The absolutely ridiculous un-renewal of Prime Video’s Étoile is a heartbreaker for plenty of reasons. It’s just the latest example of how today’s TV simply doesn’t give shows time to grow. It’s a blow to genuinely well-made, IP-less series for grown-ups. And it’s especially devastating, given the real-world status of the performing arts. But before it ended on several cliffhangers, Étoile did manage to give us one glorious HEA for our favorite oddball almost-power-couple, Tobias and Gabin.
For Tobias and Gabin, Getting There Is Half the Fun
Look, I’m as shocked as anyone that my favorite romance on Étoile actually didn’t involve Luke Kirby, king of the devastatingly romantic gaze. To be sure, Kirby’s Jack had a warm, lived-in intimacy with Charlotte Gainsbourg’s Geneviéve, and a fraught, prickly attraction with Lou de Laâge’s Cheyenne. But it’s Gideon Glick as Tobias and Ivan du Pontavice as Gabin who bring us the show’s most purely romantic plot — and it works for the reasons a lot of TV romance doesn’t these days.
The season-ending smooch between Tobias and Gabin comes after a full season of development. Which, let’s be honest, basically passes for a “slow burn” in this age of rapid cancellations. In some ways, they’re nothing alike. Tobias is an introverted, nervy, perfectionist genius; Gabin is brash, arrogant, and in-your-face. But somehow, their ambitions collide in a way that works. They’re allowed to be messy and complicated, acknowledging their chemistry as well as the reasons they can’t/won’t act on it (yet). Their season-finale kiss wouldn’t mean so much if we hadn’t watched them slowly break down each other’s walls. If we hadn’t seen them disappoint each other, and still circle back for another try.
“I Don’t Want to Forget This Dance”
The season (and, ultimately, series) finale centers on the performance of Tobias’s latest piece. Gabin is dancing one of the main roles after getting arrested, suspended, and eventually reinstated. But within moments, Tobias calls the whole thing to a halt. It’s not right, and he refuses to let it be performed until he fixes it.
Everyone else panics — except Gabin. It’s a lovely moment that shows just how well Tobias and Gabin understand each other. Gabin matter-of-factly addresses the audience to explain Tobias’s process. But then du Pontavice lets a self-conscious vulnerability seep in, a clear contrast from the bravado Gabin has worn like armor all season. He admits his failings and swears in front of everyone to never let Tobias down again. There’s also the very meta choice of having Gabin deliver his speech in English, despite being in Paris, in front of a French audience. Yes, it lets us as viewers understand without subtitles — but more importantly, it means that Gabin is ensuring Tobias, in-universe, understands every word. Earlier in the season, the pair struggle with crossed signals, with Tobias lamenting, “My message is never clear.” Here, Gabin makes sure his message is crystal clear.
The beauty of the speech isn’t just the speech itself. It’s how it inspires Tobias to reciprocate. After re-choreographing the whole piece live (and even — gasp — taking one of Gabin’s suggestions), Tobias makes his own speech. He reveals his anxieties, how he frets over his work, and tries to forget it as soon as it’s done. And, glancing at Gabin all the while, he admits that his time in Paris, and a person, makes him not want to forget this one — and that scares him. Just as Gabin shed his armor, Tobias is doing the same: revealing his heart and hoping it’s enough.
A Kiss at Center Stage
As Gabin dances, Tobias watches from the wings. Gabin is athletic and soaring and marvelous, and we get to see the slow realization dawn on Tobias’s face, courtesy of Glick’s marvelously subtle expressions. Is there anything as perfectly romantic as that dawning realization of love? Tobias’s thunderclap realization, contrasted with Gabin becoming so openly smitten so quickly, is the perfect “one fell first/one fell faster” setup.
The second (and I mean the second) Gabin hits his end pose, Tobias strides out on stage, and pulls him into a kiss worthy of a movie poster. For someone so precise and planned-out, his impulsivity underlines just how much this relationship has changed him.
It’s so perfect and earnest, it could almost be painfully cheesy. Thankfully, these two dorks are still them. Gabin reminds Tobias they’re in public, only for Tobias to ask the most Tobias question. “Oh, shit, do you think people saw?” So, naturally, Gabin sweetly assures him that they didn’t, and they kiss again as everyone applauds. Amy Sherman-Palladino rarely plays romance “pure;” it’s almost always cut with something cynical, shocking, or dramatic. But when she does just go for it, like this scene or like Luke and Lorelai’s iconic first kiss, it’s unforgettable.
I’m still not over Étoile getting cut short. There was so much story left to tell for these weird, wonderful characters! But if it had to end, there are worse ways to go out than a love letter to the act of creation, the terrifying beauty and vulnerability of the arts, and the love we can find when we’re brave enough to let someone see our whole selves.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Prime Video
I loved reading this – their creative and romantic chemistry was developed so neatly throughout the show, and I am SO relieved they brought that story to a satisfying finale knowing what we know now re. cancellation.