Bridgerton’s Comeback Would've Been Perfect If Netflix Hadn't Botched a Major Detail

Netflix's Bridgerton has once again become the talk of the ton with the release of Season 4 and its newest love story, this time centered around Benedict Bridgerton. Reactions to the new season have been mixed to say the least, especially with the way the finale of Part 1 ended.

Even so, fans are eagerly awaiting the next installment of Season 4, and Netflix has also fanned the flames with a new trailer for Season 4 Part 2 of Bridgerton, which is dropping on February 26, 2026.

The new trailer hints at an especially tumultuous path ahead for Benedict, who may go down the very familiar path towards becoming a "reformed rake" and it is precisely here that the emerging problem with the series lies.

Netflix's Bridgerton Has A Major "Rake" Problem

And Benedict's the Newest Victim

Going into Season 4, Bridgerton establishes Benedict as the series' new rake from the very start. However, the problem is that this change in his character seemingly comes out of nowhere. Sure, Benedict was free-spirited, would rather pursue his artistic interests rather than love interests, and even experiment around.

But, by no means did he ever seem like a callous rake, much less one who'd ask someone to be his mistress. Up until Season 4, there seemed to be a cavalier, sassy, albeit pure-hearted air around Benedict that has since been completely discarded, and just for the sake of creating more conflict and forcing a character arc, when in fact, the Cinderella-storyline arguably could have been enough.

Admittedly, Benedict's character in the books is much worse, making even Netflix's version of him seem much nicer in comparison. However, this still doesn't change the fact that it's a story Bridgerton has told three times already, and arguably three times too many.

Bridgerton Is Obsessed With Rakes And It's Getting Old

In the very first episode of Season 4 of Bridgerton, Lady Penwood remarks on the rumors of rakish behavior surrounding Benedict. She then goes on to claim that, "reformed rakes make the best husbands." Validity of this statement aside, there is nothing inherently wrong with Bridgerton using this storyline as it does set the stage for a really good redemption.

Except, Bridgerton's done it before with Simon, and then with Anthony, and then yet again with Colin, and now, Benedict too is joining the list of "reformed rakes." It was new and fun with Simon and Daphne, and it worked even with Anthony, who'd been well established as a rake. That said, the trope did start to get old going into Season 3 when Colin inexplicably returned a Casanova after his travels across Europe.

At this point, it seems like Bridgerton may be just a little too obsessed with rakes and having its female leads "fix" them. It's old, unimaginative, and starting to feel like the series does not have any other different stories to tell with its male leads.

All that said, with Francesca, Eloise, Hyacinth, and Gregory to go, there is still hope for upcoming seasons to do something different. Until then, however, Season 4 Part 2 of Bridgerton is coming up soon, and so is Benedict's big reformation arc, which is sure to be a melodramatic one.