Rather than presenting a classic murder mystery filled with surprising revelations, the finale of Monsieur Spade focuses on tying up important storylines. The previous episode concluded with Jean-Pierre (Stanley Weber) being killed by Philippe Saint-André (Jonathan Zaccaï), who finds himself apprehended by the end of the episode.
While Philippe faces consequences for his actions, Monsieur Spade episode 6 struggles to deliver a definitive resolution regarding the highly pursued boy, Zayd (Ismaël Berqouch). Throughout the series, various characters grapple for control of Zayd, a young code-breaker hailing from Algeria.
Philippe’s aspirations for Zayd take a disastrous turn, leading to the deaths of multiple characters, including the aggressive monk and private investigator Mr. Khan. In another dramatic twist, Cynthia Fitzsimmons (Rebecca Root) murders her husband, George Fitzsimmons.
Virginia Dell takes control in a dramatic showdown over Zayd’s future (Photo: Monsieur Spade/Black Bear Television)Eventually, Virginia Dell (Alfre Woodard) convenes the primary characters to discuss their claims over the boy, at the end deciding to take Zayd herself. Following a harrowing encounter with secret OAS loyalist Henri (Oscar Lesage), who tailed and fired at them, Sam Spade (Clive Owen) and Teresa (Cara Bossom) hint at their evolving father-daughter relationship, setting the stage for a potential season 2, which follows in the tradition of Humphrey Bogart’s The Maltese Falcon.
What Happens To Zayd In Monsieur Spade? Virginia Dell Makes The Final Call On Zayd’s Fate
Zayd’s fate serves as a central plotline throughout Monsieur Spade’s six-episode season. While Spade has chosen to reside in France, Zayd, from French-controlled Algeria, has had no say in his circumstances.
Spade suspects a connection between the nuns’ murder in the pilot and Zayd. Initially, Zayd appears to have mystical qualities, but as the plot comes to play, it is revealed that he is a talented code-breaker despite his youth. At one point, local Imam and Marguerite’s hired man, Samir (Hazem Hammad), believe Zayd to be a prophesied “chosen one.”
Even though Zayd plays a crucial role in advancing the storyline, he does not receive the chance to develop as a character. The finale of Monsieur Spade sadly validates the audience’s fears: Zayd is merely a MacGuffin incarnate. In other words, while he is essential for plot progression, he is deprived of the depth that would allow him to be a fully realized character.
The titular Maltese Falcon serves as an ideal MacGuffin, being an object rather than a person. After Philippe’s exchange plan for Zayd results in chaos and deaths on the bridge, Virginia Dell assembles the core cast of Monsieur Spade in Philippe’s mother’s living room.
In a classic whodunit style, Dell, purportedly a Canadian Special Forces and United Nations operative, takes on the responsibility of untangling the truth from the deception. She interrogates everyone involved, from Philippe and Henri to Marguerite, Cynthia, and Spade, dissecting each person’s connection to the case.
Though characters treat Zayd like a prized possession, Dell concludes that no one has a legitimate claim to him. With the exception of Philippe, all others are dismissed, and Dell chooses to take Zayd home.
Is Philippe Saint-André Arrested For Any Of His Crimes? The Murder Of Jean-Pierre Is Philippe’s Downfall
In the final episode, Philippe Saint-André finds himself firmly in police custody, providing a degree of resolution to the otherwise convoluted mystery. Throughout the season, Philippe commits various dubious acts, but the murder of Jean-Pierre marks his gravest offense.
Prior to his arrest, Philippe attempts to orchestrate a deal for Zayd’s safety. As multiple parties converge on the bridge for the anticipated exchange, chaos ensues. From a distance, Philippe uses his mother’s house to position a sniper, finally leading to the death of Mr. Khan (Sofiane Belmouden) on the bridge.
Marguerite’s arrival just before the exchange causes Philippe to overhear her conversation with Jean-Pierre’s widow. Without hesitation, Marguerite places a gun on the coffee table, informing Philippe’s mother that it was a gift from her son to Jean-Pierre. Tragically, it is this very gun that leads to Jean-Pierre’s demise.
A distraught Marguerite conveys that Philippe and Jean-Pierre had always understood one another, but that understanding fell short. Following Marguerite’s departure and the failure of the exchange for Zayd, Philippe attempts to escape but is halted by MI6 agent Cynthia Fitzsimmons, who has a weapon drawn.
Henri’s Real Allegiances Explained: Why He Works Against Sam Spade
The episode opens with Spade finally identifying who has been following him: Henri. Henri reveals himself to be an OAS loyalist and the person responsible for shooting Teresa through the window. Spade confronts Henri about his despicable actions, asserting that he is loyal to neither side.
Henri claims to care for Teresa and never intended to cause her harm, yet Spade warns that had he harmed her, he would have had to end Henri. Although Henri appears to have a vested interest in securing Zayd, he finally provides cover for Mr. Khan during the bridge exchange.
Unlike Philippe, Henri refrains from killing any of the opposing parties. When the aggressive monk appears with Teresa as his hostage, Henri struggles to get a clear shot, leading Chief of Police Patrice Michaud (Denis Ménochet) to eliminate the murderer.
Earlier, Spade receives a visit from Mr. Khan, who explains the origin of the word “sabotage.” According to Khan, a “sabot” refers to a wooden shoe French workers would use to disrupt machinery during strikes. For Khan, Spade embodies the sabot, but for Monsieur Spade, the character of Henri transforms into the red herring-turned-sabot.
What Spade & Teresa’s Relationship Means For Sam’s Future In France
The bond between Spade and Teresa has emerged as one of the most intriguing elements of the AMC series since its inception. In episode 5, Spade and Marguerite discuss the revelation that Teresa’s mother falsified her birth certificate, making her two years older than previously believed.
Although Teresa does not directly learn this information from Spade or Marguerite, she seems cognizant of it in episode 6. After confronting Henri about his cowardly tactics, Teresa reveals her true age and suggests that Philippe Saint-André may not be her biological father after all.
While AMC has yet to confirm a second season of Monsieur Spade, the series finale hints at both closure and the possibility of a new adventure. Clive Owen, who plays Spade, has proposed moving the setting from the French countryside back to San Francisco, the backdrop of The Maltese Falcon.
The most compelling aspect is the dynamic between Spade and Teresa, which initially set the stage for the series. Eager for Spade’s affection, Teresa is thrilled when Spade asks her to call him “Sam” in the finale, foreshadowing their developing father-daughter relationship in a potential second season.
What Monsieur Spade’s Ending Really Means For The Maltese Falcon Character
The episode sheds light on Spade and Gabrielle’s (Chiara Mastroianni) relationship. Throughout Monsieur Spade, the ex-PI demonstrates an unusual fondness for nude swimming. Initially perceived as a quirk, the finale imbues this habit with deeper meaning.
The finale reveals Zayd’s role as a plot device, raising questions about character depth (Photo: Monsieur Spade/Black Bear Television)In a flashback, Gabrielle invites Spade to explore her expansive property, insisting he immerse himself in the surroundings. Sam expresses a lack of interest in wine, meeting the staff, or swimming; his primary concern is Gabrielle’s happiness. However, as Gabrielle insists on more time spent by the pool and knowledge about the vineyard, Sam begins to sense something is amiss.
Gabrielle eventually confides in Sam that she has a limited time left to live and expresses her desire to avoid having him witness her decline. Instead of a proper farewell, she plans to vanish when the moment comes.
Distraught, Sam chastises her for intending to leave like an old dog seeking solace in the woods. “This is about me — just me,” she insists, prompting Sam to confront the reality of her intentions.
Struggling to understand her plan, Gabrielle lightens the mood by stripping and entering the pool, inviting Sam to join her. The scene concludes with Gabrielle inviting Sam to visit her at the pool, a location he returns to in the series’ final moments, leaving Spade’s future uncertain.
How The Monsieur Spade Season 1 Ending Was Received
The ending of Monsieur Spade elicited mixed reactions, following what many considered a solid series. Fans, in particular, expressed dissatisfaction with the finale, arguing that the concluding moments and the sudden entrance of Virginia Dell compromised the series’ all in all quality. Redditor Vanya_K noted appreciation for earlier episodes but suggested that the awkward conclusion might stem from the writers’ strike, stating:
“I enjoyed the series leading up to the finale. It feels like the writers ventured down a path without a way out… The Zayd storyline took a wrong turn. A young child with the power to prove God’s existence and decipher every code felt like a touch of magical realism that didn’t align with the Sam Spade backstory.”
Many critics showed leniency toward the finale, believing that the somewhat ambiguous conclusion resonated well with the noir genre and its central character. The Review Geek acknowledged some uneven narrative aspects but felt the ending aptly reflected the noir magic experienced throughout the series:
“[T]he conclusion of Monsieur Spade is poetic and fitting for the noir themes we have witnessed over
