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Bridgerton 4, Part I: Between Fairy Tales and Frustration

 

Bridgerton 4 part I


Cinderella? Really?

That reveal almost completely pulled me out of the story. It felt tired, predictable, and honestly unnecessary. For a moment, I genuinely thought I might lose interest altogether.

And yet… they somehow manage to keep you watching.

Still, the frustration is real. Benedict (Luke Thompson) looks at every other woman and instantly knows, nope, not her. But the woman he talks to every spare minute, the one he’s clearly drawn to—that doesn’t ring any bells? It’s ridiculous. The secrecy isn’t romantic, it’s annoying. Borderline infuriating.

At this point, Sophie (Yerin Ha) not telling him who she is isn’t cute or mysterious—it’s just exhausting. Please. Just tell him already.

Queen Charlotte: Fragility, Loneliness, and Letting Go

The most quietly heartbreaking thread so far is the Queen (Golda Rosheuvel).

Her fragility is painfully visible. The way she desperately searches for something—anything—remotely interesting to distract herself from everything else feels deeply sad. It’s not boredom; it’s grief, loneliness, and fear of facing what remains.

When we love, we eventually have to let go. And I hope the show allows her that grace.

I truly believe Agatha (Adjoa Andoh - you can also watch her in Fractured) will find someone suitable for the Queen’s company, someone she can tolerate, maybe even enjoy—and that this will finally allow her to go on her trip. She deserves peace. She deserves rest.

(To better understand this character, take a look at Queen Charlotte.)

Women, Pleasure, and the Things No One Taught Them

The best part of Part I is easily the exploration of taboos around women’s pleasure—and just how shockingly little information women have.

This theme appears beautifully through Lady Bridgerton’s (Ruth Gemmell) attempt to live again. Watching her consider having a boyfriend, opening herself up to intimacy after such a long marriage, is genuinely sweet… even if it borders on ridiculous at times.

A woman of her age acting like a teenager? Yes, occasionally it’s awkward.

But her doubts are incredibly relatable:

  • How do I start over?

  • What if my body isn’t what it used to be?

  • Am I even allowed to want this?

Those questions feel honest, vulnerable, and very human.

Francesca: Prepared for Everything Except Reality

Francesca’s (now played by Hannah Dodd)  storyline is probably the saddest at some point.

These girls were exhaustively trained in meaningless things—piano forte, posture, which spoon to use—but not a single practical lesson about intimacy, partnership, or communication.

She barely knows the man she married. There’s no space for honesty because she doesn’t even know where to begin. And, sometimes, neither does he.

That’s what makes her conversation with Penelope (Nicola Coughlan, from Derry Girls - who, after being the main character last season, is now almost an extra) so touching. With Penelope, she’s more open, more curious, more willing to ask questions. It’s a glimpse of how many doubts and insecurities she has (as well as a lack of information).

Eloise: Stuck, Stalled, and Disappointing

And then there’s Eloise (Claudia Jessie).

She doesn’t evolve.

The character feels stuck—emotionally and narratively. She comes across as jealous, clearly unhappy, and very obviously not content with being single, despite pretending otherwise.

She feels insecure, confused… maybe even scared. But we’ve been here before. And again. And again.

At this point, it’s not complexity—it’s stagnation. We want growth. We expect growth.

Waiting for Part II

Part I has strong themes, emotional depth, and moments of genuine insight—but it’s also weighed down by unnecessary secrecy and by characters who refuse to move forward.

So here’s my hope for Part II:

  • Character development (especially Eloise)

  • Emotional honesty

  • And for the love of all things Bridgerton…

Sophie, tell Benedict who you are.
It’s not romantic anymore. It’s not suspenseful.
It’s just annoying.

Let’s move on.


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