Becoming Karl Lagerfeld, cette série évènement du pluvieux printemps/été 2024 diffusé par Disney + a reçu des critiques plutôt positives par les plumes des rédactions cinématographiques et mode. En tant qu’admiratrice inconditionnelle du créateur, je suis assez sceptique.

It’s no longer a secret. Emily in Paris will be back on Netflix for a fifth season. Part 2 of Season 4 undoubtedly features the best episodes of the series. I already have no memory of Part 1 of this final season because the storyline was always the same—Sylvie still manipulating her clients and competitors, and, of course, the endless love triangles. And there are a lot in Emily’s world.

A Snowstorm and a New Romance

The second part begins the day before Christmas vacation. Emily decides to join her family in Chicago. At the airport, she discovers that she’ll be flying business class, courtesy of her boss. Honestly, what kind of boss does that? If yours does, sign me up for a permanent contract at your company.

A snowstorm hits Paris: in the Air France lounge, Emily learns that her flight has been canceled due to weather conditions. But, surprisingly, for once, the French railway company SNCF isn’t affected, because the American somehow ends up in Megève. And once again, she crashes with Camille’s family. Camille is thrilled to see her best frenemy again, as she was hoping for a different Christmas miracle—the chance to win Gabriel back.

I’ll let you judge the bizarre outfits in these episodes for yourself, right up until Gabriel, once again, leaves Emily hanging. She plays dead on a ski slope after falling an incalculable number of times. Eventually, a handsome Italian comes to her rescue. When she finally finds Gabriel, she confronts him (and honestly, who could blame her?)—right in front of Camille, who revels in the moment. Emily returns to Paris, and, of course, she just happens to run into Alfie. The Englishman has moved on. And I have never been more Team Alfie, because he politely ignores her advances and walks off with his new girlfriend.

Back at the Grateau agency, the team kicks off the new year with a new recruit, Geneviève—who just so happens to be Sylvie’s stepdaughter. And just like that, the drama is back. Once Emily realizes that Geneviève is a total nightmare, she takes a few days off. Everyone thinks she’s in Krakow, but in reality, she’s sipping Spritz cocktails with Marcello. Yes, the handsome Italian from the ski slopes. They flirt, she betrays him, they fight, and then they make up. A classic in Emily’s love life. It all ends in Rome with scenes that look almost identical to Season 1.

La Dolce Vita

The introduction of new characters was a breath of fresh air, and that’s the main reason I binged the last few episodes. Marcello represents Emily’s second attempt at a healthy relationship. There’s not much to say about him—except that it’s reassuring to see that not all men are like Gabriel.

On the other hand, Geneviève awakened some personal traumas in me. Who hasn’t encountered that seemingly innocent young woman you try to mentor, only for her to drain all your energy in an attempt to take your place? I swear, she reminded me of the last backstabbing girl in my life—right down to her expressions and mannerisms. It’s actually kind of nice to be annoyed by someone other than Emily for a change.

The entire Italy segment only reinforced my desire to leave Paris and escape my own impossible love story. It’s clear: the grass is greener elsewhere—whether it’s for a better quality of life or new opportunities. I know it’s just a TV show, but I prefer stories that open new horizons.

And honestly, it could have ended right there, leaving viewers to imagine what happens next. In my opinion, the shortest series are the best ones. I loved Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars, but at some point, the never-ending plot twists just made me lose interest.

Yet creator Darren Star is relentless, bringing us another installment of Emily’s adventures. According to multiple media sources, Emily’s relationship with Marcello will deepen, but of course, trouble is on the horizon. Who’s surprised? Not me.

In March 2022, I fulfilled one of my dearest dreams with my mother: flying to Scandinavia. I chose Stockholm. It seemed like a spontaneous decision, but everything was well planned. My mother isn’t the type to go on an adventure with just a backpack. After a short layover in Amsterdam, we arrived at the Gamla Stan BW Signature hotel, which offers great value for money and the best breakfast of any hotel I’ve ever stayed in. In the morning, the hotel provided a buffet that catered to all tastes, whether vegan, gluten-free, or lactose-intolerant.

By the way, Gamla Stan Island is the best neighborhood to stay in because it is located in the center of Stockholm, with bus lines that allowed us to get anywhere without having to change transport.

A Sweet Swedish Tradition

As soon as we arrived, we went for a fika at Café Nova, which we discovered while strolling around the island. Fika is a very popular practice in Sweden. It’s about taking a real coffee break accompanied by plenty of pastries. It’s nothing like the quick coffee we gulp down in the hallways. No, Swedes truly take the time to relax with their family, friends, or colleagues. It’s a habit my mother and I quickly adopted during our trip.

That same evening, we had dinner at a small local restaurant, Stockholm Gastabud. I tasted the famous meatballs made popular by IKEA. Whenever I travel, the country’s cuisine is always at the top of my to-do list. And I’ve tried quite a few culinary specialties. One morning, I dared to try marinated herring. I didn’t like it at all. It wasn’t about eating fish in the morning—I’m used to that when I go to Thailand. No, it was the ultra-sweet marinade with something my brain considers a savory dish. I also had the opportunity to taste reindeer meat at the Ardbeg Embassy restaurant. The wine sauce was absolutely delicious.

Must-See Attractions

Stockholm was an incredibly enriching experience. There are thirty-one museums to visit, some of which are free. In five days, we had to make choices. The Swedish History Museum was a must if we wanted to learn more about the country’s history. There is a large underground hall displaying Viking-era treasures. The Nationalmuseum, a beautiful equivalent of the Musée d'Orsay, is a paradise for painting enthusiasts.

I received a lesson in humility and humanism at the Nobel Prize Museum. It showcases all the award-winning inventions throughout history. Looking at the Nobel Peace Prize winners, I can tell you we’ve come a long way. The very first was awarded to Henry Dunant for his role in founding the International Committee of the Red Cross. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that in 1905, the prize was awarded to a woman, Bertha von Suttner, for her book Lay Down Your Arms. She was the second woman to receive a Nobel Prize in any category, the first being Marie Curie.

While heading to the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, my mother and I stumbled upon the Toy Museum. It was a chance to relive our childhood and (re)discover some very vintage comic books. Similarly, we traveled back to the Middle Ages at the Medieval History Museum of Sweden.

Saving the Best for Last: Skansen

I’ve saved the best for last: Skansen. It’s an open-air ethnological museum located on the island of Djurgården. It’s like a huge park with Swedish buildings, each representing a specific time period and way of life. Actors dressed in traditional clothing welcome visitors in each house, sharing stories and answering questions. I love places where you lose track of time and space. It’s a feeling I enjoy immensely.

The park also houses animals, making it somewhat of a mini-zoo. I’m not a big fan of zoos because they try to recreate an environment that resembles an animal’s natural habitat but isn’t truly their home. However, Skansen is different. There are many farm animals, and the only wild animals are native to the region, such as bison and moose. I even saw bears—they were so beautiful! That afternoon, my mother and I had lunch by a wood fire in a central square within the park.

A Few Tips

Whenever I visit a new country, I think it’s important to learn at least a little about its customs and traditions to show respect. Stockholm is an incredibly clean city. So clean that I wondered if smoking was even allowed. There are no cigarette butts on the ground, and it seems like smokers hide in small corners to avoid disturbing others. Public restrooms are generally clean, so be sure to maintain these pleasant aspects of the city.

Be courteous, as the locals are very welcoming and kind. There is a truly relaxed and friendly atmosphere. No one gets angry, no one complains. In short, the exact opposite of Paris.

Although we walked a lot, we frequently took the bus and tram to travel across the city. These are the best modes of transport, as they are everywhere and move quickly due to the lack of traffic. The wait time never exceeded five minutes. You can get a rechargeable travel card, similar to London’s Oyster Card, at any 7-Eleven or Pressbyrån store.

Finally, when leaving the airport, the best option is to take a bus ticket for €11.50, which will take you directly to the city center, where you can find all necessary connections.