Bonjour, mes amis (Hello, my friends). The eternal flagbearer of optimism and one who is perennially as bright as sunshine, Emily Cooper, continues to be in Paris and hence we have ‘Emily in Paris’ saison trois. (season 3).
For those who joined in late, Emily is an American who is currently in Paris to represent her firm and is also the raison d’etre of all chaos, confusion, and comedy in the series. She continues to be the one who creates problems and the only one who can solve the seemingly impossible problems of others.
In the first season, there was some humor emanating due to the difference in culture, and language. Second, focused mainly on her romantic escapades. However, in ‘Emily in Paris’ (EIP) season 3, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Season 2 ended with a cliffhanger and season 3 opens with an answer to that. However, the season quickly falls into a rhythmic pattern.
Menage a trois is the theme on which ‘EIP’ thrives. Most of the characters here are caught in a love triangle. Emily (Lily Collins) is caught between Gabriel (Lucas Bravo) and Alfie (Lucien Laviscount). Sylvie (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu) is finding it difficult to choose between Laurent G (Arnaud Binard) and Erik (Søren Bregendal). Even Mindy (Ashley Park), Emily’s bestie, has two suitors, Benoît (Kevin Dias) and Nicolas de Léon (Paul Forman). Camille, Gabriel’s girlfriend, too has a girlfriend now, Sofia (Melia Kreiling). Initially, Emily is shown to be working for two firms and has two bosses. Madeline (Kate Walsh) at Savoir and Sylvie at Agency Grateau. Even the marketing agency at times is forced to choose between two clients – the two eccentric designers - Jean-Christophe Bouvet as Pierre Cadault, and Jeremy O. Harris as Grégory Elliot Duprée.
The fresh installment ranks high on style and low on substance. A strong plotline was never the highlight of ‘EIP’. Accordingly, this time also we are in a treat when it comes to songs, locales, costumes, et al. But when it comes to the story, it is like moving round and round in circles.
So, basically, it is the feel-good factor that holds the viewers’ attention till the last episode which again ends with a cliffhanger. Thanks to costume designer Marylin Fitoussi, Emily continues to rock with her sartorial extravaganza. For an expat in Paris, she is breathtakingly and immaculately dressed. Be it the zebra-striped dress with statement shoulders or the one she wears for a garden party. Emily’s appearance in each frame continues to be Instagramable.
Performance-wise, Lily Collins maintains the continuity of her character. There is nothing more to it because her character is largely now one-tone and hence her performance too is predictable. Others too more or less do not disappoint. However, it is Sylvie who slays it as the boss lady in season 3. Her Miranda Priestly-like character as the boss at Savoir and her professional life have evolved and developed well giving her ample scope to depict a gamut of emotions. Lucien Laviscount seems like a walking advert for an electric trimmer for men. Bruno Gouery, as Luc, Emily’s endearing colleague has got a meatier role this time and makes the most of it. The track of Samuel Arnold, as Julien, Emily’s other colleague, has just started to come on its own and is likely to get more screen space next season.
‘EIP’ may not be that perfect Santa but it’s Christmas time. So, grab that cup of coffee or tub of popcorn, snuggle under the blanket, and indulge yourselves in all the chic and fluff unfolding in the city of love and lights. ‘Emily in Paris’ may have nothing to go gaga over but it can prove to be just the right choice to ring in the new year on a happy, bright note. After all, it’s all glitz, glamour, and glitter. ‘Emily in Paris’ is playing on Netflix.
