Alright, folks, buckle up because the second half of “Bridgerton” Season 4 just dropped, and let me tell you, it’s a whole vibe. Picking up right where Part 1 left off, we’re still reeling from that intense kiss between Benedict Bridgerton and Sophie Baek on the back stairwell. But instead of basking in the glow, Sophie, our lady’s maid, is feeling pretty deflated. Why? Because Benedict, bless his heart, floated the idea of her becoming his mistress. Now, for us in the 21st century, that’s a hard pass, no cap. But for a woman in the rigid Regency era, that offer was straight up insulting, a non-starter that could shatter a reputation and seal a bleak future. This season, especially Part 2, really dials into the real stakes for women in this period, making Benedict’s Romance with Sophie not just a love story, but a complex commentary on class and societal expectations.
Lady Whistledown, always the truth-teller (or at least, the truth-spinner), and the unfolding events of Episode 5, “Yes or No,” hammer home just how unsexy and frankly, disastrous, the position of ‘mistress’ truly was back then. It wasn’t some romantic dalliance; it was a societal trap, often leading to ostracization and financial instability, a life devoid of the respect and security that even a modest marriage could offer. While Part 1 felt a little like a ‘Cinderella’ knock-off, Part 2 steps way beyond that fairy-tale trope. This half of the season digs deep into raw passion, the profound sting of loss, and the monumental risks high-society women faced if they couldn’t land a suitable match in the cutthroat marriage market. It’s highkey a more mature and compelling narrative.
Benedict and Sophie remain front and center, but the constellation of women around them truly makes Season 4 a standout. We’ve seen Penelope Featherington evolve from an unnoticed wallflower, finding her voice and escape through Lady Whistledown’s gossip sheets. But with her identity revealed in Season 3, her passion for that work was stripped away. Now, as a wife and mother, we see her prioritizing new paths, reflecting a deeper understanding of herself. It’s a legit glow-up for her character, showing that women, even in the Regency era, could redefine their ambitions beyond societal molds.
Meanwhile, as Hyacinth inches closer to her debut, “Bridgerton” skillfully highlights the absolute necessity for women to marry well, and for the Bridgerton daughters, specifically, to find a love match. A recital hosted for Hyacinth at Bridgerton House begins to open the youngest Bridgerton’s eyes to the importance of compatibility and genuine happiness, not just securing a husband, for real. This shift in perspective is crucial, as it challenges the traditional view of marriage as merely a transaction.
This season also throws open the doors to Stirling House, introducing us to Francesca’s journey. She’s dead set on emulating her mother, Lady Violet Bridgerton, as the quintessential perfect wife to her husband, John. But then John’s cousin and best friend, Michaela Stirling, waltzes in, and suddenly Fran starts to see that maybe there isn’t just one ‘perfect’ way to live. It’s a powerful moment of self-discovery, demonstrating that life is rarely a one-size-fits-all deal. We also see Alice Mondrich trying to find her footing in Queen Charlotte’s dazzling, yet demanding, orbit, while Lady Danbury grapples with balancing her tight-knit friendship with the queen and her own personal desires – a dynamic that’s always on point.
My biggest beef with “Bridgerton” Season 4 Part 1 was how muted the romance between Sophie and Benedict felt. Thankfully, Part 2 totally rectifies this, bringing forth all the yearning, longing, and desire that was sorely missing. Their relationship finally gets that lusty zeal fans have been thirsty for, and it’s truly dope. A huge part of this shift is Benedict’s character development. In the first half, he was kind of floundering, wearing his duties as the second son like a badge of shame. But as the season progresses, he really comes into his own, boldly stepping up for the woman he loves, and even being vulnerable enough to share his fluid sexuality with Sophie. Moreover, fans of Julia Quinn’s novels will be absolutely thrilled with the season finale, “Dance in the Country,” which includes a tantalizing scene ripped directly from the pages of her book, “An Offer From a Gentleman.” Talk about fan service!
“Bridgerton” Season 4 Part 2 also gets a gold star for giving even the most villainous characters some much-needed depth. Sophie’s stepmother and former employer, Araminta Gun (aka Lady Penwood), comes back into focus, along with her two daughters, Rosamund Li and Posy Li. While Araminta is still ferocious and cunning, showrunner Jess Brownell takes the time to highlight this twice-widowed woman’s grueling journey in a world where women’s relevance was solely tied to the men they were attached to. It provides a deeper understanding of her machinations, making her less of a caricature and more of a product of her time.
The final chapters of “Bridgerton” Season 4 are beautifully detailed, allowing characters from various seasons (you know who I’m talking about, wink wink) to expand, grow, and change drastically. All while, of course, setting the stage for the remaining four love stories that await us. It’s genuinely baffling that Netflix keeps slicing some of its biggest series into two parts. It totally interrupts the pacing of the romances in “Bridgerton,” especially this season, and can be a bit of a buzzkill. Yet, when everything finally clicks and comes together in the end, it’s clear that Part 2 was well worth the wait. This season truly hits different.
If you enjoyed this article, share it with your friends or leave us a comment!
