After nearly two years, Bridgerton has returned to our tv screens and Netflix ‘continue watching’ bars with season 4 part 1, focusing on the distinguished family’s second son, Benedict.
As someone who has been a huge fan of Bridgerton since its release, following a new Bridgerton sibling each season is something I love about Julia Quinn and Shonda Rhimes’ writing style.
But now Benedict plays a different role. After being selected by Queen Charlotte herself, he is now the “lead suitor” of the season, putting every eligible bachelorette’s eyes on him. This season offers a unique twist on the Cinderella story by highlighting the romance of Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) and Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha) – a maid working for a high-ranking family, the season turns a familiar concept into a compelling and enjoyable story.
The season begins with the preparation for Lady Violet Bridgerton’s (Ruth Gemmell) masquerade ball, overseeing her staff and waiting for her children to return home, already reunited to the family that we all missed. With the absence of Anthony and Kate Bridgerton as they are expected to appear in part 2, I truly enjoy that Benedict, the interim Viscount, puts finding a wife last on his list, giving the show a welcome twist on classic Bridgerton expectations.
This season does a great job showing the different dynamics between all the children and Violet, especially with her struggle to take Benedict away from his “rake” activities. Showing a new side of Benedict is something that I truly enjoyed watching.
Personally, I feel the season’s success is largely due to the fantastic performances of Thompson and Ha. Thompson delivers his best performance yet as Benedict, transforming his character into an emotionally mature interim Viscount. His subtle expressions – lingering stares at Sophie, frustration, and exhaustion – add layers to Benedict that we have not fully seen before. On the other hand, Ha is a standout as Sophie. Her chemistry with Thompson feels natural and electric – radiating intense emotions through the screen. Together they form a romance that is beautiful and passionate, rather than rushed, like in Penelope and Colin’s season.
When it comes to visuals, the production is still one of the show’s highlights. The costume design continues to impress, with color and fabric choices, as well as cinematic ballroom sequences. Sophie’s spectacular silver gown from the masquerade ball is the perfect dress that captures the true beauty Sophie has. The masquerade itself is one of the most visually stunning scenes in the series so far, becoming one of my favorite scenes.
One aspect of Bridgerton that continues to shine is the modern-instrumental soundtrack with songs – “Enchanted” by Taylor Swift, “Bad Idea Right?” By Olivia Rodrigo, and “DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love” by Usher, adds a contemporary edge while remaining respectful to the Regency Era. Bridgerton skillfully weaves a beautiful story with the help of music.
Bridgerton is a must watch show for fans of romance and the regency era. While season 3 may have faltered in viewership, don’t let this season fool you with all that it offers. I’m excited to see how part 2 develops these stories and what new twists and surprises await the characters we’ve grown to love.
