Bridgerton Season 4 confronts an uncomfortable reality (but it's the most romantic storyline yet).

The time has finally arrived. Bridgerton has returned, and my heart can barely handle the sheer pining of it all. Let's dive deep into Bridgerton Season 4: Part 1, because if you're as invested in this little romantic Regency show as I am, you know my social life is officially on hiatus. 

This season finally turns the spotlight on our favourite second son, Benedict, and honestly, it's about time. We've been waiting.

While his elder and younger brothers are out here being happily married, Benedict has spent years being very much single and out and about. But that all changes at the masquerade ball when he meets the Lady in Silver — enter our leading lady.

She is absolutely enthralling, but the catch — and the heart of this season's tension — is that she's actually Sophie, a maid with her own set of secrets and dreams. 

Watch: The teaser for Bridgerton season 4. Article continues after video.

This storyline follows the third book in Julia Quinn's series, An Offer from a Gentleman, and the way the show explores Benedict's inability to see that the fantasy lady and the intriguing maid are the same person is equally frustrating and pure Regency-era drama. 

As Benedict navigates society to find his mystery woman, the stakes feel so much higher because we, the audience, know his heart's desire isn't in a ballroom at all — she's right under his nose. Open your eyes, Benedict! Look past the teeny tiny mask! 

But what really gives this season its weight is the heavy focus on the upstairs/downstairs theme. We're seeing a much more layered version of the ton this time around.

This focus felt particularly meaningful because it pulls back the velvet curtain on the labour that actually sustains the Bridgertons' glittering lifestyle, forcing the high-society characters to acknowledge that their comfort relies entirely on a workforce that is starting to demand its own agency and respect. 

Image: Netflix

It adds a level of social realism we haven't seen before, especially as we watch Queen Charlotte and Lady Danbury navigate their friendship, through the lens of class. Lady Danbury is a friend, but she is also Queen Charlotte's subject. The push and pull between these two incredible ladies was crucial to this season and was a beautiful exploration of duty, grief, and friendship. 

The social tension that is sprinkled throughout also makes the romance between Sophie and Benedict feel even more revolutionary because it's not just a forbidden love trope for the sake of drama. It's a direct challenge to the rigid social hierarchy of the Regency era. 

When Benedict falls for Sophie, he isn't just courting a woman from a different social circle — he is falling for someone the rest of his world considers invisible, and by choosing her, he is effectively choosing to dismantle the barriers that define his own privilege. 

But beneath the complex layers, when it comes to romance, I'm just going to come out and say it: Sophie and Benedict are officially my favourite couple of all the seasons. That is a massive statement coming from me because I was a die-hard, absolute stan for Anthony and Kate. 

Image: Netflix

While season 2 still holds the crown as my favourite overall season, season 4 is a very, very close second. The chemistry between Luke Thompson and Yerin Ha is just electric. The yearning. The intimacy. We are so back. 

Visually, the show has pivoted in a way that feels really grounded. Season 3 got a lot of heat for the over-the-top hair and makeup, and while I'll admit I secretly loved Penelope's acrylic nails and smokey eye, I get why it was a point of contention.

This season, they've toned it all the way back. Sophie's makeup is minimal and reflects her natural features, which feels more realistic for her character and the era. 

And can we talk about the music? Hearing an instrumental version of 'Enchanted' by Taylor Swift was everything I needed for my soul. I actually got chills. 

Beyond the main romance, there's plenty to keep us occupied this season. Francesca and John's search for the "pinnacle" is actually really beautiful to watch. Where the relationship might lack fiery, chaotic passion, it makes up for it with a deep, quiet understanding that feels incredibly mature. 

Meanwhile, Eloise is clearly going through it. She's grappling with the fact that Benedict has found someone and is leaving their anti-marriage club, but she's also realising that being a 'spinster' in the Regency era isn't everything she thought it would be. Living under her mother's roof isn't freeing, and being a single woman in that time period comes with its challenges. 

And of course, Violet Bridgerton's new romance. I love this storyline — after all the stress her kids have put her through over the last three seasons, she deserves a little garden blooming of her own.

Image: Netflix

Finally, the new characters are a complete standout, especially Sophie's family. Katie Leung as Lady Araminta Gun is such a powerhouse casting choice. She's a nuanced character — you absolutely hate her for what she's doing to Sophie, but the show gives you just enough empathy to understand the grief and pain she's dealing with. 

Between the high-stakes class commentary, the secret identities, and the undeniable spark of our lead couple, part 1 of season 4 has managed to recapture the magic of the show while feeling entirely fresh. 

It's a beautifully balanced, heart-aching, and truly great season of television that reminds us exactly why we fell in love with this world in the first place — and yes, I'll be re-watching it until part 2 arrives to consume my entire soul.

Bridgerton Season 4: Part One is now streaming on Netflix.

Feature Image: Netflix.