AMC’s limited crime series Monsieur Spade, helmed by the creators of The Queen’s Gambit and Oz, concluded its first season on Sunday, February 18. The finale tied up many loose ends in the tangled tale of detective Sam Spade (Clive Owen), delivering closure with emotional weight and story twists.
Previously, Spade had uncovered that his home was under surveillance and started to suspect George (Matthew Beard) and Cynthia Fitzsimmons (Rebecca Root) were up to no good. He almost reconnected with Philippe Saint-Andre (Jonathan Zaccaï), but instead, Philippe was cornered by Jean-Pierre (Stanley Weber), resulting in the latter’s death.
AMC’s official synopsis for Episode 6 read: “Spade discovers who has been following him. Philippe sets up a deal for the boy that quickly goes sideways, leading to a dangerous confrontation on the old town bridge. A mysterious newcomer arrives, uncovering secret identities and agendas.” But the finale offered even more than promised.
The truth unravels one last time on a foggy French bridge (Photo: Monsieur Spade/Black Bear Television, co-producing with Haut et Court TV and Canal+)Monsieur Spade Ending Explained
The final episode opens on a tender flashback featuring Jean-Pierre and Marguerite (Louise Bourgoin), capturing an intimate moment before he departs for military service. He quietly readies himself, says goodbye with a kiss, and leaves for the kitchen in search of coffee — a memory echoed in the present day when Marguerite stands alone in the same kitchen with two cups.
Marguerite learns of Jean-Pierre’s death from Spade and Police Chief Patrice Michaud (Denis Ménochet). She’s devastated, especially upon finding a letter from Jean-Pierre that suggests he vanished to protect her. She asks for solitude to grieve, quietly absorbing his final words of love and sacrifice.
Outside, Spade spots a man speeding away on a motorcycle and gives chase. Inside a garage, he confronts the rider — it’s Henri (Oscar Lesage), who claims he only meant to scare Spade away and insists he never intended to harm Teresa. Spade, skeptical, dismisses him as another pawn in the OAS chaos.
Later, Spade finds an unexpected visitor at his home — Mr. Khan, a private investigator focused on industrial sabotage. Khan is searching for Zayd (Ismaël Berqouch), intent on retrieving the boy for his family and eliminating any obstacles.
After Khan departs, Spade discovers Teresa is missing and uses a classic trick to uncover her final note: “Bonjour Monsieur Spade.” His amusement quickly turns into a somber reflection as he finds Gabrielle’s (Chiara Mastroianni) clothes and flashes back to their time together.
Gabrielle, who knew her end was near, had asked Spade to remain after her passing. The memory of their final swim lingers with him, a moment filled with both sorrow and affection.
When Spade questions Helena (Clotilde Mollet) about Teresa repurposing Gabrielle’s clothes, Helena defends her, saying Gabrielle would have wanted Teresa to do what made her happy. She emphasizes that Teresa only seeks Spade’s approval.
Meanwhile, Maurice (Frank Williams) investigates a noise in an alley, while his brother Patrice grows concerned over his absence. Spade remains at home, unaware of Teresa’s whereabouts.
Teresa, however, is confronting Henri — she reveals she knows about his OAS ties and presses him for information on Philippe. Her parting words subtly confirm that she is Spade’s daughter, not Philippe’s, revealing a major twist.
In another corner of the city, George Fitzsimmons meets up with Sister Angelique’s sister, and the two plan to run away together. But their plan falls apart when Cynthia ambushes George, accuses him of betrayal, shoots him, and stuffs his body into her car trunk.
When the past returns, Spade must face more than just ghosts (Photo: Monsieur Spade/Black Bear Television, co-producing with Haut et Court TV and Canal+)At the same time, the monk — previously stabbed by Teresa — resurfaces and holds her hostage with the same doll-head weapon. As chaos brews, Marguerite pays a visit to Philippe’s mother and delivers harsh truths about his role in Jean-Pierre’s fate, just as Philippe prepares for a tense exchange involving Zayd on the town bridge.
Spade springs into action, and Chief Patrice receives a tip about the armed woman and the boy on the bridge. As Mr. Khan steps forward, Philippe, positioned with a rifle, prepares to act. But Henri is also armed, and as tensions boil over, gunfire erupts.
Zayd is secured and rushed away, Marguerite accuses Philippe of Jean-Pierre’s murder, and Teresa is nearly taken by the monk — until Zayd intervenes and Patrice delivers the saving blow.
Philippe attempts to flee using forged documents but runs into Cynthia, who coldly stops him with a gun and swipes his travel tickets. Eventually, retired Lt. Colonel Virginia Dell gathers all involved — Philippe, Cynthia, Henri, and others — to sort things out. Philippe is taken into custody for Jean-Pierre’s murder, and Zayd is returned home.
As the dust settles, Spade hears his old office in San Francisco now has a new tenant named Eddie Soloman. He dismisses Cynthia with a biting farewell, then shares a quiet moment with Teresa.
She expresses uncertainty about staying, but he responds gently, “Call me Sam.” The two, clad in sunglasses, share an unspoken understanding — a hint that he, Teresa, and Marguerite will form a family of sorts.
In the final scene, Spade stores his essentials — gun, coat, passport — back in the closet, signaling his return to retirement. Yet, he takes his hat, walks to the pool, strips off his robe, and stands at the edge. A voice calls out: “Hey, Mr. Spade. Are you coming in or not?” He dives in, and the screen fades to black.
Whether this marks the end for Spade remains uncertain. For now, Monsieur Spade was designed as a one-season story, and AMC has made no announcements about a second chapter. But if this truly is the last we see of Clive Owen’s sharp-suited sleuth, he certainly exits with style.
