Spoiler warning: Please note that this review will contain spoilers from the first episode of Bridgerton Season 4 which releases on 29 January 2026.
The Waltz
Written by: Jess Brownell
Fans were given a preview of the first episode of season 4 during the first premiere held in Paris almost 2 weeks ago. Again the feel of the show is very different under Jess Brownell as showrunner compared to the first two seasons, and even more so for this episode as it is the first episode not to begin with the presentation of a Bridgerton.
The episode begins in a Downton Abbeyesque way by following the servants as they prepare for the return of Francesca & John, and Eloise, from Scotland. However, the beginning also gave us a quick check in with the main Bridgertons we will be seeing this season, as well as a quick update to let us know that Kate gave birth to a boy, (whom I will refer to as Edmund as we have not officially been told his name), whilst setting up the story for Benedict.
We learn that Benedict has been partying a little too hard, and has seemed aimless - particularly over the month prior to the beginning of this season, as with previous male leads we see him in casual liaisons near the beginning, it will be interesting if that continues after he meets Sophie. There is one point where Benedict appears to resent being the 'second son', whether this is connected to the birth of Baby Edmund as Anthony's heir, and thus displacing Benedict as the heir, it is hard to know, but is definitely a possibility. As with Anthony in season 2, and Daphne in season 1, Violet's focus for this season is on ensuring Benedict and, (as we later learn), Eloise get married. Whilst the beginning of the season is about setting up Benedict for the season, unlike in season 2 with Kate, we don't get an early introduction to Sophie as the main female protagonist. For those that are unaware of Sophie being the main love interest, and her story, I think the way she was introduced will be a surprising reveal, as long as the set up is expanded upon for her storyline and Jess Brownell doesn't fall into the trap of seaosn 2 in failing to provide a well executed story arc for her.
For this season the main set piece is the Masquerade Ball, which takes up most of this first episode. This is Violet's ball, and we learn that Violet has taken over the hosting of the first ball of the season from Lady Danbury, something that I find problematic for a couple of reasons, not least of which is that the ball is hosted in Bridgerton House, which is Kate and Anthony's house, which lends to the perception that this production does not view Kate as the Viscountess Bridgerton and rightful Lady of the House for Bridgerton House. This is reinforced by having the writers refer to Kate and Anthony as 'Anthony and his bride' during the ball when talking with Araminta, this is immediately followed up with her saying 'Penelope and Colin'.
Image Credit: Netflix
The ball acts as a way for many characters to provide information of future intent, or set up potential future storylines, mostly circling Queen Charlotte, Lady Danbury and Penelope, in addition to setting uup the love story. Lady Danbury informs the Queen of her intent to leave and visit her ancestral lands, thus setting up the possibility of Lady Danbury being written out this season, and perhaps have her place at the side of the Queen to be taken over by Penelope, who has provided the Queen with information on members of the Ton.
Image Credit: Netflix
The main part of the ball is the meeting of Sophie and Benedict. Sophie is not introduced properly, we see her putting on her mask prior to the ball at the end of a monatage showing the main characters getting ready for the ball, and then we see her briefly arriving in a carriage and being addressed as My Lady. At this point, like Benedict, the viewers don't know who she is, but unlike Benedict the viewers are aware she does not belong, and that she sneaked into the ball. After the ball, as Sophie arrives home we learn that she is a maid to Araminta and her household. However, very little is known about her. I found this way of introducing her as interesting, and for someone who was unaware of the story, it would have been a surprising reveal.
Image Credit: Netflix
The season is starting well with this episode, it showed a good dynamic and good chemistry between the leading pair, and the potential for interesting storylines, if the writers wish to make it so. The only black mark for this episode was the erasure of Kate as Viscountess, that the writer (who is also the showrunner) was unable to have any character say her name was, in my opinion, very telling about how much this showrunner cares for the Bridgerton family. The worst line relates to this, where Mrs Wilson says she was glad The Viscountess gave birth in India, which says a lot without saying much about how this production appears to view the Viscountess.
Image Credit: Netflix
Highs:
- The main couple, they were funny, sexy and had a great dynamic.
- Our first look at the Li Family / Penwoods. The short amount we saw them onscreen was magical, they bring a different vibe to the show, and I am certainly looking forward to seeing them going forward
- Seeing the glimpse into the servant's world. Controversial, but I think that the Bridgerton servants presented a better option for side stories than characters who don't connect into the Bridgerton family, or main story, or those that are forced into the stories in an unnatural way
Lows:
- The lack of Kate and Anthony in the first episode was noticeable
- Not having any Bridgerton family moments, it is feeling less and less like they are a family, and more like they are characters existing in a workplace - perhaps this is what Shonda means when she calls Bridgerton a workplace drama? This is no longer about a family, but rather she sees the Bridgertons as nothing more than colleagues co-existing.
- The erasure of Kate as a character by Jess Brownell
On the Fence:
- The Mondriches. I am still unclear what storytelling importance these characters have, and I do feel that Jess Brownell is not using them in the best way possible. She was so keen to make them part of the ton that she missed on how they could be incorporated into the show in the best possible way. I will see how their story progresses in the rest of the season.
