Spiral (and other French police series)

[Stunsworth]

I’ve just finished watching the first two episodes. It’s as good as ever. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

[Stunsworth]

Another cracking two episodes.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Another cracking two episodes.

- even without the comparison of the dire recent serials, the quality of scripts, acting, and photography in this new series of Spiral has been outstanding.

SPOILER: and the contrapuntal variety of human stories presented - the (exceptionally well dealt-with) rape of Josephine; Laure's slow movement towards a relationship both with her daughter and with Gilou; Roban's health issues - his dignified terror of the biopsy - and the way he dealt with his superior; and - totally unexpected last night - the Hulotesque comedy of Laure and Gilou trying to get the informant out of the building without Tintin seeing them.

Utterly brilliant!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Utterly brilliant!

Well ... perhaps with the exception of the clichéd penpushing careerist boss, Beckriche - especially as they're all now getting on so well with the pen-pushing careerist boss who shouted at them in the previous series!

[Stunsworth]

FHG

I think this week’s episodes were some of the best TV I’ve seen in a long time. So many threads, but all so easy to follow.

SPOILER








When Josephine said her life was nothing but work I could have cried. Is it a turning point for her? Probably not.

When Roban tried to open Machands door on Ile St Louise and couldn’t open the door I wondered if his illness had made think he was at home.

Superb TV.

[DracoM]

Yes, this series is raising all manner of issues. I just began to wonder a bit if the 'crime' at the centre is being lost?
Is this the BBC Four' input - i.e. more '' ' uman intress' to keep viewers interested?

[vinteuil]

.

... this is so much the best telly at the moment.

It's become more 'deep' than just a police procedural - as the blog below indicates it's becoming a 'polar' -

"Engrenages se dirige vers le polar, vers cette littérature de crise qui voit « le mal dans l’organisation sociale transitoire ». On ne peut que s’en réjouir car c’est le signe d’une grande maturité. Cette mue est inédite dans l’histoire de la télévision française."

http://seriestv.blog.lemonde.fr/2017/09/17/engrenages-saison-en-pente-grise/

[eighthobstruction]

....yes it is great....no weird unlikely twists, no ugly protracted murders[i.e. crucificions/ritual stuff], just good ol'police procedural as a basic.....and then human in-tor- esta plus social issues....fab

[Stunsworth]

Another cracking two episodes. I fear for Mme Karlsson’s boss.

[DracoM]

....yes it is great....no weird unlikely twists, no ugly protracted murders[i.e. crucificions/ritual stuff], just good ol'police procedural as a basic.....and then human in-tor- esta plus social issues....fab

[Nick Armstrong]

.

... this is so much the best telly at the moment.

... this, plus: http://www.for3.org/forums/showthrea...side-No-9-BBC2

[jayne lee wilson]

It's not all about crime & punishment.... nobody as charmed as I am by The Good Doctor (Sky Living)...?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Another cracking two episodes.

- it's those lovely touches, playing with audience expectations that help take it to the highest level. Like with Roban's going for his biopsy; playing with expectations that he wouldn't show up (the nurse calls him - the camera pans the patients slowly; no Roban - the timing just enough to make you think he's not there ... and at that exact moment, he is. And then when he takes the call from Laure, just before the procedure, and again you wonder if he's going to leave before it starts - no; very strict nurse deals with that!). Just magical touches that show real care for the details of the script. Unlike some ...

I fear for Mme Karlsson’s boss.

Yes - either that or he needs to change his aftershave!

[Stunsworth]

Yes - either that or he needs to change his aftershave!

I suspect he’ll be changing his insurer, I think he’s about to lose the no-claims bonus on his Porsche.

[mercia]

if I ever have to undergo a brain biopsy I must remember to ask for a general rather than local anaesthetic "keep your head still" seems to be excellent advice when confronted by a man wielding a power drill !