The second episode opens slightly ahead of where episode 1 left off, with the processing of the crime scene. Sam Spade (Clive Owen) seems to be intrigued by a headless stuffed doll while Dr. Simon Pouchol (Vincent Nemeth) struggles with the grizzly murder scene. The Chief of Police Patrice Michaud (Denis Menochet) soon joins and encourages Sam to get himself a weapon.

Returning home to help himself to a stiff drink, Sam updates Helena Thibaut (Clotilde Moollet) while also inquiring about Teresa (Cara Bossom).

Jean-Pierre Devereaux (Stanley Weber) wakes after experiencing several vivid flashbacks from the war. Although they are extremely short and scrambled, his visions appear linked to a building raid or bombing. Marguerite (Peggy) Devereaux (Louise Bourgoin), who is already dressed and ben running errands, teases him about sleeping in. After sharing the depressing news that their loan has been denied, he suggests asking Sam or selling her necklace. She immediately makes it clear that the necklace is off the table, given that it was a gift from Gabrielle LarVaron (Chiara Mastroianni).

Sam has prepared a full breakfast and set the table for two but becomes distraught upon discovering Teresa’s absence. Things only get worse when several flat tires force him to put Garielle’s Rolls Royce back in use. A short conversation with George Fitzsimmons (Matthew Beard), who arrived much earlier to capture the sunrise, reveals that Teresa left the property of her own accord.

Racing to the convent, Sam discovers Claude (Laurent Borel) attempting to clean the crime scene. Their short discussion reveals that Patrice just left and the children have been sent to Sainte Foy.  Sam later leaves Mother Superior’s (Martine Schambacher) office with what appears to be 5 employee files of the six murdered nuns. On his way out, the ringing bells and his subsequent visit to the tower uncover Teresa’s hiding spot. Hidden behind a sliding piece of wood, Sam also discovers what appears to be random numbers or equations etched into the concrete. After a bit of back-and-forth bickering, Teresa reluctantly leaves with Sam.

Sam and Teresa are ambushed while returning home. Much to the surprise of the shooter, Sam attempts a pursuit, but the motorcycle easily outmaneuvers the car down the country roads.

Patrice and Maurice Michaud (Frank Williams) arrive at Gabrielle’s estate to file a report on the shooting. A quick examination reveals that the shooter was using a MAS-36 Rifle. The rifle and ammo not only happen to be the standard issue of the French Army, but according to Patrice, it’s not available locally. Shortly, Teresa arrives to hand over her bloodied clothes from the night of the murder.

Henri (Oscar Lesage) later reports back to Sam about Philippe’s heavily redacted military file. Sam suspects the lack of detail likely means Philippe was a spy. Before the meeting ends, Henri does mention hearing rumbling that during Philippe’s last tour, he was hiding an Algerian woman in his barracks. At Henri’s departure, Sam goes for his daily nude swim. Doing so leads to a flashback of the first time Gabrielle introduced him to the hobby.

Sam’s decision to share Mother Superior’s files with Dr. Simon proves useful when he links the missing files to the newest nun, Angelique (Cecile Combredet). Sam is denied access to the bodies, but Simon does share a locket he found on Angelique.

While brooding over old photos from his and Mother Superior’s time, Patrice remembers the day Gabrielle suggested using Sam to deal with their problems. Although those problems aren’t identified, Mother Superior agrees with the suggestion. As the discussion goes on, it’s revealed that their problems are with Philippe, and Patrice and Mother Superior have very different beliefs about how to handle them. She admits to losing sight of God during the war after learning of Jacques’ LarVaron (Jean-Pierre Lorit) betrayal but claims it will never happen again. She is also quick to remind him of the oath he took as a sworn officer. This flashback is interrupted when Inspector Laurent Suchet (Victor Assie) arrives to oversee the transport of the bodies to Paris. Patrice soon becomes outraged and attempts to intimidate Laurent from the case once he learns of his inexperience in the field. Even after being physically threatened, Laurent continues to stand his ground until Maurice shows up with a pistol.

Anatole (Benjamin Duc) and Sam are discussing the replacement of the rear window for the Rolls Royce when Marguerite arrives to question Sam about the shooting. He quickly realizes that she is more concerned about Jean-Pierre’s role in the event or that Sam will place the blame on him. He assures her in an insulting way that he doesn’t believe Jean-Pierre was responsible.

Sam returns home to find that George has invited his mother, Lady Cynthia Fitzsimmons (Rebecca Root) to the property. Sam doesn’t appear to mind and even grants her request to see the landscape painting that her husband painted for Gabrielle. Cynthia takes him by surprise when she mentions a mutual friend in Philippe. Sam is quick to claim he and Philippe are more acquaintances than friends. Further discussion reveals that she was hoping to use Sam to set up a reunion of sorts with Philippe. He tells her he can’t help before leaving.

Marguerite is working at her desk when Jean-Pierre returns after an all-day outing. He claims to have been at the opera, although he’s got a dead rabbit with him. While he skillfully hangs and skins the rabbit in the kitchen, she passively aggressively teases him about shooting at Sam. Jean-Pierre mockingly claims that it’s too bad Sam walked away without an injury. It soon becomes clear that Margurite wants to start an argument, but Jean-Pierre surprises her by claiming he’s tired of looking back and now focused on what’s him and the future. It appears that he feels he should be compensated for his role in returning Gabrielle’s vineyard to prominence.

Sam meets Teresa to canvass the woods where their mysterious shooter likely hid while waiting for them to drive by. After discovering an empty pack of cigarettes, he attempts to learn more about what Teresa saw at the chapel. It soon becomes clear that she doesn’t want to talk about it. He doesn’t believe her story about the Monk (Luke Tinson) attacking Mother Superior or suspects there is more to it. His persistence pays off and Teresa ends up revealing the truth about Philippe showing up at the convent wounded with Zayd (Ismael Berqouch). Philippe’s visit to the convent had nothing to do with Teresa, although he would later ask her to hide Zayd. When the Monk showed up and attacked Mother Superior, he suspected Angelique knew more than she was claiming. After locking the kids in the room where Sam found them, Teresa would watch the Monk question Angelique while holding the other 5 nuns hostage. Each time Angelique refused to reveal the boy’s location, he would execute one of the nuns.

Once there was no one left to question or threaten, Teresa would make a noise that led to a short foot chase and confrontation. She would stab the Monk to make her escape but Zayd was no longer in the bell tower. Before wrapping up her confession, Teresa also mentions Angelique claiming that the Mahdi is waiting for them.

The episode ends with Jean-Pierre discovering Zayd hiding at the club.

 

Monsieur Spade Review

The episode deserves at least a 5.4 out of 10 based simply on the plot and suspense building. Despite the extremely longwinded reveals and the slow-progressing plot, I can’t but help find myself intrigued. While I do enjoy the serene setting of the country vineyard landscapes, it is perhaps the easy bickering and bantering between the characters that I enjoy most.

Despite Owen’s sometimes robotic dialogue, I feel that he meshes rather well with Helena, Teresa, and Marguerite. In fact, there seems to be a great rapport between all the characters. Above all else, I’m intrigued to learn how things play out look forward to Teresa and Sam teaming up.

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