Spiral (and other French police series)

[kernelbogey]

It’s all 7 series not just the first one. Apologies if I’m telling you something you already know.

[Nick Armstrong]

Just discovered that Spiral Season One (2005) is now streaming on BBC iPlayer. Presumably this is heralding Season 8...?

I watched a bit of the first episode last night - and will return, never having seen the first season before. They all looked so much younger!

Never watched season 1, I discover! Needs a binge-watch before the new and final season starts on 2 January!

[DracoM]

Yes!!

[kernelbogey]

Never watched season 1, I discover! Needs a binge-watch before the new and final season starts on 2 January!

Me neither: I've binge-watched Seasons 1 & 2: vaguely recalled bits of 2, but not enough to spoil the tension. I'll persist with 3, I thnk, but then may start to remember more.

(Nick, I think I owe my early viewing of these programmes, backalong, to your enthusiasm! )

[kernelbogey]

It struck me that, although Laure and Gilou have remained pretty constant in character, Tintin came over as much more aggressive in series 1 & 2 than later.

[Nick Armstrong]

It struck me that, although Laure and Gilou have remained pretty constant in character, Tintin came over as much more aggressive in series 1 & 2 than later.

Although his first appearance of all involved coming over all unnecessary in a post-mortem... in contrast to the strong-stomached Laure

(Nick, I think I owe my early viewing of these programmes, backalong, to your enthusiasm! )

I infer you don’t hold my advocacy against me?

[DracoM]

Had not seen Series 1 - Gilou as a druggie!! Wow!

[Nick Armstrong]

Had not seen Series 1 - Gilou as a druggie!! Wow!

Indeed... He didn’t make a promising start to the Spiral saga, did he?

[Nick Armstrong]

Graceful departure of Roban - how can he ever re-appear in another series?

Yes, not in this final season (according to the cast list)

[kernelbogey]

I infer you don’t hold my advocacy against me?

Just finished re-watching Series 3 - my initial watching long enough ago that I didn't remember all the plot twists.

But having watched the first two episodes of Series 8 last night, I'm hoping it's going to pick up and reach the complexity of character and motive of the earlier series. Series 3 was just brilliantly written and conceived.

[Dave2002]

Amazed at the representation of the insides of French prisons - which I assume are at least slightly based on reality. Firstly, some of the prisoners seemed able to move around freely - up and down in lifts - through security doors etc. Secondly, the idea that cell mates would cook food for each other, and would have access to ingredients - not what I would have expected at all. I don't think that happens in the UK.

Gilou having a steak meal with Cisco ... very odd.

[alywin]

Secondly, the idea that cell mates would cook food for each other, and would have access to ingredients - not what I would have expected at all. I don't think that happens in the UK.

Guess you haven't seen Paddington 2, then :)

[Dave2002]

Guess you haven't seen Paddington 2, then :)

Mmm. Yes - and you've got me there. I suppose it never occurred to me that a prison with a fluffy, cuddly, toy bear and a maniacal and violent head "cook" could represent any form of reality in the UK criminal justice world!

My mistake!

[kernelbogey]

... the idea that cell mates would cook food for each other, and would have access to ingredients - not what I would have expected at all. I don't think that happens in the UK.

Gilou having a steak meal with Cisco ... very odd.

Surely to represent Cisco's power within the prison - over rules and warders, as well as other prisoners.

[Dave2002]

Surely to represent Cisco's power within the prison - over rules and warders, as well as other prisoners.

Indeed, but do they really allow so much "stuff" in French prisons? I know that cuisine is important to the French community as a whole, but .....

In British prisons some prisoners do work in kitchens, though they are vetted for the use of equipment, and AFAIK - which is not a lot - they are supervised very carefully, and cannot move around freely.