The worst episodes of Spiral
Ranked by viewer rating, lows first. Lit marks on the season rail place this list across the run. Vote on a placement to back it or contest it.
- 01
When a charred corpse is found in the boot of a car in the suburbs, Berthaud's police team are called to the scene along with the prosecutors Roban and Clement. So begins an investigation which forces the team into the broken, gang-ruled suburbs of Paris, and once more to the door of shady lawyer Josephine Karlsson.
- 02
Laure Berthaud leads an investigation into a shocking double murder, while Josephine Karlsson takes on the case of a man accused of killing a policeman.
- 03
A public prosecutor is teamed with a hardened police captain and a magistrate to identify a body found discarded in a skip. As the case unfolds, their investigation uncovers deception and political intrigue.
- 04
The police make an appeal to the Press and get their hands on Elina's diary - which reveals she had friends in high places. Pierre discovers a connection between the murder victim and a childhood friend of his, now a wealthy businessman - and it seems they met the day before she died.
- 05
The police delve into the personal life of a businessman who burned to death in his own home, Clement struggles to conceal his friendship with a suspect in the Andrescu case, and Gilout's drug habit gets out of control. The mother of a murdered baby is accused of negligence.
- 06
A prominent ministerial adviser, who has links to prosecutor Pierre Clement's close friend Benoit Faye, joins the list of suspects for the ruthless killing of Elina Andrescu. Meanwhile, Captain Laure Berthaud comes up against lawyer Josephine Karlsson during an inquiry into a double murder.
- 07
The inquiry into Elina Andrescu's murder takes yet another disturbing turn when the body of her missing sister Sophia is found in a freezer. A distraught Ghislaine Androux is brought to trial in connection with the murder of her baby, but Judge Roban soon begins to regret meddling in the affair.
- 08
Pierre begins divorce proceedings after his estranged wife is implicated in a drug trafficking scandal. Josephine defends a man accused of committing brutal acts of torture, while Gilout's drug addiction tests Berthaud's patience
- 09
Pierre Clement unwittingly endangers Benoit Faye's life when he resolves to have his friend arrested in connection with the Andrescu case. Lawyer Josephine Karlsson is called in to defend a young man accused of rape, while Gilout is compromised by blackmailers.
- 10
With Benoit Faye in intensive care following an assassination attempt, the prosecution in the Andrescu case has lost its main witness. The events leading up to the sisters' double murder are reconstructed using Benoit's recollections.
- 11
Laure is disciplined for her use of force on a suspect and comes into conflict with Clement over his compromising newspaper interview. Karlsson is taken into Szabo's pay as his accomplice in representing the drug ring. Judge Roban uses his usual cunning in investigating a strange rape allegation.
- 12
Laure's net is closing in on Aziz, but she still has to call in a favour from Roban to help her hold a suspect. A police stakeout on the estate goes dangerously wrong. Pierre is faced with a moral dilemma as his star begins to rise. Karlsson continues to play a dangerous game with Szabo's shady clients.
- 13
Rachid is dead, causing problems for both Karlsson and the police. Gilou has to investigate a murder linked to a gay nightclub.
- 14
The mysterious north African, Samy, arrives from Special Branch to help with the investigation into the Larbi crime family. Aziz is still out of control and finally pushes one of his young gang members too far - the team are called to a street shooting and the perpetrator is a sinister teenager.
- 15
Samy goes deep undercover with the Larbi gang. The police are closing in on Aziz, but as usual nothing is straightforward. Josephine Karlsson is up to her neck in the dealings of the Larbi gang. Clement plays a clever game behind the scenes.
- 16
As Samy's undercover operation nears its conclusion, the team prepares to arrest the Larbi brothers - but an unforeseen complication occurs and the detective's identity is called into question.
- 17
Samy tries to allay the suspicions of the Larbi brothers as the operation reaches its conclusion while Karlsson continues to walk a fine line. Last in the series.
- 18
Police captain Laure Berthaud seizes the opportunity to redeem her tarnished reputation when the mutilated body of a young woman is discovered, and immediately launches a search with her squad for the sadistic killer. Meanwhile, Judge Roban's investigation into the case of a child bitten by a dog turns out to have broader implications. French detective drama, starring Caroline Proust.
- 19
Laure struggles to keep her team under control when a second woman is reported missing. Meanwhile, public prosecutor Pierre Clement pays the price for refusing to cave in to pressure, and Judge Roban's investigation into possible corruption causes discomfort in high places.
- 20
The identity of the second body is revealed to be that of missing girl Celia Morau and the police begin to search for a serial killer, delving into the Paris underworld for clues. With little progress in catching the culprit, Judge Roban threatens to hand the case over to the Serious Crime Squad, but an important breakthrough occurs.
- 21
The police struggle to hold on to their suspect when he is hospitalised, while prostitutes who have been exploited by a criminal gang still believe the killer is at large. Judge Roban finds his head swayed by his heart as his personal life starts to have an impact on his work, while former public prosecutor Pierre Clement joins forces with an unscrupulous solicitor.
- 22
The police manage to remand their prime suspect in custody, but a series of revelations threatens to jeopardise the solidity of their case. Meanwhile, Judge Roban's uncharacteristically hasty actions look set to compromise his impartiality, and Pierre Clement finds himself roped into dealing with an unusual case.
- 23
Judge Roban transfers the case to the Crime Squad after an alarming number of procedural blunders occur, while the police are due to release the main suspect. Laure's reaction is surprising, but she remains determined to catch the killer, and Gilou finds himself in trouble.
- 24
Laure continues to protest that the serial killer is still at large, despite the evidence and opposition from her team. Meanwhile, Clement defends a young offender with a troubled past and Judge Roban ploughs on with his corruption inquiry - sparing no one in the process.
- 25
Judge Roban asks CID to take charge of the investigation when new evidence comes to light and Laure is forced to take a back seat as Superintendent Bremor leads the case. Meanwhile, Pierre goes beyond the call of duty for his troubled client, and Judge Roban's pupil finds himself the target of a blackmailer.
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