Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2 review: Benedict and Sophie’s sizzling 'Cinderella' subversion leads a crowded, captivating finale worth the wait

Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2 fixes the slow burn with sizzling lead chemistry. Despite an annoying split release, deep emotional stakes and rich subplots deliver a triumphant and magical conclusion.

Yerin Ha and Luke Thompson in a still from Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2

Bridgerton Season 3

Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2 story:

In the second part of Bridgerton Season 4 Benedict Bridgerton and Sophie Baek’s romance intensifies as they grapple with the ramifications of his ill-considered proposal to have her as his mistress. Lady Araminta’s evil plots further complicate Sophie’s history as the illegitimate daughter of the Earl of Penwood, while Benedict struggles with his profound emotions and the strict limitations of his social position. Amidst the larger Ton drama—which includes Violet’s romantic blossoming and Anthony and Kate’s return with their young son—Benedict finally manages to connect his "Lady in Silver" fantasy with the woman he loves.

Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2 review:

Many people grew up reading Cinderella-style romances and wished for a similar fate. In today’s practical world, the idea of a woman aspiring to find a man simply because a glass slipper fits seems far-fetched. However, Bridgerton despite its Regency Era setting, highlights the dignity women sought in a time when they lacked such agency. We saw in the final moments of the first half of Season 4 that Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha) was taken aback when Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) asked her to be his mistress. The second half begins just minutes after that encounter, and we see her coming to terms with the fact that the man she is falling for doesn't initially believe in a conventional commitment. The reason? Class differences, of course.

The remaining episodes provide enough twists to keep the "push and pull" of their relationship dynamic. Sophie lives in a dilemma: she cannot stay away from Benedict, yet she must protect herself from her cruel stepmother, Lady Araminta Gunn (Katie Leung), who has moved next door to the Bridgertons. By maintaining her disguise, Sophie continues to meet with her former colleagues who assist her in becoming more assertive—a quality she had been suppressing. Observing Sophie take charge of her situation to save herself from trouble is a delightful watch.

ALSO READ: Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1 review: Grounded, class-conscious Cinderella tale where the passion hasn't quite ignited

My main issue with the first half of the series was that Benedict and Sophie didn't seem to yearn for each other as intensely as they should have, given the timeline. However, the emotional stakes are so tightly wound in the second half that it ensures the characters don't just wear each other down; instead, everything builds toward them becoming inseparable. People who claim not to believe in love often create the most captivating love stories, and we see that perfectly executed here.

There is a beautiful moment between Benedict and his mother, Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell), where she reveals she was once a rebellious girl until she fell in love and found contentment. She tells him she sees herself in him and believes his life will take a similar turn toward happiness when he finds the right person.

To be honest, the women of Bridgerton uplift the series and provide the depth it deserves. On one hand, we see Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) balancing her life as Lady Whistledown with her role as Colin’s wife and the co-parenting of their child, Elliot. Despite loving her work, she realises she is losing steam as a columnist, a transition beautifully captured throughout the episodes. Although Benedict and Sophie are at the epicentre, Penelope's storyline remains substantial and is not sidelined, as it was for some previous leads.

On the other hand, a captivating arc features Francesca (Hannah Dodd), who is happily married to Lord John Stirling (Victor Alli) yet feels she is not doing "enough". Her inspiration is Violet, and the pressure Francesca places on herself reflects the struggles of modern women who struggle to find balance and burden themselves with expectation.

Meanwhile, Eloise (Claudia Jessie) also receives the right kind of attention. She realises she isn't always right, particularly when her siblings' desires to "settle down" diminish. She acknowledges that she is different and cannot expect everyone to share her practical outlook. Her storyline is reminiscent of Little Women specifically the moment Jo asks Meg not to get married, only for Meg to respond that she is truly happy to do so.

Yes, Part 2 of the fourth season is crowded with four episodes that wrap up these arcs, providing each character with necessary development. How many Bridgertons are too many? You might ask, but the answer will always be: there is no such thing.

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Returning to Benedict and Sophie, their chemistry is so palpable that it is evident not only in intimate sequences but also in their conversations, which include moments of their back-and-forth getting to know each other. In doing so, we see Benedict's growth as he grapples with his doubts about how to further pursue his relationship with Sophie while ensuring he doesn't repeat past mistakes, such as the "mistress" remark he made. Moreover, we also see him acting as the quintessential "sibling" to the younger ones in the family, supporting them through trying times.

There is a heartbreaking moment that comes at an unexpected time in the series. To be honest, it brought a much-needed jolt to the show, which had been maintaining a somewhat monotonous flow for a long time. It also brings a sense of introspection to every character, which comes as a surprise. I must say, it felt as though the emotional impact would be limited to certain people, but when every single character is affected, it speaks volumes about the love the Bridgerton family shares for one another.

Despite Araminta's portrayal as an evil stepmother, her character also has a sympathetic backstory. Being widowed twice and living in a world where the pressure of introducing her daughters to society is her sole purpose provides a layer of understanding for her actions.

However, my lingering gripe with the show remains the decision to release it in two parts, where the first half serves as little more than the "cover of the book", and all the meaningful unfolding happens in the second half with an improved storyline and better subplots. To be honest, this approach hasn't been effective for Bridgerton even in the third season. This show should be enjoyed in its entirety, rather than forcing the audience to wait a month to see if the story actually improves.

Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2 verdict:

While the split-release format remains a frustrating "Ton" tradition, Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2 triumphantly mends the slow burn of its predecessor. Benedict and Sophie’s chemistry finally sizzles, anchored by genuine emotional growth and a refreshing Cinderella subversion. It’s a lush, high-stakes conclusion that proves while the wait was tedious, the Bridgerton magic is far from fading. Turns out, you really can’t have too much of a good thing.

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