Ships. In entertainment, and especially, in fandom, we live and die by them. Which is why every Friday, we’ll be focusing on a couple, analyzing why we ship them, and overall, just proclaiming our eternal love for those couples that make us say:
I will go down with this ship.
And this week, I am still riding the Emily in Paris high and am on my rewatch, so it’s no shocker to anyone that I am stuck on the ship that I want to see happen in the show. Gabriel and Emily.
I KNOW THEY AREN’T TOGETHER.
But it doesn’t mean that I don’t want them to be. Just you know – honestly. Not the way that it’s happening. I’d rather commit to the slow burn of their relationship.
I don’t even know if they have a ship name and if they do – someone tweet that to me. But for now – let’s break down all of the reasons that this is a ship I won’t desert and I will go down with.
IT STARTED OFF WITH EASE
I think that any and all great ships start off seamlessly and somewhat with ease. Sure, there are a lot of them that start off with a shit ton of drama and this one will get there. But Emily and Gabriels meet cute was absolutely ADORABLE.
They met because she tried to open the wrong door.
I know, I know – we should all know where we live. But in the USA apparently floors are different than in France. The ground floor isn’t the first floor in France, but for Emily it was. So she tried to go back to her apartment and ended up at the wrong door.
And trying to open it, it was opened for her and we get to meet Gabriel. Hot, hot Gabriel. He’s got all this charm and finesse. He makes you stop thinking and stumble over words. He’s just got this presence.
And Emily felt that presence.
Hell, we all felt that presence.
It’s a crazy thing, where chemistry just jumps off the screen, but it did for Emily and Gabriel. And it was beautiful.
THEY’RE DRAWN TO EACH OTHER
Gabriel is this person that you are drawn to. He’s so charming and welcoming to Emily that you can’t help but think that you want all men to be this charming.
Emily is living her life in Paris, but she’s always drawn back to Gabriel. She needs someone to talk to and Gabriel fits that mold. When Emily finds that she is feeling alone and overwhelmed, he’s the person that she wants to talk to.
He tells her that she’s not alone and in his own way assures her that she is good enough. He tells her that he likes her and that’s just what she needs to hear.
They are at ease when they are around each other. Maybe too at ease.
When they’re at the Fourtier party, they are at ease. They fit. They don’t realize that when they move, they move in sync with each other. Gabriel wants to make sure she’s taken care of.
He’s torn. She’s torn. They both don’t want to hurt Camille and look – I am not saying that their love is perfect. It’s not. But their attraction is filled with chemistry and we are here for it.
THE KISSES THAT SEEM SO PASSIONATE
When Emily gains the courage to walk back into the restaurant, after the Savoiur dinner and kiss Gabriel, I stood up and cheered. I wanted them to be together.
Of course that was before I knew that Emily in Paris was about to throw a major curve ball at us.
Gabriel and Camille.
Now, I am not faulting Gabriel or Emily for that kiss. Emily didn’t know he was in a relationship and he didn’t know she was going to do it. I don’t condone cheating, but I couldn’t help want them to figure out a way to be together.
THE JEALOUSY THEY CAN’T HIDE
It’s hard to like someone and have to hide it. Most of us are not great at it. We’d all like to believe that we are, but we’re not. It wears all over our faces.
For Gabriel and Emily they are jealous when the other is with someone. They don’t want to admit it, because admitting it makes it more real. And hey – dealing with the real of things isn’t easy.
When she sees and hears him with Camille, she’s jealous. When he sees her with Thomas, he’s not happy and even tells her that she could do better.
I’m not advocating jealousy, but it is a part of who most of us are. These two are trying to deny their feelings and everyone can see it.
But it’s because of that the two of them can’t be around each other. Emily sees it and tells him that they shouldn’t see each other anymore.
Breaks my fandom heart.
But in the same breathe, it made me root for them even more – because I wanted them to get together the right way.
THEY WANT TO SEE EACH OTHER SUCCEED
In my opinion, part of wanting others to succeed is being invested in who they are. It’s not about them making the most money at their jobs. It’s not about them having the highest position.
It’s about them achieving their dreams. You want to see them do what it takes to get there and when they do get there, you want to make sure that they stay there.
But part of that is not always being the yes person. Sometimes it’s telling them the hard things.
For instance, when Brooklyn takes the watch and Gabriel and Emily talk, he tells her that maybe getting fired wouldn’t be the worst thing. She could travel, she could eat good food.
He’s trying to get her to see another part of life and show her what love can be. What life can be.
She wants him to get the restaurant, but she was willing to let him go. Because sometimes you need to do just that.
Let go.
If it’s meant to be, it will be.
YOU BECOME INVESTED IN THE SLOW BURN
Emily and Gabriel tried everything that they could to stay away from each other. And they did everything that they could to find their way to each other.
Look, I know that these two aren’t together. They had moments and one night. Lots of their nights were epic. Lots of their nights were simple. But these two taught each other something with every interaction that they ever had.
They move, breathe, and laugh in a way that compliments each other. They exist in a way that pushes the other.
Gabriel didn’t understand her American ways and she didn’t understand his French ones. But they did understand that it was part of what made each of them special and desirable. It’s part of what brought joy from them.
And when they thought that it was going to be goodbye, they gave into the temptation. And yes, I cheered. I also gulped, because shit just got complicated.
But maybe that’s what they both need – a little complication.
These two challenge each other. From living life in new ways and trying new things and stepping outside of their comfort zone – well you get lost in it all.
I don’t know about you, but I am here for it all. They aren’t together, but I believe that they will be. Gabriel and Emily are the ship that chooses you.
Emily in Paris is streaming now on Netflix.
