The fourth season of Bridgerton opens with the promise of "a season like no other," and the premiere delivers spectacle from its first frame. A masquerade ball—the most extravagant in a decade—sets the stage for a love story that will challenge everything the ton believes about class and propriety.
It's Benedict's turn to burn, and the show wastes no time igniting the flame.
The Masquerade Ball
The centerpiece of the premiere is, of course, the masquerade itself. The production design reaches new heights—every mask, every gown, every candle-lit corner feels designed to make viewers gasp.
Benedict, reluctant to attend (art is calling, as always), finds himself transfixed by a woman in silver. She's witty, she's beautiful, and most importantly, she sees him as a person rather than a Bridgerton. Their dance is electric, their conversation sparkling.
And then, at midnight, she disappears, leaving only a glove behind.
Yes, it's Cinderella. The show knows it, the characters know it, and the self-aware approach works beautifully. "This is absurd," Benedict tells Anthony. "I'm chasing a woman based on a glove." Anthony's response: "Brother, I married a woman who hated me. Love is always absurd."
Introducing Sophie Beckett
The premiere cleverly splits its perspective between Benedict's search and Sophie's reality. We learn she's the illegitimate daughter of an earl, treated as a servant by her stepfamily after her father's death. The masquerade was her one night of freedom, borrowed dress and all.
Sophie's situation is more dire than Benedict could imagine. Her stepmother, Lady Araminta, is cruel in ways that feel realistic rather than cartoonish. Sophie's half-sisters are shallow but not villains. The household dynamics are complex and believable.
The reveal that Sophie will end up working in the Bridgerton household is teased but not yet realized—setting up the delicious dramatic irony to come.
Meanwhile in the Ton
The premiere juggles several subplots:
Penelope and Colin: Now married, they navigate being an established couple. Penelope's secret feels more precarious than ever as Whistledown's columns grow bolder.
Eloise's rebellion: She's found a kindred spirit in Cressida Cowper, of all people. Their unlikely friendship promises interesting developments.
The Queen: Queen Charlotte announces this season's diamond will be determined by "more than just beauty"—a declaration that sends the ton scrambling.
Violet Bridgerton: A small moment hints at possible romance for the Bridgerton matriarch, three seasons after Edmund's death.
Episode Verdict
The Season 4 premiere is peak Bridgerton—lush, romantic, and surprisingly emotional. Benedict has been a fan favorite since Season 1, and seeing him take center stage feels earned. The Cinderella framework gives the season a clear structure while the show's typical subversions keep it fresh.
Most importantly, the chemistry between Benedict and Sophie (even in their brief scenes) crackles. If the rest of the season delivers on this promise, we're in for something special.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars