'Emily in Paris' cut from same cloth as other Netflix shows
The fourth season of Netflix's "Emily in Paris" returns with its signature Parisian scenery and love-triangle drama, but just as with the show's previous seasons, it can't hide the central, lackluster storyline. While Emily Cooper (Lily Collins) navigates her quirky life in the City of Light, the series feels more like a fashion showcase than a captivating story.
The season picks up with Emily juggling her work at Savoir and her chaotic love life. The introduction of a high-profile American client adds tension to her professional world, threatening to upend the delicate balance at the Parisian marketing firm.
Emily's connection to her boss, Sylvie Grateau (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu), remains a focal point. Their dynamic, defined by Sylvie's skepticism and Emily's relentless optimism, once added a layer of depth to the series. Yet by now, this push-pull relationship has lost its spark, devolving into a predictable routine of disagreements and half-hearted reconciliations.
Emily's personal life is no less convoluted. After the love triangle with Gabriel (Lucas Bravo) and Camille (Camille Razat) fizzled out in the last season, Emily finds herself drawn to a new love interest, whose presence is as enigmatic as it is unconvincing.
The new romance lacks the chemistry and tension that made earlier relationships so compelling. Instead, it feels like a forced attempt to inject drama into a show that's running low on fresh ideas.
One of the standout elements of this season is the show's decision to take Emily out of Paris and into Rome. The change of scenery provides a welcome breath of fresh air.
But, this shift only temporarily distracts from the fact that the show is struggling to find a meaningful narrative thread. While the new backdrop offers stunning visuals, it doesn't do much to elevate the story beyond a series of loosely connected escapades.
The supporting characters, who once had an important role, now feel sidelined. Mindy (Ashley Park) and her musical aspirations are given some attention, but her storyline is more of a subplot than a fully realized arc. Meanwhile, Julien (Samuel Arnold) and Luc (Bruno Gouery) continue to serve as comic relief, but their roles are increasingly relegated to the background, leaving the ensemble feeling unutilized.
What "Emily in Paris" has always done well is embrace its own superficiality, offering viewers an escape into a fantasy world of glitz, glamour and lighthearted drama. But, even grand, escapist fantasies need substance to keep audiences engaged and grounded.
This season, the show seems more interested in showcasing Emily's latest couture looks than in developing its characters or exploring new themes. The result is a glossy batch of episodes that's fun to look at, but frustratingly empty. More than ever, the series seems interested in garnering social media buzz and fleeting reactions on Instagram.
In the end, "Emily in Paris" season four is like a beautifully wrapped gift that, once opened, reveals little substance. It's charming and visually captivating, but ultimately unsatisfying.
For a show that started with so much promise, it's disappointing to see it become a parody of itself. Fans may still tune in for the bold fashion, but without a more compelling narrative, the fifth season is bound to run out of style.
