Emily in Paris season 3 review: Still fun, dramatic and cheesy

Lily Collins frolicking around the French capital while trying to solve her problems is both annoying and relaxing

Lily Collins continues to be her chic, wonderful and stylish self, but with bangs this time. Photo: Netflix

How do you solve a problem like Emily Cooper? You don’t.

You just watch her tumble from one ludicrous mistake of her own doing into another, tumbling — of course in designer brands from head-to-toe — while enjoying the ride.

The last time we saw Emily, the Chicago native in Paris, at the end of season two of Emily in Paris, she was at a crossroads in both her personal and professional lives.

Picking up in season three, Emily is confused.

So confused, in fact, that in a state of sheer panic within the first few minutes of episode one, she takes scissors to hair and, just like that, Emily in Paris comes with bangs.

Like most spur-of-the-moment irreversible hairstyle decisions, the choice to awkwardly chop the front part of her hair was not only a wrong one, but obviously the most dramatic too.

But what else can we expect? Emily, whose name in the title is supposed to be pronounced with a French accent (Emilee) along with Paris (Paree), is like the title of the show: a fun, kitsch, dramatic, cheesy main character in a series that celebrates exactly all those things.

The first episode begins with an over-the-top, dramatic dream (or nightmare) sequence that somehow finds itself manifesting in Emily’s real life, while she faces some truly “difficult” choices.

Should Emily stay in Paris and continue to be chic, wonderful and stylish while effortlessly building her social media following and working for a new marketing agency run by her snobby, Parisian ex-boss Sylvie?

Or should she continue working for Savoir and return to Chicago where her mentor and boss Madeline encourages and believes in Emily’s talent and potential?

Her personal life isn't faring any better either.

Should Emily stay with Alfie, her down-to-earth banker boyfriend, who adores her but has to move back to London? Or should she pine over Gabriel, her neighbour and French chef who is now back with his ex-girlfriend, Camille, Emily’s close friend (or are they frenemies now)?

Poor Emily is truly in a tizzy, and in true main character spirit, with good intentions in her heart and a designer bag in hand, she will attempt to have it all — even if it means losing it all.

Lily Collins as Emily and Lucien Laviscount as Alfie in season three of Emily in Paris. Photo: Netflix

The world deserves a truly self-indulgent character and show such as Emily in Paris.

After what felt like a never-ending pandemic and many excellent but violent and sombre shows over the past few years, watching Emily have an existential crisis when an important dinner coincides with a farewell party for Alfie, is in equal measure hilarious and relaxing.

Emily in Paris in existential angst in the new season is all about the cheese. It’s important to make the distinction between being cheesy and being cringe. The latter is unacceptable but the first can truly be an art form.

Emily is cheesy enough, with her very “American” can-do positive attitude, her over-the-top, even arrogant confidence at work and her constant bad decisions that make her annoying, but not so much so that we don't feel invested in her life.

Season three of Emily in Paris delivers everything we loved in its first two seasons: a flawlessly enjoyable, easy, entertaining show to watch, that is also visually stunning.

There are scenic shots of Paris, full head-to-toe fashion runway looks, predictable plot twists, slightly ludicrous relationship dynamics, love triangles, witty lines and doing “diversity” authentically.

It must also be said, that while infuriatingly self-obsessed, Emily is a product of her generation: an annoying people pleaser but very well-intentioned. She wants it all and is confused at the same time but who isn’t?

Emily in Paris will be available on Netflix from December 21

'Emily in Paris' cast hit pink carpet for season three premiere - in pictures

From left, Stephen Brown, Kate Walsh, William Abadie, Samuel Arnold, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, Lily Burns, Lily Collins, Tony Hernandez, Ashley Park, Lucien Laviscount, Darren Star, Bruno Gouery, Camille Razat, Andrew Fleming, Marylin Fitoussi, Lucas Bravo, and Peter Friedlander at the Emily In Paris season three world premiere at Theatre Des Champs Elysees on December 6 in Paris. Getty Images

A guest attends. Getty Images

The season is scheduled to release on Netflix on December 21. Getty Images

A guest at the event. Getty Images

French-born American musician Lolo Zouai attends. Getty Images

The show was watched by 58 million households in its first month. Getty Images

The series debuted at the height of pandemic lockdowns in 2020 and became the most popular comedy on Netflix that year. Getty Images

A guest at the event. Getty Images

Singer Tais Bean and Emily in Paris star Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu attend. Getty Images

The City of Lights provides the perfect backdrop. Getty Images

Spanish vlogger and fashion model Natalia Osona attends. Getty Images

LA model Madeleine White attends. Getty Images

German photographer Ellen von Unwerth arrives. AP Photo

French YouTuber Sanaa El Mahalli attends. Getty Images

Lebanese Dubai TV host Diala Makki attends. Getty Images

American vlogger Ashley Rous arrives. AP Photo

Emily in Paris star Kate Walsh and Andrew Nixon arrive. AP Photo

Emily in Paris star Jin Xuan Mao arrives. AP Photo

French actress Victoria Dauberville attends. Getty Images

French YouTuber Zoe Tondut attends. Getty Images

A dancer performs. AP Photo

Digital creator Richlove Rockson arrives. AP Photo

Dancers perform. AP Photo

A dancer performs on the pink carpet. AP Photo

Camille Razat signs autographs at the world premiere of the Netflix series Emily in Paris. AP Photo

French model and Emily in Paris star Camille Razat arrives. AP Photo

Actress Melia Kreiling attends. Getty Images

American actress Sofia Carson attends. Getty Images

Turkish influencer Danla Bilic attends. Getty Images

Emily in Paris star Ashley Park arrives. AP Photo

Emily in Paris lead star Lily Collins arrives. Reuters

Co-star Lucien Laviscount attends. Getty Images

Lily Collins on the pink carpet. AP Photo