Emily in Paris Season 4 dropped its first part on August 15. It’s been a mix of fashion, romance, and drama. Between the love triangles and fancy masquerade balls, the show also throws in some cheeky references to another Netflix favorite—Bridgerton.
Viewers caught on right away, and the creators didn’t hesitate to give a shout-out to the reference either.
Emily in Paris connects style to pop culture flair, from Emily and Mindy's playful nods to some classy, Regency ambiance.
In Episode 3 of Season 4, director Andy Fleming sets up a fabulous masquerade ball like the ones in Bridgerton, that shifts things in the love triangle involving Emily (Lily Collins), Gabriel (Lucas Bravo), and Alfie (Lucien Laviscount).
The show sticks to its Paris setting, but you can see how this episode takes cues from the fancy places and romantic drama of Bridgerton.
Fleming stated in an interview with Forbes on August 16, 2024:
"We dipped our toe in that pond."
This all started when Mindy joked about “living out their h*rny Bridgerton fantasies,” which set the vibe of the ball. It also hinted at the tricky balance of honoring those influences while keeping the unique style of Emily in Paris.
Fleming added,
"We’re not going to out, out Bridgerton."
Emily, Gabriel, and Alfie at a crossroads in Emily in Paris Season 4
Emily in Paris Season 4 jumps into the drama of Emily’s messy love life. It picks up right after the moment in Season 3 when Camille drops the bomb that she’s pregnant with Gabriel’s baby during their wedding. This becomes instrumental in bringing many changes in the relationships between Emily, Gabriel, and Alfie.
Gabriel still has strong feelings for Emily, but Alfie is understandably upset and not too keen on making up. In Episode 3, Gabriel takes his chance at the ball to remind Emily of their chemistry. Things heat up when he and Emily sneak away for a moment in a carriage after the event.
This is what director Andy Fleming compared to scenes you’d see in Bridgerton.
“It’s less graphic than Bridgerton, but the emotion is the same,” Fleming told Forbes.
In classic Parisian style, the moment between Emily and Gabriel isn’t just about love. It’s also about the struggles and feelings they’re dealing with.
Meanwhile, Alfie gets riled up when he thinks he’s declared his love for Emily. But, it was too late to find out that he was talking to Sabine, who happened to be wearing a similar outfit at the ball.
The Bridgerton effect on Emily in Paris Season 4
The nod to Bridgerton isn’t just about quick romantic moments. The masquerade ball, shot at the Baccarat Museum in Paris, somewhat emulates the fancy parties from Bridgerton.
In the same interview with Forbes, Fleming praised the scene's elaborate design, saying:
"One of the most beautiful places in Paris."
The ball has some choreographed dance routines and special effects. When Mindy and Emily arrive at the ball, a smooth reference to Bridgerton fits right in. Fleming mentioned that the show isn't trying to be Bridgerton, but the creators are having fun giving a nod to that popular Netflix show.
Season 4 Part 1 of Emily in Paris is available on Netflix, and Part 2 is dropping on September 12, 2024.
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