Emily In Paris: Will Sylvie Grateau's Mean Boss Turned Loving Energy Continue In S5?

Mean French bosses may lose their “mean” with time, but they’ll always be French. If we had to describe Emily in Paris’s Sylvie in one line, this would do. Sylvie Grateau is a character from Emily in Paris that the majority may not love, but they relate to her. Played by Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, she is Emily’s boss at Agence Grateau, Paris’ famous marketing agency. 

As we have reached the chaotic conclusion to Emily in Paris Season 4 with its Part 2 released on Netflix on September 12, the boss lady’s character growth has taken a 300-degree turn. 

Sylvie warms up to Emily 

Do you remember Emily and Sylvie’s first interaction in the office? Yes, it was quite cold. Despite Emily’s attempts to gel with her boss and impress her with her marketing antics, she was unsuccessful. Sylvie just could not accept an American girl coming over and taking over her posh Paris clients. 

She often belittles Emily for her poor French, lack of posh wardrobe, cheeky demeanour and lack of French-like class. But, this was when Sylvie was facing issues of her own. As her insecurities have unwrapped themselves in the succeeding episodes, she has also developed a soft corner for Emily. 

In the first three seasons, she has often criticised the American girl for walking around with her heart on her sleeve and getting into relationships. For her, work is supreme. Work and love cannot go together, maybe work and sex. But not love! But in Part 2 of Season 4, she has an epiphany. She confesses to Emily that love can take a front seat once in a while and motivates her to pursue her relationship with Marcello (yup, new guy). This may taint the business relations between his firm and Agence Grateau. But hey, if the mean french boss has an enlightenment, we gotta come together and respond to it.

Sylvie’s romantic relationships say it all

Sylvie’s relationship with Antoine in the first three seasons was quite problematic. But she soon decided to put her foot down and didn’t look back. Even in Season 4 Part 2, a particular scene shows Antoine and Sylvie bumping into each other in the vegetable aisle. He invites her for a supposed innocent dinner, but she refuses. And that’s when the audience knew she has grown out of the relationship. This was accompanied by her self-growth and esteem enhancement.

Do you remember the cute photographer guy Sylvie started dating in Season 2? She also confesses that to date someone much younger than herself was a delightful challenge. While her insecurities regarding her looks and age came out in the open, the photographer seemed to adore her for them. And when he could accept her, she discovered she too could! 

French to the core: Sylvie Grateau 

Sylvie is a boss lady, a little snob, a little set in her ways and a lot fashionable. A scene from Season 4 Part 2 is a testimony to this. When Emily takes leave and travels to Rome to meet boyfriend Marcello, Sylvie kinda stalks her and ultimately follows her to Rome. Why? Because she wanted to score a deal with Marcello’s firm. She did not think twice about how it would reflect on Emily and her potential love life.

Here the viewers got a glimpse of Season 1 Sylvie again. We can say that a little meanness and dominating rizz is a part of Sylvie’s persona and this has shaped her character as an authoritative figure in the series. 

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