‘Bridgerton’ Season 4 Episodes 1-4 Recap: Catch Up Ahead of the Finale

Before the final four episodes premiere on Thursday, Feb. 26, here’s what you’ve missed from Benedict and Sophie’s love story so far.

Netflix’s ‘Bridgerton’ / JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP via Getty Images

Dearest gentle readers—oh, don’t worry. We’re not going to steal Lady Whiseldown’s whole bit for this entire article. Can you imagine? Nah, we’re just setting the stage here.

Anyway, as fans of the hit Netflix show are likely already aware, the final four episodes of Bridgerton Season 4 drop this week on Thursday, Feb. 26, following the first four episodes, which preimered back on Jan. 29. So, in an effort to get you all caught up if you happened to miss that first drop—or, you know, if you need your memory refreshed—we’re recapping the most important plot points! Let’s break this down episode by episode, shall we?

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But first: some general groundwork to know

For those out of the loop on the hit Netflix show (which... how?!), each season follows a different member of the titular Bridgerton family as they search for true love in Regency-era England. The show is based on the popular book series by Julie Quinn, though it may not always follow that source material closely.

Season 4 is Benedict’s story, with the first three seasons detailing the romance arcs of his siblings Daphne (Season 1), Antony (Season 2) and Colin (Season 3). Benedict is the second eldest of his seven siblings and is portrayed as the most “free-spirited” by the show. Also, this season (and the book it’s based on) is unique in that it’s a retelling of Cinderella—with a twist, of course.

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Episode 1: “The Waltz”

The season premiere begins by recapping everything the siblings have been up to since Season 3 ended, with a focus on Lady Bridgerton’s upcoming Masquerade Ball. This will be the first ball of the season, a feat typically accomplished by Lady Danbury—let’s put a pin in that. After Lady Bridgerton accidentally walks in on Benedict in a compromising position, the matriarch puts pressure on her son to find a spouse this season, as his exploits could hurt his unmarried sisters’—Eloise and Hyacinth’s—chances of finding a suitable partner in the future.

Meanwhile, now that Lady Whistledown—the town’s infamous gossip columnist—has been unmasked as Penelope Bridgerton (Colin’s wife), she’s tasked with entertaining Queen Charlotte face-to-face. Through their many conversations, the two end up in a bet about whether Benedict will indeed take a bride this season, with the Queen saying “yea” to Penelope’s “nay.”

Wait, what’s that? Oh, it’s the pin we put in the Lady Danbury note earlier! Queen Charlotte is none too pleased with her former Lady-in-waiting’s decision to forgo her inaugural ball hosting duties, making her feelings loud and clear throughout the episode. At the ball, the reluctant-to-attend Benedict spots a mysterious lady in silver admiring a chandelier across the room. The woman appears somewhat out of place, given her strange reactions to the guests, which piques his interest.

After a genuinely adorable meet-cute, the two dance before taking their conversation outside for privacy. There, the lady in silver challenges Benedict’s privileged notions about women and his own position in society, shocking and delighting him. However, she flees as the clock strikes midnight, leaving only a single silver glove behind (but not before stealing a kiss from Benedict, of course).

As the episode ends, it’s revealed that the lady in silver is Sophie Baek, a maid working for the well-off Penwood family who snuck out to attend the Bridgerton’s ball without Lady Penwood knowing.

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Episode 2: “Time Transfixed”

The second episode focuses on Sophie’s story, showing the night of the Bridgerton’s ball from her perspective as her fellow household workers conspire to help her sneak out of the Penwood estate. She borrows a gown and gloves from an old collection that Lady Penwood doesn’t check, also taking a pair of the Lady’s shoes—let’s put another pin in that (or, you know, we can just reuse the one we had earlier).

Meanwhile, Benedict kicks things into full Prince Charming mode, desperately meeting with multiple eligible ladies to track down his mystery dance partner. After finally relenting and seeking aid from his mother, Lady Bridgerton’s research skills lead him right to the Penwood residence. However, he instead meets with Lady Penwood’s two daughters, believing one of them might be the lady in silver. Despite her fellow workers’ pleas for her to reveal herself, Sophie maintains her anonymity.

Through flashbacks, it’s revealed that Sophie wasn’t merely a maid but the ward of the now-deceased Lord Penwood, who didn’t inform his new wife of Sophie’s existence before their marriage. Thus, Lady Penwood quickly became resentful of Sophie, and—following Lord Penwood’s untimely death—the matriarch told Sophie her father left her nothing in his will, forcing her to work in the household for room and board.

Elsewhere, Queen Charlotte becomes angry with Lady Danbury after the latter reveals plans to pull away from society and travel abroad. The Queen initially treats her old friend cruelly, but breaks down when revealing that, with her current Lady-in-waiting gone, she fears what will happen after her husband, King George, dies. The two make up, with Lady Danbury agreeing to stay—at least, for the time being.

Hey, it’s time for that pesky pin again! Upon discovering her shoes had been marked after being worn the night before, Lady Penwood realizes what Sophie did, shunning her from the family and banishing her from the Penwood home. With nowhere to go, Sophie is forced to take a position with an unkind boss. Upon witnessing her defend a fellow maid in trouble, Benedict—who just so happens to be at the residence for a meeting with friends—fights off the boss, helping Sophie without realizing she’s the very woman he’s been searching for.

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Episode 3: “The Field Next to the Other Road”

Picking up where we left off, Benedict and Sophie travel by horse and carriage toward a town where Sophie might find work, as she’s been banished from the ton and fired from her most recent position because Benedict retaliated against her cruel boss. And please note: this all occurs while Benedict remains completely unaware she’s the lady in silver.

As it begins to rain, the two seek shelter in a nearby cottage owned by the Bridgertons. After hearing pained cries in the middle of the night, Sophie realizes Benedict was mortally wounded while fending off her former boss. She tends to his injury, saving his life. The cottage’s groundkeepers arrive in the morning, demanding that the two stay until Benedict is fully healed, forcing them to remain in close quarters. As they spend more time together, their affections grow.

Elsewhere, Lady Whistledown reports on a “maid war” in the ton. The firing of Sophie saw Lady Penwood “steal” another family’s maid, starting a chain reaction among the richest families, with household workers able to seek better wages and treatment if their current households don’t fight to keep them. As a result, Lady Featherington—Penelope’s mother and a friend of the Bridgertons—loses her longtime maid and confidant, Mrs. Varley, who exits the household for greener pastures.

The episode concludes with Lady Bridgerton finally moving her romantic relationship with Marcus Anderson—Lady Danbury’s brother, whom she’s flirted with since they met last season—forward. Meanwhile, Benedict and Sophie share a kiss by the lake at the cottage, but ultimately agree that things would be better if they remained in their stations, not exploring their relationship. Benedict then sends a letter to an unknown recipient to help Sophie find employment, ignoring his romantic feelings for her.

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Episode 4: “An Offer From a Gentleman”

In an episode named after the book Season 4 is based on, Benedict and Sophie arrive at the Bridgerton home, much to Sophie’s dismay. Benedict reveals that the letter he’d sent was to his mother, convincing her to hire Sophie as a Lady’s maid for Eloise and Hyacinth. After hearing that Sophie saved Benedict’s life, Lady Bridgerton enthusiastically welcomes her into their home, despite the callous (and wildly untrue) rumors about Sophie started by Lady Penwood to keep her unemployed in the ton.

After ensuring Sophie is set up at the Bridgerton house and promising to stay away from her to diffuse the tension between them, Benedict recommits himself to finding the lady in silver with his mother’s help. Meanwhile, Lady Bridgerton has been working to set up a clandestine meeting between herself and Marcus while her children are all out of the house.

Sophie settles in with the Bridgertons, who quickly grow fond of her, though they’re admittedly curious about her background, given her unique education. Lady Bridgerton extends an invitation to Sophie to remain at the house as a full-time employee, which she agrees to consider. Across town, Lady Danbury plans to offer the Queen her own friend, Mrs. Mondrich, as a replacement Lady-in-waiting so that she’d be free to leave the Queen’s side and travel. Queen Charlotte begrudgingly accepts the deal, though Mrs. Mondrich is not pleased, feeling tricked by Lady Danbury.

As to be expected in a mid-season finale, everything converges in the last few moments of the episode. Lady Bridgerton and Marcus are finally allowed their alone time, further cementing their relationship. Benedict returns to the empty Bridgerton house in search of Sophie, catching her as she exits.

The two share a moment of passion before Benedict delivers what is perhaps the top “How to fumble a woman in three words or less” moment in all of TV history, asking Sophie to, and we quote: “Be his mistress.” The episode concludes with a disillusioned Sophie leaving Benedict behind, exiting the Bridgerton house as new neighbors move in next door—who, of course, are revealed to be the Penwoods. Dun-dun-duuun!

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And there you have it! You’re (mostly) all caught up and ready to enjoy the final four episodes of Bridgerton Season 4, which premieres on Netflix Thursday, Feb. 26.

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