Can true love conquer all? That's the question Bridgerton seems intent on asking one season after another (and the thing I wonder out loud while re-downloading Hinge on any given Tuesday). 

But it's far more interesting to ponder this age-old question through the lens of a sweeping romantic drama with sexy bathtub scenes and working-class tension, than it is to consider within the confines of the Australian dating scene. So let's get into it.

Bridgerton is back and in this author's opinion, this new season has done the best job yet of unravelling the complexities of romance in the regency era — exploring what happens when love is simply not enough in the eyes of society.

With a buzz in the air and a twinkle in my eye, I sat back to devour the latest episodes of Bridgerton Season 4: Part 2. I swooned, I giggled, I cried four or five times. Maybe seven, who is to say?

Part 2 drops us in the middle of Sophie Baek and Benedict Bridgerton's current romantic crisis. This includes the Ton's fresh uproar over Lady Whistledown's scathing column, a new house for the 'evil Stepmother' Araminta and the Penwood family, and a fractured relationship between Benedict and his mother, Violet Bridgerton. 

Because Netflix has segmented the season into four-episode drops, this slow and steady first episode back offers a necessary fresh start following the month-long break.

But by the end of Episode 5, any stilted storytelling is long forgotten as we see Benedict and Sophie's love story reach new heights with a monologue that will surely go on to define the show — including a breathy, three-tiered 'I love you' that rivals Matthew McFayden's Mr Darcy in the 2005 Pride & Prejudice. 

Girl. I mean it when I tell you I was riddled with full-body chills and a glorious warmth in my heart for two people who are not real and don't exist.

Yerin Ha is superb in this second volume, bringing a layered vulnerability to Sophie's spiralling world. Luke Thompson's achingly good performance is also a must-watch, bringing us down to the pits of Benedict's despair as he pines for Sophie to be with him at long last.

He is desperate to prove just how much he loves her. Which is good, because my guy had a lot of work to do following that atrocious request for Sophie to be his mistress at the end of Part 1. Grovelling was a requirement. Passionate speeches were necessary.

But this isn't Jane Austen and so, charming as the declarations may be, it's also important for me to tell you that they were fucking it UP this season.

Everyone's showing ass, everyone's heart is filled with amorous lust, and somehow Sophie's first time is amazing — never change, Bridgerton! Give those virgins their orgasms while a string quartet plays a schmaltzy version of a hit pop song.

While the steamy scenes are sure to delight fans, it's the ability for Sophie and Benedict to find pockets of carefree love that really drives this story home. Their playful and sweet romance amid the treacherous rules of society — and his determination to show her that love could be enough for them — is what really pulls us forward into Part 2.  

As we root for a love story that Benedict has no ability to give to Sophie, the question remains, can they turn this upstairs-downstairs situationship into a lifetime of bliss? Should Benedict give up his family to pursue a life of secrecy with the woman he loves?

Their romance opens the door to new levels of tension in the Bridgerton household, altering Violet and Benedict's relationship as they feud over the very thing she has always wanted for her children: a true love match. Ruth Gemmell and Luke Thompson's performances are raw and heartfelt and, yes, this is one of several dynamics that led me to tears.

Anthony Bridgerton makes a dramatic return to hammer the familial message home. And if he was not booked and busy filming Jurassic World(s) and such, I would request that Jonathan Bailey please come back to the series forever with Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley) in tow.

One or two scenes was all Netflix was willing to give us, and I took it with my greedy little hands.

All of this romantic tomfoolery eventually leads us to somewhere I would never enter willingly: a Cinderella subplot that rivals The Bold & The Beautiful.

As fans of the book would expect, there are some cartoonishly villainous antics that play out between Araminta and Sophie towards the end of the season (with involvement from Benedict, Violet, and eventually, The Queen).

I don't want to spoil the particulars, but I'll just say there are a few over-the-top, cheesy scenes, which serve to neatly fix the problems Benedict and Sophie have faced throughout the season.

Does it all seem a little 'soap opera' and take away from how well-written the rest of their complex love story is? Honestly, yes, but it's fine! Who cares! This show is filled with whimsical nonsense, and if it leans a little too Disney Channel Original for me for five minutes, I'll be brave about it.

Besides, it gives us some glorious moments on the sidelines involving the Bridgerton siblings (including one scene where Benedict yells at Penelope not to write one of her infamous columns about his love life). And it'll make you cackle to see all the most devilish maids in the ton banding together to pull their employers into line.

Aside from the central romance and its spin-off dramas, we also spend time diving into the worlds of the other characters. Some fans have already expressed disappointment at the series showcasing 'too much' groundwork for Francesca and Eloise's seasons, but I disagree. I truly believe this season has gotten us back on track when it comes to delving into the necessary subplots without taking away from the leading storyline.

The season dedicates time to building out the lives of the younger cohort of siblings and visibly establishing Eloise as the obvious choice to lead Season 5. Claudia Jessie's nuanced portrayal of Eloise, including so many laugh-out-loud gags and sincere moments of growth, was a standout.

The loss of one key character also opens up the door to future storylines from the books — while bringing further explorations of grief and loss to this tale of love. Showrunner Jess Brownell handles the varying degrees of sorrow and misery these characters experience with delicacy (and yes, even more tears were shed). I can't spoil it, but I know there will be so much to unpack when you've all seen the series.

As always, Golda Rushevel and Adjoah Andoh were the beating heart of the series as Queen Charlotte and Lady Danbury. Their changing friendship dynamic continues to be a central focus, ripping my tender little heart apart and stitching it right back up over and over again.

With well-planned and well-executed storylines for the Bridgertons, their friends, their foes, and their household staff, this season is one of the very best yet. And as I embark on another full re-watch of the show from start to finish, I also think I'll find that Season 4 stands out as the most devastatingly romantic (though I will always love Kate and Anthony the most).

So sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. And be ready to talk about it on Monday morning when you get to work because there is way too much to unpack about this season.

But, for the love of God, I implore you to keep watching when the Episode 8 credits start rolling. I'm not sure why Bridgerton momentarily decided it was a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe — but about 30 seconds after the credits start rolling on the finale, there's another very important scene to watch before it's truly over.

Bridgerton Season 4: Part 2 is now streaming on Netflix.

Feature Image: Netflix.