Étoile Review: Prime Video’s Ballet Dramedy is More Flawed Than Fabulous

Ballet is in trouble. Jack’s company in New York and Genevieve’s in Paris are struggling. She pitches him a radical solution, but there’s a catch.

The first episode of Étoile introduces us to all the key figures in the series and establishes the dynamics between them as well as some glimpses into their past relationships with each other. Not a surprising reflection of the true ballet world which they say is quite small.

There are references to real-life current – and not so past – events such as the Covid pandemic’s effect on the performing arts industry, negotiations at the Paris Opera Ballet (which in the series is the Ballet National) to prevent a dancer strike, and although the banter makes “the swap” meeting feel more like what I imagine a sports athlete trade would feel like, it wouldn’t come as a total shock if in reality, conversations such as this indeed take place.

The concept of having principal guest artists from one renowned ballet company join another for a performance or program is not unheard of, but an entire season? That’s not as common. Regardless, when I read such announcements, I tend to wonder how these kinds of deals are initiated and have thought – as Étoile clearly conveys – that they are marketing maneuvers to boost ticket sales.

So far, I’m certainly appreciating the authenticity of casting professionals dancers (some even have speaking roles!) rehearse ballets we all know and love, yet find the pace of the 1-hour opener to be slow at times, most specifically during a pedantic interaction between Cheyenne and Crispin. 

Things get off to a rocky start as Jack and Genevieve announce the swap at a dual press conference. Meanwhile, Cheyenne is on the hunt for the perfect dance partner in New York, while Mishi and Tobias struggle to find themselves in Paris.

The pace does pick up a bit in the second episode of Étoile as we are introduced to Gael, learn about the significance of Mishi’s place in Paris, and see that there is a spot of kindness in Cheyenne’s otherwise hard-as-nails diva facade. Tobias’ eccentricity, which was established in Episode 1, is also accentuated via his communications with Geneviève and Gabin.

I have realized over the past couple of years that my joy in watching a series grows exponentially when I can not only relate to the characters but also – and perhaps more significantly – to the environment that the action takes place in.

New York born, bred, raised, and trained dancers like me will undoubtedly love the city vibes and locations that make an appearance in the show. I feel like I grew up at Lincoln Center with New York City Ballet (in Étoile, Metropolitan Ballet Theater a.k.a. MBT) performances a typical Friday night and extra classes at Steps the norm, so it’s fun and nostalgic for me to revisit these places albeit through a camera lens.

Jack has a terrible day. Tobias is casting his new piece, and Gabin is eager to be noticed. Mishi lands a big role, and confronts Genevieve about the past.

At this point (no pun intended), if it weren’t for the wonderful acting, my curiosity, and the fact that I’ve made a commitment to write about Étoile, it’s possible that I would abandon watching the rest of the season.

The tone has shifted to very serious with a focus on themes such as familial relationships – Jack’s with his mother and great grandmother, Geneviève’s with her sister and nieces, Mishi’s with her parents – as well as the governing bodies which control ballet companies – politically influenced ones versus those that are subject to the whim of private donors and a board of directors.

It’s also getting a bit tiresome that every episode thus far has ended with a spotlight on the same storyline, one that feels a bit weak at the moment (although it does pull at your heartstrings) yet is given prime position as the cliffhanger.

It’s opening nightI Jack deals with dancer dramas while Genevieve causes an international incident. Things between Cheyenne and Gael heat up, while Tobias and Gabin struggle to connect.

Well, I am glad to have continued watching Étoile as this was the episode for those of us who have been waiting to see a lot of dancing alongside the numerous plotlines, a couple of which remain less than engaging.

And the dancing is absolutely wonderful – the Ballet National Gala begins with a true-to-tradition desfile and opening night at the Metropolitan Ballet Theater features the fantastic cast of dancers in a world premiere by Tobias. For ballet fans, it’s really fun to identify the stars we already love to watch while those viewers who are being introduced to the art form for the first time thanks to this series will have the privilege of seeing some of the most prominent dancers of the time without even knowing it!

Returning to the subject of plotlines, I’m still trying to figure out the why behind including some of them and hope that the remainder of the season is enough time to see them unfold.