared scenes remain charged with emotion and tension, keeping viewers invested until the very end. Now, all that remains is for the show to stick the landing.
Bridgereton Season 4 Part 1 is now streaming on Netflix.
Release Date
December 22, 2020
Network
Netflix
Directors
Tom Verica, Tricia Brock, Alex Pillai, Alrick Riley, Bille Woodruff, Cheryl Dunye, Sheree Folkson, Julie Anne Robinson
Luke Thompson
Lady Violet Bridgerton
Ruth Gemmell
Benedict Bridgerton
Pros & Cons
- Great chemistry between the leads
- Refreshing romance
- Learns from mistakes of Season 3
- Multiple plot points take precedent
- Benedict still feels like an afterthought
- Didn’t need to be split, even if it works well
