Warning: The following article contains the writer's opinion on Emily in Paris Season 5. Reader discretion is advised.Season 5 of Emily in Paris set out to quiet one of the show's longest-running critiques that Emily Cooper is boy-crazy. So they introduce yet another man to prove us wrong. But instead of disproving the label, the Season proved it, and of course, viewers noticed.Between Gabriel's pull, Alfie's shadow, and the sudden arrival (and exit) of Marcello, Season 5 didn't liberate Emily from romantic chaos at all. She's looping the same storyline with a new city backdrop.The show almost stumbled onto something more innovative this time, as we had a more reflective version of Emily, but to no avail.Emily in Paris Season 5 tried to prove Emily isn't boy-crazy and did the opposite View this post on Instagram Instagram PostThe problem wasn't that Emily dated in Season 5, but dating remained the engine of the plot despite her growth. After four seasons of love triangles and questionable overlaps, we expected her to evolve and not go back to familiar ground.Marcello (the Italian love interest) was supposed to prove Emily's maturity, as he was emotionally available and not tangled up in her past. But Emily shut down his proposal speedily, which fans saw as a convenience. Emily didn't even want to discuss long-distance or career expansion and started to avoid the idea of long-term love. The abruptness didn't seem like agency.Plus, this season's constant romance also undercut its strengths. While Emily in Paris has been comforting with its depiction of work and everyday life, why is Emily never allowed to be single?Emily in Paris fans didn't want another love interest.In Season 5, viewers weren't asking for less romance, which the makers probably misunderstood. But yes, the fans did ask for better priorities. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostEarlier seasons gave Emily clear goals where she was adapting to Paris, proving herself, and experiencing cultural clashes. But by Season 5, romantic turbulence filled the vacuum that her ambitions left. We did see new cities and new people appearing, but Emily's inner world stayed frozen with little to no emotional maturity when it came to decision-making.Thus, what happened in Season is the show itself acknowledges the problem, then ignores it!. In Episode 6, we see Emily realize that friendship and marketing are the true constants in her life. The episode frames Mindy and work as her real loves. And immediately, Emily takes time off to chase a guy she just met.The issue is that the series keeps insisting Emily isn't defined by men, while structuring every emotion around them. Fans wanted to see her make choices rooted in career and personal growth, and if not, she could also commit to a relationship without always having to juggle backups. Better yet, she could be single and let female friendships and identity take center stage. Whatever the case could have been, Emily in Paris Season 5 didn't need another man to prove Emily wasn't boy-crazy, did it?Emily in Paris Seasons 1–5 are streaming now on Netflix.NEXT UP: Is Ashley Park pregnant in Emily in Paris?