The inaugural episode of Monsieur Spade opens in the vibrant year of 1955. Samuel Spade, once a renowned figure in the realm of private investigators, had vanished into thin air from the heart of San Francisco, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions. His whereabouts remained a mystery, shrouded in secrecy.
However, in the present timeline, Spade emerges unexpectedly in the quaint village of Bozouls, France. His mission: to deliver Teresa, a young girl, into the arms of her father, Philippe Saint-Andre. Teresa's mother, Brigid O'Shaughnessy, had entrusted Spade with this task, rewarding him generously for his services.
Yet, Spade's journey is far from complete. Philippe is nowhere to be found, and his acerbic mother, Audrey, answers the door with a frosty demeanor. She categorically refuses to accept Teresa and even brandishes a rifle at Spade, who remains calm and disarms her with ease.
A month prior, Brigid had perished in a tragic train accident in Turkey. Her relationship with Spade had been brief and tumultuous, ending with him both sending her to jail and later securing her release. Now, desperate to fulfill his obligation, Spade resolves to take Teresa to the police station.
But Chief Patrice delivers a shocking revelation. Philippe is a vagabond, irresponsible, and a nomad. "It's better for the girl to live as an orphan," Patrice remarks harshly. As night falls, a fierce thunderstorm erupts, lashing the village with fury. Spade, with Teresa in the car, braves the pounding rain and drives through the chaos.
But their journey is abruptly halted when a bolt of lightning strikes a tree, causing it to crash down in the middle of the road. Spade has little time to react, and their car collides with the fallen tree, bringing their adventure to a jarring halt.
Throughout their journey, Spade had regarded Teresa merely as another responsibility, eager to be rid of her and move onto the next assignment. However, as the pair dozed off in the car, awaiting the dawn, Spade awoke to find Teresa nestled snugly beside him. Could this be a subtle shift in his hardened heart? Alas, the episode abruptly whisked us forward in time, skipping a hefty eight years.
Despite Spade's initial desire to flee Bozouls, he found himself tethered there for another eight long years. Gabrielle, his wife, the woman who had kindly rescued him and Teresa from their uncertain beginning, passed away in 1961. Madame Huchet, a familiar face from Spade's detective days, informed him that Philippe had returned to their town. I conjectured that perhaps Sam and Gabrielle had adopted Teresa, judging by the way Sam squirmed uneasily as Huchet broke the news. Or maybe not - the truth remains veiled.
On a visit to the local convent, Spade beheld Teresa sitting in silent contemplation. It transpired that he had left the little girl there, opting not to foster her after all. Before bidding farewell, Sam discreetly handed a stack of cash to Mother Superior, presumably Teresa's upkeep. It was evident that their relationship had soured, as Teresa didn't even stir to greet him. Spade uncovered whispers of a potential conspiracy brewing between Audrey and Philippe.
Brigid had left a substantial trust fund in Teresa's name, a fortune that would be hers upon her eighteenth birthday, looming ever nearer. Sam revealed that Brigid and Philippe had been thieves in their past.
A consultation at the doctor's clinic revealed a grim diagnosis for Spade - the early stages of emphysema. No more could he indulge in his habit of smoking. Returning to an empty home, his only companion was Helena, the loyal caretaker, who kept herself busy with work, affording Spade ample time to dwell on memories of his beloved Gabrielle.
Their meeting had been serendipitous, sparking an intense chemistry between Sam and Gabrielle. They had connected instantly, a bond that transcended words. Gabrielle confessed that Philippe was blackmailing her, threatening to expose her husband Jacques's sordid past as a Nazi - a Frenchman among them. This revelation, if it ever came to light, would cast a dark shadow over her reputation and draw unwanted scrutiny. Spade vowed to assist her in this dire situation, and Gabrielle, in turn, offered him a place to stay.
Back in the present timeline, George, a man radiating positivity and a talented artist, unexpectedly arrives at the house while Sam is indulging in a refreshing swim. George humbly requests permission to capture the charming surroundings of the house in his paintings, and Spade obliges, on the condition that George remains out of sight.
Later in the evening, Jean-Pierre makes an appearance at the house, arriving on his motorbike. The encounter is uneventful, but the next morning, Spade entrusts Helena with a crucial task. He asks her to summon his nephew, Henrim, who serves in the military, and instructs him to scrutinize all available files on Philippe at the headquarters. It transpires that Jean-Pierre had not visited the house; instead, it was Philippe who borrowed Jean's motorbike.
Jean confronts Spade about the club they own in partnership, a business that Spade shares with Jean's wife, Marguerite. Jean presses Spade to buy out his stake, effectively severing their ties. Later that day, Patrice joins Spade at a cafe for a candid conversation. They discuss the altered state of Jean-Pierre, who "isn't the same since the war," a reference to the Algerian-French conflict that concluded in 1962.
The looming confrontation between Philippe and Spade reaches a chilling climax when Philippe calls Spade that night. Over the phone, Spade hears a gunshot, followed by a hasty disconnect. Despite reporting the incident to Patrice the following day, the chief remains unperturbed, much to Spade's dismay. After some deliberation, Patrice decides to investigate the matter further.
Later that evening, Spade encounters Jean at the club. Earlier, Marguerite had attempted to warn Spade about Philippe, urging him to take the man's unexpected appearance seriously. But Spade remains determined to keep his distance. Suddenly, Teresa stumbles into Spade's arms, her shirt stained with blood. She explains that Philippe had visited her earlier at the convent and was subsequently attacked by "some very bad men." She offers no further details, perhaps unwilling to divulge more at this juncture.
Spade leaves Teresa in Helena's care and rushes to the convent. He finds it deserted, with all the girls confined to a single room. Teresa holds the key, and Spade retrieves it to free them. Before doing so, he ventures into the cathedral, where he stumbles upon a horrific sight. A room filled with lifeless bodies reveals that all the nuns at the church have been murdered by the same assailant who attacked Philippe. The scene is ghastly, leaving Spade shaken to the core.
