Is 'Bridgerton' season 4 saving its juiciest drama for Part 2?

Dearest gentle reader, it seems Bridgerton has learnt nothing from its most recent scandals, for we find ourselves once again powerless to resist its temptations. The ton barely recovered from its last masquerade scandal, and yet, we are already back for more.

Bridgerton season 4 arrived with all the orchestral music, elaborate sets, and corset-tight tension we have come to expect over the years but this time, the spotlight has shifted in a way that feels rather rebellious. Enter Benedict Bridgerton: the family’s charming second son, resident artist, and eternal commitment-phobe, finally taking centre stage in a love story that is less about the “diamond of the season” and more of a forbidden fairytale. The first half of the season drops us straight into a Cinderella-coded fantasy, complete with a masked ball, a woman in silver, and the kind of romantic obsession that doesn’t quite fade after sunrise.

But if you thought this season would be all glittering gowns and harmless flirtation, think again. If the books are anything to go by, season 4 is Bridgerton at its most emotionally loaded yet, digging into class, power, and what love actually costs when society’s rules are designed to keep people in their place. Across four episodes, the show makes one thing clear: this isn’t just typical yearning and romance. And with the second half set to release in February, the stakes (and feelings) are about to skyrocket.

A quick recap of the chaos so far

Season 4 opens with Violet Bridgerton’s masquerade ball, where Benedict meets the mysterious Lady in Silver, later revealed to be Sophie Baek, a young woman living as a maid in her own house, tormented by her evil stepmother, and attending the ball in disguise. Their chemistry is electric and impossible to miss. But as the clock strikes midnight, Sophie vanishes, not before leaving behind her glove and a deeply shaken Benedict who, for once, wants something real.

The episodes that follow chart Benedict’s slow unravelling as he searches for her, while Sophie re-enters his life in a very different role—no longer a fantasy, but a woman navigating survival, dignity, and independence. After much back and forth, including Sophie accidentally admiring a butt-naked Benedict and the two kissing by a lake (only to apologise later), tension peaks with a stairwell confession that almost gives us our happy turning point. Almost until Benedict suggests Sophie become his mistress. Yes, he actually did that. With Sophie’s (and our) hearts breaking into a million pieces, the fairytale cracks, and the first half of the season ends with all of us thoroughly furious at Benedict.

What happens next (spoilers ahead!)

If you’ve read Julia Quinn’s An Offer from a Gentleman, you already know where the story is headed, and it’s messy in the best way. The second half will force Benedict to confront his privilege, unlearn his assumptions, and decide whether love is worth defying the very society that raised him. Sophie, meanwhile, will continue to assert her dignity and independence, refusing to settle for anything less than respect, even when it costs her comfort, safety, and love.

Expect emotional confrontations, near-misses, and moments that push both characters to their limits. Yes, there’s romance (and steam), but the real arc is about growth: Benedict learning that love isn’t about possession, but partnership. 

Why Season 4 hits different

Unlike previous seasons that rushed towards marriage and societal approval, season 4 lingers in uncertainty and discomfort. It asks harder questions, slows the pace, and trusts the audience to sit with longing instead of instant gratification. And honestly? It works.

Come February 26, Bridgerton isn’t just returning with more drama, it’s returning with purpose. Get ready to witness the growth, tension, and at least one scene that will absolutely break the internet. Keep your tissues handy; this journey is set to be a tearjerker.

Lead image: Netflix

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