Fans adore the “chemistry, passion, and music” of Bridgerton S4, but they can’t resist drawing comparisons to Heated Rivalry.

Bridgerton is one program that never fails to enthrall viewers. Now that the popular historical drama is back for its fourth season, the first reviews are flooding in, expressing a mixture of joy, nostalgia, and unavoidable comparison. The season begins in both familiar and unfamiliar grounds. As Lady Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell) gets ready for the family reunion, the Bridgerton household is busy getting ready. The family is reunited in the opening scene, with the exception of Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson), the main character of Season 4.

Francesca (Hannah Dodd), Eloise (Claudia Jessie), and Lord John Stirling (Victor Alli) return from Scotland while Season 3’s newlyweds, Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin (Luke Newton), tend to their infant. As usual, Lady Violet makes an effort to keep the family together, but Benedict’s absence is a major concern.

Fans have been quick to express their feelings on social media. The season was described as a full return to form in one post on X: “This is a MASTERPIECE. Every plot leads to the main couple or a future season, the tension, the chemistry, the passion, the music — Bridgerton is really BACK.”

Another fan praised the renewed focus on romance: “This season really just saved Bridgerton since S3 had 0 chemistry between Colin & Penelope. S4 said, ‘We’re focusing purely on passion,’ and I ATE it up!” A third comment read, “I’m happy to report that I enjoyed S4 Part 1. There’s a solid conflict and relationship development. Even the secondary plotlines are engaging and drive character development.”

However, not all reactions were glowing. Some viewers compared the show to Heated Rivalry, with one Reddit user noting, “This season so far is better than Season 3, but my fear that it will suffer greatly by comparison to Heated Rivalry has fully come to pass. The whole show seems silly when we’ve seen the nuance and acting in HR.”

Another wrote, “I loved the scenes between Benedict and Sophie, but the rest of it is very meh. Too many sideplots as usual. Heated Rivalry has spoiled me.”

Even though it’s not as thrilling as Heated Rivalry, Bridgerton’s most recent season seems to have rekindled its characteristic charm that drew early viewers, despite differing perspectives. Season 4 still promises plenty of intrigue for lovers of slow-burn romance and storytelling from the Regency era.