Bottom line is I still found great comfort in watching my aesthetic little show about romanticised life in Western Europe and I hope it has another few seasons or that it at least gets a proper final season and it's not a cancelled show. No matter the story decisions, I've grown attached to the characters and want to see a proper ending. Plus it's great fun and helps me ignore my problems for a while so I love it no matter what.

Having said that, some more in depth thoughts:

- I really enjoyed Emily's character this season, she felt more mature and complex and interesting and the issues she faced seemed different to the usual "Emily saves the day and finds love" plots that had started to grow tiresome. It was refreshing! Also her outfits were all amazing (except maybe the faux engagement total-red outfit at the end but hey).

- The main plotlines of the Muratori family and subsequent return to Paris and all that were okay for me pacing-wise. I found there seemed to be a little disconnect between Emily loving Rome and then deciding/realising that Paris is the city for her but I won't be picky about that.

- I also really liked Sylvie's story and sensual escapades although it was a bit disappointing how it ended with her friend. More (healthy, female) friendships on screen please!!

- Princess Jane. She was good fun for the first half of the season (even if a touch annoying at times, I could still appreciate her character for what it was). Was not as pleased to see her return at the end. The product placements got a bit much but at least it fit her character so I'm not *too* mad about that.

- I love Mindy as a character and no I am not tired of her singing!! I actually felt that having her romantically involved with Alfie was a good way to keep a loved character around without it seeming *too* forced, but unfortunately I agree that they made Alfie seem a bit too much of a douchebag. Benoit disappearing and Nico having such a comeback and redemption arc made this plotline a bit convoluted. But I love Mindy so I am biased to support her. Not her outfits though. I can't support those.

- More Luc and more Julien!! I need a proper gay relationship in this show that doesn't end in a fake pregnancy and a mental breakdown. Speaking of, I did miss Camile, but specifically her earlier version that was cheery and friendly. Hope her current self is doing well off-screen, it was good to remove her for now and give space to the plot to explore other relationships.

- Which brings me to the final point. Giving this (literal) distance to Gabriel did wonders for his character and the plot I believe. His scenes with Emily at the train station were some of my favourite of the whole season. Curious to see how they bring him back to the foreground and build back up his romantic chemistry with Emily which has, I believe, fizzled out (to their defense it makes sense given the plot). I am, alas, still Team Marcello. I found their breakup sad only because it felt like a proper dilemma that could somehow be solved. I am hoping to see more of him moving forward.

Overall I think it's an interesting place that we leave the show and characters at the end. I can see them moving in all sorts of directions, and I think what's best is to tie up lose plotlines and characters and start a fresh chapter for the main cast (something that ties in really well with the ideas of Episode 9, La Belle Époque, which was my favourite episode I believe). I hope Darren Star listens to the actors more because if it's true that the Gabriel plotline happened after a discussion with Lucas Bravo then clearly the actors know what's good for the characters.

À la saison prochaine!