Warning: Spoilers for episodes 1-4 of Season 4 below.
An indecent proposal is one Benedict Bridgerton, this season’s romantic lead in the popular Netflix staple Bridgerton, knows well. As the resident rake and someone who would have absolutely thrived in the 1960s free love/group sex era (that happened, right?), Benedict is the classic “spare” second son. Unlike his older brother Anthony, all pent-up sexual energy sprung from a Martin Scorsese Wolf of Wall Street fever-dream pitch, Benedict is the less serious bon vivant artist type—more sensitive, more curious, and perpetually bucking against the societal norms that have long held sway in Regency-era Mayfair. Think Prince Harry with the older-woman “young stallion” story regarding his virginity. That tracks with something that happened to Benedict too. Or better yet, think Harry in The Buccaneers and the whispered, lurid story of his governess. Come to think of it, that parallel might not be accidental.
Benedict’s life leading up into this current season makes for a compelling subject for this show because who doesn’t want to reform a rake? At least, in romance terms. Reforming the rake is its own sub-genre of romance and I’d even venture to say, a sort of kink. Don’t dial Ana Huang on that one. We’re not talking dark romance, a la 50 Shades of Grey, though Benedict, adorned in his black pirate-looking Andy Gibbs-chest baring suit in this photo still above befits the description.
So who better to reform Benedict than someone who can call him out on his BS? Enter Sophie Baek, the aforementioned Cinderella: the unfortunate stepdaughter of the tyrannical Lady of the House, Araminta Gun, and her two daughters, Rosamind and Posy Li—the latter being the kinder, more Sophie-sympathetic of the two. In this telling, Sophie, an overlooked and “invisible” figure in British society due to her status as a maid, and a mistreated one at that, dreams of attending the Bridgerton Masquerade Ball, just to take in the fete and all its grandeur.
Sophie, unlike most maids of the time, is educated, can speak a few languages and is well-read as her father insisted she learn alongside her stepsisters.
Translation: Sophie can quip, sound posh, and act refined (and reserved) with the best of them, or at least comparable to Audrey Hepburn as a chauffeur’s daughter in Sabrina.
Here are a few of the ways in which the season delights so far and makes it a standout:
It’s its most socially aware and socially conscious season yet.
The fact that Benedict would be attracted to a woman from a lower social class is neither surprising nor particularly inspired, as far as story goes. What is new, however, is that this is the first time the lead couple includes someone who isn’t from an elevated social class. There are still rules and a strict hierarchy of rank for Sophie: while her lineage may technically lay claim to her being a Lady by virtue of her father’s position, she has been and is treated as a maid, and worse than one, by her stepmother and at least one of her stepsisters. Benedict is guilty of this, too, as he pursues her as a mistress after admitting how much he desires her, but he is also a product of his time and what he knows. As he observes his brother, Anthony, and a good friend, both have or had mistresses, and they are otherwise decent men.
The Maid Wars subplot: Sophie being fired by Araminta Gun unknowingly ignites a war for maid talent as ladies scramble to staff their households. The show’s handling of this delicate topic gives bargaining power and much-needed attention to maids and the downstairs crew in a distinctly Gilded Age/Downton Abbey way. It also smartly ties the conflict to the upstairs set, like Lady Featherington, who remains completely blind to her maid Farley’s actual needs, offering her dresses in lieu of a raise. Where, exactly, is she supposed to wear society gowns?
Lady Danbury’s and Queen Charlotte’s friendship is dynamic and interesting, especially as it highlights the power of mature female friendship—two women who have effectively grown up alongside one another, with one now ready to leave the nest, and how their relationship has to evolve. Hats off to Adjoa Andoh for her portrayal of Lady D, a fierce, vulnerable, and complex former Lady in Waiting for the Queen, who also does double duty as her confidante and dear friend. I could watch this friendship forever.
My Favorite New Character: Hyacinth. She may be her sister Eloise’s polar opposite in her desire to be the pick of next season’s ball and her eagerness to have a household of her own, but she has emerged as the Bridgerton sister I want far more screen time with. She’s bold, smart, and self-possessed and can hold her own with her very opinionated older sister, Eloise. Go H!
Hyacinth annoyed with her sister Eloise. It’s ok. We get it. Older sisters are tough. The Character Most In Need of a Reboot: Eloise. The best scenes with her are when we witness the two Bridgerton “black sheep” siblings - her and Benedict on the swings, commiserating but also having each other’s backs. The least interesting scenes with her so far this season- every other one.
Representation of a Quieter Love Takes Center Stage. Francesca, that other Bridgerton sister we barely knew existed prior to Penelope and Colin’s season, not only usurped their love story, but is now taking up valuable screen time that could have gone to the Sophie–Benedict (Sophedict? Benephie is better.) romance, which is unfortunate. While I deeply appreciate showrunner Jess Brownell’s creative choice to spotlight a non-conforming couple within a show whose entire conceit depends on lusty, steamy scenes transpiring between fiery couples like Pen and Colin and Kate and Anthony, and I respect Francesca’s sexual journey and her more vulnerable discussions around reaching “pinnacle” (or orgasm, in today’s language) with Lady Violet and Penelope, she and John are just so damn boring.
John and Francesca’s happiness is short lived because in about 2 minutes, Michaela crashes the party. Lady V (or Violet) Loses Her V-Card (Again) in A Very Second Chance Romance Beautiful Story. This whole storyline is the gift that keeps on giving. Go Violet Bridgerton. Your mostly grown kids can take care of themselves for an evening every once in a while and mama has needs that need tending to.
In the Bridgerton book series, Sophie and Benedict’s story is book #2, meaning it takes place before Penelope and Colin’s season, unlike the Netflix series, which presents Penelope and Colin as an already established couple, firmly in the throes of honeymoon rapture, dry humping in carriages on the way to brunch with the Colin’s sister, per the current season.
In Julia Quinn’s novel, another plot diversion from the show is the time between the masquerade ball and Benedict rescuing Sophie at the country estate of his friend is far more pronounced. In fact, two years pass, which is not the case in the show. While some time clearly elapses on screen, it is definitely not two years.
The novel isn’t particularly spicy, but as this series goes, the show must deliver. The steamy scenes in the first four episodes of season 4 are hot, the hottest involving Sophie’s lingering gazes at Benedict during his skinny-dipping excursions at “My Cottage,” the Bridgertons’ country estate (because this family’s wealth knows no bounds) and a subsequent salacious kiss. Perhaps the real high point? Benedict’s abs, because clearly someone’s been working out. And yes, of course the climactic scene, pun intended, on the staircase, when they got to 3rd base and Sophie reached orgasm. Francesca: Take notes, dear!
Emily Henry’s People We Meet on Vacation on Netflix got me through January. I watched it multiple times. It’s such a fun, yet emotionally grounded rom-com that it made me a rom-com believer again. Plus, as the lovely and talented Claire Holden pointed out, in a very full-circle moment connected to this post, there’s a Gilded Age link: Tom Blyth, one half of the love match in PWMOV, previously played a minor character as one of Gladys’s suitors. (His name was Archie Baldwin and he should not be confused with season 3’s Billy Carlton, whom Gladys actually fell in love with and who had a more material role.)
Archie Baldwin was blackmailed by Gladys’s father and never heard from again. YOU WILL NEVER WORK IN FINANCE ARCHIE!! It’s either finance or Gladys! Archie chose wrong. Dirty Dancing reboot - Erin Carlson has all the goods on this one. I’m mixed about this film happening as I’m sure many OG film fans are about the prospect of bringing such a quintessential 80s rom-dram flick about love in the 60s in the Catskills to a modern 21st Century setting but alas, anything to get people to watch this classic, will be for the greater good. I, am fancasting already for Swayze’s irreplaceable Johnny Castle’s grandson to be played by Heated Rivalry’s Connor Storrie, a fellow Texan. I should note that I have no idea if there is even a grandson in the plot. I’m just trying to connect dots.
Dead ringers!
A Perfect Story is a Spanish Netflix limited series (five episodes) and a fake-dating romance featuring an economically divergent couple: Margot, a wealthy heiress with grand ambitions, and David, a nice-guy florist juggling three jobs just to make rent. They pretend to be dating to win back their exes. The acting, story and ending are chef’s kiss and may just be the antidote to all the tundra-like weather the Northeast is experiencing at present.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.