Netflix's Bridgerton, Season 4
(*Disclaimer: The following sections contain partial plot revelations.)
There was a time when life's rhythm is slower and the rich lived leisurely without having to hustle to earn a living (which I secretly envy). Times like this are portrayed in Netflix's popular "Bridgerton" series.
(Perhaps this author can be forgiven in sounding like the male "counterpart" of Lady Whistledown, the fictitious narrator in the "Bridgerton" series?)
Well, "Bridgerton" is Netflix's series created by Chris Van Dusen based on eight historical romance novels written by Julia Quinn, produced by Shonda Rhimes. It is about the affluence, coming of age and scandals of the Bridgerton family as narrated by Lady Whistledown in her gossip columns.
Each season focuses on the romantic life of a particular of Bridgerton child during the Regency Era (1811 - 1820) in England. Season 4 (based loosely on Julia Quinn's third book, "An Offer from a Gentleman") focused largely on Benedict Bridgerton (starring Luke Thompson) as the rake who refused to get married, just like his sister, Eloise.
However, this season has a very distinct story arc. Unlike previous seasons, this season's romantic focus is on a maid instead of a socialite.
The curtain opened to an evening humdrum of a masked ball by the Bridgertons, where debutantes mingled around to be ultimately offered into the hands of Dukes, Marquess, Earls or Viscounts in marriages. All season's balls are mechanistic mating rituals for the rich with time to spare.
The ballroom stretched wide like a grand "factory floor" - where masked dancers spined with practiced precision like cogs in a machine. Nevertheless, there was an uninvited "debutante" that seemed to lit up the whole room without her realizing it.
This "debutante" was unassuming in both appearance and gestures. Compared to other debutantes, she seemed to immerse herself completely in her surroundings, dignified in her silver gown and mask as if she was Cinderella personified.
Her nonchalance was secretly noted by Benedict Bridgerton when he scanned the room with his eyes. Both of them arrived late and devised their own exit strategies when bored, minding their own businesses whenever possible.
Just when the clock stroke at midnight and everyone unmasked, this mysterious "debutante" almost slinked if it was not for Benedict Bridgerton following her into the garden. This is a slight deviation of the Cinderella story, with Benedict kissing this "debutante" passionately (with both of them still fully masked).
As abruptly as their paths crossed, the mysterious "debutante" hurriedly ended their passionate interaction to return home in a horse carriage (which did not transform into a giant pumpkin). In her haste, her glove slipped into Benedict's hands when she pulled her hand away, leaving Benedict in a conundrum to find her with a partial clue.
For weeks and months, Benedict's heart and mind were consumed by her lingering presence. Drunk with love, he searched for the "debutante" with glittering silhouettes and whose lips left an indelible imprint in his memories.
For the viewer, this "debutante's" identity was revealed in subsequent episodes as Sophia Baek (starring Yerin Ha), the illegitimate daughter of a Korean-English nobleman who had long been ill treated as a maid by her stepmother, Lady Penwood.
Will Benedict Bridgerton finally marry his dream girl and uplift her societal status?
Will Lady Dansbury finally get to visit her long-lost family and relatives?
Will there be a new Lady Whistledown in the making?
If you want to know the answers to the questions above, just pop some popcorns in your mouth (pun intended), lean back comfortably and stretch your legs to watch the latest season of "Bridgerton". If that this masterpiece is worth your time, Ieave your comment(s) below.
In the meantime, I'll leave you with the real faces of Luke Thompson and Yerin Ha (behind their masks). While waiting, why not head down to the nearest bookstore (physical or otherwise) and purchase for yourself a copy of this book:
