Warning: Spoilers ahead for Bridgerton Season 4, Part 1.
Another season of Bridgerton, Shonda Rhimes’ fan-favorite regal drama, has arrived. The first four episodes focuses on Benedict and Sophie’s Cinderella-inspired romance and ends with a shocking question. If you’ve finished watching Part 1, read on for a breakdown of the ending and what the finale means for Part 2.
Season four begins with Bridgerton matriarch Violet Bridgerton confronting her second-oldest son, Benedict (Luke Thompson). While he has lived freely as a bachelor, dating men and women as he chooses, his mother tells him it’s time to settle down, join society and most importantly, find a wife.
Violet hosts a grand masquerade ball, where Benedict first encounters the mysterious Lady in Silver (Yerin Ha), who is actually Sophie Baek, the illegitimate daughter of the Earl of Penwood. After his death, she’s forced to be a maid by her evil stepmother, Lady Araminta Gun. Her face hidden behind a silver mask, she tells Benedict she has no plans to marry and cannot dance, which only piques his interest further.
As a bell signals that midnight is near and masks begin to fall, Sophie tells Benedict she must go. She kisses him, then disappears into the night, returning home just before her stepmother and stepsisters arrive. Lady Araminta hopes that Benedict will choose one of her daughters. Meanwhile, the only clue Benedict has to Sophie’s identity is the white glove she left behind that night.
Lady Whistledown reveals Benedict’s intention to rejoin society and hints that he has his eye on someone special. The column reaches Sophie, but she isn’t convinced he’s talking about her. Benedict attends balls and soirées, speaking with all the young ladies in the ton, but has no luck.
Violet points out the Penwoods’ family crest on the glove and suggests he look more closely there. When Benedict tells Lady Araminta and her daughters that he is searching for a Lady in Silver, it reminds Lady Araminta of her marked silver shoes. After seeing Benedict holding the white glove, she concludes that Sophie was the woman he was looking for and fires her.
Benedict and Sophie meet again in the countryside when Sophie protects a fellow maid after a group of Benedict’s acquaintances harasses her. He asks whether they know each other, but she denies it. He offers to find her another position in London, and she hesitantly agrees to go with him. They get caught in a rainstorm on their way back to London and stop at his cottage until the storm passes.
After his wound becomes infected, Sophie cleans it and prepares a compress. As he drifts off to sleep, he asks her to kiss him, calling her “my lady,” seemingly recognizing her before dozing off, though he doesn’t remember the moment the next day. The two spend time together at the cottage as he heals, growing closer and getting to know each other better. During a vulnerable moment by the lake, they share a passionate kiss.
Afterward, they both decide it’s time to return to London, and Benedict apologizes for kissing her, acknowledging it was improper and saying he regrets it. Heartbroken, Sophie pretends it’s not a big deal, and they agree not to speak of the kiss again.
What Happens In Bridgerton Season 4, Episode 4?
In Episode 4, “An Offer From a Gentleman,” Benedict and Sophie arrive in London. Benedict keeps his word and finds her a new job, but fails to tell her until they arrive that the position is at the Bridgerton home. She says no at first, but he reminds her that she doesn’t have any other option.
She becomes a ladies’ maid to Hyacinth and Eloise, while Benedict resumes his search for the Lady in Silver. Violet invites Sophie to tea after hearing from her daughters about Sophie’s literary accomplishments and expresses interest in learning more about who she is. Ultimately, Violet invites Sophie to stay permanently, and Sophie says she will consider the offer.
Benedict finds Sophie alone in a room, gazing up at the stars. She tells him that his mother has just offered her a permanent position in the household and admits she has always dreamed of belonging to a family like the Bridgertons. Still, she confesses she isn’t sure it is wise for her to stay, and Benedict responds that he does not want to jeopardize the opportunity for her.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Mondrich, after helping identify the woman she believes to be the Lady in Silver, is appointed the Queen’s new lady-in-waiting. She suspects it is Miss. Hollis, her neighbor who left the masquerade ball abruptly and never received dance lessons. Violet invites Miss Hollis and her mother to tea to learn more.
Benedict is caught off guard when Sophie arrives to serve tea, so much so that he places his hand over the cup as she pours, burning himself. Miss Hollis eventually reveals she was not at the masquerade ball that night after all. Left alone together afterward, Sophie admits that seeing Benedict every day, everywhere, is making her position increasingly difficult. He agrees, saying he should spend more time away from the house and return as little as possible.
How Does Bridgerton Season 4, Part 1 End?
At the end of Bridgerton Season 4, Part 1, Francesca and John host a family dinner at Kilmartin House at the suggestion of their mother, Violet, who hopes to spend some time alone with Lord Marcus Anderson back in London.
They are then informed that another surprise guest has arrived: Michaela Stirling, John’s cousin and Francesca’s future love interest. (As revealed in Season 3, the series changed the character Michael to Michaela, setting up a major queer love story between Francesca and Michaela in a future season.)
While sketching Sophie, Benedict is overcome and rushes to her bedroom, only to find it empty. Moments later, he collides with her on the staircase as she returns to retrieve her coin purse. Their eyes lock, and the moment erupts into a heated kiss (and more) between them. Benedict confesses that she has consumed him entirely and that he cannot imagine life without her. Then comes the upsetting turn: he asks her not to be his wife, but his mistress.
“For Sophie, the idea of being a mistress is the worst possible thing she could be asked,” showrunner Jess Brownell told Netflix’s Tudum. After all, Sophie’s father was a lord, and she grew up with wealth and a proper education.
As for Benedict’s mindset, “He just wants to have his cake and eat it [too. … He’s] trying to section out his life, which is surprising because we don’t think of Benedict as someone who does that. Deep down, I think he is,” Thompson added. “He doesn’t like to sort of go anywhere too serious or too committed.”
Then comes another plot twist. The Penwoods are actually the ones moving next door to the Bridgerton home in Grosvenor Square, which could mean trouble for Sophie in the coming episodes. Oh, and Mrs. Varley is with them after resigning from the Featheringtons, who refused to give her a raise.
What Will Happen Between Benedict And Sophie In Part 2?
In the teaser for Bridgerton Season 4, Part 2, which plays at the end of Episode 4, both Sophie and Benedict wrestle with their feelings for one another. Sophie considers accepting a position elsewhere in light of everything that has happened, while Benedict grapples with what choosing Sophie could mean for his social standing. Anthony, Kate, and their baby are also set to appear in the upcoming episodes after being absent from Part 1.
When Does Bridgerton Season 4, Part 2 Come Out On Netflix?
The final four episodes of Bridgerton Season 4, Part 2, will premiere on Thursday, Feb 26, at 3 a.m. ET / midnight PT.
The teaser for Part 2 plays at the end of Episode 4 and is not yet available on YouTube.