Stream It Or Skip It: 'Emily in Paris' Season 4, Part 1 on Netflix, where Emily finally chooses between Alfie and Gabriel (2024)

Bonjour, Emily in Paris fans! After more than a year and a half of anticipation, Darren Star’s delightful comedic drama returns with Season 4, Part 1 on Netflix. When we last left Emily, she had just been dumped by Alfie after he learned she and Gabriel had lingering feelings for each other. Gabriel had also been left at the altar by a pregnant Camille. And it seemed like maybe, just maybe — after all the sexual tension, timing issues, and buildup — that the American in Paris and the Hot Chef finally had the perfect window of opportunity to be together. Outside of the core love triangle (or love quadrangle? or love pentagon if you count Camille’s crush, Sofia?!) Julien was headed for a new job! Mindy and band were headed for Eurovision! Gabriel’s restaurant was headed for a Michelin star! And Emily in Paris was headed for a Roman Holiday in Italy!

EMILY IN PARIS SEASON 4, PART 1: STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?

Opening Shot: Picking up several days after the Season 3 finale wedding debacle, Emily in Paris Season 4 opens with Camille’s brother Timothée spilling the tea on TikTok in a viral explainer video that begins with him saying, “Let me tell you about how this woman ruined this family’s lives,” and pointing to a photo of Emily.

The Gist: As noted above, there are lots of loose ends that Emily in Paris Season 4 needs to tie. In the first half of the season, Emily (Lily Collins) tries to make amends with a heartbroken Alfie (Lucien Laviscount) while navigating her feelings for Gabriel (Lucas Bravo). Camille (Camille Razat) does some serious soul-searching after the wedding that wasn’t. Mindy (Ashley Park) struggles to figure out professional and personal endeavors — from Eurovision to her romance with Nico (Paul Forman). Sylvie (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu), a boss as usual, receives a crucial opportunity that could impact her marriage. Luc (Bruno Gouery) continues to walk on eggshells in his relationship with Michelin inspector Marianne (Laurence Gormezano). And Julien (Samuel Arnold) is finally ready for his career shakeup.

What Shows Will It Remind You Of?We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. While there’s only one Emily in Paris, there are multiple Darren Star shows — likeYounger andSex and the City — that exude similar charm, style, and compelling friendships and romance. We also get a trip to the French Open and attend a masquerade ball in Emily in Paris Season 4, Part 1, which means Challengers and Bridgerton fans are in for a little treat.

Our Take: To paraphrase the great Nicole Kidman in her iconic AMC ad: We come to this show…for magic. We come to Emily in Paris to laugh, to cry, to howl in the group chat. Because we need that, all of us — that indescribable feeling we get when Lily Collins appears on-screen in another ridiculously extra outfit. And we go to a Paris we’ve never been to before; not just entertained, but somehow reborn. Together. Dazzling delusions, on a small TV, laptop, or phone screen. Joie de vivre that I can feel. Somehow, heartbreak feels good in a place like this. Our heroes feel like the most chaotic part of us, and stories feel imperfect and imagined. Because here, they are. Darren Star. He makes “compulsively watchable TV.”

What I’m trying to say, is if you’re tuning into Emily in Paris Season 4 craving more of the same delicious drama, daring fits, charm, chaos, love triangles (or love quadrangles?! or love pentagons if you count Camille’s crush, Sofia), and restorative escapism, you’re getting the goods. While I’m no aspiring Michelin star chef, I do firmly believe that this particular series is best served in full seasons. It was made to be devoured in one all-consuming comfort binge, and thus, I take great issue with Netflix’s decision to split the season into two parts. While the first five episodes of Season 4 feature several breakups and makeups, unexpected career conflicts, elaborate PR campaigns, five-alarm dumpster fires in need of extinguishing, another stellar Ashley Park musical performance, and more relentlessly romanticized Parisian living, as a standalone installment, the first five episodes feel comparatively slower and less flashy than full seasons past.

That said, Emily and company do get more vulnerable and introspective in this batch of new episodes as the series continues its efforts to dive deeper into the lives of supporting characters — both in and out of the office. And though she didn’t select the man I was rooting for, Emily finally, at long last, chooses between Alfie and Gabriel. This is just the calm before the Roman Holiday, however, so anything can happen! Season 4, Part 2 drops on September 12, and creator Darren Star described the final five episodes to Decider as “Part 1 on steroids.” We love to hear it.

Sex and Skin: Relationships are largely on the rocks in Season 4’s premiere, so no sex or skin just yet, but stay tuned! The first episode does feature one heck of a kiss scene, though —and it may or may not involve a jumbotron.

Parting Shot: Standing outside at night, Gabriel tells Emily that Camille is missing in a concerned voice.

Performance Worth Watching: Their characters may not be going viral on TikTok, but Bruno Gouery and Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu (Luc and Sylvie) expand their roles and show different sides to their characters in Season 4, Part 1.

Memorable Dialogue:“My French is sh*t, but even I know ami means ‘friend.'” — Like we said, Emily finally gets a clear romantic direction in Season 4, Part 1, which means she’s officially Just Friends with either Gabriel or Alfie…you’ll have to tune in to find out.

Our Call: STREAM IT. If you’ve stuck with Emily in Paris for three seasons, you’re getting more of what you love (or love to hate watch) in Season 4, Part 1. And crucially, it will take you back to Paris and help fill the Olympics void in your heart.