Monsieur Spade: Death and Zayd

Monsieur Spade opens with death this week. Gabrielle, with a little help from her friends, becomes a widow. In this flashback opening, Jacques gets his just desserts for being a collaborator. This jarring moment does not define the episode, it just deepens the mystery. It all seems to be about death and Zayd.

Jacques is shot by about every villager who owns a gun. He takes a long drop down a gorge. Sam is saved from certain death by strangulation by Henri. Spade catches his breath and questions Henri about his “protection” of Teresa.

Ain’t that a kick in the head

Sam plays a very painful variation of twenty questions with his attacker. *A bonus point of two here for the Dean Martin reference. For those who were lost on this segment, check out the original Ocean’s Eleven.* After more that a few kicks to the head, Sam explains what will happen next.

Jean-Pierre still has flashbacks. Going to his window for a bit of fresh air, he shows off his meat and two veg to a female neighbour. Marguerite visits Denis. He returns her letters and we are afforded a glimpse into their past relationship.

Neighbours, eh

Spade’s new neighbours helpfully find one of the dead kidnappers in Sam’s pool. The death, in this instance, is unusual and suspicious. The police chief reminds Sam that he is not in Kansas (San Francisco) any more. The Arabic family looking after Zayd are concerned about the man watching their home.

Jean-Pierre visits an old colleague from the war. The damaged veteran tells a story rich in bitter irony. The tale told by the blind man also shows that Jean-Pierre is not the only one re-living the war in his mind. This interlude highlights that there are things worse than death.

Enemies FOREIGN and Domestic

Jean-PIerre almost shoots Samir and finally meets Zayd. “The one they all kill for.” Sam winnoes the truth from Henri about what his position in the Army really is. Teresa thanks her military hero for saving her life. Henri tells the young lady more about his duties. The soldier leaves something behind. Death, at this point, seems very far away.

The young girl returns the clothes that Audrey sent and adds a bit of vitriol. The police chief and Sam attend an intimate and awkward soiree with the Fitzsimmons family next door. Spade goes exploring and has an uncomfortable interlude with Mrs Fitzsimmons.

Phillipe and Jean-Pierre come to see Zayd. Philippe whistles the Colonel Bogey March and the young Arabic lad whistles back. They walk off together.

death and zayd

This episode of Monsieur Spade starts with death and ends with Zayd. All roads lead to the young saviour. All the characters are revealing more about their background and the mystery of the boy deepens. Sam learns that his past follows him regardless of where he lives. Things are starting to get really interesting here.

As usual, the show looks stunning. The colours, the acting are above par and each vignette adds to the ongoing story. Owen is filling that metaphorical trench coat with ease. Monsieur Spade is airing on AMC+.