When I cozied down in my bed to watch "Bridgerton" season 4 on Jan. 1, the day the first half of the season was released, I was skeptical, but excited.
Season 3 had fallen flat, from the lackluster love story to the out-of-place 2016-like makeup. But, I'd been watching “Bridgerton” for over three years, and one mediocre season didn't destroy my love for the show, or my eagerness for a new season.
I'd been looking forward to the fourth season for two years, and I could only hope that this season could live up to the excitement of seasons 1 and 2. And, to my delight, it did.
“Bridgerton” season 4 is an exciting and addictive season that keeps the simple and lovable characteristics of the earlier seasons while remaining original by exploring new dynamics and characters.
Season 4 kicked off with a charming scene of the Bridgerton household preparing to welcome back their third-eldest daughter, Francesca, and her husband, John, from their home in Scotland.
The scene immediately immersed me in the show. The peppy, instrumental music paired with the bright pastel colors of the Bridgerton house filled me with anticipation for the season and gave me hope that it would return to the fun, charming vibe of the early seasons, following season 3.
And after watching the first episode, my concerns about the season being boring and unoriginal were almost entirely gone.
From the start, it was already so much better than season 3. The intricate, braided updos, the soft makeup and the stunningly detailed outfits all looked much more like they belonged in the 1800s, and more importantly, the “Bridgerton” universe.
Out of all the season's successes, the best aspect of season 4 was its portrayals of the dynamics within the Bridgerton family.
There are many moments this season that highlight their relationships, from Benedict and Violet's continued squabbling over Benedict's lack of marriage, to Eloise teasing Hyacinth about her anticipated debut.
Characters such as Hyacinth and Francesca Bridgerton are also expanded upon, which gives depth to the family and Benedict and Sophie's love story felt real, not just two actors playing a part.
The bonds between the characters, only accentuated by the clever writing and dialogue, made me feel like I was in the room with them, listening to them laugh and argue amongst themselves.
In addition to family bonds, the show explores new dynamics this season, particularly focusing on power dynamics between the upper and working classes.
All “Bridgerton” love stories are based on popular fairy tales, so with it being the first time the show explored the lives of the servants who serve “the ton”, season 4 was the perfect season to be based on the fairy-tale “Cinderella,”
In true “Cinderella” fashion, the two love interests first meet at a ball.
At the ball, Benedict, the Bridgertons second-oldest son and a notorious rake — regency-era slang for an upper-class man who lives a promiscuous lifestyle — runs into a lady in silver, whom he immediately falls in love with.
“The lady in silver” is, in fact, not an upper-class “lady” but a maid named Sophie Baek, who ended up at the ball with the help of two fellow servants.
Set in a time when it was deemed unacceptable for a member of “the ton” to be in a relationship with someone of the working class, witnessing Sophie and Benedict's relationship unfold and the problems that come with it, makes for an addictive watch.
Benedict's stubborn personality makes him the best Bridgerton member to be used in this trope, and Sophie's gentle personality compliments him perfectly.
The qualms of their hidden relationship help to ground the show. One of Season 3’s many issues was the lack of relatable conflicts that keep Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington apart. This is where Season 4 really improves.
Many more people can relate to having a relationship that needs to be kept quiet, regardless of the reason. Along with having a better conflict than last season, the pairing of Sophie and Benedict is one of the best out of all of the show's couples, maybe second only to Daphne and The Duke.
Their personalities, and especially their flaws, create effortless chemistry and have you rooting for them through every obstacle, no matter how impossible their relationship seems. Sophie is self-sacrificing and logical, having been a maid for years, and Benedict is stubborn and impulsive, a result of being an upper-class second-son.
Season 4 of “Bridgerton” continues elements that the show has always done well, such as diversity among its cast, realistic dialogue and complex dynamics, while also improving on parts it’s lacked previously.
The season contained the most relatable storyline since season 1, and more than ever, I really felt as if I was in Regency-era London whilst watching.
Season 4 of “Bridgerton” is an enjoyable, binge-worthy watch that will leave everyone satisfied with Sophie and Benedict but most of all, excited for the next season.
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