Episode 5 of Etoile kicks off with the Metropolitan Ballet Theater gearing up for a mesmerizing performance of "The Nutcracker." The scene then swiftly transitions to Jack and Geneviève, who are introducing the Fredrick Wiseman film, "La Danse," at a theater, part of a charity event jointly organized by the two ballet companies. As the film unfolds on screen, their conversation takes a sour turn, with bickering over Tobias's visit to New York escalating to the point where they're unceremoniously ejected from their own event.
On her solitary walk back to her hotel, Geneviève extends an invitation to Jack to join her in her room. Following an intimate encounter, their conversation drifts to Crispin and Cheyenne's passionate speech on stage. Jack confesses to having sent an apology letter to Crispin, forged in Cheyenne's name. He then urges Geneviève to stay in the city and attend his 45th birthday bash, a milestone that holds significant weight as many men in Jack's family have passed away at this age.
Elsewhere, at Cheyenne's mother, Bruna's eccentric abode, Mishi struggles to adjust to the unconventional atmosphere. She requests a key to the house, but Bruna flatly refuses. Meanwhile, Tobias discovers an unwanted guest in his room – a scurrying rat.
In the bustling city of New York, Jack and Nicholas make a concerted effort to persuade Cheyenne to take on the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in "The Nutcracker." However, Cheyenne storms out without saying a word, heading straight to the locker room where she catches the other dancers ridiculing the ballet.
Cheyenne lambasts the girls for their disdain towards "The Nutcracker" and later informs Jack that she'll perform in all 57 shows. Reluctantly, Jack agrees, and upon realizing it's his birthday, he invites her to his party.
Meanwhile, Mishi continues to face criticism and judgment during her rehearsals. Matters worsen when the students spot a note on the call sheet directing her to see the choreographer about a solo. As she returns home, Bruna refuses to let her in, citing the presence of her "Monday night man." Mishi is left with no choice but to sit in the hallway until the guest departs.
Meanwhile, Gabin is still bitter about his suspension for punching Matthias, and his resentment even spills over onto Tobias for daring to converse with Matthias. Tobias, however, finds himself constantly nodding off, deprived of restful sleep in his room due to the pesky rat's antics. On the phone, Mishi confides in Geneviève about her struggles with Bruna. Upon returning home, Bruna lambasts Mishi for tattling to Geneviève, igniting yet another fiery argument over their persistent key disagreement. Mishi laments that she simply cannot connect with Bruna on any level.
The following morning, Bruna rousts Mishi from her slumber and drags her along on a whirlwind of errands. At each stop, Bruna proudly announces to the staff, "She's the girl," as if Mishi were an extension of her own ego. While Bruna engages in some fishing with a group, Mishi catches the admiring gaze of a young man accompanying one of the older fishermen.
During the Nutcracker rehearsal, Cheyenne launches into another of her melodramatic tales, clashing with the choreographer over a point of disagreement. Susu enters the studio just in time to hear Cheyenne recount how, despite being ill, she insisted on dancing the performance twice to meet her own exacting standards.
When Gabin discovers Tobias passed out in the shower, he reaches his breaking point and decides to deal decisively with the rat infestation in his room. Tobias, upon waking, seems genuinely touched by Gabin's considerate actions.
Jack's birthday party gets underway, and he beams with delight to see Cheyenne, who agrees to mingle with the guests for a brief 15 minutes. The specter of the 45-year-old curse haunting Jack's family looms large, especially when Jack's worried mother and uncle arrive, their faces etched with genuine concern for his well-being.
Jack's anger flares up when Gael arrives as Cheyenne's guest plus one. Gaelpleads with Jack, insisting that performing in 57 shows of "The Nutcracker" is an impossible task and begs him to intervene with Cheyenne on his behalf. However, Jack firmly asserts that this dilemma is solely Gael's responsibility.
To Jack's delight, Geneviève suddenly appears, explaining that she had concluded her keynote speech in Chicago early to ensure she arrived before her flight to Paris. Their reunion is shattered when Crispin stumbles in, looking utterly disheveled, claiming to have narrowly escaped a harebrained kidnapping attempt orchestrated by amateurs.
The evening takes a heartwarming turn as it's time for Jack's birthday surprise. A video message from his two sons, who reside with their mother, brings a smile to his face. This touching moment is followed by the reveal of a magnificent birthday cake. Jack and Geneviève retreat to the rooftop, where he tentatively broaches the subject of them dating. Geneviève, taken aback, raises concerns about the distance between them and their respective commitments. Despite her hesitations, the idea clearly lingers in her thoughts.
Later, Cheyenne pops in to witness Susu's audition for "The Nutcracker." When Susu believes she hasn't met her own high standards, she boldly requests a second chance, echoing Cheyenne's own perseverance. Susu delivers a more polished performance this time, but Nicholas gently reminds her of the importance of respecting her fellow dancers. As she exits, Cheyenne offers Susu words of encouragement, commending her final efforts in Etoile Episode 5.
