‘Bridgerton’ Season 4 Part 1 Ending Explained: Did Benedict and Sophie Get Together After Mistress Offer?

The first part of Bridgerton season 4 ended on an awkward note with Sophie and Benedict — so where does the show go from here after that offer?

Netflix’s hit Regency series returned on Thursday, January 29, with Benedict (Luke Thompson) initially falling for a mysterious woman he met at his mother’s masquerade ball. Things got more complicated when he developed feelings for a maid named Sophie (Yerin Ha) — which we will know is the woman from the ball.

Benedict, however, is left divided between his search for a woman he doesn’t know and a growing attraction to Sophie, with whom he can’t have a proper future with since she is a maid. His answer to these problems is a bit out of the box with Benedict hooking up with Sophie in the staircase at his home (to Olivia Rodrigo‘s “Bad Idea Right”) before proposing that she be his mistress.

Sophie didn’t appear pleased by the offer. In response, she left Benedict on his own and the fate of their love story remains to be determined.

Elsewhere in the show, Francesca (Hannah Dodd) and John (Victor Alli) experienced different issues as a couple — and they only got more tricky with the return of John’s cousin, Michaela (Masali Baduza), who viewers know is Francesca’s future love interest.

Keep scrolling to see where each character — and couple — ended up when season 4 part 1 concluded:

Benedict and Sophie

Season 4 started with Benedict searching for a woman he met at a ball — who was none other than Sophie under a mask. Thanks to a twist of fate, they crossed paths again but this time with Benedict properly meeting Sophie the maid. They quickly formed a connection and Benedict got her hired at his mother’s house, which only made them more desperate to explore their feelings for each other.

Benedict made a move on Sophie before offering her more in life. His version of more in life though was her being his mistress, which didn’t sound as good to her.

Penelope and Colin

Married life seemed to suit Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin (Luke Newton) quite well. The season 3 couple spent their time having sex, being parents or discussing Penelope’s newest challenges now that she has been unmasked as Lady Whistledown.

Kate and Anthony

It remains to be seen where Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate (Simone Ashley) will end up because as of part 1 they were nowhere to be found. Bridgerton explained away their lack of screen time by sending the pair to India after the arrival of their first baby. No other information was given on their whereabouts — or when they would return back to London for the newest social season.

Francesca and John

After returning from Scotland, Francesca is eager to expand her family with John. The couple, however, have been unsuccessful so far and it didn’t help that Francesca had no idea what a “pinnacle” was, which affected her sex life with her husband. She hadn’t discovered it yet by the time part 1 came to an end but she did reunite with Michaela — although Francesca looked far from pleased by that.

Eloise

Yet another season has Eloise (Claudia Jessie) hoping to not have to search for love. Her mother made it difficult this season but Eloise managed to avoid any romance (so far) ahead of her upcoming season. Instead, Eloise ended part 1 with a falling out with sister Hyacinth (Florence Hunt).

Alice and Will

Just as Alice and Will were adjusting to life in the ton, Lady Danbury created a scheme that uprooted their lives. With Lady Danbury hoping to leave London, she needed to find a replacement for herself to keep Queen Charlotte happy. Enter Alice, who must now prove herself to the queen.

Violet and Marcus

Most of season 4 explored Violet’s growing feelings for Marcus despite her loyalty to her late husband. Violet considered properly giving Marcus a chance and the two had sex on a rare night when none of her kids were home … except maybe Benedict and Sophie on the stairs but luckily Bridgerton House looks to be quite big.