In the fourth season of Emily in Paris, the show’s creators seem to have made the mistake of delaying the romantic union of its central couple, Emily and Gabriel. After three seasons of tension between Lily Collins’ character, an American marketing executive named Emily, and Lucas Bravo’s character, Gabriel, a French chef, the two finally came together in season four. However, just six episodes later, their romance fizzles out, leaving viewers disappointed.
Darren Star, the creator of the series, is known for his slow-burn romantic plots, as seen in previous works like Younger and Sex and the City. However, the current season’s split into two parts, a choice made by Netflix, has complicated the pacing. Unlike more substantial series such as Stranger Things or Bridgerton, Emily in Paris struggles to fill the gap with a compelling narrative.
Despite having three seasons to explore the dynamics of Emily and Gabriel’s relationship, the writing feels rushed when they finally become a couple. Their initial happiness is brief, especially with the introduction of Gabriel’s ex-girlfriend, Camille, who is also pregnant. The dynamic between this love triangle is initially amusing but quickly devolves as Camille’s presence becomes burdensome.
Camille was once an intriguing character who provided contrast to Emily, but her storyline has grown stale. After a series of misunderstandings and a misleading pregnancy plot, Camille’s role has diminished. Ultimately, her attempts to conceal the truth about her pregnancy lead to the end of Emily and Gabriel’s relationship. As Camille’s former romantic connection to Gabriel dissipates, she remains a superfluous character, diluting the narrative and Emily’s growth.