It’s hard to believe that when Emily in Paris premiered a year ago, we were knee-deep in a COVID-19 pandemic.
But season two is here to remind us that the pandemic is still waging on.
The series, once again, provides a fun and whimsical escape from reality as it transports audiences to the land of designer fashion choices that you’d never get away with wearing in Chicago, champagne (or should I say Champere), and croissants (pronounced krwa-san, of course).
Set in the idyllic version of Paris you only see on those filtered Instagram post — and without a face mask in sight — the series, despite all the backlash, succeeds because it knows exactly what it’s supposed to be — a sugar rush of escapism for those who can’t getaway on their own adventures at the moment.
Lily Collins returns as Emily Cooper the one-dimensional heroine with pristinely curled locks that never mess up, not even when she’s sprayed down the champagne. Her life continues to be a chaotic, dramatic, and beautiful mess as she navigates the streets of Paris and the halls of Savoir in the same way she navigates her love life — hoping for the best but fully expecting the worst.
Credit: Netflix/ Emily in Paris
And the worst does come. They always say that before the rainbow, you have to endure the rain.
One of the issues with Emily this season is that she just can’t own up to what she truly wants.
If she took Sylvie’s advice and chose to embrace the disastrous trail she’s leaving behind during her time abroad, it would be one thing, but throughout the 10-episode run, Emily is determined to tiptoe the line of both a good friend and the one that follows her heart in the romanticized version of Paris.
She’s wishy-washy, she can’t commit, she tries way too hard to control everything, and even when it all catches up to her, she never learns anything from it and goes on to make the same mistakes over and over.
It’s frustrating yet intoxicating to watch. Emily might be good at managing brands (though, that’s questionable too), she’s pretty terrible for her own brand. Yet, you can’t stop rooting for her.
Best and Most Relatable Tweets & Memes About Netflix’s ‘Emily in Paris’
And Emily doesn’t stop rooting for herself either. Every time she’s knocked down, she brushes it right off. Nothing gets the positively radiant and optimistic Emily down for too long. After all, she’s living out her dreams (she reminds you at every turn!).
Emily in Paris Season 1 ended with hunky chef Gabriel deciding to stay in Paris to open up his own restaurant. He made the decision after he cheated on his girlfriend and Emily’s close friend, Camille, which, as you imagine, causes quite an uncomfortable environment between the threesome.
The love triangle comes to a head in some unexpected ways come season 2.
But don’t expect Gabriel to be the only one Emily sets her sights on — she’s living in Paris, so for god’s sake, she must do as the French do! The second season introduces a new man into Emily’s life, and Alfie is a Brit in a business suit that we can’t help but j’adore.
Did I mention we’re still living vicariously through Emily? Because we most definitely are.
There are some familiar faces that pop in throughout included Pierre Cadault and Antoine, but the sweet spot lies within Emily’s supporting cast, who have become more engrained in the storyline than ever, including Mindy, the Chinese heiress who came to Paris in hopes of reinventing herself and became Emily’s most-trusted friend.
Credit: Netflix/ Emily in Paris
As we get a front-row seat to Emily’s oftentimes imploding career, we’re also privy to Mindy’s new job and love interest.
Sorry, Collins — Emily isn’t the only girl in Paris worth following on social media.
Mindy has found her voice as a main character this season largely due to Ashley Park’s incredibly portrayal.
Emily’s counterparts at Savoir also get their fair share of screen time as we peel back the layers of Sylvie’s mysterious life. And boy, there are so many layers to that woman!
Luc shines with his comedic timing, and I honestly can’t recall him being this funny in the first season. Never change, Luc.
The “American in France” shtick also doesn’t slap you across the face as bluntly either.
Emily, despite still being a Chicago girl at heart (you can’t take the girl away from her deep dish), has immersed herself more in the French culture, so while there are still a few faux pas on her part, she doesn’t necessarily stick out like a sore thumb anymore.
Credit: Netflix/ Emily in Paris
And that’s emphasized with the arrival of another PR executive who, quite frankly, depicts Americans as a revolting bunch.
We’re not that bad… I think…. but we do love our Starbucks. Can you blame us?
Paris aside, the series explores another stunning backdrop as it takes a detour to St. Tropez and only intensifies the lust in our wanderlust.
Emily in Paris might not be reinventing the wheel here, but it never claimed to.
Instead, the easily digestible episodes tackle topics of friendships, honesty, a fulfilling career, and a good power suit in a way that’s more Sex and the City than the Sex and the City reboot could ever be.
If you’re looking for a quick departure from your daily routine, don’t hesitate to take a lighthearted stroll down the Seine with Emily Cooper and friends.
Catch up on Emily in Paris Season 1 right here on Amazon!
And don’t forget to cook like the French with this unofficial Emily in Paris cookbook!
Emily in Paris hits Netflix on December 22, 2021.
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