'Bridgerton' Season 4 Part 1 Netflix Review: Can Excellent Chemistry Save This Cinderella Story?

Dearest gentle reader, a new season of Bridgerton has just arrived, and though it is disappointing that it is split into parts, we still eagerly await everything coming our way. To me, personally, Benedict has always been the favorite brother, but Anthony took that spot when his season rolled around, thanks to his yearning for Ms. Kate Sharma. However, as we neared the end of season 3 and got done with Colin’s story, I found myself waiting for Benedict’s story with bated breath. But truth be told, having seen the first part, I’m not sure I feel the show the way I did back in the day anymore. Given we’re four seasons in, instead of the plot thickening, I find it’s getting runnier by the potful.

Season 4 begins as usual, with a big masquerade ball that is meant to unveil the ton’s latest diamond. However, this time around, the queen wants to switch things up and pick out a desirable suitor instead. The obvious choice is none other than Benedict. Part 1 of season 4 focuses on the Cinderella story of Sophie Baek. The show follows the trope to a T, with Sophie being at the Baek and call of her stepmother and stepsisters (but one of them is nice for a change). Sophie and Benedict’s meeting is no less than a fairytale come true, for just as Cinderella had to leave her glass slipper behind, Sophie has to leave a certain something in Benedict’s hand. But what follows has to be somewhat different, and so we get an almost cat-and-mouse chase of desire. Benedict is the rakiest of the lot, but just one meeting with Sophie, aka his mystery woman, is enough to transform him into a suitor like no other. 

Yerin Ha and Luke Thompson carry the season on their shoulders thanks to their incredibly sizzling chemistry; it’s straight-up off the charts. Not only do they exude desire, but they also create a cheerful and bickering mood whenever they’re on screen together. However, whenever they were not on screen, I found myself getting easily distracted from the other plotlines. Having said that, it’s not that I don’t care for these plotlines; it’s just that I’m more interested in knowing what’s happening between Sophie and Benedict instead. Especially since the season is split into two parts, it becomes increasingly hard to keep the audience interested in what’s coming next when you only get to see half of the whole story. I don’t know why they thought this was a good idea, because it really just breaks the flow of the story and puts more pressure on the plot itself. Considering this is a romantic show, there’s no real mystery; it doesn’t make sense to keep us waiting for what we already know is coming.

Yerin Ha fits into the Bridgerton universe seamlessly and is absolutely stunning to look at, despite masquerading as a maid. The last time I was this excited for anybody getting together was with Anthony and Kate. If you were looking for a new piece of dialogue to pine over, then you’ve definitely got one this time around, by the way. Luke Thompson has always been supremely charming as the coy Benedict, his goofiness doesn’t just come from his silly expressions or his nonchalant appearance, it also comes from how he carries the character, free, yes, but also someone who is hiding something. Maybe this is what draws Sophie and Benedict to each other, eh? Anyway, I couldn’t have asked for a better Benedict and Sophie pairing, is the point I’m trying to make. 

This time, the non-main plot gets split up into a Lady Danbury bit, a Francesca and John bit, a minor Eloise bit, and a major Violet bit. But Harry Potter fans will be most excited to see Cho Chang return as a widowed villainess. Katie Leung certainly has the acting prowess to play a Regency-era villain, but it is amusing to note that she is only a year older than Luke Thompson, who is meant to be playing a suitor to her daughter. Also, I will admit, it would be strange to see Penelope’s makeup change back to what it used to look like before her season, but she really stands out from the crowd, especially when sat next to Francesca or Sophie. It kind of just doesn’t make any sense.

This season begins with the orchestral version of Usher’s “DJ Got us Fallin’ in Love Again,” but then, I’ve got to say, it kind of goes downhill from there. However, the string music that plays during THAT scene of Benedict and Sophie was definitely suited to the mood. Also, Sophie’s maid costumes are so beautiful, and the rest of the Bridgertons look about as good as usual (yes, we’re not looking for era-appropriate costumes). 

If I have to be completely honest, even having not seen season 4, part 2, I can already tell that season 2 of Bridgerton is still going to be my favorite, but I’d be lying if I said this couple in particular is not a close second. There’s a connection between Sophie and Benedict that toes the line between friends, enemies, and lovers. That’s what keeps us hooked to their story, and though it has already transformed to the “I love yous,” it will still be interesting to see how things unfold in the near future. February 26th is honestly too far, but we can only hope that whatever comes next is worth the wait. Also, whoever said Kate and Anthony would not be making an appearance in season 4, well, go watch the preview for part 2. Anyway, despite my fears, I will be prepped and ready for whatever’s coming next on February 26th to see Sophie Baek turn into Sophie Bridgerton. With that said, I’d give season 4, part 1, 3 out of 5 stars, but I’m expecting more from part 2.