"Masculin Féminin" is the second episode of Season 1, and the second episode overall.
Synopsis[]
"Emily navigates the intricacies of French amour when her enthusiasm at a work soirée impresses a flirtatious — and married — client."
— Official Netflix Synopsis
Plot[]
Emily returns from an uneventful jog to her apartment, only to attempt to unlock the wrong apartment again. Gabriel answers once more and they exchange some humorous banter, with him asking if she wants to live in his apartment. She leaves for work only to step in dog waste. She shares a picture of the smoking owner and dog to her Instagram account and is surprised that it has grown immensely in followers.
She attempts to share some ideas about marketing for De L'Heure with Sylvie, who scolds her for not being able to pronounce it correctly. Sylvie does tell her about the launch party that night for De L'Heure, which Emily attends punctually.
At the party, Paul Brossard introduces her to Antoine Lambert, the owner of the successful fragrance company and Savoir's biggest client, Maison Lavaux. Emily instantly begins discussing her ideas for the account which Antoine finds interesting, though he has to leave before discussing it further. Sylvie warns Emily not to discuss work at parties. Antoine finds Emily later that evening by the refreshments gazing at the Eiffel tower, and he flirts with her by teasing the perfume as an aphrodisiac. Sylvie watches the encounter from a distance.
The next morning, Emily goes to Savoir where Paul tells her that Antoine wants her to work on the De L'Heure account. Sylvie rejects the idea and recommends that Emily "work her way up" to luxury brands, and starts her with Vaga-Jeune; a repository that promotes vaginal wetness in older women. Sylvie approaches Emily later that morning to warn her about flirting with Antoine. Emily rejects the idea that she was flirting as Antoine is married and a client. When Sylvie leaves, Julien informs Emily that Sylvie is Antoine's mistress. Feeling overwhelmed, Emily reaches out to Mindy Chen to ask if they can meet for dinner.
They try a restaurant near Emily's apartment, Les Deux Compères, as Emily heard raving reviews about the food. As the girls catch up their food is delivered, though Emily sends it back as the steak is still raw. The chef comes out to speak to the customer and she is shocked to see Gabriel. He insists she try the steak and she ends up loving it. When Gabriel returns to the kitchen, Mindy teases her about the encounter.
Emily is preparing for Doug's arrival in Paris by getting baked goods and groceries. Her Instagram account is also gaining traction with thousands of new followers. She is walking home when Doug calls to inform her that he doesn't want to come to Paris and that she should come home or they're over. Emily is fed up with his dismissive attitude about Paris and breaks up with him.
In the morning, Emily returns to work to start on the Vaga-Jeune account and struggles to find the right thing to say. She notices that the French word for Vagina is masculine which aggravates her. Sylvie brushes it off by saying the vagina is something a man covets. This doesn't sit right with Emily, who posts a photo to her Instagram saying, "the vagina is not male!". Her post rapidly gains traction and, unbeknownst to Emily, Carla Bruni sends Emily's post to Brigitte Macron, the French President's wife. Brigitte endorses the post by sharing it on Twitter.
At lunch, Sylvie vents to Julien, Luc, and Paul about Emily's complete lack of French intellect when Paul receives a phone call from the CEO of Vaga-Jeune. Apparently, Brigitte posted Emily's Instagram photo, and their client, Vaga-Jeune, is thrilled with the endorsement and media attention. In the meantime, Emily learns of the Tweet by Mindy who texts her the news. Emily is waved over to the table with her Savoir co-workers by a thrilled Paul, who is leaving Paris the next day.
Cast[]
Starring[]
Guest Starring[] |
Co-Starring[]
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Quotes[]
- Emily: But I do understand what it means to be on the outside looking in. I have a perspective that you will never understand, because no, I’m not sophisticated or French, and I don’t know how to look like you. That slouchy, sexy, je ne sais quoi thing. But I am the customer that wants it. And you’re not because… you already got it and you don’t even know how you did it.
- Doug: I think you should come home.
- Emily: Or what? We're over? I can't believe this. You know what? You keep your precious air miles and spend it on some away game and stay in Chicago for the rest of your life. Because... Because this city is filled with... with love and... and romance and light and beauty and passion and... and sex! Which are clearly things that mean nothing to you.
- Mindy: You’re not alone. You have a friend here now. Paris is the most exciting city in the world. And you never know what’s gonna happen next.
Soundtrack[]
| Song | Artist | Scene Description | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dans La Radio (Futuro Pelo Remix) |
Jacques | Emily runs in Paris | |
| Je suis (Tu hais) | KIZ | Emily accidentally steps in dog poop | |
| Where Is My Ego? (Dim Sum Remix) |
Husbands | Emily arrives at the Maison Lavaux party | |
| Is It Funk? | Trunkline | Antoine chats to Emily | |
| Remedy | DATAvBÄSS | The end of the party | |
| Dream | Husbands | Emily goes shopping at a Paris market | |
| Time | EllaHarp | Emily breaks up with her boyfriend Doug | |
| Again | The George Kaplan Conspiracy | Emily takes a picture of the rain | |
| Bunga Bunga | Nous Non Plus | Brigitte Macron retweets Emily’s post | |
| Standing in this Dream | My Dear | Emily shares a toast with her colleagues |
Trivia[]
- This episode marks the last appearance of Doug this season.
- Brigette Macron is mentioned. She is a former schoolteacher and the wife of the current President of the French Republic. In the series, Brigitte retweets Emily's Instagram post that shines a light on sexism regarding the vagina being masculine in French instead of feminine, "le vagin" instead of "la vagin".
- The title of the episode is a reference to a French movie of the same name.
- Mindy's line "I'd bon appétit him" was not scripted. Mindy Park improvised this line, making Lily laugh, so it was decided that it would be kept in the show.[1]
Gallery[]
