Episode 4 of "Careme" kicks off with a somber scene where General Georges metes out harsh justice to rebels, setting a grim tone for the episode ahead. Amidst this grim prelude, Talleyrand is depicted with a singular determination: to procure the crown by any means necessary. The Royalists are relentless in their quest to restore Louis XVIII to the throne, but if Talleyrand can persuade Louis to surrender his claim, it might just quell the tumultuous crowd and halt the animosity towards Bonaparte. Such a maneuver would strategically position Talleyrand to carve out a substantial slice of the metaphorical pie for himself.
And speaking of pies, the intricate web of political maneuvering converges at a pivotal dinner hosted for Louis XVIII in Poland, where Careme, none other than the chef extraordinaire, takes center stage to cater to this high-stakes affair. Prior to this culinary spectacle, Careme pays a visit to the police station to see his father. His father, with a grave warning etched on his face, cautions Careme to tread cautiously, emphasizing that they are both in waters far deeper than they can swim. Their conversation is cut short, but Bailly urges Careme to reconsider his relentless pursuit, warning that attempting to free his father from prison could very well be his undoing.
Yet, Careme remains steadfast, his entire motivation fueled by the desire to liberate his father. The revelation that Talleyrand's letter was a forgery has done little to soften Careme's stance towards the scheming mastermind.
Later, when Careme confronts Talleyrand about the situation, Talleyrand brazenly confesses his capability to extricate Bailly from his predicament, conjuring a coup d'état as a fantastical scheme to liberate him from captivity. Predictably, Careme, unsuspecting, swallows his bait hook, line, and sinker. This maneuver cleverly lures Careme into the kitchen, where he finds himself engrossed in preparing a lavish meal for Louis XVIII—unbeknownst to him, it's merely another of Talleyrand's cunning manipulations, exploiting Careme's talents for his own machinations.
Meanwhile, Fouche persists in manipulating Henriette, deploying her as his pawn by furnishing her with bogus letters purportedly from foreign princes, vowing to rally on his behalf to propel him onto the throne. Ironically, these letters are sheer fabrications, standing in stark contrast to Talleyrand's objective, which is to persuade the King to relinquish his throne aspirations.
Amidst this intricate web of deceit, Careme's illicit affair with Henriette continues, teetering on the brink of discovery when, during one of their intimate moments, a cache of her letters spills out of her bag, narrowly escaping his notice. Ultimately, their journey to Poland concludes with the group's arrival at Louis' palace, where they intend to broker a deal for the crown, hinging their hopes on the perfection of this meal. However, fate deals them a cruel hand—some of the provisions in the jars are spoiled, forcing them to resort to ingenuity on the spot.
Catherine and Henriette have graced the kitchen with their presence, duty-bound by Louis' meticulous instructions, while our esteemed chef de cuisine, Careme, ventures out to the bustling market to secure some imperative ingredients at a moment's notice. The culinary delight wins Louis' heartfelt applause, piquing his curiosity to uncover Careme's secret ingredients. He vows to reveal all... but only after Careme has had a heart-to-heart with Catherine. Inevitably, the duo engages in a dialogue, weaving in and out of the topic of surrendering their respective 'crowns.' Catherine's earnest pleadings, however, seem to fall upon indifferent ears, as Louis XVIII turns his attention to Careme, delving into the chef's culinary influences.
A surprisingly warm camaraderie blossoms between them as they ponder the essence of kingship. Louis XVIII, a king devoid of a realm, finds solace in conversation with Careme, a king reigning supreme in his kitchen yet not entirely his own master, beholden to others' whims.
The dawn brings Henriette to Louis XVIII's presence, her hands bearing foreign correspondence that seals his decision. With a stroke of resolve, he ousts Talleyrand and his cronies, banishing them back to France. His gaze then falls upon Careme, decreeing that the chef shall be his personal gastronomic artisan henceforth.
Careme deciphers Henriette's pivotal role in this intricate web, realizing she serves as Fouche's pawn. Blackmailed into obedience due to a dark secret from her past—the murder of a man when she was but thirteen, a crime Fouche holds over her head—Henriette finds herself trapped. Her life was spared by Fouche years ago, and now, fueled by his contempt for the aristocracy, he exploits her vulnerabilities to carry out his bidding.
Tragically, Bailly's steadfast refusal to converse with the detective while incarcerated met with an unfavorable reception. Fouche, resolved to extract answers, opts for torture; however, in a dramatic twist, Bailly engages in a fierce struggle with the soldiers, spotting a fleeting chance for escape. Just as he nears freedom, a trigger-happy soldier, acting impulsively, fires a shot that strikes him in the back. Bailly collapses, lifeless. Upon learning of his demise, Careme is consumed by an overwhelming wave of sorrow.
