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While I’m a big fan of “will they, won’t they” romances, I didn’t expect to exit the first half of “Bridgerton” Season 4 wondering “will I, won’t I?” Although, perhaps, I should have expected a tale of two sentiments. The first two seasons of the Netflix historical romance series were lovable in the extreme. Despite major consent issues in Season 1, and the Edwina (Charithra Chandran) situation going on for too long in Season 2—a situation that left us with too little of Kate (Simone Ashley) and Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) reveling in being Kate and Anthony.
Then came Season 3, when the series shed its romance leanings and tipped into historical drama. Leaving Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) to stand alone when she faced the Queen, and leaving us with various chair-sex, but without the satisfying culmination of the long-awaited Polin pairing—Penelope x Colin (Luke Newton). The historical drama fans were thrilled, but most period pieces are made for them. The romance girlies felt cheated.
Of course, fans will never forget the thrills, swoons, and messy machinations that this Shondaland hit, based on Julia Quinn’s books, has given us. We, much like the North, remember. Thus, the excitement levels for the upcoming Cinderella story between Benedict (Luke Thompson) and Sophie, the Lady in Silver (Yerin Ha), are in overdrive. In the books, theirs is a fairytale romance. One where the daughter of a noble, forced into servitude by her wicked stepmother, fights for and gains the love she deserves. The inciting incident? Sophie sneaks into Lady Bridgerton’s annual masquerade ball. Thus, the stage is set.
Yet, I’ll take you back to Thanksgiving, when a friend leaned over and said, “I think I may be done with ‘Bridgerton’.” Picture me shocked. What made her feel that way?! Disappointment is the neatest answer. My friend is in it for romance novels come to life, for the fantasy of it all. If the internet chatter is to be believed, many fans feel the same. I had my worries too. The first hour of the four-episode Part 1 didn’t allay my concerns. Not that it isn’t fluffy and engaging, but something is missing. Before I counter my own thoughts, let’s get into why.
Dearest gentle reader, the season starts in the Bridgerton household. The same as always, but in deference to Sophie’s position as a maid, we go behind the scenes to the back stairwells and kitchens. There, we meet more of the staff who keep the Bridgerton machine running. It’s refreshing to see the work that enables the nobles to be pleasingly flummoxed by love in the foreground. And the family is all here, minus Kate and Anthony. The contrast between classes is charming at Bridgerton House, bringing the turmoil at Penwood Manor into sharp relief. Sophie’s home is anything but hospitable, as she labors without wages for her stepmother, Lady Araminta (Katie Leung), and step-sisters—the contentious Rosamund (Michelle Mao), and the congenial Posy (Isabella Wei).
If I may be so bold, I’d have preferred to meet the ladies at Penwood first. Giving us a new perspective to start the season and adding interest to the masquerade. Both in heightening the anticipation for when we’d see the Bridgertons and in bringing Sophie into sharper focus. That way, we’d already know why Benedict is immediately stunned by her. We would be too. As it is, it’s difficult to buy into the instalove that Benedict and Sophie experience when we’ve only seen her gazing awestruck at a grand chandelier. All the while, wearing a mask she herself admits is less than flattering.
I’ll also note that the masquerade ball is the first time in four seasons that it feels like we’re on a set rather than immersed in a world. When the leading pair finds their way onto the garden terrace from the promos, the enchantment isn’t there because it doesn’t feel real. The makeup isn’t the dewy glow of a fantasy either. The actors do have chemistry, but the sparkle isn’t there—yet. Their meet-cute is saved when Benedict teaches Sophie to dance. Suddenly, their magnetism for each other leaps into life. Do you see what I mean? Since we already know Benedict so well, imagine if we’d gotten to know Sophie before the ball. Our hearts might’ve truly fluttered.
Little things like those left me concerned, but hopeful that season 4 would find its rhythm. However, what works early on is the theme of relationships being tested. At every turn, friends, lovers, employers, employees, and siblings struggle with evolving relationships that reflect each person’s internal growth. For instance, John (Victor Alli) and Francesca (Hannah Dodd) strive for greater honesty as newlyweds, while Eloise (Claudia Jessie) and Hyacinth (Florence Hunt) struggle with opposing personalities. Violet (Ruth Gemmell) and Lord Anderson (Daniel Francis) continue their flirting, featuring callbacks to the “garden” jokes from the “Queen Charlotte” series. And Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) and Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) come to a new understanding of what friendship means. I cannot share much more, but I’d wager you’ll be pleased with that overarching theme.
The turning point happens deep into episode 2 and continues to the cliffhanger at the end of episode 4. Especially while in the countryside, once Sophie and Benedict come together as themselves. When they’re able to shed the artifice they must maintain in London, that’s where the season catalyzes, and the sparkle begins.
Benedict and Sophie are well-rendered characters; his insecurities work nicely as a counterpoint to her need to be seen as herself without being categorized by her station. She knows who she is and needs others to recognize it. He’s unsure of himself and needs to recognize who he is. They are both kind, reticent, artsy, vulnerable, and prone to protecting others at their own risk. That makes them a heroine and hero we can get behind. And a pairing that will enhance one another.
There’s so much more to tell you, and Season 4 is filled with delights, but those are spoilers. I wouldn’t do that to you. As a teaser, cottages are getting a lot of play in romantic series this year, from HBO’s “Heated Rivals” to Benedict’s My Cottage. And the introduction of Mrs. Crabtree (Susan Brown) is destined to be a fan favorite. I must add, dear reader, as the story progresses, the tender beats of falling in love—comedic incidents, banter, sexy surprises, iconic scenes from the book, and unexpected situations that build character—begin to come together in a fluttery and heartfelt journey to love.
Best of all, the yearning romance fans crave is here, too. And suddenly I’m rooting for Sophie and Benedict’s happily ever after. We know we’ll get one, but it’s the getting there that makes this season of “Bridgerton” fun again.
All four episodes of Part 1 screened for review. Currently streaming on Netflix.
from Roger Ebert https://ift.tt/1zwUlZE
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