Just in time for the real Paris Olympics to come to an iconic end, the equally as important Paris fashion Olympics are back!! That’s right, the fourth season of my favorite obnoxious foreigner lollygagging throughout the most judgmental European city in the world (Pairs, je t’aime) is outfits that would have Carrie Bradshaw shaking has arrived, so basically all is right with the world. Emily in Paris season 4 features Emily very much Emily-ing all around the city of lights to sell marketing campaigns for a fourth summer in a row, except this time she’s finally been forced to make up her mind about who she wants to be the fromage to her jambon in the baguette of life (yes, I know, Darren Star should’ve hired me yesterday). The choice (which I’m not going to spoil yet, don’t worry) between le Michelin-hungry chef sublime, Gabriel, and the cheeky man in finance from London, Alfie isn’t an easy one for Sylvie’s protege (who would probably advise her to enjoy both) so naturally I spent many hours and glasses of the best French wine Trader Joe’s has to offer pondering the matter like my life depended on it. After season 4’s major plot twist, are you Team Gabriel or Alfie? Let’s unpack what your Emily in Paris choice says about you.
Spoiler alert: This story contains details from season 4 part 1, so hurry up and binge it already like a normal person.
Team Gabriel
If you’re Team Gabriel, pat yourself on the back for being a mature lovergirl of sophisticated taste. Gabriel is a dreamer, but a dreamer with such a curated vision that the universe has to comply with bringing it to life. From season 1 to season 4 we’ve seen the sous-chef evolve into a restaurant owner and one who manages to graft a Michelin star despite Luc’s loose lips. If you’re dreaming of Gabriel, you’ve definitely seen one too many romantic comedies and you can’t help but believe yours is still on the way. Now, let’s be clear: monsieur mans isn’t perfect. If your heart is set on Gabriel, you probably get a little tickled by chasing a red flag since he did have a years-long emotional affair with his nosey neighbor during his engagement (which only got called off in the eleventh hour because Camille put two and two together). Yes, being flirty and charming is practically a pillar of French culture just like perfecting the art of working less and enjoying a glass of wine more (my favorite bit of history included season is that the French government did reject dry January). Still, Gabriel is a loverboy who may sometimes love too much. Picking Gabriel means you’re down for the whirlwind romance even if has the potential to crash and burn. Tres dangereuse, mon amie. Plus, I can’t be the only one sensing that now that Emily and Gabriel are free to be together the raging fire between them has transitioned to warm candlelight?
Team Alfie
Alfie has all the pros of dating a bad boy: he’s scrappy, has a sharp tongue, and takes ample time to stay in fighting shape which I, for one, greatly appreciate. And yet he’s still got that London ambition and charm that makes him perfect to take home to mom and dad — that is, when he finally decides you’re worth making his to-do list. With Alfie, once you’ve broken down his walls, you just know you’ll always be taken care of, with the best of the best, while being held in his perfectly toned arms. If Alfie is your man, you’re probably someone who thrives in your feminine energy and enjoys bantering with your match more than being soft-partnered in the South of France. Alfie never says no to a new challenge, so life with him would be an adventure. However, a natural con of dating a man so dedicated to his future is that you have to be okay with playing second fiddle to his latest milestone (something Emily knew deep down she couldn’t handle as the head marketing betch in charge). If Alfie is your dream guy you’re someone who trusts the process and gets more turned on by well-laid plans than fairytales and fantasies.
Who does Emily end up with in Emily in Paris?
Emily chooses to follow her heart and go with the man who’s been on her mind since her first day in Paris: Gabriel. She had to make a decision at the Masquerade Ball and the dangerous chemistry she feels with Gabriel while he’s pretending to be someone else makes her realize she can’t pretend she doesn’t want him for one more day. At the end of season 4 part 1, Emily happily strolls down the Seine hand in hand with the guy she’s been pining for from coast to coast who she’s finally free and clear to call her own with Camille off with Sofia. Is this Emily’s true forever? There’s still plenty of episodes left for things to change in Paris. C’est la vie, non?
