Emily in Paris season 4 review: Perfect go-to series for phone scrolling & household tasks
When Darren Star launched Emily in Paris, there were sky-high expectations. Given that he was the creator behind the iconic Sex and the City, many anticipated that he would deliver a similarly captivating show. However, with each new season, Emily in Paris seems to have lost its spark. The characters are increasingly superficial, and the plot appears aimless, transforming into a visually stunning but directionless sequence. Unfortunately, it seems that the audience's enthusiasm for the Parisian setting and fashion has waned.
I for one, streamed the first part of the latest season in passing. From doomsday scrolling to performing cleaning jobs at home, Emily and her friends, in my home, were an awesome background noise.
For those who haven't caught up, the season kicks off with the familiar drama of Emily grappling with her love life, torn between Alfie and Gabriel.?
After the countryside wedding drama, Gabriel is on edge, as his fianc¨¦e Camille has gone into hiding, with no contact with him or her family. Meanwhile, Emily on the other hand, is trying to comprehend her feelings for Alfie and the course of their relationship. She has decided to move on from Gabriel, recognizing that with a baby now in the picture, the situation has become too complicated to navigate.
Meanwhile, Emily¡¯s best friend Mindy is tackling her own set of challenges as she has to deal with her boyfriend Nicholas' father, who is unapologetically problematic. In a subplot that could have given the show a memorable edge akin to Samantha Jones¡¯ impact, Sylvie finds herself caught between her focus on her husband¡¯s club opening and her desire to expose her former boss, who is a closeted sexual predator (Nicholas¡¯ father).
Here¡¯s my biggest problem: Even though we know the show is shoddy and the actors themselves (particularly the French ones) have expressed reservations, why are the creators ignoring the feedback? The span of four seasons is a decent amount of time to put things into perspective.?
There¡¯s only so much beauty and visuals a viewer can appreciate before the substance of a show becomes crucial. At this point, the plot needs to be compelling enough for the audience to truly invest emotionally. Unfortunately, the characters have struggled to forge a meaningful connection with viewers. Nobody seems to care about Emily¡¯s romantic choices anymore. Even Mindy and Sylvie, who had the potential to be standout characters, are now caught up in trivial and nonsensical subplots. Julien and Luc, too, have been relegated to filler storylines that fail to captivate, whether it¡¯s the Michelin star drama or the back-and-forth with Agence Grateau.
Mind you, the same mind gave us Sex And The City. The ladies Carrie Bradshaw, Samantha Jones, Charlotte York and Miranda Hobbes will live on in the minds of cinegoers for decades to come even though the show itself is over 25 years old. The original show remains iconic, still cherished by cinephiles even after over 25 years. However, Darren Star¡¯s recent work, including the Sex and the City revival, And Just Like That!, reflects a troubling trend. Even with three of the original ladies returning, the series struggles to resonate in today¡¯s evolved world, failing to make the same impact it once did.
As for Emily in Paris, it¡¯s safe to say it won¡¯t become a legacy show. Many viewers are currently tuning in out of habit or curiosity, but once the series concludes, it¡¯s unlikely that anyone will revisit it for nostalgia's sake.
Emily really needs to up her game. Not only is she losing her shine, but even a city as glamorous as Paris is starting to feel like a drag.
Here's the trailer:
