TV - Maigret en Finlande

Not bad. A French criminal sociologist's the leading suspect in a murder while visiting Finland, and he insists on having a French policeman as an advocate. The lead Finnish investigator asks for Maigret, whom he's worked with before. Amusing study of approaches between the 'useless' academic who's studying the murder logistics, the provincial Finnish superintendent who just wants a clean and fast wrap-up, and of course, Maigret, who wants to know the actual culprit.

Besides the pain-in-the-ass main suspect, seems that almost everyone had a reason for wanting to bump the guy off, as he'd slept with most of the women in the town, and was planning on running off with his latest. Was also the navigator for the local smuggling operations. But it's the sister-in-law who offs him because he told her he was leaving and he'd only been sleeping with her out of pity since her deformity after an old accident. Gee.

TV - Maigret et L'Affaire Saint-Fiacre

Billed in English as "Maigret goes home". Of the series, this was the most enjoyable for me, but that's not saying much. Really watch this just to exercise my French. Never really got enthusiastic about this detective, although these guys are usually right up my alley.

Spoiler: Former employer dies in church exactly at the time stated in a threatening note sent to her. It's the son of the current steward who had an affair with her and was cast aside after she finished.

Hey! This just popped into mind: some time ago, a weird uber-fan (ran a Maigret forum) commenting on behalf of all French people (but my buddy Pierre declines inclusion) blasted me for being 'superficial' simply for saying nothing about the TV show except for some woman's appearance and wondering about French standards of beauty. Then went off on several long rants on all Americans caring about boob jobs and huge lips, but how much more superior the French were cause THEY didn't care about such things. Who said we all cared? Talk about being superficial! No generalizing about us, was there. How pathetic was that? Besides, how serious can a blog on FLOWERS and CATS be?! (Serious stuff's on my other blogs.) OMFG, it was so bizarre and funny I still remember it.

TV - La Patience de Maigret

Not bad. The girlfriend - wow, now she's hot. Hell of a figure, nice legs she flashes at Maigret at the end.

Wheel-chaired felon that Maigret's been trying to put away for years gets shot to death in his apartment. Turns out to be his girlfriend's lover/facing neighbor who wanted to get ahead by taking over as crime head after whacking Manuel. Has very preggers wife, no less. Dovetails with parallel story of jewelry heist which claims the life of a cop, so enormous pressure on the department to solve it.

TV - Les Vacances de Maigret

Really liked this one, pretty good. While visiting his in-laws in Belgium, wifey gets ill and ends up in hospital. While there, a mysterious patient, along with a slipped note in Maigret's pocket piques his interest. Sordid tale of doctor, who tried to kill sister-in-law, kills little red-haired girl, and imprisons wife. Maigret steps on everyone's toes while 'not' investigating. Hilarious.

So annoyed the ending was cut off, just as Maigret's turning the screws on the good doctor.

TV - Maigret: La Vente à La Bougie

Was I not in the mood? French references we didn't get? Hubby even wanted to watch this with me, mostly to keep me company while we were mourning our boy.

Whatever. This one just plain sucked. Incredibly boring, thin story that was just repetitive. Maigret's in town to check out an "ex-con" now managing a small hotel. Meanwhile there's a candle auction to sell some old lady's house that has a story of hidden treasure in it. Guy gets stabbed to death in bed, all the guests become suspects. Another guy dies. Maigret still investigates even while sick in bed. Turns out to be the 2 cousins.

TV - Maigret Se Trompe

Second viewing. Better. Don't get that whole blind devotion thing to one guy that some women have, so I wasn't particularly sympathetic.

Louise Filon is found shot in her apartment. Her sugar daddy happens to live upstairs with his wife. But the boyfriend is the prime suspect, and he's on the lam. Maigret unravels the bizarre and sordid story of one Étienne Gouin, the doctor/sugar daddy, who seems to have screwed and commanded extraordinary sacrifice and loyalty from all the women around him.

TV - Maigret se Trompe

Wasn't paying attention much, so missed a bit. Still, didn't get this episode at all. Saved it, probably watch again.

TV - Maigret Se Défend

Maigret answers a late night phone call at his home, goes out to help the caller, and ends up getting accused of raping a young girl who happens to be the daughter of a VIP. He goes after a disabled crook and his wifey whom he's had 24/7 surveillance on, and is convinced are behind the framejob. Turns out it's the dentist across the street who's doing illegal abortions and thought the cops were investigating him, so he figured getting Maigret out of the way would derail it.

Giant plot hole - the dentist made no sense at all. Why would removing Maigret stop the investigation? Anyway, still an entertaining show.

TV - Maigret: Cécile est morte

Finally, a very good episode! Great tight story. Good twists but not contrived, and Dandurand was just perfect.

TV - Maigret et Le Corps sans Tête

Mehhhh. Hmmmm.

Really tedious and predictable story, but redeemed somewhat by Cremer's & the woman's performances. Really interesting to watch his fascination for the story and the woman he's trying to unravel, great performance. The woman was one of the few I've liked out of this series so far. Still wasn't enough to stop me napping thru part of it.

TV - Maigret et Les Témoins Récalcitrants

This was a pretty good episode, although it was so obvious who killed the guy. Guess the redhead was supposed to be really pretty, obviously kinda ignorant of French standards of beauty. But definitely worth watching, for a good commentary on class snobbery.

TV - Maigret et La Nuit du Carrefour

Counts as my French lesson, yay. Watched the entire movie this afternoon. Ok, really predictable, but still better done than a lot of others.