‘Monsieur Spade’ Recap: ‘Episode 3’

1/29/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Denis Menochet and Clive Owen as Patrice Michaud and Sam Spade in Episode 103 of ‘Monsieur Spade’. (Photo Courtesy of Black Bear/AMC.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘Monsieur Spade’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

Often times in crime stories, when clues are made apparent, the story tends to kick into overdrive. For the investigator in the story, now has everything they need to really dive deeply into their case, and since they are intrepid and eager to serve justice, they will stop at nothing to close the case and find that justice and that brings about one intense race to the finish line. But that is why Sam Spade stories are so unique and so appealing. For they don’t always subscribe to that line of thinking, in fact… Sam Spade is a Private Investigator that likes to handle the case he’s dealing with in a meticulous and unorthodox manner, to properly have the facts in front of him and well, his special brand of investigation was put on display in the next episode of Monsieur Spade on AMC.

That is, after the third chapter in this journey… spent a little time reflecting upon the past. Since we came to learn more about why Philippe wasn’t present in his daughter’s life. As it turned out, it wasn’t just the fact that he was neglectful, but his desire to see proof that she was in fact, his, offended everyone in the town. To the point where each and every citizen pulled together money to motivate Philippe to leave. A message that Sam delivered, that fell upon resistant ears. For Philippe did not believe that he would ever answer to anyone. A belief that Sam proved false by sending Philippe away for all times, and this was relevant simply because… it haunted Sam in present day. For if Philippe didn’t care enough to fight harder for his daughter’s worth… then what on Earth could motivate him to return home and risk his life?

Well, that was for certain… the Boy. For Samir took him away from the desolate life he was living in the bowels of the club and brought him to friends and family. Who could in turn, feed the boy, whose name was Zayd, and of course… try to learn something about him. Which all they could ascertain was that he came from wealth. For his clothes were too fine and too lovely, and they also began to ponder upon the reality… that he might be a Messiah in the Muslim faith. For the circumstances that brought him to France, were too much to ignore, as was Zayd’s strange behavior. Wherein he consistently poured over numbers and stayed silent often. Leading everyone to lean toward spiritual possibilities while Sam… worked on getting some answers regarding all of this, in order to close the case.

Clive Owen and Jonathan Zaccaï as Sam Spade and Philippe Saint-Andre in Episode 103 of ‘Monsieur Spade’. (Photo Courtesy of Jean-Claude Lother/AMC.)

In fact, he quickly came to realize that Zayd was important to a great deal of people in this case, especially when he had a chance to sit in on a sham of a meeting with the church. Whose officials offered nothing but disrespect and games with Michaud and Sam. Simply because they wanted to strongarm the duo into giving them something to work with. Something to help them find the boy. Which prompted Sam to offer up the right nugget at the right time, confirming that Zayd was their priority but not why, and well, Sam knew that the why was the key to solving this murder case. Which brought him back to Teresa who offered little and that meant, he needed to go to the source and speak with Philippe.

Which he was able to do, courtesy of some treachery. For Sam asked the town doctor to send out some bait and see if by chance said bait enticed Philippe to bite, and he most certainly did. Because a phone call came in, one requesting that Sam meet in the cemetery with a man that didn’t like him. Which prompted the return of some Sam Spade iconography and some other surprises. Specifically, that Philippe did not show up for the meeting in the slightest. Nor did he play fair, at least… one can assume he did not play fair. Because a no-show prompted Sam to rush home out of the belief that Teresa was about to be lifted from her bed and taken away, and Sam was indeed right. For invaders were in play and left us with a juicy cliffhanger, but not many answers.

But that’s okay. Because the answers will indeed come forth, because Sam Spade always provide them, and while we wait to see what comes next following that brutal ending, we can celebrate, one amazing story. One that did exactly we’ve come to expect from this franchise. Wherein it wove a delicate web of important moments that related to the case, before having Sam gently ease his way toward answers. The kind that expanded the story for the viewer and raised the stakes for Sam. Providing this already engaging story with amazing tension, and deeper curiosity in that slow burn style that only a Sam Spade story can provide and truly, that is going to make the wait for next week’s story as difficult as it gets. Simply because we are now in the thick of it and ready for more answers from this magnificent series. Until next time.

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