What is Emily when she’s not in Paris?

SPOILER ALERT: This story contains plot details for Season 4, Part 2 of ‘Emily in Paris’.

See you, Emily in Paris. Hello, Emily in…Rome?

Fans of the frothy comedy “Emily in Paris” may be shocked by the ending of Season 4, Part 2, which dropped on Netflix this week. In the season finale, Emily (Lily Collins) is assigned by her boss Sylvie Grateau (Philippine LeRoy-Beaulieu) to start a new office in Rome, where a sexy new client – ​​not to mention a sexy new man, Marcello Muratori (Eugenio) Franceschini) –– eagerly awaiting her presence.

On the one hand, it’s a step forward for Emily: she gets promoted to run her own office in one of the most romantic cities in the world. On the other hand, she leaves behind her friends, primary love interest Gabriel (Lucas Bravo), and, in a sense, her viewers. By deploying that plot twist, “Emily in Paris” indicates that the show would (which seems like a foregone conclusion) move locations in season 5, at least temporarily. Meaning, creator and showrunner Darren Star has asked an existential question amid the polka dot ruffles, pain au chocolat and general silliness: What is ‘Emily in Paris’ if not Emily, in Paris?

Two passionate fans –– Deputy Film Editor Pat Saperstein and Social Media Editor Rachel Seo –– sat down to discuss the show’s latest developments, that shocking ending, and whether, contrary to popular belief, the series is actually any good.

The couture

Rachel Seo: Let’s talk about those costumes. Personally, I despise Emily’s clothes (I think I should?). But I also think the way her style has evolved throughout the series is interesting because it reflects the change in tone of the show. After I finished season 4, I went back and rewatched some of season 1 and was struck by how much more grounded it felt.

Pat Saperstein: It’s interesting to remember that in the first few episodes of Star’s ‘Sex and the City’, the stars lived in a grittier and more down-to-earth version of New York. Here there are just SO MANY outfits in each episode. I despise most of them too, but there are always a few baffles. Towards the end of this season, I thought some of her outfits were almost maternal – all wrong for someone her age, but often desirable nonetheless. Nevertheless, if people start wearing newsboy caps because of Emily, I’ll never forgive the costume designers.

Can I also say that the belted red leather Jean Patou jacket was amazing? I’m also not mad about the cobalt blue Barbara Bui pantsuit she wore at Giverny.

Rachel: That jacket was beautiful, and I really liked the fluffy, multi-colored coat she wore when she visited Camille’s family at Christmas. As for the outfits when she visited Italy – I thought they did a very good job of dressing her for who she essentially is: a white American millennial woman from a major metropolitan area. There was definitely some sort of Taylor Swift-meets-Madewell ethos governing the decision to wear her in a blue and white polka dot and ruffle top.

The comparison to “Sex and the City” and its evolution as a show is clever; I also thought about the original “Gossip Girl.” The longer these shows go on, the more they feel like they’re becoming a parody of themselves. In Season 1, Emily wore multi-colored berets with plaid shirts and shared moments with Gabriel (for example, that kiss at the club when she babysat that pop star) that had palpable sexual tension and chemistry. In season 4, she wears giant striped dresses that look like spirals used for hypnosis; breaking up with Gabriel because he won’t let her have her baby off a ski slope; and move to Italy because he is a handsome man, why not.

The evolution of Gabriel and Emily’s relationship

Pat: First things first, has Gabriel changed his hair this season? He used to be nicer. Anyway, this on, off, on, off and maybe on again? The relationship has been maddening for four seasons. But I have to commend Gabriel for his candid and blistering speech telling Emily that she was actually acting like a jerk. Unfortunately, her total refusal to learn even the most basic French left her vulnerable to deception by Sylvie’s secret devilish stepdaughter, who mistranslated his speech and said, “I don’t want to see you anymore.” Face it, as long as we have Emily, we’ll be stuck with this virtually sexless and perpetually unsatisfying romance. There is no friend zone for you, Emily and Gabriel!

Rachel: His hair is longer –– I had the same question. He cultivates a rougher look? And even though Emily has apparently been taking French lessons for years, it’s amazing that she couldn’t say a full sentence until this season. Better late than never, I guess?

Emily and Marcello

Pat: I love the idea of ​​his family’s low-key, luxury cashmere company (is it based on Loro Piana?) doing company lunches at a long table in the middle of a village. Perche non? But Marcello is no Gabriel, and I get the feeling Emily is more excited by the prospect of great gelato than the possibility of molto Marcello. Do you like him?

Rachel: He’s boring because he’s a little too perfect. A charming, handsome heir to a luxury cashmere brand, who just wants to live in a small town in Italy and focus on his family? He should be a little more evil.

Emily moves to Rome

Rachel: Do you think she will actually move to Rome? I don’t think she’s moving to Rome. If – when! — the show has been renewed for season 5, they’re going to spend a few episodes there. Gabriel will come and confess his love for Emily, she will reject him, and then there will be a revelation she has in a conversation with Marcello that brings her to her senses. Then she goes back.

Pat: I think you’re right, since Gabriel is clearly not going anywhere. How often does Instagram let you change your username? Still, she would be a bit Pazza to give up that sweet Rome block and go back to jockeying with Mindy for a spot in an attic room.

Is ‘Emily in Paris’ actually good?

Rachel: We’ve talked before about whether the show is “good” or not, and what “good” means. What do you think?

Pat: Maybe it’s not good-good, but it’s not trying to be ‘successive’. It’s not that easy to make a show that flows so easily and looks so good at the same time. While costume designer Marilyn Fitoussi might have to be called the show’s main creative force, the writing is quite clever and the visuals are top-notch. Sure, the double and triple ingredients are as sticky as a triple cream brie. But the dialogue, while often absurd, snaps and crackles in the best rom-com tradition. Ultimately, the show’s genius isn’t just the fashion, but the way it combines Audrey Hepburn-style American ingenuity with French actors in a way that feels fresh and fun — though admittedly a soufflé-light confection.

Rachel: I agree there is an effortlessness to it that I’m sure takes a lot of work and skill. I don’t know if I’d go so far as to call the show “good,” but maybe it’s “good” for what it is: pure entertainment?

Pat: Totally agree. See you next time in Rome, Rachel!