After a bumpy first season and an improved, albeit only slightly, second season, Emily Cooper, played by a delightful Lily Collins, is gracing our television screens once again.
The last season ended with Emily having to choose between staying in Paris to work for her feisty French boss Sylvie Grateau (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu) or returning to Chicago with her American mentor Madeline Wheeler (Kate Walsh). Well, it was obvious which she’d pick considering the show is not called ‘Emily in Chicago’.
On the romantic front, Emily finally decides to confess her feelings to Gabriel (Lucas Bravo) but alas, the revelation has come too late.
As popular as it has proven to be with audiences, the hit Netflix show has been heavily criticised, since its release in 2020, for its stereotypical depiction of French people as rude, mean and snarky.
Taking this criticism to heart, the writers of the show valiantly attempted to put things right in the second season, dialling down on stereotypes as well as racist remarks.
What has remained unchanged however, to the delight of most, is the outlandish fashion and soap opera-ish plot.
Season three is an improvement from the second season, with the titular character considerably less annoying than she was at the beginning with her Americans-do-it-better attitude.
However, Emily’s continual indecisiveness, be it in her professional life or love life can be infuriating to watch at times.
The way she flops back and forth between Gabriel and her British boyfriend Alfie (Lucien Laviscount) will make you feel sorry for the latter, since he has no inkling of the feelings the other two still harbour for each other.
In her professional life, Emily daintily breezes through the bumps at work, with the solution for whichever issue she is currently facing seemingly dropping into her lap or coming to her in a lightbulb moment.
Her marketing skills seem like a superpower at times, to the chagrin of her colleague Julien (Samuel Arnold).
On the other end, it was welcoming that the show gave more screen time to the amazing Leroy-Beaulieu, who plays her character Sylvie with loads of charm and elegance. Having left Savoir, the luxury marketing company she and Emily worked for, Sylvie is struggling to start her own marketing agency this season.
Between searching for new clients and navigating her love life which is no less interesting than Emily’s, Leroy-Beaulieu shines while maintaining her chic sense of style.
Emily’s best friend and roommate Mindy Chen (Ashley Park) also has her share of the spotlight (literally) with more musical numbers. Park plays her role as the witty and supportive friend with both depth and sass.
On the fashion front, the show still delivers on over-the-top and flamboyant outfits, which it prides itself on. The way the characters saunter on screen with a gold longline jacket or feathered oversized coat while decked in sky-high platform heels will have you wondering if people actually dress this way in real life.
Overall, Emily in Paris is a bingeable watch if you’re looking to turn off your brain for a few hours and immerse yourself in the gorgeous streets and scenery of Paris.
While the plot may feel lacking or repetitive at times, you will feel high on fashion for sure.
All three seasons of ‘Emily in Paris’ are available on Netflix.