When it comes to change – it is never easy. It’s actually quite difficult. Adapting to change is scary. It is overwhelming.
It is too much.
The third episode of the season, Sexy or Sexist.
Emily voices her concerns over a risqué new ad campaign while judging plumbing problems, language lessons and disagreeable co-workers
For Emily, she’s willing to go through changes because she’s up for the adventure. It’s what she thrives on. As she grows and becomes a better person (not that she was a bad one) she finds that every moment in life is leading her to the next.
And the next is a lesson in what she wants, what she doesn’t, and how she can find her way.
And that’s the beauty of Emily, she reminds you that everything is an adventure, if you’re willing to live.
WHAT ELSE COULD GO WRONG
What I love about Emily is that she is willing to make some changes in her life, but she still stays true to who she is. She’s making the best of bad situations and no matter what happens she remains optimistic.
But this isn’t her day. Everything keeps going wrong. She’s trying to make friends, she’s trying to be optomistic, and she’s trying to make her work life better.
If my water went out and I had to wash my hair in a place to vile to mention, I wouldn’t be smiling – I’d be checking into a hotel to sanitize myself.
Madeline calls Emily to check in and see how things are going. I have to admit, I feel bad for Madeline. She wanted a life in Paris, but gave it up. And now Emily is off living that life.
But Emily needs to learn how life is in other places and she needs to pay attention to the culture.
I understand Emily wants everyone to like her. I do. But Emily seems like she’s been existing in life rather than living and that’s kinda sad to me. But as we watch this show, I do hope that she continues to learn to live more.
CORPORATE COMMANDMENTS
One thing Emily has to realize is that life is not the same in Paris and what works in the states doesn’t work there. So sending out corporate commandments isn’t going to get anyone to like her. It’s going to make everyone hate her.
Work place drama is one thing in the states is one thing, but in this French office it’s completely different. Sure, she’s doing what she’s told to do, but it’s also her place to tell Chicago that it is not the same.
Attitudes, work ethic, work place dynamics – none of it is the same. They all are pissed at her for sending the commandments and Luke tells her that she wants to destroy their French soul.
Emily wants to be part of the solution. I can respect that. I can respect her want to be liked and bring the place together. None of them – the French or the American seem open to compromise. But I think that it’s both of them trying to figure out who they are where they fit into this brand new world.
A DIFFERENT KIND OF SHOOT
Sylvie is definitely coming for Emily. She doesn’t understand why it is that Emily is so happy. She doesn’t get why it is that Emily won’t stop smiling. She tells her to stop or people will start to think she’s stupid.
But the thing is for Emily, life is a matter of catching the moment and living in it.
But Sylvie is jealous of Emily. She doesn’t like the attention that Emily is getting from Antoine, and I do get it. Who wants to be traded in for a younger model? Not me.
But Sylvie is going to have to put up with her, because Antoine’s company is the one having the shoot. For a mistress, who is supposed to keep herself together, Sylvie sure as heck shows her hand.
They are at the shoot and the premise – a woman walking across a bridge and as she walks she becomes every mans fantasy. The French love it, but Emily brings a different view.
The woman walking across the bridge is naked and Emily tells them it can be interpreted as sexist. Antoine says it’s her dream, to be desired by men, but Emily reminds him that it is the male gaze. The men seem to be the one in control.
And that is not sexy, but that sure is sexist.
Sylvie is annoyed, but Emily continues. She doesn’t think that American women will respond to this. And hey, I have to admit that I wouldn’t. Antoine is willing to listen to Emily, but that only drives Sylvie more insane.
They stop the shoot and go to lunch. Antoine wants to know what is wrong with the male gaze. Emily thinks that the men have the power, but Antoine says that the woman does. They clearly have different views on the subject, but what is important is that they find a balance.
Emily wants to protect the brand, but Antoine says that he needs to protect himself from the morality police. When he leaves, you wonder what is going to happen, but you hope for the best.
Sylvie is annoyed and wants to know if this is what she means when she says she wants to be part of the solution. She doesn’t get that Emily is just doing her job.
GABRIEL TO THE RESCUE
Emily doesn’t want to have to wash her hair in a toilet again and is thankful that the plumber is there to fix her water. But hey, here’s the thing – again, we’re going to have to reiterate Emily needs to learn the culture.
The plumber is there to fix the water, and Emily doesn’t know what he’s saying. She got that he said it was impossible, but she doesn’t get why.
She grabs Gabriel to interpret, but finds that the two of them end up sitting and talking over coffee and croissants. That’s definitely a difference n culture, cause I am pretty positive that I would never be sitting down and having a chat with my plumber.
Turns out that they need a part that they don’t have. It’s going to take some time to get it. Gabriel is laid back, Emily wants the shower fixed. It’s just not gonna happen that day.
So the solution for Emily – use Gabriels shower – until hers is fixed.
The chemistry between Emily and Gabriel is palpable. And all I have to say is that the ship chooses you and these two have definitely chosen me.
EARLY LUNCH BREAK
Your boss is always going to have an opinion. If you have a boss that doesn’t have an opinion on what you do – then well, you’ve hit the jackpot. For Emily, she’s got everything going against her – because her boss is scared of her ideas and she thinks she’s trying to steal her man.
Sylvie is upset Emily cost money. She thinks that Emily is like the prude police. Think the worst that you want – because that’s what Sylvie thinks of Emily. And she has to put her in her place because – Antoine is coming in later for a meeting.
Someone leaves 10 commandments on Emily’s desk with a d**k drawn on it. I mean they even went for short pubes on the balls. It made me laugh, but for Emily she’s had enough.
She’s pissed and says she’s leaving for a lunch – a long lunch with wine. She doesn’t want to deal with things anymore. But like any good girl, sometimes it takes time with your girls to get your head straight.
Lunch with Mindy may be just what life ordered. Mindy is blunt and guiding and wants to shape Emily’s time in Paris in a positive way. Emily is running everything by her, and tells her about the commandments. Mindy tells her that this is why french ppl hate her – the commandments don’t work with the French.
SEXY OR SEXIST
Emily returns to work – a little revitalized and a little scared of what to say in the meeting with Antoine. She doesn’t want to piss off Sylvie, but she also doesn’t want to be quiet. She will always do her job to the best of her ability.
And that’s why she answers honestly. Emily suggests that they put the commercial on Twitter to have people decide if it’s sexy or sexist. Emily says it doesn’t matter what she thinks – it matters what the customer thinks. Let the world decide and make it part of the campaign.
Antoine likes the idea.
AMERICAN PUSSY
Emily invites Sylvie to the party Mindy is throwing for her. I don’t get why Emily is fixated on Sylvie, but then again, I have never really cared what people think of me.
Sylvie says she can’t go and doesn’t want to get to know her. Sylvie says that Emily treats the city like an amusement park and they won’t be friends. Emily says she’ll email her the address, because in true fashion, Emily doesn’t give up.
The dinner party turns into a huge party. Mindy is popular and has created this big life in Paris for herself. Emily feels out of place, but she wants to fit in.
Emily heads out onto the balcony and this hot guy follows. I love a hot guy with an accent.
But you know how it is – sometimes things are too good to be true. Emily and hot guy go for a walk. They are all flirty, and kiss, but she is put off when he tells her that he likes American pussy.
She leaves him standing there and heads home alone.
She stops at Gabriels bistro and talks to him for a second. He asks how she like Paris, and she answers how she likes Paris but Paris doesn’t like her. She says she’s spent her whole like wanting to be liked, and is gonna give up trying, but then he tells her what she has wanted to hear – he likes her.
My shipping heart is happy.
It’s her talk with Gabriel that gives her the courage to move forward. She comes the next day with a charged mind – even going as far as to bring Like a penis cake in retaliation for the penis he drew on the commandments.
But stuff is about to get difficult. Because here’s the thing. When someone sends you La Perla and your boss is his mistress, you are f**ked.
Emily knows that she’s in trouble. But for the viewer, it’s just getting good.
