Emily in Paris has had quite the ride. The first season, about a Chicago PR girl who heads to the City of Love, was critically derided, hailed as a sign that Netflix was giving up on quality TV and churning out formulaic shows instead (two years and a bazillion true-crime later, that judgement feels seriously prophetic). But creator Darren Star promised to iron out the kinks, and by the time season two rolled around, reviewers U-turned, claiming the show was now totally “in on the joke”. As the third run of episodes arrive on Netflix, I’m unconvinced. Is it enough for a show to be in on the joke if the joke isn’t a good one? Does knowing your show is clichéd make it immune to criticism?
The third instalment picks up mere days after last season’s cliffhanger finale, which saw the charming – or so we’re told – Emily (Lily Collins) in professional, emotional and geographical limbo. Does she follow the aloof Sylvie (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu) to her new PR agency, or return to Chicago with heavily pregnant boss Madeline (Kate Walsh)? Does she choose British boyfriend Alfie (Lucien Laviscount) or former fling Gabriel (Lucas Bravo), who’s back with his ex anyway? In her French class, Emily is asked to translate a Sartre quote: “Ne pas choisir c’est encore choisir.” Not choosing is still choosing.
