Emily in Paris – Break Point

By: Mariah Thomas

‘Emily in Paris’ season four opens up in the aftermath of season three’s wild finale.

Cami (Camille Razat) stunned wedding guests as she revealed an affair between Gabriel (Lucas Bravo) and Emily (Lily Collins). In actuality, she is more hurt realizing Gabriel’s feelings for Emily are much stronger than his towards her.  This show has always incorporated social media and trends to showcase Emily’s Influencer presence. Cami’s brother, Timothée (Victor Meutelet), has created a viral Tik Tok breaking down how Emily “ruined [his] family.” It is in the classic storyteller way we have all seen. While everyone is discovering the video, Emily runs into Gabriel finding he burnt his hand while working. She offers to help him bring in groceries, but there appears to be an awkward dynamic. Both seem to be in a “it’s complicated” relationship with their respective partners and working on their torn apart relationships. Back at the office, Sylvie (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu) expresses once again how Emily’s social media presence may have an effect on her work saying, “You broadcast your entire life for social consumption and now it’s affecting my business.” She is promptly brought into a meeting by Julien (Samuel Arnold) to unveil the “Love is in the Air” campaign that kicked off at the end of last season. Emily and Alfie (Lucien Laviscount) had the highest ratings of all the couples they tested, so they were selected to be the featured partners. Emily quickly tries to present a new idea to sway the company owner, but alas, he wants to keep Emily and Alfie at the center of the campaign. Julien is told about the break-up and TikTok after the meeting and launch of the campaign. He is rightfully upset as the campaign is in his care, so if anything goes wrong it reflects poorly on him. Alfie finally returns Emily’s call seeing the campaign photo outside of his gym. He is angered that one of his only safe places from her in this break is now tainted. In true Emily fashion, she shows up. The pair finally have a conversation and find themselves on the same page of needing more time.

Alfie and Gabriel come face to face at his restaurant. Alfie is confrontational in wanting to know the truth of Gabriel’s feelings. He refuses to relay them but promises he would never come in between them, and that nothing happened while Emily and Alife were together. That is the complexity of Emily and Gabriel. There is an obvious spark and deep connection, but both refuses to be honest and act on it in fear of hurting those around them.

Mindy’s (Ashley Park) journey this season opens up with her music group working with Eurovision. They discover the funding for the competition must be paid by them. Mindy and Nico (Paul Forman) attend the French Open. She wears an expensive dress that was a gift. This reflects heavily on her discomfort in asking him to help fund her Eurovision journey. Nico’s father (Pierre Deny) makes a comment thanking his son for her gift because she is “more covered up.” Mindy confronts Nico’s intention with the dress, and he confirms her fear. “Rather than stand up to him, you decided I was the problem? I can’t believe how cheap I feel in a dress this expensive.” She makes her grand exit standing up for herself. Mindy then sells the dress to fund Eurovision.

Tensions remain high for every character. Emily nervously waits to see if Alfie will show up to complete the final bit of the campaign, which will be a live kiss at the French Open of the “couple” Julien reveals his new job offer to Sylvie. In a self-pity moment, she makes a comment on the offer solely to punish her. Julien, understandably, takes offense to this and quits. This leaves Sylvie to deal with the mess Emily has made of the campaign. With moments to spare, Alife shows up before the live kiss is to take place. The pair have a quick conversation and Alife reveals he always feels like he is waiting for the other shoe to drop with her feelings for Gabriel, so he officially breaks up with her. He kisses her for a final time to save the campaign. In the final moments of the episode Emily goes to Gabriel only to discover him on the phone with Camille’s mother. He then tells her Cami is missing.