The fifth episode of "Careme" unfolds with our protagonist receiving the remnants of Bailly's possessions, a somber reminder of a past now shrouded in tragedy. The shop, burdened by allegations of treason, is confiscated by the State, leaving Careme with precious little to cling to. His once fervent motivations dwindle, causing a decline in the quality of his culinary creations.
In the kitchen's hushed ambiance, Careme's voice echoes with a fierce command, forbidding anyone to mention his father's name, an edict that even Agathe dare not defy. Amidst the impending grandeur of a significant competition, the team realizes they are ill-prepared with Careme in such a tumultuous state.
Agathe, her frustration boiling over, confronts the head chef, reminding him that it was her culinary genius that propelled him to the pinnacle of French cuisine. Now, he seems poised to squander it all. This competition, a clandestine affair shuttered from public view, will be judged by Reyniere and a select few of the most discerning food critics.
Talleyrand attempts to steer Careme back onto the path of reason, but the chef's vision is obscured by a blind rage, his mind fixated on seeking vengeance against Fouche. Recognizing the leverage he holds, Talleyrand makes it clear: Careme must reclaim his culinary prowess at the competition if he hopes to advance his agenda.
As Agathe delves into the realm of the competition, her eyes light up upon realizing that Auguste, the very mentor who had given her her first break in the culinary world, is amongst those destined to participate. They reconvene outside, where nostalgia flows freely as they reminisce about bygone days. However, this warm camaraderie is swiftly extinguished upon returning to the kitchen, where Reyniere's arrival signals the commencement of the fierce contest. The initial elimination round looms, tasked with crafting a dish inspired by Corsica.
Notably absent from Agathe's side is Careme, prompting her to forge a partnership with Auguste instead. This decision stems not only from a desire to advance her career but also from a personal vendetta to prove to Careme that his success hinges on her. Indeed, Careme receives a stark reminder of this when their dish, crafted by Auguste and Agathe, claims the top spot, leaving him in second place.
The second challenge presents chicken marengo, and while tensions simmer behind the scenes, Careme's ingenious twist—substituting chicken with veal—captivates the critics. Yet, Josephine's meddling swings the pendulum back in Auguste's favor.
Elsewhere, Henriette finds herself entangled in a different drama, as she confronts Fouche, who intends to apprehend Careme. She is granted a single night to surrender him; otherwise, Fouche vows to take matters into his own hands. Unbeknownst to her, Talleyrand's men shadow her every move. Sensing their presence, Henriette cleverly feigns ignorance when she confronts Talleyrand, pretending shock that Fouche had approached her as though they were confidants.
After recognizing Henriette's cunning nature, Talleyrand's spy approaches her stealthily. To his surprise, he discovers coins cleverly concealed within her bra. However, his intentions quickly turn sinister as he forces himself upon her. In a desperate act of self-defense, Henriette strikes him hard on the head, an unfortunate blow that proves fatal.
Careme, discovering Henriette's plight, swiftly steps in to assist her in covering up the murder. Together, they wrap the deceased spy in bedsheets and conceal him in the shadows of the stables. Meanwhile, Talleyrand manages to secure the map, while Careme, preparing to depart, confides in Agathe in the kitchen. He decides to entrust everything to her and offers her a heartfelt embrace, thanking her for all her efforts. Yet, recognizing the tradition that Bonaparte would never accept a woman in the kitchen, Careme prepares to cook for him one last time.
This brief distraction provides Talleyrand the opportunity to catch up with Careme and confront him. With a flick of his wrist, Talleyrand burns the map and even offers insidious suggestions on how to eliminate Fouche, suggesting they work the poison into a dish meant for Napoleon.
Intriguingly, there appears to be a hidden drama involving Careme's mother, a subject Talleyrand seems all too aware of yet refuses to reveal to a desperate Careme.
As the episode draws to a close, Fouche intensifies his quest for informants and spies across the city, determined to turn it into a trap for the unsuspecting.
