Emily in Paris, the popular but polarizing Netflix series, has returned for its fourth season, a remarkable turnaround for a show that was initially ridiculed by critics and French viewers alike when it debuted in 2020.

The series, created by Darren Star of Sex and the City fame, follows Emily (played by Lily Collins), a relentlessly positive and social media-obsessed American marketing executive who moves to Paris for work. Despite her lack of French language skills and cultural ignorance, Emily navigates her new life with a workaholic attitude and a cheerful disposition.

The show was met with harsh criticism upon its release, with reviewers labeling it “nonsense” and “dire,” and French viewers taking issue with its portrayal of Parisian life, including the ubiquitous berets and cocktail dresses. However, it seems the show’s light-hearted and escapist nature is exactly what drew tens of millions of viewers worldwide, with 58 million households tuning in within the first 28 days of its debut.

Part of the show’s appeal is its ability to provide a sympathetic background for viewers to escape into, a phenomenon known as “ambient TV.” With simple plots and a recognizable yet deliberately timeless setting, Emily in Paris offers a form of “harmless escapism,” as one reviewer puts it.

The show also benefits from Netflix’s algorithm, which pushes viewers towards feel-good, low-intensity offerings similar to other Netflix hits like Sex Education and Orange Is the New Black. This has resulted in a buzz around the show, with Netflix reporting that 117.6 million hours of season three were watched in just seven days.

While the show has improved since its early seasons, with more well-rounded storylines and an expansion of Emily’s French vocabulary, it continues to embrace clichés. This includes Emily’s transformation into an influencer, a tired “will they, won’t they” storyline with her neighbor and chef Gabriel (Lucas Bravo), and her boss Sylvie’s (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu) cliche-ridden storylines involving a younger lover and battling American corporate overlords.

Despite the persistent clichés, Emily in Paris has found a dedicated audience, with many viewers, especially women, appreciating the show’s ability to provide a world where “everything is always OK in the end.”

As the show returns for its fourth season, Netflix is employing a tried and tested release strategy, splitting the season into two batches to create a longer-lasting buzz. With more OTT outfits, deliberations over love interests, and sage words from Sylvie, the new season promises to deliver more of the same formula that has made it a surprising success.