The fifth season of Emily in Paris just dropped on Netflix, leaving fans reeling from a whirlwind of romance, career drama, and European glamour. After a season split between Paris and Rome, Emily Cooper (Lily Collins) ends up single again, but with a tantalizing cliffhanger that points straight to more heartbreak – and potentially her most disastrous decision yet.
At the start of Season 5, Emily seemed to have found true peace in Rome with Marcello Muratori, the charming Italian heir to a luxury cashmere brand. Played by Eugenio Franceschini, Marcello is the epitome of maturity: direct, confident, humble, and deeply loyal. He values simplicity, prioritizes family roots in his small hometown of Solitano, and offers Emily a grounded, passionate relationship free from the constant drama of her past. For the first time, Emily appeared genuinely happy – exploring a new life, running Agence Grateau’s Rome office, and building something real without the endless complications.
But as always with Emily, things unravel. A series of miscommunications, including Emily mistaking a ring (meant for someone else) as a proposal, forces her to confront the truth: Marcello’s future is tied to Italy, while hers remains in Paris. Despite reigniting their spark midway through the season, they part ways amicably in the finale. Emily chooses her career and the life she’s built in the City of Light over uprooting everything for love. It’s a mature decision, showcasing her growth – she’s no longer the impulsive American abroad but a woman who knows her worth.
Enter Gabriel (Lucas Bravo), the brooding chef who’s been Emily’s on-again-off-again obsession since Season 1. Absent for much of Season 5 while working as a private yacht chef, Gabriel shows early growth by stepping back when he sees Emily thriving with Marcello. Yet, the finale pulls him back into the fray. Informed by Sylvie that Emily is single, Gabriel sends a postcard from Greece inviting her to join him during his time off. The season ends on this note of unresolved tension, teasing a potential reunion.
Fans are divided: Why would Emily risk it all for Gabriel again? Their history is riddled with lies, timing issues, and emotional turmoil – he’s often come across as indecisive and two-faced, juggling feelings while entangled with others. Marcello, in contrast, represented stability, genuine affection, and adult communication. Choosing Gabriel now could undo Emily’s progress, plunging her back into chaotic cycles of passion and pain.
With Season 6 not yet officially renewed (though highly anticipated given the show’s popularity), creator Darren Star has hinted at more international adventures, possibly “Emily in Greece.” If renewed, the story could explore Emily’s temptation to chase old flames versus embracing healthier options. Will she learn from past mistakes, or repeat them? One thing’s clear: Emily’s love life remains the show’s addictive core, blending fashion, friendship, and flawed decisions in true escapist style.
As viewers binge and debate, the question lingers – is Gabriel worth the chaos, or was Marcello the one who got away?
