I Binged the New ‘Emily in Paris’ Season 4 Episodes and Forget Gabriel—Here’s Why I’m Crushing on Sylvie This Season

I’ve been a fan of Emily in Paris ever since my colleague wrote this brilliant dissection of the show when it first debuted in 2020. As she so eloquently describes, the series—which just dropped the first part of its fourth season on Netflix —is the ultimate escapist treat that neither edifies nor challenges: “The scenery! The gorgeously appointed interiors! That smoldering Frenchman who has little to do except be a dream sketch of a love interest!” She was right and I’ve been obsessed ever since.

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Enter the latest batch of episodes (the second installment drops on September 12, FYI). That smoldering Frenchman, Gabriel (played by Lucas Bravo), has become rather three-dimensional in terms of his arc on the show. Spoilers ahead, but between his on-again, off-again girlfriend Camille’s (Camille Razat) pregnancy, his unrequited love for Emily (Lily Collins) and his quest to finally nab a Michelin star for his restaurant, L’Esprit de Gigi, he’s got a lot going on. Through it all, he still smolders—no question there.

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But—and this is a major BUT—when I reflect on my recent binge of season four, Gabriel is no longer the focal point, nor is the “will they, won’t they” plot point between him and Emily the center of my attention while viewing. No, instead, my interest this season lies with Sylvie, Emily’s impeccably stylish, smart and tough-as-nails boss who is played to perfection by Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu.

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In fact, season four (so far) feels almost entirely devoted to the supporting cast—for example, Mindy’s (Ashley Park) relationship with Nicolas (Paul Forman), Luc’s (Bruno Gouery) unwavering efforts to help Gabriel secure that Michelin star, heck, even Julian’s (Samuel Arnold) job search and eventual exit from Agence Grateau get top billing. I repeat, Gabriel who?

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Back to Sylvie—I swear, she gets equal, if not more screen time than Emily this season as she helps her on-again, off-again husband, Laurent G (played by Arnaud Binard), work to open an off-shoot of his Saint Tropez nightclub in Paris, all while operating under the bullying thumb of Louis de Leon (Pierre Deny), CEO of the fictional luxury brand JVMA and Sylvie’s former boss, who has offered to finance the venture. Cue Sylvie’s indecision-turned-boldness: Does she feel comfortable outing the quid pro quo sexual harassment that she endured from Louis and sparking her own #MeToo movement? She does.

It’s that internal confidence in combination with her easy and never-try-too-hard iconic French style that has my gaze shifting her direction. On top of that, she and Emily seem to have found a better rhythm and one that’s centered less on irritation and more on mutual respect or at least acceptance. All together, the series still delivers a delightful watch with a few deeper plot points that are a hair less escapist this season.

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That’s not to say that season four isn’t fun—it is! (There’s the fashion, of course, but also that scene between Emily and Camille in Monet’s garden is one of my faves.) But I think there’s a bigger effort to bring the supporting cast to center stage and I enjoyed that. I also have so many pending questions as we await part two: Will Mindy and Benoit (Kevin Dias) rekindle their romance? Will Alfie (Lucien Laviscount) return? What’s to come of Emily, Gabriel and Camille, now all living separately, but under the same l’appartement roof? Oh, mon dieu.

All in all, the series is still worth a watch. Now, if you need me, I’ll be eagerly awaiting part two.

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