'Bridgerton' Turns to Cinderella Theme for Societal Outcasts

by Tyler Glover

Photo: Netflix

Dearest Gentle Reader, 
 
This author finds himself compelled to impart the most exciting news of the season! Everyone in the ‘ton will be delighted to know that last Friday, January 29th, “Bridgerton” returned with the first four episodes of Season 4, streaming on Netflix. The last time the ‘ton got a chance to attend a ball in Mayfair was back in June 2024. It is time, dear reader, to know if, in fact, the wait was worth it. 
 
As every “Bridgerton” fan knows, every season depicts the love story of one of the eight Bridgerton siblings. The first season was Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor), the second was Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey), the third was Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton), and this time around, it is Benedict Bridgerton’s (Luke Thompson) turn. Benedict has been depicted as bisexual throughout the series thus far, so it was not known if his love interest would be a man or a woman. It turns out to be Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha).  

Benedict has been notoriously known for not wanting to settle down. He is not interested in the balls or the customs of society, much to the chagrin of his mother, Lady Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell). Back then, marriage was a major measure of success in a person’s life, and Violet just wants what’s best for her children. Violet decides to host a masquerade ball at her home and invites all eligible maidens. Benedict is late to the ball but quickly finds himself enamored with a mysterious maiden, Sophie. He teaches Sophie how to dance, and he is drawn to the fact that she also seems to be somewhat of an outsider to society’s demands. It turns out Sophie is a maid who snuck out of her house to attend the ball. She leaves without telling him who she is, leaving behind a glove. It is definitely a callback to the classic Cinderella story. There is even an evil stepmother, two stepsisters, and a father who tragically passed away as well. It could be uninteresting to viewers, given how this story goes, but the writers and cast sell it, and we are buying it.

A major asset “Bridgerton” has is its casting department. The casting directors have managed to cast each character to perfection every season. Not only did they initially get the right casting for the Bridgerton sibling, but they knock it out of the park every season to find someone for them with whom they have undeniable chemistry. Every season, the chemistry between the couples has been electric. We are drawn to their story and invested in their happily ever after. Every romance has been somewhat forbidden, but the writers have found new obstacles to keep it fresh every season.
 
Thompson and Ha’s Benedict and Sophie are dazzling to watch. The stakes are high in this story because a maid cannot be a lady at this time. This really complicates matters for our couple. How can they end up together? It is outside factors keeping them apart because their love for each other is written all over their faces. 

One of my only slight criticisms of this season is that other stories do not have stakes that are as high. In previous seasons, we had the love story plus the mystery of who Lady Whistledown was. When the audience found out at the end of Season 1 about Penelope being the mysterious writer, the drama was about when she would be discovered. With Penelope being outed in the finale of season three, there is no mystery. Penelope is now trying to manage her place in society, with everyone knowing who the writer is of “Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers.” While it is an interesting angle to watch, the stakes are low. Lady Agatha Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) is trying to break free from the overwhelming feeling she has that her life revolves too much around Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel). Other stories aren’t as riveting as they were in the past, either. One highlight, though, is the exploration of sexuality through the relationship between Francesca (Hannah Dodd) and John Stirling (Victor Alli). It deals with a little-talked-about subject of a woman being able to reach her pinnacle through sex.  

It is so exciting that “Bridgerton” is back. I cannot wait for the last four episodes to be released on February 26th. With a beautiful love story unfolding before our eyes, we cannot wait to see if Benedict and Sophie are able to have their happily ever after. While the other stories do not have very high stakes, they are still interesting. We have spent three seasons getting to know these characters, and now we are seeing some of the everyday problems in their lives. Will the rest of the season continue to deliver electric chemistry and a spectacular ending for Benedict and Sophie? Stayed tuned, dear reader! This author will return shortly with a report on the second part.