Emily in Paris feels more like a glossy video magazine, promoting an aspirational lifestyle—complete with couture-clad girls and trendy Korean beauty routines., and vacationing in Greece. But how are they staying afloat during inflation and a housing crisis? How do they survive the harsh European winters? These are the real questions.
“Emily in Paris” on Netflix continues to be the most Gen-Z-coded show… like ever. Season 4, Part 1, opens with a TikToker named Timothee recapping the last three seasons in a dramatic video format. It instantly reminds you of viral TikToks breaking down feuds between pop stars and celebrities, often in multiple parts. In one scene, a makeup client states, “matte is out, glass is in.” Everyone is obsessed with hyaluronic acid, and the outfits are high couture, literally selling for thousands of euros (looking at you, Mindy).
Beneath the gloss and glam lies… nothing. Absolutely nothing meaningful or substantial. Just pointless shopping trips, extravagant closets, and overused Gen-Z lingo. Not every show needs to be profound, and harmless fun is fine, but shouldn’t the characters, especially the protagonists, be worth rooting for? After four seasons, there’s barely any character development or noticeable change in the protagonist.
Emily in Paris Season 4, Part 1: Story
Season 4 of “Emily in Paris” opens with Emily Cooper (Lily Collins) navigating her recent breakup with Alfie (Lucien Laviscount). The two co-starred in an ad for AMI—the hot air balloon commercial where they kiss. Although they’ve broken up, AMI has plastered the ad with their faces all over town, making life difficult for Alfie.
Emily tries to manage the crisis while Julien (Samuel Arnold) is poached by JVMA, much to Sylvie’s (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu) dismay, as she must manage operations with Emily and Luc (Bruno Gouery). At the same time, Mindy (Ashley Park) is gearing up for her Eurovision performance but is short on funds. She’s not interested in the gig economy or “selling feet pics,” so she seeks help from her wealthy boyfriend, Nicolas (Paul Forman).
Writing and Direction: Part 1 of “Emily in Paris Season 4”
The first two episodes of Season 4 are relatively slow. However, the action picks up from the third episode (titled ‘Masquerade’) and culminates in a finale where two ex-lovers reunite in a scene that will make you roll your eyes. Emily and Alfie break up, Sofia and Camille separate (with the former wanting to raise a child in Greece), and Emily and Gabriel (Lucas Bravo) reunite—but for some reason, you don’t care.
That’s the problem with “Emily in Paris”—at no point are you emotionally invested in the characters. One of them could legit die in a car accident, and you’d barely bat an eyelid. What does that say about the show? Why isn’t the writing strong enough to build intrigue and generate curiosity? The show remains watchable—it’s easy on the eyes, and at 30-minute episodes, it’s not too long or overbearing. But why don’t the stakes feel high enough?
Performances in “Emily in Paris Season 4”, Part 1
As Gabriel competes with his souffle-making colleague to get his restaurant a Michelin star, Luc’s girlfriend Marianne is exposed as a fraud star inspector. Gabriel’s bad luck forces him to share an apartment with his ex-girlfriend and her fiancé, while Emily remains a character difficult to root for. While Lily Collins plays the role well, the writing doesn’t allow Emily to shine. After all, she’s the main character, isn’t she?
“Emily in Paris” is a glossy magazine in video form, selling us an aspirational lifestyle—couture-wearing girls trying Korean beauty trends and vacationing in Greece. But how do they manage to stay afloat during inflation and a housing crisis? How do they survive the harsh European winters? Why doesn’t the show address the real challenges of living a Parisian life, like the risk of being robbed on the street?
Strengths and Weaknesses of “Emily in Paris Season 4”, Part 1
The show does get the many Gen-Z references right. At one point, Emily talks about the Gen-Z sobriety movement, where the younger generation avoids alcohol, or as Sylvie says, “They aren’t drinking, and they won’t shut up about It touches on issues like the gig economy and corporate co-dependence, which are referred to as a ‘disease,’ showing the show’s awareness of Gen-Z concerns.
If only the writers had given the characters and overall plot a little more depth, “Emily in Paris” could have been a binge-worthy show. As of now, it remains a soap-opera-esque, shallow telenovela with few redeeming qualities. Emily in Paris Season 4, Part 1 is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
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I am Atul Sharma, As a full-time blogger, my focus is on delivering news articles on this platform. Your visit to my blog is highly appreciated. Thank you!