Emily in Paris – The Grey Area

By: Mariah Thomas

The episode opens up with the moment so many have been waiting for! Emily (Lily Collins) and Gabriel (Lucas Bravo) are officially together. Emily sits in his restaurant as the pair text and gaze at each other. Before you know it, they are in a steamy make out session in Emily’s apartment only to be interrupted by a sad Mindy (Ashley Park). She reveals she and Nico (Paul Forman) broke up over his father’s scandal. Mindy expressed she felt it was wrong to take photos with him in order to save his image within the company. He asked if she felt that way about him and in a moment of anger, they broke up.

Meanwhile, Sylvie (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu) and her husband finally discuss the article and the fallen through deal. He is understanding and just wonders why she didn’t confide this information in him earlier. She says “I wanted to write my own story, instead of being part of his.”In prior seasons the couple had an open agreement with their marriage as they lived in two different places. Last season, they rekindled their romance and he set to open a new club in Paris.With JVMA pulling out, he can no longer use the intended outdoor space.Later, she meets with her mother at lunch to ask her to allow her husband to use an open space she has for his club. If not, he will have no reason to stay in Paris. She agrees and reveals it was she who originally invested in his Saint Tropez club.

The episode centers around “the grey area.” In the literal sense, a new client with a hair product geared towards grey hair. They decide on a campaign embracing age and going against societal norms. Emily and Gabriel must get creative to keep the romance alive. Mindy is living with Emily, and Gabriel is still housing Cami (Camille Razat) and her girlfriend. This is how they find themselves on the roof of their apartment complex in a makeshift bed surrounded by candles. She gushes to Mindy the next morning who is happy yet shocked by how ‘wild’ this was for Emily. Inspired by her own night, the next day she presents what happened between her and Gabriel as a pitch for the client. Embracing the grey area, while embracing grey hair. After the meeting, Sylvie compliments Emily for the idea. She says “the simple girl who walked in from Chicago could have never conceived that idea”. It gives the audience a moment to reflect on how much Emily has changed while in Paris. Emily, at first, feels excited by this new “grey area” she’s living in. She then has the realization, it’s not for her.

In order to keep the club’s beachy concept alive, the beachfront is brought indoors. Sylvie’s mother’s space is completely transformed for the club launch party. While watching the set up, Sylvie is approached by Julien (Samuel Arnold) who reveals JVMA is looking for dirt on Sylvie to retaliate against the article. Julien quit on the spot and was immediately rehired by Sylvie. Earlier in the episode we saw JVMA’s client wanted to come out with a pair of business wear…with an extra statement. Phallic  shapes and patterns included. Given what has happened with his father, Nico is against this launch. However, once Julien makes the decision to leave and return to Sylvie’s company, he encourages the brand to attend her event. Here they are photographed in the new clothes, forcing JVMA to launch.

Mindy is set to perform at the club and invites Nico, who has since apologized. He says he cannot come as it would be a bad look for the brand. During said performance, Mindy appears to live in the grey area herself. She and one of her bandmates previously had a relationship. Their chemistry is showcased to the crowd while they perform. So much so it sparks conversation among many. Nico shows up and reveals he just missed them performing, which Mindy immediately feels relief about. It seems like another love triangle may be on the horizon.

It is hard to tell Cami’s motives. She often leads Gabriel in moments of reminiscence of their former relationship. Often in front of her own girlfriend and Emily. Is it genuine? Does she want to keep that spark with Gabriel? An attempt to keep things cordial for the eventual baby? Whatever it is, it leads Emily to tell their landlord there are three people in Gabriel’s apartment when there should only be two. She feels guilty for this so confesses to Gabriel what she did. Only for him to tell her, he did the same thing.