Emily in Paris season four was released on Thursday Sept. 12, and it was my most anticipated season yet. After the season 3 finale, it felt like Emily and Gabriel were finally going to get their happy ending, but they didn’t, which is why I feel like the show fell short this time around. This 10 part series managed to feel like 20 episodes, because just so much happened all at once.
Emily Cooper, played by actress Lily Collins, is probably one of the most versatile actors ever. It’s really funny how bad the acting is in Emily in Paris, because I know the actors are actually good. I think this was on purpose? There’s no other explanation.
The season starts out with Emily in shambles over the failed wedding from last season, Camille, portrayed by Camille Razat, is missing, and Gabriel and Alfie, portrayed by Lucas Bravo and Lucien Laviscount respectfully, both wont talk to Emily. It’s a whole mess but one thing that really confuses me is why everyone is hating on Emily, especially if she is the only one trying to fix anything.
Of course, the season gets more complicated with Camille being pregnant with Gabriel’s baby. Emily and Gabriel want to be together but Camille doesn’t realize she’s getting in the way. This really infuriated me, because it seemed like as soon as her and Sofia broke up she went right back for Gabriel.
It was character death honestly, especially after we found out that she wasn’t actually pregnant and she decided to keep it a secret from everyone. This was so unnecessary and annoying as a viewer.
The most heartbreaking part about this season was the death of Emily and Gabriel’s relationship. For 2 seasons, their relationship was filled with so much tension, and in season three there was even more of that fire that you feel between soulmates in media, but in season four there was none of that. Gabriel was actually such a bad boyfriend to Emily right off the bat. He was choosing Camille, his “pregnant” ex-girlfriend, over her on Christmas. To make it worse, he abandons her on a mountain when she can’t ski or snowboard.
This is when the new love interest Marcello, the Italian stud, comes in. Though very charming, and seemingly perfect for Emily, there are just way too many love interests in this show. This is what leads Emily to settle in Rome. Which just made no sense to me. The writers have no idea where they are going with the script.
Another fine example of this is Mindy, portrayed by Ashley Park, a character that the writers seem like they have no idea what they are doing. The only real plotline going fro her is that she’s a struggling singer, which has been her entire story since the first season released nearly five years ago. Her relationships with her bandmates and then her old high school crush is also so juvenile and unfitting for her.
To add on to the notion that the writers are just doing whatever, the character of Genevieve, portrayed by Thalia Besson, completely ruined the dynamic of both the main office space, where Emily works, and the personal lives of Sylvie Grateu and Emily. She initially came off as this really sweet and hardworking girl from America, but it was abundantly clear that she was just there to incite chaos. First, it was between her estranged father and Sylvie, his wife. Then it was to drive a wedge between Emily and Gabriel because she wants Gabriel. She overhears Gabriel fuss at Emily in French, which Emily does not speak, and then proceeds to give her the wrong translation on purpose!
My last frustration with the show is how Emily still does not speak even conversational, slow French after almost a year. This is probably the most annoying part. Forget everything just said. I just don’t like the fact that she’s perpetuating the stupid American stereotype.
Despite all of my complaints with this show, I’m addicted to it. I finished the entire season within a day or two, and I now classify it as television so trashy, that it’s classy. I would definitely say it’s worth a watch, especially if you’re just looking for something quick and entertaining.
