The debut episode of "Careme" unfolds with a captivating scene where Antonin Careme, accompanied by his beloved Henriette, indulges in a sensual encounter while sampling the lush whipped cream he has meticulously crafted. Their lips meet, and they playfully smear the creamy delight over each other's skin, amplifying the sexual tension.
Just as their intimacy reaches a crescendo, Sylvain, Antonin's adoptive father, arrives unexpectedly. Rather than scolding his son, Sylvain informs him of an impending busy night at the restaurant. A contingent of Bonaparte's soldiers is scheduled to dine, and while the urge to poison them for the sake of France lingers, Sylvain pragmatically notes that such an act would be detrimental to their business.
Antonin Careme, not merely a renowned chef but also a skilled apothecary, finds himself called upon to lend his expertise to Bonaparte, who is suffering a seizure in his bed. After a moment of hesitation, Careme concocts a potent remedy that saves Bonaparte's life. In gratitude, Bonaparte offers him money, but Careme proudly declines, making it clear that his loyalty does not lie with the regime.
His defiance doesn't end there; Careme further asserts his rebellious spirit by instigating a confrontation in the dining room, a bold display of his unwillingness to toe the line.
The following day, at his beloved bakery, Careme was met with an unexpected twist of fate. Having lent his culinary prowess to the healing of the First Consul Bonaparte, he had been honored with an invitation to cook at the prestigious Tuileries Palace. Yet, Careme steadfastly refused, his resolve firm that he wished to remain where his heart and roots lay – in his own humble bakery.
Sylvain, his father, saw this as an opportunity of a lifetime, believing it would propel Careme to greatness. But Careme's heart was heavy, still bitter over Bonaparte's role in the demise of his father's daughter. Sylvain, however, was willing to overlook this grim past for the sake of his son's future as a renowned chef. Despite Sylvain's entreaties, Careme remained steadfast, until an awkward turn of events unfolded.
Suddenly, officials descended upon Sylvain and arrested him. In his final moments of freedom, Sylvain imparted a crucial piece of advice to his son: to visit the Hotel de Galliffet and seek out Talleyrand. Obeying his father's dying wish, Antonin Careme set his course towards the Hotel de Galliffet, where he engaged in a discourse with Talleyrand about Sylvain's plight.
Talleyrand was a man of noble standing, recognized by many in the town. However, his path had led him to become a clergyman due to his inability to enlist in the military. But Talleyrand was far from a paragon of virtue; his past was far from squeaky-clean. He had once voted to sell the Church's possessions to curry favor with the revolutionaries, and later, he plotted a coup against the very same directory he once pandered to. Clearly, he was a man who played both sides and seized every opportunity that came his way. Moreover, he had earned the moniker of a traitor.
Careme suspected that his refusal of Bonaparte's invitation might have led to Sylvain's punishment. Believing that working at Tuileries was the only way to save his father, Careme reluctantly agreed to take up the offer. As he entered the palace, he was immediately plunged into a whirlwind of activity, with a kitchen bustling in stark contrast to the tranquility of his bakery.
Careme's inaugural task entailed the meticulous peeling and chopping of an abundant pile of onions, a skill he honed under the watchful eye of Agathe, a woman whose charm he subtly sought to enchant while simultaneously daring to stir the pot a little. That evening, driven by ambition, he chose to remain behind, delving into the creation of a novel dish destined for the First Consul's palate. Under constant scrutiny, he ultimately unveiled his masterpiece, dubbing it "Cloud Nine," a delightful surprise for Josephine, the lady previously seen engaging in a card game with Talleyrand and none other than Bonaparte's beloved wife.
However, the specter of Sylvain's plight loomed large, with Inspector Fouche, the officer holding Sylvain's fate in his hands, harboring a deep-seated hatred for Talleyrand. Talleyrand, in a cunning bid for power, believed that ascending to the post of Minister of Foreign Relations (aided subtly by Careme) would afford him a more advantageous position to assist his father. His gaze was firmly set on brokering a peace treaty with Britain, a dream that seemed within reach.
The British Ambassador's impending visit for an official state lunch at Tuilerie Palace the next day added a sense of urgency, whispers circulating that he possessed a fervent sweet tooth. Talleyrand entrusted Antonin with the task of conjuring up a dessert so inspired and exquisite that it would move the Ambassador to tears of delight. Careme, taking the reins for the desserts, found himself at the helm as Agathe briefed the kitchen brigade, while Talleyrand orchestrated the removal of the incumbent head chef to pave the way for their grand scheme.
Initially, Careme envisioned crafting a ship as a tribute to the Ambassador, a concept that failed to resonate well. Bonaparte, however, had a different vision in mind – an unwavering desire for a pyramid, a symbol of grandeur that left no room for negotiation.
Eventually, Antonin Careme, as anticipated, ventured forth with his intricately crafted pyramid. Initially, it irritated the British Ambassador, but Careme's ingenious solution was to ignite it, revealing a plethora of mouthwatering sweets concealed beneath. His swift thinking proved to be a masterstroke, and Talleyrand later commended him for averting a potential diplomatic conflict. However, Bonaparte's reaction was far from pleased, as his smile morphed into a sour expression in a close-up shot.
Recognizing Careme's ingenuity, Talleyrand decided to enlist him as his personal spy, tasked with acquiring materials from Bonaparte to safeguard France's interests. Additionally, this mission presented an opportunity for Careme to secure the release of his father.
To fulfill his role, Careme had to gain access to Bonaparte's bedroom, which also doubled as Josephine's chamber, and retrieve the itinerary. He successfully ingratiated himself with the household staff and charmed Josephine with treats, cocktails, and flattering remarks. It was evident that Josephine struggled with fertility issues, and Careme, under the guise of kindness, administered a sedative-laced sweet, rendering her unconscious. He then broke into the bedroom and made a duplicate of the map.
Careme facilitated the exchange, but the subsequent attack on Bonaparte and Josephine's carriage on the streets was a catastrophic failure. Innocent lives were lost, and Bonaparte's carriage narrowly escaped calamity at the eleventh hour.
Careme was incensed, particularly when he realized that Talleyrand was playing both sides, just as he had suspected. Talleyrand had not only orchestrated the attack and allowed lives to be lost but had also informed Bonaparte of the impending danger, thereby gaining favor with both parties.
Careme confronts Talleyrand with vehemence, leveling accusations that the latter adeptly reverses, portraying his intentions as seeking Careme's assistance in orchestrating a masterful puppet show. Antonin Careme finds himself with little room for maneuver; his entanglement with the enigmatic map leaves him perilously exposed. Should Fouche uncover the dinner's secret, Careme's fate could very well mirror that of the condemned. As the episode draws to a close, amidst the ruins and debris, a twist of fate sees Fouche stumbling upon the very map that Antonin had meticulously sketched amidst the chaos.
