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In An Offer From a Gentleman there is a two year gap between the Masquerade Ball where Benedict meets Sophie and when he finally locates her and the main part of their story takes place. Heading into season 4, which is confirmed as Benedict's season, it is a good time to ask if the time jump will happen in the show, and if it does how could it impact other storylines. Prior to the announcement that Benedict's story was being told in season 4 there were a small group in the Bridgerton fandom suggesting that this 2 year time jump in the story could only happen if the masquerade happened in the season before (hence the argument for Eloise's story to be season 4), however, I think it can work in season 4.
We don't know how the Bridgerton writers will manage season 4 and Benedict's season, but I believe that the time jump will be something that could be incorporated to the benefit of a number of storylines. Further I think that a time jump could fix some of the issues that have arisen in season 3, if the writers (and show runner) were so inclined.
Before I look at how an in-season time jump could help the show, let's revisit an interview from Jess Brownell. When talking about season 4 during the season 3 press, Jess said that season 4 would happen in a different 'season', heavily implying that as well as going out of London, season 4 would take place outside the Spring social season. Taking this into account that makes me believe that season 4 could possibly begin up to 18 months after season 3, in Autumn or Winter of 1816.
If season 4 was to take place over Autumn 1816, or Winter 1816/1817, then I think it could begin with the Masquerade ball in episode 1, perhaps as a harvest ball, or as a winter or Christmas ball, potentially with episode 1 ending with Sophie running away. This would set the season up for episode 2 to begin 2 years later in 1818, which then makes way for several plot points to take place.
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We could see Kate and Anthony return in episode 2 (if they don't return in episode 1), they could return with baby Edmund, and Kate pregnant again. This would give a little more believability to the idea that they went to India, if they return anywhere from 18 months to 3 years after the events in season 3. I think this could be a great way to tie up their story, as it seems unlikely that we will see them much in the show after a brief appearance in season 4, so bringing them back from Edmund, introducing us to Edmund, and then seeing Kate have baby number 2 onscreen will give the fans at least one of their major life events onscreen after missing them all.
A time jump could help with moving other stories forward, we could have the death of Marina to set up Eloise's season, and allow for Eloise (and the twins) to age up as well. Whilst the twins still wouldn't be around the same ages as they are in the books, if there is an in season time jump in Benedict's season, and it takes place over the winter, realistically his season would finish in 1819, allowing for Eloise's season to take place in 1820. On the subject of it allowing for characters to be aged up, it will allow for Gregory and Hyacinth to almost catch up to the ages of the actors. In season 2 Hyacinth was meant to be 10 or 11, placing her at age 12 or 13 in season 3, but she was dressed much older (more the age of the actress), so a time jump means that in season 4 they could potentially have Hyacinth as a teenager or around 15 or so, whilst Gregory will be around 17 and finishing Eton. Having the 2 years in season and allowing the aging up of Gregory and Hyacinth means that they don't have to write Gregory out as being 'at Eton', by having him basically have completed his schooling.
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The idea of a time jump would allow for Francesca and John to show an established relationship prior to his death and Francesca's story. I think what could happen with this is that they could write the actual marriage of Francesca and John a little longer, but it is possible we could see him get sick - or die - towards the end of season 4, and this will set Francesca up for a mourning period in season 5 ahead of her season. In saying this we don't know that the show will keep the relationship with Francesca and John the same, and it is possible with the change they have already made that they could take this in a completely different direction. My thoughts are that they may not have the infertility storyline, and we will see Francesca have John's baby, something that could happen with a time jump in season 4.
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Lastly, I think that a time jump can set it up for the show to stay close to history and write in the death of Queen Charlotte (1818). I have already written how I feel that Queen Charlotte's story arc in Bridgerton is at an end with the reveal of Lady Whistledown, and writing in her death will bring her time in Bridgerton to a natural conclusion.
These are my thoughts on how they can utilise an in season time jump for the benefit of the storytelling in season 4, but will they? I am not sure that the Bridgerton show runner, or writers, actually will have the courage, or will, for this, and so I will be surprised if they do a time jump in the middle of the season.
