Ep 4. Emma

Emma is the fourth episode of the first season of Baby, a Netflix original series based on a true story about the lives of teenagers in Rome's affluent neighborhoods.

The episode opens with Chiara (Benedetta Porcaroli), the show's main character, still struggling after returning to school following her father's arrest. She sees her father in jail visits but still can't understand what he has done. Meanwhile, Ludovica (Alice Pagani), one of Chiara's closest friends, is still trying to get her life on track after getting kicked out of school due to her involvement in the prostitution ring. She tries to apply for a beauty pageant, which she thinks will jumpstart her career as a model, but keeps getting rejected because of her less-than-stellar reputation.

Elsewhere, another character is introduced: Emma (Beatrice Bartoni), a young girl who is navigating her way through high school. She faces bullies who humiliate her in the locker room and ridicule her for being overweight. Her mother (Claudia Pandolfi) is concerned but doesn't know how to help. Emma finds solace in an older gentleman, who she meets through a dating website. She lies about her age and they arrange to meet up.

Meanwhile, Chiara's relationship with her boyfriend, Damiano (Riccardo Mandolini), is on the rocks. He is constantly pressuring her to be intimate with him, but she struggles with the idea of losing her virginity. Ludovica decides to throw a party in an attempt to lift her spirits and boost her reputation, but it ends up being a disaster when a group of men gatecrash and things get out of hand.

As the episode progresses, the lives of the various characters begin to intertwine. Emma is revealed to be the younger sister of one of Ludovica's ex-lovers, and Ludovica takes it upon herself to help her out of her predicament with the older gentleman. She confronts him at his apartment and convinces him to leave Emma alone. Emma's mother is grateful for Ludovica's help and offers her a job as a babysitter.

Meanwhile, Chiara finally opens up to Damiano and tells him about her dad's crimes. He listens attentively and comforts her, causing their relationship to strengthen. The episode ends with Chiara and Ludovica sitting together, eating pizza and discussing their respective problems. They seem to have found a sense of comfort in each other's company.

Emma is a poignant episode that explores the themes of teenage insecurities, body image, and the dangers of online predators. The show does an excellent job of portraying these issues without trivializing them or glamorizing their consequences. The episode also highlights the complex relationships between the different characters and their struggles to fit in and find their place in society.

Overall, Emma is a thought-provoking and emotional episode that will leave viewers eager to see what happens next in the story of Baby.