1. Lighthearted Entertainment:

Before diving into the details, let’s put things into perspective: Emily in Paris is a show that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s pure entertainment—it’s light, colorful, and pretty enjoyable to watch after a long day. Clearly, this isn’t a series where you’re looking for depth or unwavering realism. You have to take it for what it is: a kind of fantasy about Paris, seen through the eyes of a slightly naive, somewhat idealistic American. And honestly, sometimes that’s exactly what we need—something we can watch without overthinking, just to relax.

That said… even knowing this, I can’t help but roll my eyes at certain moments, and I think many French people, like me, find themselves saying, “Oh la la, this is really exaggerated!” We’ll get to that, but for now, keep in mind that the series has its charm, even with its flaws.

 

2. The Clichés About France: Always Exaggerated, Sometimes True

Now let’s get to the clichés, which are probably the most talked-about aspect of the series since its debut. Yes, in Emily in Paris, the clichés about the French and Paris are abundant. Some are a bit annoying, others are amusing, and some are even somewhat accurate. For example, there’s always the stereotype of the French person who is constantly late, drinks wine all day long, and is extremely nonchalant at work. So, is it true? Well, let’s say some of these clichés have a small basis in reality. We do have a more relaxed attitude toward work compared to some other countries, and yes, we enjoy a glass of wine from time to time, but to say we’re all constantly holding a glass is a bit of an exaggeration, don’t you think?

Then there’s this image of the French as always being super romantic, with an air of mystery. Honestly, I find that a bit tiring. French men don’t spend their lives wooing women in such a cliché manner. And Paris, while beautiful, isn’t always this “romantic fairytale” where everyone strolls by the Seine with the Eiffel Tower in the background. Paris is also a city with traffic jams, noise, and strikes (which, by the way, never appear in the series—even though, well… you know how things go here). But hey, it’s the idealized vision the series wants to portray, so we let it slide… for the entertainment.

 

3. The Clichés About French Women

Another aspect that makes me smile is how the series portrays French women. In Emily in Paris, every French woman is absolutely flawless, ultra-glamorous, and dressed in haute couture—even for the office. Yes, Paris is a fashion capital, and we do like to look elegant, but seriously, all those dresses and high heels during a workday? It’s a bit surreal. Personally, I don’t know anyone who commutes to work every day in heels, especially when using the metro! It’s as if the series wants to make us believe every Parisian woman is a living model, always ready for a runway show.

There’s also this idea that French women are always mysterious, distant, and never too emotionally invested. That’s a bit more annoying because it gives quite a cold image of French women, whereas the reality is much more nuanced.

 

4. The Love Plot: A Triangle That Goes in Circles

Now let’s talk about what’s becoming truly tiresome in Emily in Paris: the love storyline. I don’t know about you, but this love triangle between Emily, Gabriel, and Camille—haven’t we had enough? Four seasons in, and we’re still stuck in this back-and-forth game between the characters. Honestly, at some point, it becomes repetitive.

In this new season, we’re once again treated to twists between these three characters, and it feels like the series doesn’t quite know where to go with this plot. Will Emily and Gabriel end up together? Will Camille make a comeback? It all starts to feel a bit exhausting. You get the sense that the writers are stretching out the love triangle to maintain some tension, but it’s beginning to go in circles.

 

5. Why Do We Keep Watching?

So why do we keep watching despite everything? That’s the paradox of Emily in Paris. Despite its exaggerated clichés and repetitive love plot, there’s something about this series that keeps us hooked. It’s light, it’s funny, and visually, it’s stunning. The shots of Paris are gorgeous, Emily’s outfits are always incredible (even if sometimes completely impractical for everyday life), and there’s a certain charm in this idealized depiction of Parisian life.

It’s a show you watch without overthinking, just to relax. It’s not a series that will change your life or make you think deeply, but it has the ability to transport you to a world of glitter and romance, where everything feels lighter. Sometimes, that’s all we need, right?

 

6. My Review of Season 4

As for Season 4, I’d say it stays in line with the previous seasons. There are no big surprises, and I think if you enjoyed the earlier seasons, you’ll like this one too. But if you already felt the plot was losing steam in Season 3, this new season won’t change much. It continues to rely on the same tropes: clichés about the French, complicated love stories, and eccentric outfits.

So there you have it—my thoughts on Emily in Paris and particularly on Season 4. To sum up: it’s a pleasant show to watch, with beautiful visuals and light moments, but you really have to take it for what it is—an exaggerated fantasy about Paris. The clichés can be annoying, especially for us French people, but hey, that’s part of the show’s charm. If you’re looking for something entertaining and lighthearted, it’s still a good option.