Jake's Chemistry with Emily Reveals a Major Flaw

The following article contains SPOILERS for Emily in Paris season 5.

The latest installment of Emily in Paris features several fun new characters, but sadly, the best one actually exposes the biggest flaw of season 5. Picking up shortly after Emily in Paris season 4 ended, season 5 finds Emily Cooper settled into her new Rome life. Not only is she thrilled to be running Agence Grateau’s new office, but she’s also enjoying a passionate romance with her cashmere heir beau, Marcello Muratori.

However, after a series of professional and personal disasters — including a breakup with Marcello — Emily leaves Rome as quickly as she arrived, and heads back to Paris. Despite this unfortunate change of events, things look up when Emily meets a dashing new man, and he’s one of Emily in Paris season 5’s brightest spots.

Jake Had Electric Chemistry With Emily In Season 5

Jake and Emily smiling at the U.S. Embassy's American snack supply in Emily in Paris

Though things normally come easily to Emily, Emily in Paris season 5 sees her more down on her luck than ever before. Things get even worse when Emily discovers that Mindy and Alfie have been carrying on a secret fling behind her back. Though she’s more mad about being left in the dark than the affair itself, the news still makes Emily feel alone, and thus, she seeks comfort in an American pub.

Emily is even happier when she learns that the pub is hosting its Friends trivia night and a handsome expat named Jake asks her to be on his team. They easily win, but what’s even more thrilling is the instant sparks between Emily and Jake, as it’s clear they have a connection beyond their shared nationality.

Of course, this isn’t the last Emily sees of Jake, who works as a consular officer and invites her to a Fourth of July party at the U.S. Embassy. She attends and feels right at home, but this isn’t just because she’s around fellow Americans — it’s Jake who puts Emily at ease, and in doing so, reignites her spark that had been dulled by so many recent setbacks.

However, despite Jake’s good looks, kindness, and amiability with Emily, she ultimately rejects him. “The One Where Emily Goes to the Embassy” is the only episode where we see Jake, as he does not return for the rest of season 5. However, his impact is still felt — and not in a good way.

Jake Exposes A Harsh Truth About Emily & Marcello’s Relationship

Marcello (Eugenio Franceschini) with his arm around Emily (Lily Collins) in Rome in Emily in Paris

When Marcello joined the Emily in Paris season 4 cast, he was a breath of fresh air. Emily and Gabriel were at the most tumultuous stage of their relationship thus far, making season 4 more dour than frothy. Having Camille as their main antagonist yet again made Emily and Gabriel’s romance feel especially tired and played out.

That’s why it was so exciting when Emily started dating Marcello and decided to move to Rome. The beginning of season 5 saw them have some perfectly amusing adventures together before their first breakup, but once Jake was introduced, one thing became painfully obvious — Emily and Marcello have absolutely no chemistry.

Having to stand as the show’s primary love interest, Marcello just doesn’t measure up when it comes to his dynamic with Emily. He lacks the deep connection she had with Gabriel and the crackling banter she had with Alfie. Their relationship just sort of… exists. Whereas Jake and Emily light up the screen like a Fourth of July firework, Emily and Marcello are a dud by comparison.

This is made even more glaringly obvious when Marcello comes back into Emily’s life following her interlude with Jake. She immediately wants Marcello back, but… why? There’s nothing there. Thankfully, Emily’s first love will always be Paris, and when she has to choose between the City of Lights and Marcello, she makes the right call.

Why Jake Shouldn’t Return To Emily In Paris, Despite His Charm

Emily Cooper (Lily Collins) descending steps in Rome in a red outfit in Emily in Paris season 5

While a dalliance with Jake would certainly be a more exciting avenue for Emily in Paris season 5 to explore than Emily’s bland relationship with Marcello, the show was right to only feature Jake in one episode. Not only that, but he shouldn’t return at all.

This is not a knock on his character, but more of a reflection on Emily’s. Season 5 sees her at her most mature yet, as she’s fully built a life for herself in Paris and has learned not to romanticize the past. Sure, it was fun for her to enjoy a short Paris reprieve and embrace her American roots, but that’s all that was — a reprieve.

Just as Emily doesn’t want a future with Marcello in Solitano, she doesn’t want to step back into the past with Jake. For as much chemistry as they may have, what she really likes the most about Jake is that he takes away her homesickness. This alone is not enough to build a relationship on.

Plus, there’s every chance that, should he reappear, Jake would turn into another Marcello — a charming diversion, but not built to be a compelling long-term partner for Emily. If Emily in Paris gets a season 6, which is practically guaranteed to happen, it looks like the show will see Emily and Gabriel rekindling their romance, and that simply leaves no room for Jake the American.