Emily in Paris – Last Christmas

By: Mariah Thomas

The second half of “Emily in Paris” Season Three picks up with a holiday episode. The joyous holiday perfectly opposes the heartbreak of the episode. Sylvie (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu) bids her company a farewell as everyone heads off on their own holiday break. Emily (Lily Collins) is always persistent in sharing new ideas. Sylvie quickly prompts her to stop talking work and truly take this break to relax, stating she will be. Later, Emily is ice skating with Gabriel (Lucas Bravo) as they discuss Christmas plans. She is heading home to Chicago to see her family and he is planning to spend it with Cami’s (Camille Razat) family. Since they were together for years prior, so many of his traditions include her. Emily is understanding and says “they’re a part of your life and you have a baby coming” to which Gabriel quickly adds “our lives.” Thus the beginning of the end begins.

Once at the airport to head home, Emily discovers her flight was upgraded to business class by Sylvie. She is over the moon with the fun perks and lavish lounge, so she calls her to thank her. In true Emily fashion, she has work ideas pertaining to the lounge but Sylvie persuades her to enjoy the moment. However, tells her it is a good idea to look into after the break. All is going well until Emily’s flight is canceled due to weather.

Gabriel is concerned about Emily’s flight and offers to go back to Paris to spend the holiday with her. She declines and to Cami’s mother’s dismay, her father suggests Emily join them. Cami’s mother has been persistent in wanting Cami and Gabriel to get back together. Once again, from her point of view, Emily ruins another family moment. By the time Emily arrives, there is a thick layer of tension. She arrives in an “ugly christmas sweater” as it is a fun tradition of her family. Cami’s family seems confused by the idea behind it, but her father quickly says he loves it before she can feel any semblance of embarrassment.

Back in Paris, we learn Sylvie has a step daughter, Geneieve (Thalia Besson) who will be visiting for the holiday. Her husband had a child he didn’t know about until her late teens and she is now a recent college grad job hunting. She reveals she has an interview to be a personal assistant of someone Sylvie happens to know. Sylvie offers to call and put in a good word for her. The next day she does just that, however her plan to play hard to get backfires in her face and the interview opportunity is ruined. Geneieve, on christmas morning, gifts Sylvie with an old camera knowing she is a collector. Knowing the job opportunity is ruined and feeling guilt over it, Sylvie offers her a position within her own company. Her husband is shocked but elated and Sylvie blames it on the Christmas spirit getting to her. She jokes about having to pay her a salary big enough so she can move out. She has been staying on the couch and the living room has gotten a little messy for Sylvie’s taste.

After dinner, Emily heads up to her room to attempt to facetime her family. Downstairs Cami and Gabriel speak a little. Earlier she confessed there was something she wanted to talk to him about and she claims it is not the time. He knows there is something she is holding back and she simply says, “Maybe I just wanted you to myself for Christmas,” just as Emily comes downstairs. He offers to show her the town at night and as she heads off for her coat, he invites Cami. She declines, stating she wouldn’t want to go on the same walk they had romantically in previous years. The next morning, lines are clearly drawn in the Emily x Cami x Gabriel love triangle. Her brother taunts Emily about being nothing more than the mistress. Although done spitefully, he makes Emily realize how much the baby will change Gabriel’s focus. She shakes his words and goes Skiing with Cami and Gabriel. Seeing as this is something she hasn’t done in years and Cami is a pro, Gabriel promises to stick by Emily and help her down. That promise is quickly thrown out the window when Cami decides to go racing down the mountain. Gabriel quickly takes off after her out of concern for the baby. Emily is left stranded and attempts to get down alone but immediately tumbles and loses her phone. A random man we soon learn is named Marcelo (Eugenio Franceschini) comes to her rescue. He helps her up and safely  guides her down the mountain. She thanks him and they part ways as she goes to look for Gabriel and Cami. She finds them trying to call her and she is angered. Pent up feelings about their situation come to light from Emily. She says they were silly to ever think they would work out and breaks up with him. “You’re always gonna choose her. I cannot be the one who pulls you away from your family.” It is clear Gabriel is hurt and torn. His heart is with Emily but also with his unborn child. As Emily stalks off, Cami smirks showing her true colors.

Once Emily is back in Paris, she runs into Alfie (Lucien Laviscount). The pair spend a moment catching up and it is clear they have not seen each other in awhile. She tells him about the break up and it seems like she has some hope for them. That maybe this chance encounter was fateful but before she can verbalize that, he tells her he is meeting up with his girlfriend and her parents. Emily is immediately overcome with emotion and just says that is a really big step. They part ways and once he is out of her sight, she cries.