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Spiral

22 replies

mycatisannoying · 23/02/2022 11:15

Hi. I really enjoyed the Promise/la promesse on iplayer, and promptly looked for other French police dramas as they tend to be good.
I saw that several posters had recommended Spiral, so gave that a go last night. Not sure if I watched the same thing as everyone else Grin I went straight to Season 1 and it was so bad. I hadn't a clue was was going on, it was dated and the acting wasn't great. Fell asleep through the first episode.
Are the more recent seasons any better? And can they be watched in any order?
Thanks.

OP posts:
hanahsaunt · 23/02/2022 11:18

We absolutely loved Spiral to the extent it was pretty much all we watched last year working through from series one in order. There are huge story arcs across the series which make the order worthwhile. We followed it up with Call My Agent to keep the French language theme going which is an entirely different Paris 🤣. We are two episodes in to The Promise and really enjoying it so far.

Original poster
mycatisannoying · 23/02/2022 11:25

Goodness, maybe it's just me!

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XiCi · 23/02/2022 11:25

The best French police drama I've seen is Braquo. In fact I'd go as far as to say its the best series I've ever seen full stop. It's brilliant. One of those shows that stays with you years and years after. It used to be on Netflix but I think they took it off not long ago. If you can find it, do watch it

hanahsaunt · 23/02/2022 11:46

Thanks for the heads up re Braquo - it's on Amazon Prime Video.

SeasonFinale · 23/02/2022 11:47

Another good French language one is Spin which is kind of like French Borgen!

XiCi · 23/02/2022 11:49

@hanahsaunt

Thanks for the heads up re Braquo - it's on Amazon Prime Video.
Thanks for the heads up re Amazon Prime Smile. I'm going to rewatch it now!
hockeygrass · 23/02/2022 12:14

@mycatisannoying , I think you can start Spiral at season 3 or 4 and pick it up. I missed the first 2 at least. There is a legal character called Josephine who had a prominent role when I started watching.

Original poster
mycatisannoying · 23/02/2022 12:18

Merci tout le monde Smile

OP posts:
BIWI · 23/02/2022 12:20

It's definitely worth persevering! It's absolutely brilliant.

Goodbyecustardtart · 23/02/2022 18:03

Yes, absolutely persevere. It’s so so good.

IcedPurple · 23/02/2022 19:41

Season one is the weakest season, and I think the writers changed after that. So stick with it! I agree with you that it is dated and the plot is confusing and not that interesting. Then again, I think with 'Spiral' the plot is secondary to character development and relationships. And, naturellement, the sublime Pierre!

GreenSalon · 23/02/2022 19:44

I’ve watched both Spiral and Braquo and imo, the former is better. Story arc is great and characters are less one dimensional than they first appear. We watched it as broadcast on BBC4 originally so series 1 was eons ago and yes is a bit dated but it’s great I think.

GenialHarryGr0ut · 23/02/2022 19:44

Season 1 was filmed in 2005 so it will feel dated - however it is worth persevering with.

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 23/02/2022 19:52

Ahhhh we loved Spiral too. I ❣ Pierre. Didn't like the judge at first but he became one of my favourite characters.

La Mante is excellent too. The main character was once a Bond girl!

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 23/02/2022 19:52

@SeasonFinale

Another good French language one is Spin which is kind of like French Borgen!
I forgot Spin, yes that's excellent too.
GreenClock · 28/02/2022 20:03

I absolutely loved Spiral - such a high quality and compelling drama - but thought S1 was pretty weak tbh. I’ve never known such an excellent programme start so poorly.

Le Bureau is excellent but it focuses on spies rather than police officers.

Grrrpredictivetex · 08/05/2024 13:11

Can't find Spiral without having to pay for it, despite having most of the viewing apps.

IcedPurple · 08/05/2024 13:23

Grrrpredictivetex · 08/05/2024 13:11

Can't find Spiral without having to pay for it, despite having most of the viewing apps.

Isn't it on BBC player?

BBC 4 was a producer on some of the series, so it should be available.

Grrrpredictivetex · 08/05/2024 16:42

@IcedPurple think it was a few years ago but can't see it on there now.
Again Like another thread hadn't heard of this but now want to watch it. 😃

IcedPurple · 09/05/2024 17:45

I've just had a look and you're right. Pas plus Engrenages!

I've not seen it on any streaming channel either so you may have to step back into the Dark Ages and shell out for a DVD!

Umanresources · 10/05/2024 18:46

I think I’ve watched Spiral at least 3 times. I do agree series 1 is the weakest, but it got better and better, even my OH has watched it twice. Another one we’ve thoroughly enjoyed is Astrid: Murder in Paris, again it takes a few episodes to get into it, but it’s brilliant.
Tonight is the start of another Belgian programme, The Twelve: Cinderella Murder. I watched the first series of Twelve and really enjoyed it, but then I watched the Australian version, which was the same storyline, but actually had no sympathy for the accused. I don’t think I liked the actors particularly. The new one tonight is still about the jurors as well as the accused. I’m hoping for good things.

tennissquare · 10/05/2024 18:55

@Umanresources , thanks for the tip re The Twelve! It's on More4 for anyone wanting to watch.

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