Bridgerton Season 4 Episode 1 Review: Benedict's Cinderella Story Finally Arrives
- Sahndra Fon Dufe
- 4 days ago
- 13 min read
A Black Film Wire Review | Bridgerton Season 4 (Part 1)
It’s been a long week. I’m inundated with work, and I basically scrambled through everything due today just to make room for one thing: hearing Lady Whistledown’s sturdy voice remind me why we fell for Bridgerton in the first place, six years ago, when Shondaland dropped Season 1 and Regé-Jean Page had half the internet in a group chat spiral.
Four seasons later, and a whole five-picture deal later, Bridgerton is back.
A few days ago, I was still enjoying the South Africa premiere photos (and the way attendees, including Nollywood actors, dressed to kill). Now today is here. I’ve got hot cocoa because it’s cold on my end, snacks within reach, and I’m sitting here waiting to see what this new Benedict era actually does with the fairy tale we all know is coming.
And here is our review:
Where Season 3 Left Off
Before diving into Episode 1, let's remember where we left things.
Penelope publicly revealed herself as Lady Whistledown at a dramatic ball (Season 3, Episode 8), receiving Queen Charlotte's permission to continue writing now openly as Penelope Bridgerton. The couple welcomed their first child, a future Lord Featherington.
Benedict and Eloise confirmed that Violet's masquerade ball would happen next year, setting the stage for Benedict to meet his mysterious Lady in Silver.
Anthony and Kate departed for India with Kate pregnant. Francesca married John Stirling and prepared to move to Scotland. And Eloise decided to join Francesca and John on their journey to Scotland.
EPISODE DETAILS
Episode: “Out of the Shadows and Into the Light” |
Runtime: Approximately 60 minutes |
Release: January 29, 2026 (Part 1) |
The episode opens with Anthony Bridgerton and Lady Violet Bridgerton locked in a deliciously awkward exchange after she walks in on what appears to be a ménage à trois situation. She issues a warning ahead of the Bridgertons hosting their first masquerade ball.
Wait. Lady Bridgerton is hosting the first ball? We don’t yet know why. Even Queen Charlotte questions it later.
Lady Whistledown Makes Her Grand (Official) Entrance
Within the first seven minutes, Lady Whistledown is formally announced and walks into the Queen’s court, lavishly dressed and now addressed as Mrs. Bridgerton (recall she married Colin Bridgerton last season).
The Queen summons her “as friends,” commissions her for full gossip, then demands a preview of her writing, interrupting constantly and insisting she recite her column from memory, ahead of the social season.
As a fellow writer, I’m sitting there thinking: What the hell? That would drive me absolutely mad. And yet, she begins: “Dearest gentle reader…”
The Mondrichs: A Steamy Introduction
The Black couple: Will and Alice Mondrich (Martins Imhangbe and Emma Naomi) are introduced in a steamy scene featuring serious lean-back muscle and very bare butt. Lawd. Gawd.
I’m not a fan of film nudity to that degree, but I also appear to be in the minority these days.
The Masquerade Ball: A Visual Extravaganza
The ball is exquisite, peak Bridgerton opulence.
Scurrying servants, tall turquoise cakes, ornate invitations, florals in vibrant colors, violins swelling over lavish arrangements, endless food and drink. Bright, elaborate masks, lace ones, hard ones adorned with jewels, shiny metallic ones, feathered ones, and powdered wigs- It’s fantasy at its most indulgent.
According to reports from the set and Netflix, the masquerade ball in Episode 1 was designed as a “magical midnight woodland extravaganza.” The costume team created 172 custom looks specifically for this sequence, with inspirations ranging from Shakespearean motifs to 1930s silhouettes. In addition, the hair and makeup department produced approximately 160 custom wigs for the scene.
The costume team was led by John Glaser, Dougie Hawkes, and George Sayer, and the scale shows. This is world-building! None of that background spectacle hodge-podge.
And yes:
A Woman With a Literal Swan on Her Head
As people gracefully danced at the ball, I kid you not, a woman walked past the camera with an actual sparkly swan on her head.
I cannot make this up.
Lady Violet’s Wandering Eye & Lady Danbury’s Announcement
Between hosting duties, Lady Violet Bridgerton openly ogles Lord Marcus Anderson (Daniel Francis), dressed as Zeus. She’s soon joined by Lady Danbury, masked in gladiator-style gold. Later, Lady Danbury announces to the Queen that she’s considering stepping back from society to travel and visit her ancestral home, a place she hasn’t seen since she was four. I liked this development.
The Queen’s response? A very dry: “No.” But let’s talk about the Queen’s arrival. Shall we?
The Queen’s Arrival Changes the Game
The Queen enters unmasked, wearing a crown reminiscent of an Alice in Wonderland Queen of Hearts moment. She doesn’t need a disguise, she’s the Queen.
Desperate for gossip, Her Majesty summons Mrs. Colin Bridgerton (a.k.a. Mrs. Whistledown), who struggles to rattle off enough names to satisfy the monarch , from one Mr. So-and-So, to Lord Napier, to Mr. Fry.
To one suggestion, the Queen responds: “If one squints.”
I’m dead. That line is officially entering my shade dictionary.
A Brilliant Twist: The Male Suitor
Poor Mrs. Whistledown is barely thirty minutes into the episode and only just catching her breath herself. Never thought I’d see the day when she would be the one on the back foot. Still hungry for tea, the Queen pivots strategy: instead of crowning a debutante of the season, she proposes shifting the spotlight to a male suitor, a move designed to “fire up the competition” and throw the ton into chaos.
Benedict’s Dramatic (Late) Entrance
Benedict arrives at the ball two hours late, to his mother’s visible frustration. He’s encouraged to meet debutantes and does so reluctantly. When teased about being “number two but last to marry,” it does not land well.
Lady Penwood: The Predatory Matchmaker
Enter Lady Penwood, still dressed in black, and with it, the immediate awkwardness of her exchange with Lady Bridgerton. There’s a palpable pause as both women navigate what to say, especially in the shadow of Lady Penwood having lost both of her husbands. Yikes.
Flanked by her two daughters, Lady Penwood is clearly on assignment, intent on catching the only unmarried Bridgerton in the room: Benedict. When her daughters whisper about how handsome he is, she quickly redirects them to what truly matters: his name. She notes she’s heard he’s a little rakish, then adds, almost breezily: “Everyone knows reformed rakes make the best husbands.”
How very hilarious. And, honestly? Somewhat true. I laughed out loud.
The Moment: Benedict Spots His Cinderella
Benedict spots Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha), the mysterious woman in silver, quietly hiding her dance card from another man. He “finds” it anyway. She insists she can’t dance. He counters with an offer: dance lessons.
Upstairs, Without a Chaperone
They slip upstairs without a chaperone, then outside; still alone, where the conversation deepens. They talk about avoiding “shallow water” (Bridgertonese for small talk), and soon enough, they genuinely connect. At her prompting, Benedict slowly starts opening up. This is soft unmooring. I loved it. Sophie isn’t looking for a husband, to Benedict’s clear shock- and her answers only intrigue him further. He can’t tell if she’s joking or performing some elaborate act for the night. He takes her hand… well, her white-gloved hand, and they dance.
And we’re in love.
Inside the ball, the Queen zeroes in on Benedict as women swoon, Mrs. Whistledown hesitates knowingly, and Eloise Bridgerton quietly ushers a mischievous Hyacinth back upstairs.
Cinderella and the Rake: What Makes It Work
Back to Cinderella and the rake Bridgerton, away in private.
What makes the connection compelling isn’t just the chemistry, it’s the inversion. Benedict expects pursuit; Sophie offers curiosity instead. When she challenges him on why he asks questions without revealing much about himself, the power dynamic quietly shifts. Only then does she realize he’s a Bridgerton ”that Benedict,” a man she knows entirely through Mrs. Whistledown’s descriptions. Rather than retreat, she presses deeper. They circle back to their shared disdain for “shallow water,” and Benedict admits, almost reluctantly- that he often feels out of place. Even here. Even at home.
The Dance Lesson & the Almost-Kiss and Sapiosexual Flirting
When he offers to teach her to dance and she asks why, his reply lands like poetry: “Because I’m a mere mortal and don’t question what the dance card tells me to do.”
They dance slowly, closely. No chaperone. He guides her through her missteps; she learns quickly. She closes her eyes, trying to memorize the feeling: something to escape to later.
She still refuses to give him her name. When he asks how he’s meant to find her tomorrow, she’s honest: he can’t. “A silver ingénue who can never be seen again,” he says.
Then, almost a kiss. Instead, he kisses her cheek, holds her hands, pauses, and inhales her wrist like he knows he’s about to lose her. Very, very sensual. The midnight bell rings. She panics, says she has to go, then rushes back to steal one last kiss before disappearing, Cinderella-style, her glove left behind. Is it cliché? Completely. Swapping a glass slipper for a glove doesn’t save it. Do we care? Not even a little.
We’re in love. Well, I’m in love… with love… but also very much with them.
The Dramatic Exit & Reality Check
As Sophie rushes away, she collides with her cruel stepmother, who doesn’t recognize her and still manages to spit out a cutting remark. Masks come off. Faces are revealed. The spell breaks. Guests swarm Mrs. Whistledown for tea about the mysterious debutante as Benedict tears through the ballroom, music swelling to a crescendo, searching for his missing Cinderella.
Sophie returns home, carefully replaces the borrowed clothes, and changes back into her servant’s uniform. A fellow servant rushes in, breathless, asking how it was. "It was the most extraordinary night of my life."
Moments later, the mistresses return. Sophie scrambles to serve tea as one of her stepsisters boasts that Mr. Bridgerton showed her considerable interest, gossiping about the woman he danced with that evening. Sophie’s reaction is brief, but visible enough to catch her stepmother’s attention.
The Bet & The Ending
Back at the Bridgertons, Mrs. Whistledown admits to the Queen that she knows Benedict well. Amused, the Queen presses her further, and when Mrs. Whistledown remarks that Benedict Bridgerton is the least likely man of the ton to marry, the Queen turns the observation into a wager before she can take it back.
The bet is set.
Later, Lady Bridgerton finally finds Benedict and asks if he enjoyed the evening, and whether any lady caught his eye. He says no (clearly lying), but admits he now understands what women are truly up against, a quiet shift inspired by the mystery girl and all the preparation required just to be seen. His mother is thrilled by this sudden change.
The episode ends with the to-be-or-not-to-be of a new love story: Sophie finds and holds onto the other glove as Benedict does the same. She hides hers beneath her bed before returning to her house chores. Somewhere else in the ton, he keeps its match.
Two gloves. One night. Everything is at stake.
And in Lady Whistledown’s words: “This author knows best.”
The end.
OUR VERDICT: RATING & FINAL THOUGHTS
RATING: 8.5/10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
What Worked:
The chemistry is ELECTRIC. Luke Thompson and Yerin Ha have genuine, palpable connection that makes you believe in love at first sight
The masquerade ball is visually stunning - 172 unique looks, elaborate masks, that woman with the swan on her head
The dialogue is sharp - "if one squints," "reformed rakes make the best husbands,"
The pacing is perfect - the episode builds tension beautifully toward that midnight kiss
The class commentary feels more nuanced than previous seasons - Sophie defending the debutantes while also rejecting that world
What Didn't Hit:
Predictability of the Cinderella arc
Benedict being two hours late to his mother’s ball? Come on, sir
The nudity felt gratuitous - we get it, they're attracted to each other, but the Mondrich scene was A LOT of bare butt for Episode 1
According to Black Film Wire, Season 4’s choice to frame Benedict’s romance through class tension, not just fantasy, signals a strategic evolution for the series. Bridgerton is no longer relying solely on escapist romance; it’s embedding social architecture into its love stories to remain globally sticky in an increasingly crowded prestige-TV landscape.
LOOKING AHEAD
Part 2 releases February 26, 2026.
The questions:
Will Benedict discover Sophie’s identity?
Can love transcend class?
What will Lady Whistledown do about her bet?
To be continued.
OUR FAVORITE (AND SHADIEST) LINES FROM BRIDGERTON SEASON 4, EPISODE 1
Because I'm starting a shade dictionary this fall:
"If one squints" - Queen Charlotte on Mr. Fry's eligibility (ICONIC)
"Everyone knows reformed rakes make the best husbands" - Lady Penwood
"A silver ingénue who can never be seen again" - Benedict on Sophie
"Because I'm a mere mortal and don't question what the dance card tells me to do" - Benedict
"Staying in shallow water" - Bridgertonese for small talk
HOW BENEDICT'S ROMANCE COMPARES TO PAST SEASONS
Season 1: Daphne & Simon - The Blueprint
Enemies-to-lovers meets fake dating, complete with spoon-licking tension and rain-soaked drama. Their romance was passion fighting against duty.
Season 2: Anthony & Kate - The Slowburn
The ultimate “I hate you but I’m obsessed with you” arc. Their love story was about resisting, and ultimately surrendering to… desire.
Season 3: Colin & Penelope - The Friends-to-Lovers
The ache of realization: he was always there. Anchored by Penelope’s glow-up and the Lady Whistledown reveal, their romance was about finally seeing someone you thought you knew.
Season 4: Benedict & Sophie - The Fairy Tale
Pure, unapologetic fairy tale romance: a masquerade ball, a mysterious woman, a midnight escape, and a lost glove. What elevates it is the class commentary beneath the fantasy. This isn’t just Cinderella; it’s Cinderella if the prince had to confront what it means to love someone society deems “beneath” him.
The verdict: Benedict’s romance may be the most overtly romantic the series has offered yet. Whether it matches the emotional payoff of Colin and Penelope or the depth of Kate and Anthony remains to be seen, but the setup is undeniably strong.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE REST OF PART 1 (EPISODES 2-4)
Since Part 1 is already out, here's what's coming (NO SPOILERS):
Following the classic Cinderella blueprint:
Benedict searches for his Lady in Silver throughout the ton
Sophie continues living as a servant, hiding her identity
They meet again under different circumstances (he doesn't recognize her)
The class divide becomes the central conflict
We learn more about Sophie's backstory and her cruel stepmother Lady Araminta Gun (Katie Leung)
Benedict must decide what he's willing to sacrifice for love
At its core, the season asks a familiar but potent question: can love truly transcend class, or will society’s rules win?
WATCH IF YOU LIKE...
New to Bridgerton? Start with Season 4 if you love:
Cinderella retellings - This is a direct, unapologetic fairy tale
Class-crossing romances - Upstairs/Downstairs with feelings
Gorgeous period costumes - The masquerade ball alone is worth it
Witty, intelligent banter - These two can FLIRT
Slow-burn chemistry - They literally dance slowly and it's HOT
Already a Bridgerton fan? You'll love this if:
You preferred Season 1's fairy tale vibes over Season 2's angst
You wanted more focus on the romance and less on subplots
You appreciate the show's continued commitment to diverse casting
You're ready for a softer, more romantic Benedict after his Season 3 exploration
Skip if:
You need strict historical accuracy (this is fantasy Regency)
You’re over Cinderella stories
You prefer political intrigue over romance
You can’t handle passionate glove-holding (yes, it’s that intense)
THE BLACK ACTORS BRINGING MAGIC TO THE TON
Emma Naomi as Alice Mondrich
The stunning Emma Naomi has been promoted to main cast for Season 4. She plays Alice Mondrich, wife to Will Mondrich (Martins Imhangbe).
Her braided updo in Episode 1 is absolutely gorgeous, a crown of beads and braids that honors African adornment traditions while fitting seamlessly into the Bridgerton fantasy. The Mondrichs offer wisdom about marriage and navigating society.
Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte
The commanding Black monarch of Regency England continues to be a fashion and hair icon. Her wigs this season are nothing short of spectacular, particularly her masquerade look featuring a heart-shaped cage crafted from hair and silver leaf. She refuses to wear a mask at the ball. "She's the queen."
Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury
The powerful matron of the ton returns with her signature strength and perfectly groomed presence. Her gladiator-inspired gold mask at the masquerade? Chef's kiss.
Her announcement about stepping back from society to visit her ancestral home adds emotional depth to her character this season.
Martins Imhangbe as Will Mondrich
Returns as Alice's husband, continuing their stable, loving partnership that stands as an example to other couples.
The big questions:
Will Benedict discover Sophie is his Lady in Silver?
How will their class divide be overcome?
What will Mrs. Whistledown do about her bet with the Queen?
Will Lady Danbury actually leave society?
TO BE CONTINUED...
Episode 1 is only the beginning.
More is coming, including a deeper look at Episodes 2–4, and an exclusive piece exploring African fashion, Black excellence, and the broader cultural impact of Bridgerton Season 4. And in Lady Whistledown’s words: “This author knows best.” Signing out.
Bridgerton Season 4, Part 1 (Episodes 1-4) is now streaming on Netflix. Part 2 releases February 26, 2026.
FEATURED SNIPPET OPPORTUNITIES |
What happened at the end of Bridgerton Season 4 Episode 1?At the end of Bridgerton Season 4 Episode 1, Sophie runs away from Benedict at midnight, leaving behind her white glove. Both Benedict and Sophie keep their glove as a memento, while Sophie returns to her servant life and Benedict searches for his mysterious "Lady in Silver." Mrs. Whistledown makes a bet with Queen Charlotte that Benedict is the least likely Bridgerton to marry. |
Who does Benedict Bridgerton fall in love with in Season 4?Benedict Bridgerton falls in love with Sophie Baek (played by Yerin Ha), a mysterious woman he meets at his mother's masquerade ball. Sophie is the illegitimate daughter of an earl who has been forced into servitude by her cruel stepmother. Benedict doesn't know her real identity and calls her his "Lady in Silver." |
What is the best line from Bridgerton Season 4 Episode 1?The best line from Bridgerton Season 4 Episode 1 is Queen Charlotte saying "if one squints" when evaluating Mr. Fry as a potential suitor. Other standout lines include Lady Penwood's "Everyone knows reformed rakes make the best husbands" and Benedict's "Because I'm a mere mortal and don't question what the dance card tells me to do." |
Is Bridgerton Season 4 based on a book?Yes, Bridgerton Season 4 is based on Julia Quinn's third book "An Offer from a Gentleman." The show follows the Cinderella-inspired love story between Benedict Bridgerton and Sophie Baek (changed from Sophie Beckett in the book). The core story remains the same: a masquerade ball meeting, a lost glove, and a romance that transcends class divisions. |
How does Benedict's romance compare to previous Bridgerton seasons?Benedict's romance is the most fairy tale-inspired of all Bridgerton seasons so far. Unlike Daphne and Simon's passionate enemies-to-lovers arc, Anthony and Kate's intense slowburn, or Colin and Penelope's friends-to-lovers journey, Benedict and Sophie's story is a direct Cinderella retelling with stronger class commentary. It focuses on pure romantic chemistry while questioning whether love can truly transcend society's rules. |
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