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| Photo: Stephanie Branchu/Netflix |
The slow-burning romantic tension between Emily and Gabriel has been a cornerstone of Emily in Paris for four seasons. However, their on-and-off dynamic is starting to feel stale, leaving fans wondering if it’s time for the show to take a new direction in Season 5.
The classic will-they-won’t-they trope has worn thin, and continuing to drag out their relationship might do more harm than good for the Netflix series. Here’s why Emily in Paris should leave this love story behind.
The Romance Has Lost Its Spark
From the beginning, Emily (played by Lily Collins) and Gabriel (Lucas Bravo) were positioned as star-crossed lovers, kept apart by circumstances and emotional obstacles. The problem is that their relationship has become predictable, and the show’s writers seem to have run out of fresh ways to explore it.
After finally giving their romance a chance in Season 4, the couple's relationship is abruptly cut short due to a combination of misunderstandings and outside influences, namely Gabriel’s ex-girlfriend Camille (Camille Razat).
By the end of Season 4, viewers were left with yet another unresolved chapter in the Emily-Gabriel saga. Camille’s false pregnancy and their decision to "just be friends" removed the last tangible obstacle between Emily and Gabriel, but the chemistry that once sparked interest is now fizzling out. In fact, Gabriel’s frustrations with Emily’s inability to speak French come out of nowhere, adding to the confusion and disconnection between the two.
The Love Triangle No Longer Works
One of the main reasons the love story between Emily and Gabriel has dragged on for so long is Camille’s involvement. At first, she was a charming and formidable rival for Gabriel’s affection, making for a compelling love triangle.
But as Camille’s character evolved, particularly with her misleading pregnancy storyline, her presence began to feel forced and unnecessary. Once the pregnancy plot was debunked, there was little reason for Camille to remain central to the narrative.
Even with Camille out of the picture by the end of Season 4, it’s clear that the show’s writers are struggling to reignite the romance between Emily and Gabriel. Rather than rehashing the same drama in Season 5, it’s time to explore new dynamics and possibilities for Emily's character.
Darren Star’s Signature Slow-Burn Formula is Losing Appeal
Series creator Darren Star is no stranger to long-drawn-out love stories. From Younger to Sex and the City, Star has a history of creating slow-burn romances that keep audiences hooked. However, the formula doesn’t seem to be working as effectively in Emily in Paris.
The decision to split Season 4 into two parts only further weakened the storytelling, leaving the series lacking the emotional depth necessary to sustain a romance like Emily and Gabriel's over multiple seasons.
While Sex and the City managed to keep the back-and-forth dynamic between Carrie and Mr. Big interesting, Emily in Paris doesn’t have the same level of character development or plot complexity to warrant such extended indecision. Season 5 would benefit from a fresh perspective on romance, possibly involving entirely new characters or focusing more on Emily’s professional life.
Emily’s Career Should Take Center Stage
One of the most intriguing aspects of Emily in Paris is Emily’s career in marketing. Throughout the show, we’ve seen her navigate Parisian office politics, make bold career moves, and adapt to the French business world, all while maintaining her signature charm.
In Season 5, the focus should shift away from the will-they-won’t-they romance and instead spotlight Emily’s professional growth.
Season 4 hinted at this possibility when Emily takes on a significant new role in Rome, running her company’s office there. Moving the plot away from Gabriel and focusing more on her career could breathe new life into the series. Emily’s journey as an ambitious young woman in a foreign country presents a wealth of opportunities for fresh, engaging storylines.
Additionally, the introduction of Marcello (Eugenio Franceschini) as Emily’s new love interest in Season 4 offers a more exciting and lighthearted dynamic than her fraught relationship with Gabriel. Marcello’s presence adds a fun twist to the show’s romantic side, without the baggage that Emily’s relationship with Gabriel carries.
Introducing a True Villain: Genevieve
Another potential avenue for Season 5 is the development of new antagonistic characters, like Genevieve (Thalia Besson). Genevieve’s introduction as Sylvie’s stepdaughter and an American who can actually speak French offers a unique foil to Emily’s character.
Positioned as a threat to Emily’s budding relationship with Gabriel, Genevieve could inject a new level of drama into the show without relying on tired romantic tension.
Genevieve’s ambition, cultural fluency, and strategic mind provide a refreshing contrast to Emily’s bubbly, often clueless American persona. As the series moves forward, Genevieve’s role could expand, not just as a romantic rival, but also as a professional competitor, challenging Emily in both love and business.
Time to End the On-and-Off Love Story
The Friends creators admitted that getting Ross and Rachel together too soon led to complications in the storyline, requiring them to split the couple up and prolong their tension. With Emily in Paris, the opposite has happened: the show waited too long to unite Emily and Gabriel, and now that they’re together, it’s clear the spark has faded.
Dragging out their will-they-won’t-they romance for another season risks losing audience interest altogether. Instead, Season 5 should allow Emily to move on, whether that’s with Marcello, a new love interest, or focusing on her career and self-growth. The series has already proven that it doesn’t need to rely solely on romance to thrive; Emily’s quirky adventures in Paris (and beyond) are entertaining enough.
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