Let’s take a ride on the carriage, shall we?
The beloved historical drama, “Bridgerton,” has returned for its fourth season, and it feels a bit different—more rustic, perhaps? The first half is now available on Netflix. As always, the show captivates with its engaging storylines and stunning visuals, but it seems like the main romance is somewhat subdued this time around.
For those who pay attention to the world of Bridgerton, there’s still plenty to enjoy this season. We’re seeing an increase in class politics, plus an intriguing subplot involving Lady Agatha Danbury and Lady Violet, not to mention the continuation of Penelope and Colin’s romance from last season.
However, if you’re tuning in mainly for the main love story this season, you might find it lacking.
Shonda Rhimes produces the series, which is based on Julia Quinn’s romance novels. Each season tends to follow different members of the Bridgerton family in their romantic exploits set in 1800s England.
In this season, we watch as Benedict Bridgerton falls for his maid, Sophie, whom he meets at a masquerade ball. Dressed in a silver dress and wearing a mask, she captivates him—though he’s unaware of the complications of their class difference.
This feels like a modern Cinderella tale, though the writers definitely drive that point home a bit too forcefully, almost as if they think viewers might not catch the reference.
The somewhat flat romance isn’t just the fault of the actors. Sophie, played by Yerin Ha, is a strong character, and Luke Thompson, who plays Benedict, does what he can with the limited material he’s given. He seems to shine more in supporting roles than as the lead.
The pacing is off too; the part where he seeks her true identity seems to drag on uncomfortably long. It feels a bit odd for a show that has built a reputation on being edgy to suddenly tone it down. There seems to be a shortage of R-rated scenes this season. I mean, with the rumors floating around that Gen Z doesn’t want explicit content, you would think the show could have found a better balance, especially considering what HBO Max is doing with their engaging stories.
Strangely enough, the absence of heat might have worked better had there been more emotional depth between Benedict and Sophie. If a romance is supposed to blossom from a brief meeting, then that first encounter really needs to spark something. While their time together at the ball is enjoyable, it doesn’t quite convince you that Benedict’s obsession with finding her is justified.
Interestingly, several other romantic subplots this season are quite engaging. One even features a romantic angle for Benedict’s mother, which is a refreshing change. However, it’s a little concerning for Benedict that his mother’s storyline might overshadow his own.
“Bridgerton” has proven to be a platform that launches careers. The first season, which debuted in 2020, featured Rege-Jean Page, while season three’s Nicola Coughlan was already well-known from “Derry Girls” but gained even more prominence through this show.
In season two, Jonathan Bailey’s role set him up for future success in major films like “Wicked” and “Jurassic World.” Yet in the first part of season four, it feels like Benedict is missing out, perhaps due to the limited opportunities presented.
The question now is whether season four will provide the same level of impact for Thompson and Ha. So far, their relationship has felt rather dull. There’s a chance that the second half of the season could redeem itself, but with no advance screenings for critics, we can only guess. You’d hope they would’ve worked things out by then.
‘Bridgerton’ season 4 is split into two parts, each with four episodes. The first part is currently streaming, while the second half is scheduled for release on Netflix on February 26th.
