‘La Maison’ Recap: ‘17 Seconds’ & ‘Nepo Baby’

9/20/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Lambert Wilson and Amira Casar as Vincent Ledu and Perla Foster in Episode 101 of ‘La Maison’ – ’17 Seconds’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Series Premiere of ‘La Maison’.

One would think that the world of fashion, is nothing short of boring. After all, it’s just about putting clothes together, right? So, there can be little excitement in assembling a series of colors or figuring out where the neckline will hang. Not to mention, there cannot be drama in a world where clothes matter and where lineups are being assembled. Because it’s just fashion, just clothes, right? Well, that would be the wrong way for to one to think. Because fashion is indeed so much more to the folks involved within it than mere color choices and boredom, once a type of blue is selected for a certain type of suit.

For it is in many ways, art to those involved within it, and it means the world to them. To the point where their creation is nothing short of a child, something that great care went into and where those involved in its creation will fight to no end to see it out into the world. Not to mention, it’s a world where ego and battles over who is right and who is wrong come into play. Making it a far more intense world than we give it credit, one worthy of our attention from a storytelling standpoint. As evidenced by the new Apple TV+ series, La Maison. Which is a story that dives into such matters in a compelling and powerful fashion. By having the world of fashion be rocked by quite the scandal in its super-sized series premiere.

Wherein we are introduced to Ledu. A premier fashion company that has been around for ages on end and is entering quite the time of crisis. In part because, Rovel, a rival fashion company, is making a push to scoop up as much of their business as possible. To supplant them and dominate the industry. In fact, they’ve done such a fine job chipping away at what Ledu has built, that the loss of a major contract in ’17 Seconds’ and ‘Nepo Baby’ prompts the head of Ledu, Vincent Ledu… to snap on an evening of celebration. Which in turn, is recorded by a staff member at that very celebration and through some shady means involving an heir to the Ledu empire, Robinson, that video makes it out into the world. Which plunges the company into chaos and forces them to make some hard choices. The kind that involves shaking up leadership and bringing in a descendant from a former employee, to save a company that Vincent has brought to the brink.

Zita Hanrot and Amira Casar as Paloma Castel and Perla Foster in Episode 102 of ‘La Maison’ – ‘Nepo Baby’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Of course, along the way they’ll have to fend off Rovel during this time of strife, but what matters more is how much this premiere explores regarding the fashion industry. Since it does showcase through Vincent and through the new head of the company, Paloma Castel, how much passion is present in this world. For we are privy to moments of creation for both parties, which helps us understand what fashion means to them and how so many hold its artistic merit in high regard. Plus, we also learn about the drama this world and its power can create. Courtesy of Rovel and the company’s desire to topple Ledu and through Robinson’s actions, which are tragic in nature since it is clear he just wants to be seen in a world where everyone is looking elsewhere.

Which brings us to what else makes this story so wonderful. In that, it is more about the people of the fashion world than the fashion, and who they are and what drives them and that makes this a fascinating character study as well. One that speaks to the power of legacy and the folly of arrogance. Through Paloma and Vincent. Since Paloma is indeed hoping to make her father proud and finish what her family started at Ledu, and that drives her deeply, and of course, Vincent is that true arrogant egotist whose genius has overtaken common sense. To the point where he almost believes he has done no wrong. When in fact, his racist rant was as awful as it gets. Giving rise to a fascinating story about people and their passions and the battles that go into holding onto the art that gives them life.

All of which brings forth a fascinating and refreshing series. One that is supremely human, incredibly engaging and above all… original. For this writer is hard pressed to think upon any other fashion show out there that features such grounded characters and such realistic ones at that, the kind whose actions even offer commentary on our modern world. Since Vincent is clearly a deep-rooted examination of cancel culture and its power and all of this, leaves us eager to continue to the journey. To see if Ledu can reform and find a new way forward, to see if redemption and fulfillment can take place and above all, to see if Ledu can stave off the hunger of their biggest rival. Until next time.

To learn more about the wonder of this series, visit our interview with cast members Lambert Wilson (Vincent Ledu), Amira Casar (Perle Foster), Antoine Reinartz (Robison Ledu), and Zita Hanrot (Paloma Castel)!

Watch ‘La Maison’

0 Comments