Critic’s Rating: 4.8 / 5.0
4.8
Well, things just got more complicated.
I’ve enjoyed every episode of Paris is Always a Good Idea, but I truly felt like I was in Paris with them during “Knightly’s” installment.
Seeing the Eiffel Tower and the Seine River on display helped with the romantic atmosphere, but the chemistry felt organic and real.
(2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Eric Caro)
I could feel the connection between Lacey Chabert and Scott Michael Foster as Chelsea and Knightly’s connection evolved.
Paris is Always a Good Idea Season 1 Episode 4 focused on taking chances, facing fears, and letting go of regrets.
We still don’t know whose wedding that is, but we know who Chelsea was recording the message for, and that was a massive clue.
Regrets and Second Chances
It’s a big clue that Chelsea narrated the entirety of her relationships with Knightly. It highlights how important he is to her, and she doesn’t want any secrets between them.
That’s impressive, given their rocky start. Everyone appreciates the enemies-to-lovers trope. I’m unsure if they were all-out enemies, but Chelsea didn’t appreciate Knightly on her work turf, even if he was handsome.
(2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Eric Caro)
That was an entertaining but awkward meet-cute as he overheard her ranting about him. It’s a good thing he respected honesty, and he tried burying the hatchet by asking her out.
It’s a shame that she never accepted, since she liked him, but Chelsea feared getting involved again.
But Chelsea knew Knightly was her biggest what-if. He knew her better than anyone, and I loved that he knew to order her more French fries. Sometimes comfort food is best when you’re upset.
It was the little moments that changed their relationship, like how he lent her his coat when she was cold, or the smoldering look between them as they almost kissed.
Chelsea wasn’t expecting that.
(2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Eric Caro)
Finding the Right Person
Both Chelsea and Annabelle were influenced by their parents’ idealistic romantic marriage. Annabelle got engaged young when her entire world was wrapped up in soccer.
When she got injured, her entire world crashed, and she lost everything at once. I’m not sure if Annabelle missed soccer, her fiancé, or the illusion of her perfect life more.
Declan was a sweet guy, and he liked her, but he sensed that she wasn’t ready for a relationship.
He might not be the one for her, but Annabelle will find someone, or perhaps Hallmark will write a sequel with her finding her fiancé to get closure.
(2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Eric Caro)
I also appreciated how Knightly and Chelsea saw each other differently. Knightly knew he wanted to work with her after witnessing her in action at a hospital, but Chelsea never knew that.
Chelsea valued commitment and family, so she appreciated that Knightly was devoted to helping his younger sisters, something that other women thought of as a burden.
He looked like a shy boy standing in front of a girl he liked, wanting her to go out with him. His intuition was spot-on when he suggested that she was falling for him.
I have such a soft spot for when a man cups a woman’s face, and these two could have given an acting course in angsty, smoldering looks.
While I suspected Knightly had feelings for her, hearing him announce it just cemented my love for him.
(2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Eric Caro)
Expressing a Different Type of Passion
Chelsea has never spoken much about how her mother’s death inspired her to work at the ACC. She’s been a workhorse, dedicated to the cause, helping with donations, screenings, and treatments, but most people didn’t know why.
Knightly often seemed more personable with clients, smoothing the way with Sophie Arnoud, but Sophie wanted to retain control of where her money would be spent.
He tried vigorously to promote Chelsea’s positive traits, but neither woman would budge. It wasn’t until Chelsea broke down, admitting that cancer patients don’t have control, that the meeting got anywhere.
It was another side of her as she explained how her mom’s cancer affected her, and Sophie Arnoud admitted she’d had breast cancer and wanted to help other people who didn’t have the money.
Both women were passionate about leaving a better legacy, but it meant that Chelsea needed to let others inside. I couldn’t believe that Aiden didn’t know about her mom after all those years, but that Knightly knew.
(2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Unai Mateo)
It’s why she worked at the ACC.
Facing Your Greatest Fears
A celebration date at the Eiffel Tower. What could be more romantic? Something on solid ground if you were Jason Knightly.
I don’t like heights either, but the Eiffel Tower is gorgeous lit up at night and should not be missed. I’ve done it.
I love the distraction game that Chelsea played and the answers the two spit out. It was entertaining that most of the answers referred back to them, until the questions became more serious.
Chelsea has also feared failing, which was probably why she was a workaholic. She also was terrified of finding the right person.
(2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Eric Caro)
I think Knightly feared falling for Chelsea because she had baggage, which was why he asked about contacting Marcos, even though she insisted she hadn’t thought of him.
When she kissed him in front of the Eiffel Tower, it was the moment that fans had been waiting for.
Everyone knows that elevator kisses are my kryptonite, and watching that hot make-out session was hot! These two possess smoking chemistry.
If You Love Someone, Set Them Free
You know the phrase “If you love her, set her free.” Well, that’s what Knightly did. He was totally smitten with Chelsea. He wanted to date her and plan a future together, but with no regrets,
I don’t blame him for wanting her to see Marcos one last time. They never had closure years ago after her mom died. She needs to explain and evaluate if there are any feelings still there, and hopefully return to him.
(2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Eric Caro)
However, Chelsea was a hopeless romantic and thought skipping Marcos was like her mom skipping the train. She thought it was fate, and I agreed with her, though I also knew she needed to see this through.
Could Chelsea and Knightly’s connection hold them through her visit to a Spanish castle? It worries me that it’s decorated for a wedding or an event.
After this episode, I’m rooting for Knightly more than ever. He likes and accepts Chelsea the way she is, including the snarky banter. They’ve made each other stronger.
Hopefully, Knightly will show up in Spain, and she’ll realize yet again who she really needs.
Over to you, Hallmarkies. Were you enchanted by Knightly and Chelsea’s Parisian love story on Paris is Always a Good Idea? Are you rooting for their happy ending? What has been your favorite part of this series?
Let us know in the comments.
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On Paris is Always a Good Idea Episode 4, Chelsea and Knightly grow closer in Paris. Will she let go of her final connection? Our review.
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Chelsea reconnects with her former French flame on Paris is Always a Good Idea Episode 3, but was it the fairytale she wanted? Our review.
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The Paris is Always a Good Idea series premiere introduces Chelsea, a savvy businesswoman grappling with her grief and embarking on a quest to find lost loves.
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