Have you ever walked away from an episode both excited and angry? That’s where this episode leaves me. Cliffhanger aside, I think that there was just so much in the episode that made me scream, cry, and well… just angry.
This season so far has had a lot of evolution and that’s a good thing. But what it also leaves me with is this feeling of WTF is happening. Yes, I said that and I meant it. It doesn’t mean that I don’t love the show – I do. And I would say that this episode definitely is a good one.
Part of the allure of Emily in Paris is the sheer scale of the drama and ridiculousness. It’s seeing everyone make their mistakes and trying to come to terms with how much you disagree with those mistakes. It’s knowing that the characters may not consider them to be mistakes and that somewhere there is end game, but you have no patience, because you want end game now.
And I don’t want to be judged for that. I am going to have to have patience, because I do realize that writers do have end game in place.
Now, I fully recognize that the viewers end game and the writers end game may be completely different. It feels as though the writers want me to be invested in Gabriel and Emily. But the truth of the matter is, even when they exchange “I love you,” I am still not invested.
But what I am invested in is this show. This season has been the best it’s ever been and I don’t say that lightly. But what I do think is that even with the best yet, it has room for improvement.
And that’s going to start by answering a crap ton of questions that they’ve left open during this whole season. But hey, maybe that will all come in the back half of the season.
TROUBLE IN NOT SO PARADISE
Sofia didn’t sign up for what she’s getting. Let’s all remember that. Sofia just loved a woman and she wanted to be there for her. I can admire that. But I also think that Camille took that for granted.
The whole dynamic of Gabriel, Emily, Sofia, and Camille has been this weird thing. It’s definitely not healthy in any way. Sofia and Emily have been way too silent about it and honestly, it’s just too much to watch. I am cringing the whole way through every interaction with the four of them together.
The thing is – I feel for Sofia because Camille has just taken her for granted. A relationship is a two way street and Camille isn’t willing to make any compromises. Take when they are at the flea market for example – Camille isn’t willing to listen to her needs at all. Don’t get me wrong, I was glad that Camille got the rocking horse, but Sofia’s wants for the apartment are important too.
Their breakup was handled well. Sofia was a lot more mature than a lot of us would be. I wouldn’t have just been like okay, I am going to leave because you’re a selfish b**** who doesn’t really think of anyone but themselves. But Sofia was kind and vulnerable and asked her to come with.
I don’t even know what to think of Camille at this point – because I don’t think she’s thinking straight. She just doesn’t know what is to come yet.
DINNER FOR FOUR
Sylvie is just precious and must be protected at all costs. I don’t care what anyone says – she’s really just emerged as the shero of the season. The way that she would do anything for Laurent and other people that she loves is just endearing.
Asking Luc to get a reservation for her at one of the best restaurants for Laurent’s birthday had to have been a pill to swallow. But it’s crazy what you do for the people that you love. And she does it, because she loves Laurent. Now Luc asking Marianne to get the reservation – well, we finally learn who she is.
She makes the reservation for four people, bringing herself and Luc along with. She wants him to ask for a raise and thinks that her bring there will force him to do it. But what happens is that she gets called out.
She’s not a Michelin inspector. She got fired for “insider dining” and therefore has been getting reservations and having people pay for her dinners by lying to them.
Now, Luc, He’s a better man than most would be. He forgives Marianne and wants to be with her still. Doesn’t matter that she’s made him look like a fool. I guess love is a strange thing.
LOVE YOU
If anyone ever tells me that they are in love with me, I am going to need them to take me to the oldest bridge in Paris and say nice things to me. Yes, I am a romantic and a cynic. What can I say, 90’s television raised me well.
When Gabriel and Emily exchange I loved that for them both. See, I have never really thought that they didn’t love each other, but then again – loving someone and being in love are too different things. I just can’t see this being something that is sustainable.
There have been way too many mistakes and way too many moments of misleading each other. There are too many complications and though I do think that love is there, I just think that they aren’t forever. If one day I am wrong, I will say I was wrong.
Am I happy for Emily that she gets to see if this is forever? Yes. I think everyone deserves to see if love will work. Everyone deserves to see if a fairytale is in fact that.
But here’s the thing about fairytales – they don’t always have happy endings and I can’t see this one working out.
CAMILLE WASN’T AND DIDN’T AND COULDN’T
My heart broke for Camille. She’s been stressed, there’s been a lot that has been going on, and with the break up – it’s a lot. And for someone that is pregnant, that’s too much to handle. So when we see her at the doctor, worried because she’s been spotting.
And that’s terrifying.
But the part where my heart breaks is when she finds out that she was never pregnant at all. The home test she took was wrong. Having been through something like that before – it’s heartbreaking. She was prepared to have a baby and Gabriel has been so supportive.
How are they going to get through this? But more importantly, how is she going to get through this? There’s been a part of her that has come alive and I think that she’s experiencing loss and grief. I don’t even think she realizes that she realizes just how deep she’s feeling it.
It doesn’t help that when she goes to tell Gabriel he says that he’s got all he needs in Emily and a baby on the way.
I think that as much as I don’t like the character of Camille, I do think that she is going to have a hard time recovering from this.
FACE LUBE
Mindys friend. Lord, how we all want to believe the best of our friends, but this – well – this friend takes the cake. She’s umm… eccentric and that is putting it nicely. An entrepreneur that really just takes the cake.
She gets Emily to bring her in for a meeting and Sylvie decides to make a call to get her a test in one of France’s most iconic malls. Now, Mindy is the test subject for her friend and lets just say that this moisturizer is really shiny.
Leave it to Julien to figure out the truth – that it was once pitched as lube on Europes version of Shark Tank. I loved it because it was like a reboot – the moment that Julien, Luke, Emily, and Sylvie are back in a groove. The way that they should be.
⭐️
When Emily finds out that Marianne is a fraud, she heads to tell Gabriel. Like all of us, she’s thinking that this could be an issue. I mean, he’s spent so much time and money trying to earn the star.
Atl least now he can fire the pastry chef.
For Gabriel, this is a party. It’s exciting that the pressure it gone. One can’t help but admire that about him. He realizes that isn’t what he needs. He just needs to have a good restaurant and put out food.
I am kinda happy for him and his relief, but also kinda scared. I think at a certain point stress for ones self isn’t worth it at all. But what is worth it is a sense of calm and direction.
But Gabriel doesn’t know that his direction is about to be lost.
OTHER THOUGHTS
- As much as I don’t like Camille, I do feel for her and the situation. It’s heartbreaking to know that she went to tell Gabriel and he kinda blocked that.
- Camille looking out the window and seeing Gabriel and Emily – I felt for her – but also wondered if she’s up to something.
- I wish there was more Mindy and Nicolas in this episode
- Where is Alfie? I need Emily and Alfie together.
- Alfie, I miss you.
- I miss Sofia already.
- I need to know what is happening with Eurovision.
The first five episodes of season four of Emily in Paris are streaming now on Netflix.
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