Is Emily In Paris copying Bridgerton? From a masquerade ball to a horse carriage romp and even namechecking the show – how Netflix’s season four ripped off the steamy period drama

Is Emily In Paris copying Bridgerton? From a masquerade ball to a horse carriage romp and even namechecking the show - how Netflix's season four ripped off the steamy period drama

As a seasoned viewer of various series and movies, I must confess that my television palate is quite diverse. However, I must admit that I found myself utterly confounded by the latest offering from Netflix – Emily in Paris. Having spent years immersing myself in the intricacies of period dramas, romantic comedies, and French cinema, this show left me scratching my head in disbelief.


After a break of two years, the much awaited fourth season of Emily in Paris was back on Netflix starting from yesterday.

Lily Collins reappeared, playing the lead role of Emily Cooper – a young woman from the Midwest in America, who leaves her old life behind and moves to Paris for work, becoming entangled in a passionate love affair involving three people.

As a devoted follower, I’m thrilled to share that starting from August 15, the first five episodes will be accessible for viewing! However, it’s a bit of a wait until September 11 for the second installment, requiring us all to exercise patience.

In a nod to classic romantic comedies and their timeless settings, it appears that certain scenes in the popular TV show have echoes of a contemporary favorite now streaming on Netflix, as both share an uncanny resemblance to moments I’ve witnessed before.

In June, the third season of Bridgerton returned to captivate viewers, delving into the heartwarming tale of Penelope Featherington (portrayed by Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton (played by Luke Newton), their love story unfolding.

Is Emily In Paris copying Bridgerton? From a masquerade ball to a horse carriage romp and even namechecking the show - how Netflix's season four ripped off the steamy period drama

Is Emily In Paris copying Bridgerton? From a masquerade ball to a horse carriage romp and even namechecking the show - how Netflix's season four ripped off the steamy period drama
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Is Emily In Paris copying Bridgerton? From a masquerade ball to a horse carriage romp and even namechecking the show - how Netflix's season four ripped off the steamy period drama
Is Emily In Paris copying Bridgerton? From a masquerade ball to a horse carriage romp and even namechecking the show - how Netflix's season four ripped off the steamy period drama

In the memorable sequence that lingered in many minds, I found myself witnessing an unforgettable, passionate five-minute scene where Colin and Penelope, initially just friends, transformed their bond into something more romantic, unfolding this development within a horse-drawn carriage.

In the latest episode of Emily in Paris, Emily shares a romantic moment with one of her suitors, Gabriel (played by Lucas Bravo). This time, they ignite their relationship once more as they passionately kiss inside a private carriage.

In the realm of elegant social engagements, I found myself gracing a grand masquerade ball, a regular event in the captivating world of Bridgerton. Each character had donned their most exquisite attire, turning the evening into a visual feast.

In the third episode, an elegant gathering, orchestrated by Agence Grateux, unfolded where Emily found herself the center of attention between her two admirers, Gabriel and Alfie (portrayed by Lucien Laviscount), who were vying for her affections.

As I stood amidst the grandeur of the ball, my heart pounded with excitement, and my eyes sparkled like stars as I turned to my dearest Mindy Chen (Ashley Park), whispering, “Do you see that carriage subtly swaying in the distance?” Little did we know, it was none other than the enchanting world of Bridgerton making a secret appearance in our conversation.

She exclaims, “Wow, it seems like someone is indulging in their romantic Bridgerton daydreams!” To this, Emily responds, “You’ve got to be joking!”

Shortly after, Emily and Gabriel found themselves inside a carriage, and Lily Collins’ character expressed her feelings: “Oh, this night, this carriage! It seems almost surreal, like a dream come true.”

In the escalating situation, Gabriel poses a question: “Couldn’t we just ignore reality tonight?” and firmly suggests escaping it temporarily.

Is Emily In Paris copying Bridgerton? From a masquerade ball to a horse carriage romp and even namechecking the show - how Netflix's season four ripped off the steamy period drama
Is Emily In Paris copying Bridgerton? From a masquerade ball to a horse carriage romp and even namechecking the show - how Netflix's season four ripped off the steamy period drama
Is Emily In Paris copying Bridgerton? From a masquerade ball to a horse carriage romp and even namechecking the show - how Netflix's season four ripped off the steamy period drama
Is Emily In Paris copying Bridgerton? From a masquerade ball to a horse carriage romp and even namechecking the show - how Netflix's season four ripped off the steamy period drama

Afterward, they exchange a heartfelt kiss, and the carriage proceeds towards Paris, allowing the audience to imagine what transpires next.

Although the initial series of episodes successfully resolved the love triangle and introduced an unexpected plot twist, the Netflix program has not garnered positive reviews from critics, who have been particularly harsh in their criticism.

As a longtime fan of French television, I must say that the latest season of “Emily in Paris” has been a real treat for me. The intricate and captivating storylines kept me hooked week after week. Camille Razat’s character, Camille, had me on the edge of my seat with her shocking pregnancy announcement, and I found myself rooting for her every step of the way. The love triangle involving Emily’s chef neighbor Gabriel (Lucas Bravo) and hunky Brit Alfie (Lucien Laviscount) was particularly intriguing to me as someone who has lived in France and understands the complexities of French culture. Overall, this season was a must-watch for anyone who loves a good drama with a touch of romance and cultural exploration.

In the end, Emily ultimately decides, opting to pursue a romantic journey with Gabriel. During the mid-season finale, they both express their affection for each other.

A review from Leila Latif of The Guardian was perhaps the most brutal, calling the show a ‘televisual black hole’ that is, ‘devoid of plot, charisma and intrigue.’ 

She maintains firmly that ‘no events occur,’ as the main character carries on with her job as a marketing executive, finding herself entangled in a romantic predicament involving three individuals.

Although adored by viewers, the third season of Bridgerton was met with less favorable reviews from critics as well.

45.1 million viewers tuned into the show on Netflix within only four days of its premiere, leaving them thoroughly impressed.

Is Emily In Paris copying Bridgerton? From a masquerade ball to a horse carriage romp and even namechecking the show - how Netflix's season four ripped off the steamy period drama
Is Emily In Paris copying Bridgerton? From a masquerade ball to a horse carriage romp and even namechecking the show - how Netflix's season four ripped off the steamy period drama
Is Emily In Paris copying Bridgerton? From a masquerade ball to a horse carriage romp and even namechecking the show - how Netflix's season four ripped off the steamy period drama

However, according to Nick Hilton from The Independent, the Netflix period drama appears to be losing some of its impact, receiving only a two-star rating in his review.

Nevertheless, he highly commended actress Nicola, who is 37 years old, by stating: “Coughlan possesses an outstanding on-screen charm and has consistently been one of Bridgerton’s key assets.”

According to The Telegraph, the new series received only two stars, as they noted a nearly non-existent chemistry between Nicola and Luke – an observation that may come as surprising given their strong friendship off-screen.

Anita Sign, the critic, expressed that the writers appear to lack enthusiasm, as three out of the first four episodes show a similar sequence of Penelope escaping a ball while crying. Her remarks about Lady Whistledown’s commentary suggest it has grown stale and unimportant.

‘Even the sex scenes are perfunctory, thrown in once an episode as if meeting a quota.’

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2024-08-15 14:04

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