Published by Mason Oldridge, 20 September 2024
CONTAINS SPOILERS!
We say bonjour to Emily and the gang again for more romance, heartbreak and marketing!
The new season starts shortly after where the previous season finished. As Camille and Sofia begin a relationship in Paris, so do Emily and Gabriel. However, it is clear that both Emily and Sofia are uncomfortable with how close Gabriel and Camille still are due to their past and their plans to co-parent their baby. Things reach boiling point when Gabriel abandons Emily when skiing to follow Camille and she breaks up with him. The second half of the season sees Emily attempt to move on from Gabriel by beginning a new relationship with Marcello, the Italian who rescued her on the slopes.
Furthermore, there is a new villain in town as Sylvie’s stepdaughter Geneviève arrives from New York to stay and work in Paris and, originally shadowing Emily, shows an interest in Gabriel, falsely translating Gabriel’s argument with Emily to allow herself to get closer to him.
Inappropriate behaviour in the workplace is tackled this season as Sylvie is approached by a newspaper planning to expose Louis’ abuse. Fallout from these revelations include losing the funding for her husband’s club and Mindy’s relationship with Louis’ son Nicholas as he attempts to take over the family company, though also results in Julien, who decided to take the job at JVMA, quitting and returning to Agence Grateau.
The visuals are once again stunning as always. This time, we are treated to a Christmas episode in which Paris is transformed into a Winter wonderland. The decoration is truly stunning. Later on, Emily visits Marcello in Rome as a change in scenery presents us with some Italian wonders including the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain.
There are less sweet moments this season though one that stands out is freshly-heartbroken Mindy’s impromptu performance of her song Beautiful Ruins. Ashley Park’s talent is too impressive to not showcase throughout the series.
There is less comedy too but there are still some funny moments from Luc, particularly his excitement over Krakow when Emily pretends she is visiting and his disappointment when he discovers she has actually gone to Rome.
The season ends at an interesting point as Emily begins her new life in Rome with Marcello following her appointment running the newly founded Italian office, while Gabriel, elated at finally getting his Michelin star but disappointed to not have shared the moment with Emily, asks Mindy where exactly in Rome she is. Will Emily return to Paris with Gabriel or is this the start of Emily in Rome?
Either way, the fourth season delivers more romance from Emily, music from Mindy, sharp-tongued comments from Sylvie and comedy from Luc.
7/10