Spiral (Engrenages) Series Four

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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 1,324
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    Elanor wrote: »
    So at the end of 3, Laure did shoot the guy after he dropped his gun, didn't he? Am I remembering that right?

    What's the name of the slimy commissaire guy who just lied for Laure? I can't remember his name at all.

    Bremont
  • davey_waveydavey_wavey Posts: 27,406
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    An excellent start to the series if you ask me. I could just about remember the finale of the last series with Laure shooting down that guy. PJ should watch himself - I think Gilou will get some of his informers to sort him out good and proper.

    Anyone think Pierre and Josephine might get together this series? Something not quite right about the new guy in charge...anyone think there could be a twist and he could turn out to be a baddie somewhere down the line?
  • ElanorElanor Posts: 13,326
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    Bremont

    Of course, thank you!

    I really enjoyed tonight. I like Spiral a lot more than the Scandinavian series, sorry! I think it's because I speak French and know Paris, so I can relax a bit more when I'm watching it. Not that I don't enjoy the Scaninavian ones, but you know what I mean...
  • the_lostprophetthe_lostprophet Posts: 4,172
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    allie4 wrote: »
    It was - hate to admit it but I can't remember a flipping thing now!
    Also had no idea they were continuing the story. Am pretty sure that's a first for Spiral.

    I couldn't recall much so I re-read the series blog for the final episode of series 3 at the Guardian earlier.

    Good start to the series. Looks like we're going to have another set of north African brothers as some of this series underworld characters - can't remember the name of the north African brothers from a previous series. *Edit* - just remembered - they were the Larbi bros.

    Pierre eyeing up Josephine in her new dress as well!

    Guardian series blog for this ep:

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/feb/09/spiral-state-of-terror-series-four-episode-one
  • FranglaisFranglais Posts: 3,312
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    I was a little bit surprised when they took the bomb suspect back to her flat, albeit handcuffed, and merrily proceeded to ransack the flat in front of her eyes.

    I "prefer" to think that the British police don't do that sort of thing or am I being a bit naive here?
  • Tweacle Tart IITweacle Tart II Posts: 5,079
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    Not read any of the thread but I am a relative newcomer to Spiral - I've only seen series two when it was repeated last year and really liked it.

    So, quick question - I've recorded the two episodes tonight but do I need to have seen series three? :eek:

    Thanks in advance :)
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 235
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    Not read any of the thread but I am a relative newcomer to Spiral - I've only seen series two when it was repeated last year and really liked it.

    So, quick question - I've recorded the two episodes tonight but do I need to have seen series three? :eek:

    Thanks in advance :)

    Same here, I didn't see Series 3 advertised so was a bit confused to learn this was the 4th series. I loved series 2 so
    delighted to see this back. I am a relative newcomer to sub title foreign shows, only getting into them with the Bridge then the re run of Borgen.

    I would love a summarised version of series 3 if anyone could steer me in the right direction ?
  • allie4allie4 Posts: 11,994
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    Not read any of the thread but I am a relative newcomer to Spiral - I've only seen series two when it was repeated last year and really liked it.

    So, quick question - I've recorded the two episodes tonight but do I need to have seen series three? :eek:

    Thanks in advance :)

    I think it would help to have watched Series 3 - iirc the first 2 series were self-contained but in S4 they seem to be continuing the storylines of S3. The Guardian seems to be doing a blog and one of the posters here has seen a blog of S3 but not sure if they posted a link. Think we've all forgotten most of S3 anyway!!
    OTOH - you could watch the 1st 2 eps of this series and still be able to follow it well! As long as you know who the main characters are, you're fine. As I can hardly remember 3 i'm in the same boat as you really!!!
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 12,075
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    Great stuff...... as usual. :)
  • the_lostprophetthe_lostprophet Posts: 4,172
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    Meanaunty wrote: »
    I would love a summarised version of series 3 if anyone could steer me in the right direction ?

    You can read the blog summaries of series 3 here:

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/series/spiral-episode-by-episode-guide

    or there's this:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_(TV_series)#Series_3_.282010.29
  • VerenceVerence Posts: 104,535
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    Good to see I'm not the only person who thinks that Judge Roban looks like Arsene Wenger!!

    As for Thomas aka Robert Downey Jr I wouldn't be surprised if he's an agent provocateur working for the DCRI
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 11,688
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    Delayed evening all to everyone:o. Been busy. Haven't watched Spiral yet, so haven't read the opening comments either. Will catch up later.

    Just thought I'd say - iPlayer eps seem to be available until March 23rd. That's the info on the DLs on my Sky box. Borgen & TK3 eps were only on there for 7 days and then they were deleted. So it looks like the BBC has got the extended DL rights. Not surprising really as this is a BBC4 co-production. No mid week repeat though. A first for Sat subbed drama I believe?

    PS
    If my Calendar maths are correct all the eps will be on series catch up on iPlayer for a week after the final airs? The BBC website version of iPlayer confirms the 23rd March availability..
  • catsittercatsitter Posts: 4,187
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    In the old days when I used to work on computers, many years ago, we used to have offsite backups and arrangements to use equipment on another site, so that the system would be up and running again a day or two after a disaster. Surely the server being targeted by the terrorists would have the same kind of arrangements? Though I realise that nobody ever backs anything up on tv.
  • newkid30newkid30 Posts: 7,797
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    catsitter wrote: »
    In the old days when I used to work on computers, many years ago, we used to have offsite backups and arrangements to use equipment on another site, so that the system would be up and running again a day or two after a disaster. Surely the server being targeted by the terrorists would have the same kind of arrangements? Though I realise that nobody ever backs anything up on tv.

    That's exactly what we were saying. They are the dumbest criminals ever, all big corporations have off site backups, nowadays many use cloud servers, blowing up a building would have very little effect, probably stall things for a few days alright until systems are fully restored etc
    All that said, loved the two shows last night, hooked in from the start, one of my personal favourite shows :)
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 9,517
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    This is the first time I have seen this, so it was a little unclear to start with who all the characters were, however I think I got it worked out .One thing that stood out was just how scruffy the police were, they all looked as though they had been sleeping rough , even the lady cop looked as though she hadn't had a wash for two weeks . What a contrast to the Nordic and Sicilian dramas.

    One thing I'm not clear on . The chap from Mali , who we must assume is an illegal immigrat , however long he has lived there, took false ID to a bank. There didn't seem any need for him to have another bank account , so why risk it

    I'll continue with it for the time being , but it doesn't grip me as much as the other dramas in that slot . .
  • the_lostprophetthe_lostprophet Posts: 4,172
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    david1955 wrote: »
    I'll continue with it for the time being , but it doesn't grip me as much as the other dramas in that slot . .

    A good idea to stick with it for now because I didn't like Spiral much until about 4 eps into the first series I saw. Suddenly something clicked and I got to like the various loopy characters. Judge Roban wasn't in last night's eps and so it felt a bit like an important piece of the puzzle was missing. Spiral usually revolves around the police, the lawyers, and Judge Roban's and the other judges' offices.

    And yes the cops look dirtier in this - and actually Laure had been sleeping in her car for a fair while in one of the series because she didn't want to go back to her appartment! :p It's altogether a grittier concept than the Nordic dramas but still just as fascinating to me. It's arguably even more critical of social institutions/legal apparatuses than the Scandi shows.
  • Tweacle Tart IITweacle Tart II Posts: 5,079
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    allie4 wrote: »
    I think it would help to have watched Series 3 - iirc the first 2 series were self-contained but in S4 they seem to be continuing the storylines of S3. The Guardian seems to be doing a blog and one of the posters here has seen a blog of S3 but not sure if they posted a link. Think we've all forgotten most of S3 anyway!!
    OTOH - you could watch the 1st 2 eps of this series and still be able to follow it well! As long as you know who the main characters are, you're fine. As I can hardly remember 3 i'm in the same boat as you really!!!

    Thank you Allie. Will confer with the other half and make a decision! :D
  • ElanorElanor Posts: 13,326
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    A good idea to stick with it for now because I didn't like Spiral much until about 4 eps into the first series I saw. Suddenly something clicked and I got to like the various loopy characters. Judge Roban wasn't in last night's eps and so it felt a bit like an important piece of the puzzle was missing. Spiral usually revolves around the police, the lawyers, and Judge Roban's and the other judges' offices.

    That's what I think I loved the most about series 3 (the first one I saw) - at first, nothing fitted together, but gradually everything linked in with everything else, and all the separate strands and characters pulled into the same massive, gripping knot of suspense.
  • allie4allie4 Posts: 11,994
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    A good idea to stick with it for now because I didn't like Spiral much until about 4 eps into the first series I saw. Suddenly something clicked and I got to like the various loopy characters. Judge Roban wasn't in last night's eps and so it felt a bit like an important piece of the puzzle was missing. Spiral usually revolves around the police, the lawyers, and Judge Roban's and the other judges' offices.

    And yes the cops look dirtier in this - and actually Laure had been sleeping in her car for a fair while in one of the series because she didn't want to go back to her appartment! :p It's altogether a grittier concept than the Nordic dramas but still just as fascinating to me. It's arguably even more critical of social institutions/legal apparatuses than the Scandi shows.

    I'm struggling with Spiral a bit more now - partly because I miss Borgen!
    It's gritty realism and immigrant/gangster issues are kind of wearing a little thin now. But I wouldn\t dream of not watching!!
    A part of what makes foreign (French, Scandi etc) dramas work for me is that the characters are so interesting and their development and stories are so gripping.
    I'm keeping an open mind as to how hooked or not I'm going to get!
  • VerenceVerence Posts: 104,535
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    Elanor wrote: »
    So at the end of 3, Laure did shoot the guy after he dropped his gun, didn't he? Am I remembering that right?

    What's the name of the slimy commissaire guy who just lied for Laure? I can't remember his name at all.

    He's the head of the Brigade criminelle, a part of the Paris police that specialises in murders, kidnappings and bomb attacks
  • elfcurryelfcurry Posts: 3,232
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    allie4 wrote: »
    I'm struggling with Spiral a bit more now - partly because I miss Borgen!
    It's gritty realism and immigrant/gangster issues are kind of wearing a little thin now. But I wouldn\t dream of not watching!!
    A part of what makes foreign (French, Scandi etc) dramas work for me is that the characters are so interesting and their development and stories are so gripping.
    I'm keeping an open mind as to how hooked or not I'm going to get!
    Yes, me too. It was clear the police are one one hand a bit hamstrung by rules so lawyers can get in the way possibly unreasonably at times, and on the other, they treat suspects with anything from disrespect and verbal abuse to mild brutality. I wonder how realistic that is.

    I also noticed the programme seems to have an underlying rascist agenda. All the cops and lawyers are white indigenous French while all the baddies are North Africans or Romanians (I had 5 goes trying to spell that) or similar. I expect crimes are more prevalent among new immigrant groups but that seems to be taking it a bit far.
  • the_lostprophetthe_lostprophet Posts: 4,172
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    elfcurry wrote: »
    All the cops and lawyers are white indigenous French

    No there's the new female cop - Amina; and there was Samy in a previous series - he was north African.
  • ElanorElanor Posts: 13,326
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    elfcurry wrote: »
    I also noticed the programme seems to have an underlying rascist agenda. All the cops and lawyers are white indigenous French while all the baddies are North Africans or Romanians (I had 5 goes trying to spell that) or similar. I expect crimes are more prevalent among new immigrant groups but that seems to be taking it a bit far.

    Or maybe they're trying to make a point about the inherent institutionalised racism in French society?

    Anyway, the new cop looked non white to me.
  • the_lostprophetthe_lostprophet Posts: 4,172
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    allie4 wrote: »
    I'm struggling with Spiral a bit more now - partly because I miss Borgen!

    Oh well - that's a shame. I had that attitude when I first started watching Spiral and that's why it took me a while to get on board. But now I don't at all - just really glad to have it back. I enjoy all these subtitled shows on their own terms. When one's over I can just easily switch to appreciating the next one.
  • BelligerenceBelligerence Posts: 40,613
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    Franglais wrote: »
    Interestingly I understand the C+ showing in France is on a scrambled service so, in theory, one has to pay to watch it over there.... :eek:
    Yeah, something like €24 p/m for five channels. I would say it's worth it however.

    Caught a bit of Engrenages when I was in Paris two years ago, but I haven't had the time to persist with it unfortunately. Madame loves it however.
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