*Disclaimer: This contains spoilers.*
Never more in my life have I gushed, screamed, and had a dopey-looking grin on my face than when I was watching Bridgerton season four, part two. Netflix really did us so dirty, making us wait a whole month after the atrocious “be my mistress” line Benedict says to Sophie, but at the same time, I can’t complain because they really delivered. Now that I’ve finished watching season four, here are my takeaways:
I absolutely adored Benedict and Sophie’s chemistry and their overall storyline. I like that while they meet at a ball, Benedict—not realizing that Sophie is the Lady in Silver whom he is searching for—is still able to form a bond with her. Sophie is full of feisty, intellectual, and resilient energy, which we see not just through how she diligently performs her duties as a maid but also through how she navigates her evergrowing feelings for Benedict. While she likes him, you see the hesitancy. From her perspective, this could be beautiful and also ruinous. This makes her a very compelling and realistic character. On the contrary, Benedict is a lot more free spirited but lacks purpose. As viewers, we know that he is a man of many trades but cannot commit to anything or anyone. Sophie challenges him in that regard, and we can understand why she draws him in. Their class difference, which is the main obstacle they face in being together, forces Benedict to rise to the task of finding a way to be with Sophie, which in turn gives him a drive and purpose, especially now that he has found love. I really appreciate how attentive Benedict is in addressing Sophie’s concerns and reassuring her. As an avid Bridgerton fan, Benedict has always been a man of the arts, and you see his emotional maturity and intellect in these intimate and emotional scenes. I absolutely love that we see them navigate this conflict together and in a way where Sophie doesn’t have the short end of the stick. The scene where Benedict confirms to Sophie that her father has always loved her and that she has every reason to question Araminta’s words regarding her father’s will was so touching. He really took the lead in that conversation and provided so much support.
Outside of just the main storyline, there are so many other characters and plot points that stood out to me. The evolving friendship between Lady Danbury and Queen Charlotte was so wholesome to watch. I understand the Queen’s pain in her closest friend leaving, but I also found it very thoughtful that she came around and even appreciated Lady Danbury at a ball in her honor. While this is a romance drama, female friendships are essential. Similarly, I love the bond between Posy and Sophie. I love that despite having a very difficult mother, Posy always remained true to herself and never faulted Sophie. In fact, I love that Posy goes out of her way to help Sophie, even though from a societal point of view, Sophie’s existence was a taint on her family’s reputation as she was illegitimate. It made me so happy to see Sophie and Posy stating that they are to be sisters once Sophie had the Queen’s approval. Additionally, I was so shocked to see Cressida as the new Lady Penwood. It was a fantastic thing to do for her character, as you learn through the previous seasons that she really was the product of her environment and that she has learned from her past mistakes. I’m glad she is in a better place where she can be who she wants to be. Her apologizing to Penelope was necessary, and I sincerely hope that she, Eloise, and Penelope can all be friends.
Lastly, I want to talk about how the show handled grief. John’s passing was a very sad endeavor, and it impacted everyone differently. You see through Francesa that sometimes acting like everything is fine is the way to convince yourself that you are fine even when you are not. On the other hand, seeing Michaela celebrate John’s life really goes to show that you can find good even through the worst. It was very difficult to watch this particular part of the story, but nevertheless it was executed quite well.
Overall, this show really challenged season two as my favorite season. Going forward, I am also eager to see if season five will be Eloise’s season or Francesa’s — for now, Benedict and Sophie live rent free in my head.
