Emily in Paris – Season 4 Episode 5 “Trompe l’oeil” Recap and Review

Trompe l’oeil

Episode 5 of Emily in Paris starts with Emily and Mindy at Gabriel’s restaurant where they try out the new treats made by the pastry chef. Gabriel tells them how he was exhausted by the antics of the pastry chef and adds that it cost a lot to have him work at the restaurant. Emily reassures Gabriel that this would help him get closer to his goal of getting a Michelin Star.

She states that Marianne was happy with the restaurant and had already visited them thrice, which meant that he would very soon get a call from the Michelin Star office. Meanwhile, Mindy’s friend Li joins her and Emily at their table. Emily takes a moment to talk to Luc and Marianne about the Michelin Star but Marianne hands her the bill and asks her to pay for their table if she wants Gabriel to get a Michelin Star.

At her table, Li tells Emily that she wants to work with Agence Grateau for the marketing of her Korean skincare product. The next day, Sofia and Camille are moving into the apartment right across from Gabriel. Gabriel tries to help them while Sofia and Camille argue about using the spare room as a nursery or an art room for Sofia.

They stated that they were going to a flea market later that day. Emily wishes them luck and kisses Gabriel before leaving for work. Camille returns the engagement ring to Gabriel but the latter asks her to keep it because they are going to be a family anyway. Sofia watches from afar as Gabriel and Camille hug each other.

Meanwhile, Julien is back at work and takes back his old desk from Luc. Emily tells Sylvie that they had a marketing meeting with Li for her Korean facial moisturiser. Sylvie calls Luc to her cabin and asks him to use Marianne’s help to reserve a table at an exclusive restaurant for that evening. She states that it is Laurent’s birthday and she needs to surprise him.

Luc asks Marianne to help him and the latter suggests Luc ask for a raise in exchange for this favour. During the meeting with Li, Sylvie is not very sure about the facial moisturiser but offers to have Li share samples of her product at a luxury makeup store. At the flea market, Camille and Sofia have an argument after Camille insists they buy a toy for the baby.

Sofia argues that it is too soon for them to shop for the baby and suggests they buy something practical. That night, Laurent is excited about the reservation at the luxury restaurant but Sylvie is shocked to see that Luc and Marianne had invited themselves to the dinner. Marianne tells Sylvie that she is a regular at the restaurant and promises that the couple will get preferential treatment there because of her contacts.

Meanwhile, Gabriel is having a hard time at the restaurant because of the pastry chef. He offers to take her out that night to a special place. On the other hand, Marianne offers to pay for the dinner and forces Luc to ask for a raise. Sylvie points out that the birthday dinner was not the right place and time for this conversation.

Marianne refuses the pay the bill at the restaurant and threatens to take back the Michelin star. Just then, an actual Michelin Star Inspector shows up and exposes Marianne for being a fraud. He claims that Marianne was fired from the post and the group is asked to pay the bill. Marianne asks Luc to pay the bill but he states that he cannot afford it. Sylvie pays the bill and asks Luc to hold the conversation about his increment for later.

At the same time, Sofia tells Camille that she is going back home, to Athens. She states that she came to Paris because she was worried about Camille. She states that she cannot turn her entire life around for her when Camille is making no effort to save their relationship. Sofia tells Camille that she is very special to her and leaves to go back to Athens with a kiss.

Luc confronts Marianne about her lie and the two make up after Marianne apologises. That night, Gabriel takes Emily to meet his other chef friends. Emily realises how desperate Gabriel is for the Michelin Star. On their way back home, Gabriel tells Emily that he loves her and the two share a kiss. Camille stands by her window and breaks down as she sees Gabriel and Emily kissing from her window.

The next day, Sylvie, Emily, Julie and Luc are attending the launch event for Li’s facial moisturiser which is selling like hot cakes all thanks to Sylvie’s help. However, Julien shares that the moisturiser is actually a lubricant that Li had now rebranded as a moisturiser. Emily and Sylvie are shocked by this fumble but when Emily realises that the product is selling well, she decides to keep the truth from the owner of the makeup store.

Outside the store, Luc tells Emily the truth about Marianne lying about being a Michelin Star inspector. At the same time, Camille learns from her doctor that she was never pregnant. She meets her friend and tells her that she has yet to tell Gabriel the truth about this. 

Camille tells her friend that Gabriel has been very supportive towards her after hearing the news of her pregnancy. She worries that he will treat her differently after learning the truth. Emily shows up at the restaurant and tells Gabriel the truth about Marianne. Gabriel is upset but finally fires the pastry chef. That night, Gabriel is very happy at the restaurant as if a weight had been lifted off his chest.

Emily tells Mindy that he was trying to be strong as his dreams had been shattered. Camille shows up at the restaurant and Gabriel hugs her. He tells her that he is happy that he has a partner like Emily and a baby on the way. Camille does not tell Gabriel the truth as the episode ends with Gabriel hugging both Emily and Camille.

The Episode Review

This episode looks like the mid-season finale of the show but I am worried that the show is getting repetitive with the way things are going. This Camille-Gabriel-Emily love triangle is going to continue in the next half of the season and it is not an exciting look.

From the look of it, Emily and Gabriel could possibly have a happily ever after once Camille tells Gabriel the truth about her false positive pregnancy test. However, this lie could break Gabriel’s heart and we do not know what he will be going through once that happens.

On the other hand, Mindy is going to have her own love triangle in the next half of the show. If Mindy is going to choose from her heart, she will stick with Benoît but if she thinks practically, she could end up picking Nicolas. We will hopefully find out more about her choice once the second part of Emily in Paris Season 4 releases on September 12.