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NEED TO KNOW
Bridgerton season 4 part 1 premiered on Netflix on Jan. 29
This season focuses on the unexpected romance between Benedict Bridgerton and Sophie Baek
The fourth episode ended on a cliffhanger that signaled chaos to come when part 2 premieres on Feb. 26
If there's one thingBridgertonhas done over the course of its four seasons, it's master the art of a cliffhanger.
The beloved Netflix series — which is based on authorJulia Quinn's best-selling novels — made its highly-anticipated return on Jan. 29 with the premiere of season 4. Much likeseason 3, the new episodes are being released in two parts, meaning while viewers were introduced to the unexpected romance between Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) and Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha), there's still a lot more to come before the pair get any kind of happy ending.
Ahead of the release, showrunnerJess Brownellspoke toTudumabout the "natural structure" of releasing eight episodes in two parts, saying that the fourth episode always "ends on a big world-shifting midpoint."
This season was no different, as Benedict and Sophie's romance reached a rather shocking turning point in the final moments of episode 4, hinting at chaos to come when part 2 arrives in late February.
Here's everything to know about theBridgertonseason 4 part 1 ending, from Benedict and Sophie's romance to where the drama among his family members stands.
Warning:Bridgertonseason 4 part 1 spoilers ahead!
How doesBridgertonseason 4 part 1 end?
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Episode 4 kicks off with Benedict and Sophie returning to Mayfair following their detour to My Cottage. As Benedict promised, he secures a job for Sophie (and her friend Hazel, played by Gracie McGonigal) — but much to her surprise, it is at the Bridgerton home.
While at first she is reluctant, Sophie quickly becomes fond of her new job; she bonds with Hyacinth (Florence Hunt) and Eloise (Claudia Jessie), gets along with the fellow staffers and even shares a meaningful conversation with Violet, who later offers her a permanent job.
But, Sophie is initially hesitant to accept, as she knows her growing tension with Benedict might stand in the way of the new opportunity, which she notes is the "very best position" she has ever had.
After an awkward encounter with Benedict while he is meeting with a potential wife, Miss Hollis, Sophie tells him she cannot stay in the position if he is still living there. In an effort to make her more comfortable in the home and not risk jeopardizing her new role, he agrees to spend more time in his "bachelor lodgings," promising to return to the Bridgerton home as little as possible.
Just before they part ways, Sophie tells him he should pursue Miss Hollis, whom she described to him as a "perfect fantasy."
In the end, Sophie heads out for a night at the tavern with the other staff members, but returns inside when she realizes she forgets her wallet. At the same time, Benedict has returned home in a rush, determined to see her.
A stairwell run-in quickly leads to a steamy kiss, followed by Benedict telling her that not only does she "consume" him, but his eyes search for her in every room he enters, his heart beats when she is near and he cannot live without her. But just as she seems to be processing his romantic declarations, he hits her with a shocking proposition: "Sophie, be my mistress."
Now stunned, Sophie exits the stairwell without responding to his pitch.
Has Benedict found his Lady in Silver?
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Throughout season 4 part 1, Benedict has tried time and time again to find the mysterious Lady in Silver from the night of the masquerade. But despite the help he receives from others in the ton — including Eloise, his mom Lady Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell) and Alice Mondrich (Emma Naomi) — he has yet to discover that she's been right under his nose this entire time.
As viewers know, Sophie has been hiding the fact that she was at the masquerade that night, and that it was she who shared a kiss with Benedict outside the ballroom. Meanwhile, Benedict's many failed efforts have led him to nearly end his pursuit, as he is not certain she exists.
By the end of part 1, Benedict's request for Sophie to be his mistress — and the confusion in his face as she exits with no response — confirms that he still has no idea she is the lady in the silver he has been searching for all along.
Where do Francesca and John stand?
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While Benedict's romance is front and center this season, he isn't the only Bridgerton sibling having troubles in their love life, as his younger sister Francesca (Hannah Dodd) has been navigating marital problems with her husband, Lord John Stirling (Victor Alli).
Specifically, after learning of what a pinnacle in the bedroom is (an orgasm), she tries to experiment sexually with John. However, amid her attempts, he realizes she has been pretending to experience pleasure in bed and they have a rather candid conversation about their relationship.
By the end of season 4, the pair have finally welcomed their family over for their first dinner party, which is interrupted by the arrival of a surprise guest: John's cousin, Michaela (Masali Baduza).
Her unexpected return clearly catches Francesca off guard. In fact, Michaela tells Francesca that she looks as though she's "seen a ghost."
Do Violet and Lord Anderson get together?
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While Violet has put much of her focus on her kids' love stories, she's also been on a journey to re-discover her own happiness after her late husband's death years earlier.
In episode 4, she expresses to Mrs. Wilson that she'd like to "have tea" with Lord Marcus Anderson (Daniel Francis), specifically in the "evening" and "alone." Mrs. Wilson helps orchestrate their hook-up by ensuring she will have privacy, staging a night for the family to be away at Francesca's dinner party (while Violet fakes an illness!) and tells the employees to take the night off.
To her wishes, Lord Anderson comes over and, although he insists they can take it slow, she frantically tells him to take off his clothes. As they lie in bed next to each other after having sex, Violet tells him she is "happy" — hinting at a second chance at love for both of them.
Who moved next door to theBridgertons?
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Throughout episode 4, the Bridgerton employees make their predictions as to who has moved in next door to the family.
In the final scene, viewers learn that it is Sophie's stepmom and stepsisters, the Penwoods — Lady Araminta Gun (Katie Leung), Rosamund Li (Michelle Mao) and Posy Li (Isabella Wei) — who have moved in next door, though the rest of the characters do not know yet.
In another twist, Varley (Lorraine Ashbourne) — the Featheringtons' longtime housemaid — has begun working for them.
When doesBridgertonseason 4 part 2 come out?
Liam Daniel/Netflix
Bridgertonseason 4, part 2 premieres on Feb. 26. The final four episodes will mark the end of the eight-episode season.
Read the original article onPeople
