Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1 Review: The Romance Series Uses a Problematic Netflix Trend (But Makes it Work)

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As a huge romance fan, I have to say Julia Quinn’s books really hit the spot – they’re probably the most popular series going right now, and it’s easy to see why. The stories are genuinely captivating, the romance is fantastic, and things get pretty steamy! It’s no surprise Netflix turned them into a show, and I’m thrilled it’s already heading into its fourth season.

Season 4 of Bridgerton is divided into two parts and focuses on Benedict Bridgerton’s love story, which is based on the book An Offer From a Gentleman by Quinn. Although the season covers several different storylines, Benedict’s romance is one of the most creative and engaging we’ve seen so far – and it surprisingly manages to make one of Netflix’s common issues work in its favor.

Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1 Offers Its Most Inventive Romance Yet

Bridgerton consistently excels at blending passionate romance with complex emotional challenges. We often see characters, like Penelope Featherington and Anthony Bridgerton, struggling with their own fears about commitment, which become central to each season’s love story. However, Benedict’s story is different; his path to love is blocked by outside factors – circumstances and the expectations of society – that keep him separated from Sophie Baek.

This season feels like a classic Disney story, focusing on Benedict’s encounter with a smart, self-assured woman who knows exactly what she wants. Unlike past seasons, a romantic connection forms immediately, but the drama comes from Benedict not knowing who she is. This kicks off a complicated search that creates more problems than it solves.

The storyline follows a familiar romantic pattern for the show, which viewers might find repetitive after four seasons. However, Bridgerton makes it work thanks to strong acting. Luke Thompson really shines as Benedict, showing his character becoming disillusioned with his carefree ways and searching for a deeper connection. And Yerin Ha is captivating in every scene she’s in as Sophie.

Ha skillfully portrays the complexities of Sophie, making her instantly likable and someone you want to succeed once you understand her story. Katie Leung also delivers a compelling performance as the villainous Lady Araminta Gun, and the scenes between the leads have a strong, believable connection.

Previous seasons centered on intense attraction and longing between the main couple, emphasizing their inability to be together. This season takes a different approach. While longing is still present, the story primarily focuses on two people building a genuine connection despite their different backgrounds. What keeps them apart isn’t superficial—like looks or shared interests—but rather a matter of circumstance.

The first part of Bridgerton Season 4 feels like a gentle shift, prioritizing sweet interactions between characters over dramatic tension. While it’s a bit less intense than before, this change actually strengthens the overall story.

The show is exciting with its central characters, but the many storylines involving supporting characters are becoming a bit overwhelming. Although this season focuses on Benedict, his story doesn’t always feel like the main priority.

Bridgerton’s Main Struggle is Its Many Plot Points

Each season of Bridgerton weaves together several storylines. We consistently see things like Penelope’s double life as Lady Whistledown and the close bond between Lady Danbury and Queen Charlotte. Last season showed the Featherington family’s struggles with money and social standing. However, the first part of Bridgerton Season 4 makes all these side plots feel just as important as the main story about Benedict.

Last season felt like it was building towards something bigger, with many storylines setting up future events. This season, however, feels like those storylines are finally coming to fruition. We see this particularly with Lady Danbury, who has been important in many smaller plots throughout Bridgerton. This season finally explores her complex relationship with Queen Charlotte and hints at the challenges the Queen faced, as previously shown in the series.

Season 4 also features a developing relationship between Violet Bridgerton and Lord Anderson that becomes more significant. While this isn’t necessarily a problem for the show, it overshadows Benedict’s love story, making it feel secondary when it deserves to be a main focus.

Benedict’s storyline feels a little slow compared to the others, and it’s difficult to fully invest in it. This is especially frustrating because the show spends time developing other characters’ stories instead of focusing on Benedict, who’s been built up for a while now. Perhaps the season will pick up later, but right now, it’s hard to get really excited about his romance.

Despite the show’s flaws, Lady Araminta and her daughters are engaging villains, and the relationships within Sophie’s family are interesting enough to make audiences eager for the next part—though many of these storylines appear to be continuing in Part 2.

The show is also laying the groundwork for future seasons with a particular character. While this is typical for a series like Bridgerton, it sometimes feels like we’re being encouraged to look ahead instead of enjoying the current episodes. This is a result of Netflix’s tendency to split seasons into parts. However, Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1 shows that this approach can still be effective, at least to some extent.

Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1 Uses a Problematic Netflix Trend But Still Makes it Work

The last season of Stranger Things is being released in three volumes, a strategy Netflix is using to create excitement. While this approach can work for major seasons, it doesn’t always improve the viewing experience. It essentially creates an artificial mid-season break, something usually reserved for shows with many more episodes – like 22. Interestingly, Season 4 of Bridgerton is an example where this split release actually works well.

Episode 4 feels like a true mid-season finale, packed with big reveals, surprising twists, and emotionally charged moments. It neatly wraps up the first half of the season while still leaving viewers wanting more. This balance is hard for many shows to achieve, but it works particularly well here, making the episode feel very satisfying.

If the second half of the season feels as satisfying as the first, the entire show flows together nicely. The story elements are generally well-balanced, though the plot does jump around a bit, and the unexpected twists leave you looking forward to what happens next. However, this season doesn’t necessarily prove that this kind of storytelling approach is a good idea for other shows.

Unlike many shows that benefit from being split into parts, Bridgerton feels different. The first few episodes leave viewers with a lot to talk about, making the wait for the rest of the season seem short. However, the story takes a while to really get going – not much happens until around the fourth episode – so audiences will be eagerly anticipating what happens next.

Season 4 represents a shift in style and mood, moving away from some of the bolder choices of previous seasons. The bright colors and heavy makeup have been softened, bringing back the sophisticated look of the earlier episodes. Along with a stronger focus on character development in the romantic storylines, these changes suggest the show has a lot more to offer viewers.

Even with a few moments that wandered away from Benedict’s story, the first part of Bridgerton Season 4 is still very good. Sophie Baek is a wonderful new addition to the cast, quickly becoming a fan favorite and helping to show us new sides of Benedict. The chemistry between them is strong and keeps you hooked throughout. Now, the show just needs to finish the season strongly.

Bridgereton Season 4 Part 1 is now streaming on Netflix.

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2026-01-29 11:08