REVIEW: ‘Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2’ Makes You Team Sophie All The Way

Alas, we have reached the end of another season of the Ton, and with the arrival of Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2, the journey to the end of this chapter is emotional, yet oddly repetitious in its messaging. Full of high highs, some objectively questionable character inclusions, and a less-than-satisfactory conclusion for one stepmother, this season may leave some viewers wanting more, particularly with changes from the novel, but it handles its varying storylines more smoothly than its previous season. Which, honestly, given how much is done to set up the future of the series, is all we can ask for. 

Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2 tackles the aftermath of Benedict’s resounding words from Part 1. The idea of becoming a mistress haunts Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha), given her history, and Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) can’t fathom what is possibly wrong with such a proposal. Their class differences rightfully haunt their relationship, the push and pull coming naturally between them. Sophie understands the implications of everything, while Benedict, swaddled in his privilege, can’t quite fathom them in their entirety.

It’s no wonder, then, that the bulk of Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2 spends a great deal of time iterating and then reiterating how impossible their relationship is. Whether a consequence of Netflix’s writing formula of needing to summarize plot points for a rapidly inattentive general audience or not, this reminder of how society will look unfavorably on the two runs its course quickly. Though a rapid-fire summarization of events towards the beginning of Part 2 by Sophie adds a spot of humour. So, perhaps, this method isn’t entirely awful if executed well.

Sophie balances out Benedict in Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2, with both having what the other needs.

Even still, what emerges is a continuation of much-needed discussions surrounding the class differences within the series. The power dynamics at play between the two lovebirds are undeniable, as is how society perpetuates them at every turn. While Benedict is slow to understand this, it’s almost easy to forgive, thanks to Luke Thompson activating every element of likable himbo energy in the character. To have such a relationship challenges the power structures at play, and Sophie’s existence further challenges everything everyone in the Ton knows and holds dear. 

Sophie’s emotional journey throughout Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2 is handled remarkably well by Yerin Ha. As a character, Sophie is dealt a heavy hand. As a maid, her place is always precarious. Through her experiences as well as those of Mrs. Varley (Lorraine Ashbourne) this season, we see how tenous their status is and how carefully they must toe the line. Yet, Yerin Ha adds a necessary strength and grit to Sophie that is necessary to toe up to a Bridgerton, and she never disappoints, especially in Episode 8.

No one is more challenged by this than Lady Araminta Gun (Katie Leung), who truly emerges as the primary antagonist of Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2. She wields the power that her nobility gives her like a hammer, non-apologetic about casting out those under her employ whenever displeased. Leung plays her with aplomb, making the character easy to despise. And yet, on paper, Araminta never quite reaches the levels of pure villainy in the series quite like she does in the novel. Upon reflection, it is for the best, as she is already quite villainous. 

Alice Mondrich ascends in Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2, filling in the gaps for likely departures.

Through this season’s examination of social class structures, the idea of knowing one’s place is a familiar topic. More so in Part 1 than in Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2. Whereas Part 1 had some of our favorites maintaining the status quo, Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2 is where the idea of one’s place evolving comes into fruition. This is most apparent in the handling of the Mondrichs this season, with Alice Mondrich (Emma Naomi) front and center.

The inclusion of the Mondrichs in the series has been controversial, yet Alice Mondrich’s storyline this season lands the smoothest. Through the Mondrichs, viewers have seen, through an outsider’s gaze, the innate issues with the Ton. While this season has Sophie seeing it from a maid’s perspective, Alice’s perspective sheds another light as someone who grew up lower class, stepping into nobility. She has seen the other side, and yet, she wonders what more is there if nobility is more constrained in action than realized. 

It is these questions that prove to be most essential in Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2, elevating it beyond the story’s Cinderella-esque comparisons. With that said, Alice’s presence in Part 2 further underscores that her role in the story is malleable. While it can be easy to dismiss her role as almost a placeholder for those characters transitioning out of the series, it’s difficult to ignore the convenience with which the character arrives in her position by season’s end. It’ll be interesting to see how Alice develops in the future, if only because the Mondrichs have been an unpredictable variable beyond Season 1.

A new chapter for a beloved friendship will generate tears.

This leads to a much weightier topic that Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2 has been preparing us for – grief, but mostly the end of chapters. Life is full of chapters, and various characters confront both beginnings and endings in different phases of their lives in Part 2.

Some are expected, but the journey to acceptance can be difficult to navigate, given the inevitability of a chapter’s close. This emerges most in Queen Charlotte’s (Golda Rosheuvel) and Lady Danbury’s (Adjoa Andoh) journey this season. Both actresses give incredibly layered, nuanced performances, with the history of their characters’ relationship guiding the way and delivering some of the season’s most tear-jerking moments. Yet as both characters reach different phases of their lives, the inevitability lingers, and we are led into acceptance with them.

Other chapters end suddenly, which is an unfortunately realistic aspect of life sometimes. This pays off for showrunner Jess Brownell, who lays the groundwork for future seasons. It is a bit puzzling, however, that Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate (Simone Ashley) aren’t present when these things happen, given that they appear in an earlier episode. It would have made more sense to include them at this pivotal point.

The ripple effect of events in Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2 will be felt beyond.

Still, the ripple effect of sudden life changes sways many characters in Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2, with some becoming more amenable to marriage while others shudder at the thought. The biggest thing, though, is that where one chapter ends, another one begins. That too is inevitable, and we never know what can happen next. Especially if you wait through the end credits of Episode 8. 

And that is part of the inevitable joy found in Bridgerton Season 4 as a whole. Despite the barriers in place, the plans made, or the things individuals might believe, anything can happen. While the season itself faces challenges balancing its themes with subtlety, among other things, the romance between Sophie and Benedict offers hope amid uncertainty. That is why we are drawn to these Cinderella-like tales. Anything is possible, and romances like Sophie and Benedict show us this.

Bridgerton Season 4 is now streaming exclusively on Netflix.