Benedict Bridgerton’s story finally unfolds as Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1 premiered on January 29, with four episodes dropping at once on Netflix.
In Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1, episode 1, titled The Waltz, Benedict is urged by his mother, Violet Bridgerton, to attend the season’s ball, which is being held at their home. At the ball, a woman in a silver gown captures Benedict’s attention, and from that moment, everything begins—the rake is clearly caught by love.
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Disclaimer: This article contains major spoilers about the series. Read at your own risk.
Bridgerton Season 4 Episode 1 Recap: Introducing Benedict Bridgerton
Bridgerton Season 4 episode 1 opens with Mrs. Wilson, the Bridgerton family’s head caretaker, preparing the household for the day. Eloise, along with Francesca and her husband, Lord John Stirling Kilmartin, return from a visit to the Kilmartin estate in Scotland.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Wilson and a few staff members gossip about Penelope’s son Gregory at Eton and a pregnant Kate and Anthony in India. They speculate that Eloise is destined to remain a spinster, while Hyacinth may debut soon.
Later, Violet notices Benedict’s absence, prompting groomsman John to scramble to prevent her from discovering Benedict in the bachelor lodgings with two women. Once awake, Benedict reluctantly attends to family duties in Anthony’s absence.
Violet scolds him for his rakish behavior, warning that it could damage his sisters’ reputations. She urges him to settle down, but he dismisses the Ton’s ladies as dull. He agrees to act like a gentleman at Violet’s season-opening ball after her persistent pleading.
Elsewhere, Queen Charlotte clarifies her stance with Penelope, signaling that she will remain in the Queen’s favor. As long as she continues writing as Lady Whistledown, delivering the Ton’s most scandalous gossip.
The first issue of Whistledown highlights Violet’s upcoming masquerade ball. The Bridgerton staff assist Penelope, but she navigates the gossip cautiously, aware that reckless reporting could tarnish reputations.
In the kitchen, staff members fret over the masquerade preparations. While marveling at the theme, which will reveal guests’ identities at midnight. Finally, the scene shifts to the Ton’s elite donning their elaborate costumes in anticipation of the grand event.
The Masquerade Ball
A young girl in silver, Sophie, arrives at the ball looking nervous. The footman, who knows her well, offers encouragement while warning her to leave by midnight. She struggles with proper etiquette when John hands her a dance card, fidgeting under the scrutiny of the elite.
Elsewhere, three new arrivals make their entrance: Lady Araminta Penwood, a twice-widowed socialite, and her daughters, Posy and Rosamund. Posy is innocent and cheerful, while Rosamund exudes a calculating snootiness. Sophie tries to keep her distance from them, but an accident with a dessert draws Mrs. Wilson’s ire.
Later, Violet grows anxious as Benedict runs late again, delayed by a dalliance with a male friend. Danbury and her brother Marcus banter nearby, lightening her mood.
Although Queen Charlotte initially ignores the debutantes, she arrives to gather first-hand gossip from Penelope, seeking intel on eligible bachelors instead. Pen provides a rundown, but no gentleman proves worthy of the Queen’s attention.
At that moment, a tipsy Benedict finally enters, causing the women to swoon. He attempts to mingle as Violet requested, but the guests focus only on marriage prospects. Lady Araminta eyes him strategically, hoping to marry Rosamund into his prestigious name.
Meanwhile, Pen and Eloise watch the scene with amusement. They decide not to feature Benedict in the latest Whistledown issue, doubting he will ever marry. Pen notices Eloise speaking with the debutantes; Eloise explains she is abandoning her usual antagonism and plans to embrace society as a spinster.
From a quiet corner, Francesca and John observe the festivities and discuss their life in Scotland. Francesca admits she has been avoiding her cousin Michaela for privacy. John suggests a new home in England, delighting her with the idea.
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Benedict and Sophie Steal the Spotlight in Bridgerton Season 4 Episode 1
At the ball, everyone vies for Benedict’s attention, but he is captivated by Sophie, who marvels at the grandeur around her. Noticing her struggle with a persistent suitor, he intervenes, claiming he owes her a dance.
Sophie plays along but soon admits she cannot dance, prompting Benedict to suggest a private lesson on the terrace. Meanwhile, Queen Charlotte observes the room’s fascination with Benedict. She decides to appoint him her champion, ensuring all eyes remain on him.
Elsewhere, Eloise spots Hyacinth sneaking into the ball, despite being forbidden. She escorts her sister back to her room, leaving Hyacinth irritated. In the hallway, Marcus encounters Violet and almost kisses her hand before they are interrupted, leaving Violet flustered as she quickly departs.
Later, Will and Alice Mondrich attempt to approach Queen Charlotte, but she completely ignores them, focusing solely on Benedict. She insists she attends the ball only for Lady Danbury’s sake. Seizing the moment, Lady Danbury announces she will pass her hosting duties to Violet so she can return home. However, Charlotte refuses to let her leave, ensuring the evening continues under her watchful eye.
Secrets, Sparks, and Midnight Revelations
On the terrace, Benedict praises Sophie for being different from the frivolous women of the Ton. Irritated, she scolds him for dismissing the ladies and their struggles to navigate society. In the conversation, Sophie admits she has no interest in marriage and often feels out of place. While noticing that Benedict rarely speaks about himself.
He confesses that he dislikes the courtship rituals because the women pursue him for his status rather than his character, leaving him feeling like an impostor. The mood lightens as he teaches Sophie to dance. Though she panics after stepping on his foot and instinctively tries to clean his shoe.
He stops her gently, and they continue dancing, sharing an intimate moment when he removes her glove and leans in for a kiss. However, the midnight bell chimes, forcing Sophie to flee. Before leaving, she kisses him and bumps into Araminta, who does not recognize her behind the mask.
It is then revealed that Sophie secretly works as a maid for Araminta. Among the Penwood family, only Posy treats Sophie kindly, while Rosamund claims she can easily win Benedict away from the silvery-masked stranger. Annoyed, Sophie is dismissed for the night.
Back in the ballroom, Penelope removes her mask and is immediately swarmed by guests anxious to secure her praise in Whistledown. She teases Queen Charlotte with a bet that Benedict will be the last to marry.
But Charlotte accepts the challenge. Meanwhile, Violet appears upset when Eloise declares herself a spinster, insisting she will still find a suitable suitor, leaving Eloise frustrated.
Later, Violet encounters a reflective Benedict, who admits he now respects the effort women put into their appearances and social pursuits. She wonders if something has changed, but he says nothing of Sophie.
That night, Lady Whistledown narrates her wager with the Queen, musing that while it is good to dream, reality must eventually return. Bridgerton Season 4 episode 1 closes with Sophie smiling sadly as she hides her single glove beneath the bed, a secret reminder of the evening’s fleeting magic.
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Bridgerton Season 4 Episode 1 Review
Bridgerton Season 4 kicks off with a dazzling return, blending the Ton’s lavish social events with sharp wit and fresh intrigue. The episode balances the familiar charm of the Bridgerton family with the introduction of new faces, creating a lively, engaging start to the season.
The masquerade ball serves as a perfect stage for drama, romance, and playful rivalries, setting the tone for what promises to be another captivating chapter.
The standout of the episode is undoubtedly Sophie, whose nervous curiosity and quiet strength breathe life into the ball’s whirlwind. The actress delivers a nuanced performance, capturing both Sophie’s humility and her growing confidence, making her interactions with Benedict genuinely enchanting. Their terrace scene sparkles with chemistry, highlighting the subtle tension and charm that make Bridgerton’s romances so addictive.
Furthermore, the show masterfully balances humor, heart, and social commentary, from Eloise’s spinster declaration to Benedict’s candid reflections on societal expectations. Queen Charlotte’s presence adds both gravitas and comic intrigue, while Lady Whistledown’s narration ties the evening together with her signature wit. The episode succeeds in reigniting the Bridgerton magic, promising a season full of romance, secrets, and spectacular gowns.
All episodes of Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1 are available on Netflix. Part 2 of the series will be released on February 26 on the same platform.
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Source: Bridgerton, Netflix, Netflix 1
