Since 2020, fans have watched as the children of the dynamic Bridgerton household come of age to experience transformative love. Daphne, Anthony and Colin have found their life partners, Eloise has made her hesitant entry into society and Francesca has experienced a quiet but beautiful love of her own. In the background lay Benedict Bridgerton: the carefree spare who can be spotted at the Gentlemen’s club with his brothers or the brothel with a cohort of women and men. Benedict is completely content with his pleasurable life as a rake… until a certain maid catches his attention.
Similar to many “Bridgerton” fans, I had my reservations about season four. After the truthfully messy and disconnected third season, I hoped they would right their wrongs: iPhone faces, gel nails, inconsistent pacing, distracting subplots and surface level romantic connection. After watching the truly lovable Benedict Bridgerton all these years, I could not stand for a lackluster love story.
The alternative story telling —a Cinderella retelling— also concerned me. “Bridgerton” has always been unique —blending the regency era with modern elements. It would be a shame for its charm to be lost to a banal tale.
Luckily, Benedict’s season has achieved an incredible comeback, delivering a remarkably intense performance of desire and determination for the things we are told we can’t have. No other pair has tested the Ton’s expectations and standards as Benedict Bridgerton and Sophie Baek have.
Yerin Ha, who portrays Baek, an illegitimate daughter forced into servantry, perfectly embodies a strongwilled woman ahead of her time. While every “Bridgerton” woman is special, Baek provides a fresh perspective of what British high society is like for those who are untitled.
I appreciate how the show has returned to its roots, favoring simplicity in styling and detail in plot design. While last season, the newlyweds Colin and Penelope Bridgerton’s romance felt disconnected to their complex connection in earlier seasons and spent far too much time on subplots, season four has found the sweet balance by creating a spotlight for the new, young star-crossed lovers without neglecting developing pairs.
Fans may have thought no man could outdo Anthony Bridgerton’s level of yearning. We could not have been more wrong. Benedict somehow tops his older brother. I have yet to see a man of the Ton lay his heart out so vulnerably and take such accountability.
A recurring issue with many romance stories is that characters are written to be so perfect for each other that their communication skills have to be so deplorable for the plot to be entertaining which actually causes viewers to be frustrated. However, we do not experience this with Bridgerton and Baek. Honesty is needed for such an impractical connection and Benedict is the ultimate communicator.
“Bridgerton” has always excelled in representing diverse romance. Although the show primarily focuses on first loves, it also reminds viewers that it’s possible to experience love after widowhood. Fans have watched as Violet Bridgerton, the matriarch of the family, has married each child off —always manifesting a “love connection”— without her late husband who made her children believe in marrying for love.
Season four offers her the time to explore her raw and complex budding romance with Lord Marcus Anderson. However, this connection also causes deeper revelations about self exploration —a beautiful reminder that it’s never too late to find yourself.
*Spoiler coming for those who have not watched previous seasons*
Apart from romance, season four also tackles Penelope’s newfound stardom and how that affects her ability to expose her fellow socialites. I’m grateful that “Bridgerton” chose to value realism over convenience this season, considering Penelope’s plot armor went considerably too far when she was exposed as Lady Whistledown in season three. As someone who mourns season one Penelope Featherington, this season admittedly made me appreciate how my favorite wallflower has grown into a strong, respectable woman.
I cannot write this review without honoring the truly heart wrenching friendship between Lady Danbury and Queen Charlotte. The development of their complex relationship reminds viewers of the Queen’s humanity and vulnerability. While “Bridgerton” is known for its epic love, it should also be commended for its representation of female friendship.
Lady Danbury’s exit from society is hard to stomach as it’s nearly impossible to imagine “Bridgerton” without her iconic high society balls and meddling behind the scenes with the Ton’s mamas to guarantee each season’s love match. Whether or not we see her next season, her contributions to the Ton will not be forgotten.
I am truly surprised and ecstatic that “Bridgerton” was able to not only salvage, but completely revive the whimsy of British high society. As always, this show is an excellent example of diverse representation and what true love looks like. “Bridgerton” just announced that they’ve begun filming for next season and fans are in anticipation for Eloise’s story. With a new Lady Whistledown in the Ton, Eloise is sure to have a compelling season.
