The highly-anticipated second season of “Emily in Paris” launched on Netflix on Dec. 22, 2021. This Emmy-nominated show features Lily Collins as Emily, a 29 year old woman who moves to Paris for a year due to a work opportunity. The well-loved first season of the show was brought back for another season, but I would argue that the shallow plot could have been cut off after season one.
Season one followed Emily as she navigated her way through her new environment, with one major problem: she didn’t speak French. We watch her slightly overcome the language barrier as she attempts to make new friends and spark new relationships, all while continuously impressing her clients at her new job.
The first season was able to capture its audience through the beautiful European scenery that allowed for a much-needed temporary escape from reality during a time when everyone was quarantining in their homes. Although the show doesn’t contain much depth or meaning, it’s an easy watch that allows you to travel to the monuments and cafés of Paris. The show glorifies the city by only showing off its elegant and trendy parts, allowing the audience to imagine they’re walking through the streets of Paris as well. If you dream of traveling to France yourself, “Emily in Paris” is a fun way to immerse yourself in the country’s rich culture and beautiful landscapes.
In the second season, Emily is a little more knowledgeable of her surroundings. With the addition of her now taking French classes, she’s able to make even more connections with the other characters.
Although Emily’s character progresses in season two, I can’t say the same for the story line. It almost feels like a repeat of the first season, only with more boring elements. Many of the scenes that showed the ups and downs of Emily’s luxurious marketing job in season one were cast aside for a lazily thought out love triangle. This cliché makes the second season all the more shallow than the first. The predictable nature of the second season makes it redundant in many ways, as many themes are reused and prolonged further than they should be.
Although it’s easy to pick apart the aspects of the show that some anonymous online reviewers called “insulting” and “cheap,” season two does have some redeeming qualities. The costume design for the characters, especially Emily, reveal the extravagant fashion in Paris. Personally, the detailed outfits were enough to keep me entertained throughout the elongated story line.
Season two of “Emily in Paris” quickly made its way to the top of Netflix’s Top Ten TV Shows in the US list, a reflection of its binge-worthy elements. Even though this show doesn’t provide much meaning, I would recommend it to anyone who’s looking for a quick and relaxing show to watch. If you desire a more engaging plot, however, I would definitely recommend trying a different show.
