Dearest Gentle Reader, with 39.7 million fans tuning in to season four, Bridgerton is one of Netflix’s highest-grossing shows, but one has to ask: Is it worth the hype? Yes, it is. This season was unlike any other season of Bridgerton, not only by focusing on the “downstairs” of Bridgerton or the domestic help, but also by showing more emotional depth than other seasons.

First off, I need to commend actors Luke Thompson and Yerin Ha. In the other seasons, we saw Benedict Bridgerton (Thompson) be the laid-back brother, the one who never committed to anything. Well, this season, our easygoing Bridgerton has found something, or more accurately someone, to dedicate his life to.  His transformation was one of the most satisfying and endearing ones of the show. The internet talks about the “Bridgerton glow up,” and though Benedict’s appearance barely changed, the core of his being certainly did.  Thompson perfectly encapsulated this with his many crashouts and longing gazes towards Sophie Baek (Ha). I can hardly fault him, due to the simple fact that Ha was playing his charming love interest. She brought a freshness to the show with her authentic depiction of Sophie that many, like myself, couldn’t help but find endearing. Both played their respective characters so well that I rooted for them and understood their choices, even when I wanted to throw my remote at the screen.

Their on-screen chemistry was electric and engaging, but most notably different from the other couples in the show. They found the beauty of gentleness. Unlike other pairs in the show, they didn’t deal with emotions like pride (aka Simon Basset), hate (Anthony Bridgerton), or jealousy (Colin Bridgerton), but instead deeper emotions like mutual pining and heartache. This led to heartfelt discussions, and it really seemed like they facilitated growth in each other.  Adding that extra layer of forbidden love due to class differences made their connection all the more rewarding. I would also like to commend Hannah Dodd (Francesca Bridgerton) and Masali Baduza (Michaela Stirling) for their incredible performances. This season wouldn’t have been as breathtakingly magnificent without them.

Next, I would like to acknowledge the writing team’s efforts to really flesh out the story and the improved pacing of the season. It was the most book-accurate of all the seasons and it was so marvelous to see it on screen. I also felt like all the side plots in this season felt important to the main plot, but didn’t overpower it like last season; it all came together in the end. Focusing on the “downstairs” of the Ton or high society was really well done and made the world feel more whole. I can tell that the show runners really cared about this season, from the minuscule costume details to the music choices and the precision with which the plot was written and executed. Showing the interconnected and important relationships between the maids of the house and the families they serve, while still recognizing the treacherous power dynamics interwoven in those relationships…amazing. It made it all feel so much more real and rich. These power dynamics were heightened drastically between Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) and Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh).

Without spoiling too much, I would like to say that the conversation the queen and Lady Danbury had about their friendship was a much-needed one and hopefully one they will build on more in the future. Sophie and Benedict’s relationship was the main focus of this season and I’m happy the plot reflected that while also following the growth of other characters like Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) and Hyacinth Bridgerton (Florence Hunt). I think that this season also pointed out a lot of flaws that many characters have, making them all the more complicated, but also feel more authentic.

Speaking of other characters…here is where my criticisms come to light. I was happy that Anthony and Kate Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey and Simone Ashley) came back, but I feel like it wasn’t at the most effective or realistic time. I was also a bit disappointed with how the “Sophie being from a different class ” problem was solved, but again, I wasn’t very surprised with how it was handled. Since this is a Regency romance and not a show centered around the real governmental policies of upper-class British society. I’ll just take what I can get and hope that the problem of class inequalities will be further discussed in the series. Another one of my grievances is that I feel like Eloise’s important criticisms of marriage were kind of brushed off or only chalked up to her “not understanding the power of love.” Like, I understand that the conversation was trying to get her to see that marriage to the right person could be wonderful and her making assumptions about all marriages being “toxic” wasn’t exactly fair. While I think the conversation needed to be had for her character development and future season, I think it could have been done better and shouldn’t have been used to dismiss her valid fears. Though I hope those fears are addressed in the coming season.

Altogether, this was a wonderful season and might be my new favorite one. I give it 4.3 stars out of 5. Also, stay until the end of the credits for episode eight, you’ll thank me later!