Spin (2012–2016): Season 3, Episode 2 - La femme de l'ombre - full transcript

I want an apology, Maxime.

Why did you publicly
support those cretins?

Now I'm in an impossible position.

This last-minute fix has nothing
to do with the reforms we discussed.

You're giving guarantees to the Right,
the Centre, and now the extreme Right.

That's enough. This is no time
for a crisis of conscience.

I can't stand beside
a failing president

who favours the extreme Right to
cover up the failures of his policies.

You'll never be re-elected, Alain.

Are you forgetting
that I got the Left into power?

And you're where you are
because of me.



Don't lecture me.

Like it or not, the extreme Right
represent 30% of citizens.

- That's what I'm working with.
- Fine, but without me.

That's right, resign,
Mr Prime Minister!

Jump ship when things get tough.
The French people will love that.

I'm not about
to commit political suicide.

I'll announce my resignation
after Morlaix's killers are arrested.

Here you are.

I let my guard down.
I didn't see that coming.

Beaugendre has shafted me.

When I think about our friendship...
I'm godfather to his son, you know?

To let me down at this stage…

Worst of all, my hands are tied.

I can't do anything
until Morlaix's killers are arrested.



Neither can Beaugendre.

What if I announce
my candidature now?

You're in no position to.

- You need a political success first.
- Not a good start then…

Then you can steal his thunder.

Once the killers are arrested,
declare the values of the Republic,

which both protects and punishes.

In the same statement,
announce Beaugendre's resignation

while nominating a new PM
to infuse a new impetus.

Any response on his part
would turn against him.

I should put you in his place.

Want to take that?

Yes?

We have a problem.

Sonia, switch on the TV.

Thanks.

SPIN

WOMAN IN THE SHADOWS

What if we left Elisabeth
in the hospitality

of her good friends in the Emirates?

- Would it be any worse for me?
- Don't even think about that, sir.

- I'm not joking.
- It wouldn't help your image.

A PM stabbing me in the back,
an opposition leader murdered,

my deranged wife
offending an entire Muslim state,

a reform bill down the drain
thanks to a bunch of cowards.

My image couldn't get any worse.

Doing nothing is not an option.

Not another word about her.

Think of the headlines,
the media frenzy.

We must act quickly
and get her out of there fast.

What do you suggest?

The Foreign Office
is talking to the Emirates.

- Very well.
- Mr President,

the Emir is amenable to France.

But he must appease
religious leaders.

Meaning?

A simple apology
for Elisabeth's actions.

- No.
- There's no other way.

No! You can talk about
a delegation, or a mission,

but don't name Elisabeth.
And no further official statements.

I won't authorise anything else.

So get that drafted
and let's move on.

I hope you have good news.
He's like a bear with a sore head.

I do. They've located them.

They're moving in.

- Has Jean-Pierre been informed?
- I'll call him straight away.

She's not for you, son.

Hello!

Could I have a coffee?

I've identified
those BTP shareholders.

An obscure consortium based
in Lebanon, Middle East Investments.

Without an official
instruction, I can't act.

Well I can.

I've landed a posting out there, and
alerted a Lebanese journalist I know.

He's found BTP's
ex-accountant in Beirut.

Any word on Clémence Parodi?

She's been to Beirut twice,
by private jet, staying in the Hilton,

in the most luxurious suite.

I'll send her a summons next week.

She needed the school
for her image and her town.

From what I've heard,
she wouldn't be above

interfering with the tenders
to favour BTP.

Call me from Beirut,
and tell me what you find out.

In the name of Allah,
a thousand blessings be on his name.

The Mufti Ahmed al Saleh
is displeased

that you helped a depraved
delinquent and blasphemer.

A delinquent?
My countrywoman is no delinquent.

She's the victim of a rapist
who you're protecting.

The Mufti knows who you are,

and you should cover your face
to avoid a punishment for impiety.

A punishment?

A punishment?

I like the Mufti's sense of humour.

Tell him.

And you can add that my husband,
the President of the French Republic,

will also appreciate it.

Now get me out of this cell!

- The perimeter is secured.
- Thanks, Tony.

Raoul is cosy.

It's hard bumping into each other
all day and acting normal.

I know, I wish it was just us.

Forgive me, I'm being selfish.

What will you do
about Beaugendre?

Nothing for now.
He's under control.

He's not my main concern.

Elisabeth has gone off the rails
again. I've had enough.

She gets crazier by the day.

I saw the pictures.

We came close to a diplomatic
crisis with the Emirates,

despite working on strategic
operations with them over there.

I don't know what to do with her.

Maybe keep her away
from the Élysée?

No, Kapita thinks we need her.

Kapita and his kind
hate making waves.

Except that with her,
you're risking a tsunami.

Clear the air when she's back
and start talking divorce.

She may be sick,
but she's also intelligent.

She'll understand
that it'd be in her interest.

She's never wanted to be
at the Élysée. Take that line.

I've re-worked the draft bill.

Proportional representation's tricky,
but if we can handle that, we can win.

I'll get the right balance,
and our bill will be passed.

Trust me.

I'm glad I've got you.

Sorry, I have to take that.

- Yes?
- Mr President.

The killers have been found.
They'll be arrested at dawn.

Thank you.

Sniper in place.

Antony Lacombe and Marcus Weber,

you have 1 minute to come out,
unarmed, hands on your heads!

30 seconds!

Grenade!

Police! Don't move!

Show your hands!
Your hands!

- Don't move!
- Show your hands!

Check that one.

- Checking bullets.
- Killed by a single shot.

Clear!

Clear!

Check the second one.

He's killed himself.

They've staged their own deaths.

SORFAH AIRPORT

I was beginning
to feel quite at home.

We acted as quickly as possible.

Our primary concern was to ensure
you weren't being mistreated.

So kind of you.

Where is Marianne?

In the city prison, in a much less
comfortable cell than yours.

You must intervene
and show she's not alone.

- You must get her out.
- We've never left her alone.

We had her under the protection
of the orthodox church,

with the tacit agreement
of the authorities.

You put her in danger by making her
escape from that protection.

Did they belong to any kind
of network or organisation?

They both belonged
to a small group.

Fanatical fools,
with a fascination for violence.

They would have had
very few accomplices.

Intelligence are conducting
checks on around 30 individuals,

known to be extremely right wing,
and around a dozen small Nazi groups.

- You've done a good job, Palissy.
- Thank you.

The President
has a proposition for you.

I think you'd make
a very good prime minister.

But there's one condition.

Your group must vote for the bill
we're presenting to Parliament.

- And we're not talking abstentions.
- Very funny!

That could work,
but there'd be a price to pay.

I worked out long ago
that nothing is free in politics.

Go ahead.

A couple of secretaries of state
and a regional presidency

to keep everyone happy.

- Leave me to deal with the deputies.
- Agreed.

- We must act quickly.
- To bypass Beaugendre?

If you accept, I'll give you
the Home Office as well.

I need a robust team
for the elections.

I don't want any slip-ups,
and you've shown you're up to the job.

So?

You can count on me,
Mr President.

Deal with the details.

Palissy.

DR MICHAEL BRUN, PSYCHOLOGIST
POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS SPECIALIST

What shocked me most
is that I wasn't even afraid.

I was sure I was going to die,

and I acted like
that was normal.

Normal?

Had you already thought
about dying?

Yes.

Often?

Yes.

And this is from seeing
this man dying in front of you.

I can't erase
that moment from my mind.

In the night,
on the street, in meetings,

I see the killer come in,
he shoots, he kills,

he looks straight at me.

But he doesn't kill you.

You're alive.

Surviving.

Have you had therapy before?

Yes, once. In New York.

And?

And?

It was pointless.

So why are you here?

Because I'm suffocating,
and it's affecting my work.

It's post-traumatic shock
from the attack,

reviving old anxieties,
buried memories.

Have you thought
about taking some time off?

That's impossible.
I have to stay close to the President.

What's your relationship with him?

- What does he represent for you?
- I'm not talking about that.

So you had to come and pick up
the naughty girl?

I've known worse.

I'm not a fool, Kapita.
No press, no official car.

The President wants to keep
the madwoman in the shadows.

I can assure you
that I'm delighted you're back.

Not a word.
He hasn't texted or called.

Can you believe that?

Recent events have
occupied his every moment.

But he was terribly
worried about you.

I've seen you
on better form, Kapita.

The President wants rid of me.
He wants me hidden in the Élysée.

You're not much fun
as a chaperone.

And you're looking a bit off-colour.

"Representing
the longstanding principles,

which have been the cornerstone
of my commitment..."

- That sounds a bit preachy.
- We're opposing the extreme Right.

That's what you're fighting against,
it's the reason you resigned.

Good morning, everyone.

This morning,
the President has accepted

Mr Maxime Beaugendre's resignation
from his post as Prime Minister,

and has decided to nominate,
in his place, Mr Robert Palissy,

who retains his post
as Home Office Minister.

He has asked him to bring
coherence to the government...

The bastards!

I'd have branded
any other woman...

as an idiot, as irresponsible!

As a madwoman?
A complete basket case?

Spit it out!
It'll do us both good.

I thought you were
back on your treatment.

- That's got nothing to do with it.
- Oh, we can see that!

Do you realise what you've done?
Haven't you noticed we're in a crisis,

after Morlaix's assassination
and the political storm that's ensued?

How does this make me look?

Have you thought about your role
and the image of France?

You prefer the image of an oppressive
kingdom stuck in the Middle Ages?

Look at what you've become
since being elected.

All you see is your image.

- You were so hungry for power...
- I don't need a lecture.

Your lot didn't lift a finger to free
that girl from a barbaric situation.

I took action. And I'll continue
until Marianne is freed.

You'll do nothing!

- I'm a free agent!
- Free to make cock-ups!

You've wiped out months
of secret negotiations

that were about
to come to fruition.

We can't go on
like this, Elisabeth.

I'm moving to the West Wing.

You keep the apartments.

See my secretary if you have
anything to say to me.

Marjorie's ratings are down.

I thought the arrest of Morlaix's
killers would give us a boost,

- but no.
- It's a proper lynching.

The First Lady
comes across as crazy.

Hardly surprising,
having seen the photos.

Scrapping in public and slapping an
Ayatollah in a fundamentalist country,

- you'd have to be crazy.
- You're telling me.

But she's creating a buzz.

If only that was all it took!

She's scoring high with women.

And quite well
with young people too.

Good. They're the voters
that Marjorie needs.

She's seen as courageous, current,
and engaged with feminist issues.

- But this is just about her.
- They're connected.

They're the presidential couple.
France's monarchs.

We have to get this out there.
Get social media onto it.

Let's go.

You should have
cancelled the interview.

Absolutely not.

Milk it.

Your reform bill was rejected
by political shenanigans.

The betrayal by your PM, an old
friend, has left you feeling hurt.

Don't ever say his name.

What matters now is this reform bill,
a new framework for the country.

And you've included
proportional representation

because it's what
many French people want,

and you're everyone's president.

You hear what they say,
and you act on their behalf.

- They'll ask about Elisabeth.
- I've asked them not to.

I've had enough.
I want a divorce.

6 months from an election
that'd be a gross strategic mistake.

You must come across
as a united couple.

- Stay as close to her as possible.
- She's dangerous.

You know
what you're dealing with now.

But how will she react
to a separation?

I should listen to you.
OK, Kapita.

- Mr President, welcome.
- Good morning.

- Please meet the Director General.
- Hello.

- The Director of Communications.
- Hello.

Good evening, Mr President.
What does the Republic mean to you?

The Republic is the best idea
in the world.

It's the glue that holds us together,

and it's what makes our country
a great nation.

No attack or assassination

can destroy the special bond
that unites French people.

Will you be proposing further security
measures to fight terrorism?

No single law has ever stopped
the actions of a maniac.

But we have adopted a measure

to strengthen the powers of the police
and our intelligence service,

in line with our constant
concern for public safety

A few words
about the outgoing PM?

When someone
demonstrates true friendship,

one can only reciprocate
with similar sentiments.

France is asking: will you be standing
for the next presidential election?

Zoom in on their faces.

France, or you, the journalists?

Seriously,
I'm focusing on my actions,

and preparing the new bill,
which is more important to the people

than a distant election
that doesn't worry me,

of that I can assure you.

A final question, Mr President,
concerning your wife

and her actions
on behalf of Marianne Joly,

the young French woman
imprisoned in the Emirates.

That was a mistake,
no doubt about it.

Should the role of the First Lady

be better defined
from a legal viewpoint?

Only the tabloids
are interested in the First Lady.

- Yet she has been in the headlines.
- I don't approve of that.

I deplore it, but put up with it.

- I'll take the consequences.
- Are you alluding to a separation?

That's a matter
for private consideration.

Going back to policy matters...

Don't forget the socks
in the second drawer down.

The President's choice
leaves a lot to be desired.

You just dumped your wife
on national TV.

So what? Everyone knows
what she is. She's worn me down.

There are people
who support her actions.

Great, she's a national heroine!

Your image as a couple
is critical to the presidency.

I'm getting tired of your comments.

I know what I can
and can't say.

You're not a marriage counsellor.

- You're jeopardising our strategy.
- Maybe your strategy is no good!

Are you coming?

Mr Palissy.

If you please.

Minister.

Please.

My dear friend,

leaving this house
is an emotional occasion.

I wish you well in your new position
which will be weighty and demanding,

and your long experience
will help you to avoid the pitfalls.

You have achieved this mission
with the State at heart.

I share your attachment
to the values of the Republic.

You and I are both republicans,

and patriots.

You knew about
the threat against Morlaix.

Intelligence had infiltrated
the perpetrators.

- You could have prevented it.
- Prove it.

I know all about your rackets.
And your son's deals in Lebanon.

The BTP, here and in Africa.

Your son makes
a lot of business trips.

And he also talks a lot.

What do you want?

Help me to topple Marjorie. You
can't refuse, I have you by the balls.

At my age,
I have better things to do.

What's in it for me?

My silence on your son's involvement
in the collapse of the school.

BEIRUT

You're on time, Hamdoullah!

- It's a blessed day!
- Just to prove you wrong.

It's great to see you!

- How are you?
- Fine.

You're looking good.

- Shall we go?
- Yes.

Are you sure
about this guy we're seeing?

Don't worry.

He's called Walid.

He was the accountant
for the said public works company.

He's also the uncle
of a college friend.

Look discreetly,
but see that bloke behind us?

- He's following us, isn't he?
- You're being paranoid.

Beirut is cool now.
Things have changed.

Walid, this is Apolline.

- Hello.
- Hello.

Sit down.
I'll be over there.

This contract establishes the link
between the holding company,

Middle East Investments,

and the French building company
that built the school.

- Is it still active here?
- No.

But the holding company is,
in many different sectors.

Hotels, private residences,
public buildings, and even...

the future prison.

And this relates to the woman
you're interested in.

- Clémence Parodi?
- I even saw her once.

An attractive woman.

She often came to Beirut
by private jet,

always at the expense
of Middle East Investments.

She always stayed at the Hilton.
I dealt with the invoices.

Yes, I see.

May I keep these documents?
I'll need them to prove corruption.

I have other documents
that may interest you.

On higher profile people
than your minister here.

- Really? Who?
- Friends of hers.

Close friends, also very interesting.
Powerful people.

- When can you show them to me?
- Whenever you wish.

But I've lost my job.

I have a wife and four children.

It isn't like in France
for the unemployed here.

How much?

5,000?

- I was thinking 10,000.
- 6,000. I can't pay more.

In US dollars.

OK, fine.

- So you got over the Berlin Wall?
- And straight through the checkpoint.

It's great to see you again.
I don't see a soul here.

It's a sanctuary of solitude
in the heart of the palace.

I feel ostracised and punished.

- I feel useless and bored.
- Then you'll want to hear

- what I have to say.
- OK, but not here.

Have you given up tea?
Need something stronger?

- I feel like a drink.
- It's as good as any other therapy.

Welcome to the club.

You're looking well.
Better than you did when I got back.

So what did you want
to talk to me about?

- Your trips to the Emirates.
- Not you as well!

What happened hasn't gone
unnoticed. In France and abroad.

What you did is gaining
increasing support.

I'd like you to spearhead a campaign
in favour of Marianne Joly.

It can only help her cause

and help restore your reputation,
which has been unjustly damaged.

This feels like my birthday.

We'll highlight your fight
against injustice and obscurantism,

and crimes against women
around the world.

Does Alain know about this?

Not really.

This could help the Élysée,
which is also struggling.

That's not my intention.

I'm with you.

Here's to Marianne's freedom!

I wanted to congratulate you
personally on your new title.

And make the most
of the last day of the shoot.

- What did you want to tell me?
- We have a problem.

There's a journalist in Beirut
poking her nose where she shouldn't,

namely into Middle East Investments.

- Apolline Vremler. Do you know her?
- All too well.

Can she uncover anything?

- You never know.
- Quite.

That's irritating.

- Have you talked to Martin?
- I wanted to talk to you.

- Are my ears burning?
- We're talking about that busybody

trying to implicate us
in you know what.

She won't find anything
at my place or in France either.

Dad?

The inquiry into the school
is still ongoing.

The judge is like a dog with a bone.
She's even summoned Parodi.

- So that's why Vremler's in Beirut.
- Are they working together?

That shit-stirrer knew what she was
looking for and where to find it.

- Do you want me to take care of her?
- She mustn't get to Martin.

I told you,
my house is always clean.

A small trace
can always be missed.

Samir, I'm leaving this to you.
Take care of it.

You shoot as well as your father!

Over there.

Not a word about the President.

Nothing about your status.
You're an independent woman.

That's why you're acting
on behalf of Marianne Joly.

"Beauty of women,
weakness, pale soft skin

"Of hands that do much good

Yet can do all our ill."

Verlaine.
I can't resist quoting him.

Recite it in every language
and you're golden.

The American press is first.
We start in 10 minutes.

- Who's coming with me?
- Simon. I'm on traffic duty.

10 minutes.

She's got a crush on you.

- You're exaggerating my qualities.
- You're only fooling yourself.

I don't know
what you're talking about.

Mrs Marjorie, please.

- Good morning, Mrs Marjorie.
- Hello.

- She's perfect.
- What did I tell you?

Good morning, sir.
Can I get you something?

No thanks. I'm not staying.

Thank you for accepting
our invitation.

- Is Carrère here?
- Take a seat, please.

Here she comes.

Hello.

I'm so happy you agreed
to work with us.

I haven't made any promises yet.

It can't be easy for you. With Morlaix
gone, your outlook changes.

Don't worry,
the Party supports me.

Either you're joking
or not speaking your mind.

Morlaix's killers
were from your ranks,

not Islamic extremists
or Far-left loons.

A few isolated losers.
They're nothing to do with the Party.

Seriously, your Party
is about to implode.

Extremists breaking away,

traditionalists shocked
by the violence,

your party support looks paltry.

What do you want?

Your unfettered support
in the presidential elections.

In exchange for what?

We divide any three-way results in
the legislative elections between us.

It would give you
a group in the Assembly.

Seriously? We'll clean up
in the legislative elections.

But not in the presidential ones.
That's why you're here.

Let's face it, you'll be lucky to get
a folding seat and cover your costs.

You need us
more than we need you.

I can give you
the republican legitimacy you lack.

It's a win-win situation.

I get your electorate,

and you become the undisputed
leader of your Party.

We can always come to other
arrangements to our mutual benefit.

Would you like a drink?
Excuse me!

Thank you.

Look into the lens.

Let's see.

That's great. A bit more.

One more.

Look at me.

He's the photographer you wanted.

With you,
I prefer to control the output.

You're wrong to scorn us. Celeb
magazine circulation is going up,

- and that's good for you, Simon.
- I'm not a fool.

- Thank you for coming along.
- I adore the Élysée.

Even if I don't come here often,
with the cold shoulder I get from you.

I wasn't aware that Flash Mag
was a political magazine.

Politicians use us and we use them.
That's how it works.

Excuse me.

Forgive me.

Marianne's parents.

Mr and Mrs Joly.
Aline and Joel.

Pleased to meet you.
Thank you for coming.

- We know this is important.
- You've done so much for Marianne.

We'll get her home.

We won't keep you.
Just a few photos with Mrs Marjorie.

Welcome.

I wanted to meet you
and assure you of my support.

- Thank you, Mr President.
- Mr President.

Hello.

Shall we have a photo?

Look this way, hold it there.

Was this little farce
Kapita's idea? Or yours?

What does it matter?
I'm helping your protégée.

- Thank you, that's perfect.
- Perfect, thank you.

Please forgive me,
I can't stay.

- Thank you.
- Thank you very much.

Excuse me.

- You might have warned me.
- You would have refused.

First he locks me
in the proverbial attic,

then he rejects me publicly,

then turns up
as the benevolent leader.

Trust me.

Raoul is cosy.

I'm staying the night.
I've finally managed to escape.

- Is something the matter?
- I've been summoned before the judge.

The defective school
building in your town?

- I'm worried.
- Why? You've done nothing wrong.

Of course not. But since
the building firm has folded,

the judge is looking for a scapegoat
and she's picked me.

You've done nothing wrong, just
placed your trust in dishonest people.

Don't worry about it.

After pushing for transparency,
I can't ask the Ministry to intervene.

I'm not asking for that. But
she'll enjoy making a minister pay.

I know it's scary
going before a judge.

It happened to me twice
when I first served as mayor.

A basketball post fell down,

and a pothole in the road
without a warning sign. It'll be fine.

- I wish I could believe that.
- I have something that always works.

Treat it like a visit to the dentist.

Yes, listen.

You're so afraid beforehand,
that it's never as bad as you thought.

And you emerge from it on top form.

I do love you.

With all this shit going on,
can you manage both offices?

You're the President's
confidant now.

Only for 6 months and that's it.

I'm right beside you, as I said.

And what would you like
in exchange?

I wouldn't mind Hôtel de Lassay.

The National Assembly President's
residence? Isn't that a little greedy?

I'm getting old, I want home comforts.
not the dizzying heights of power.

It's an address in demand,
and you don't have many choices here.

Think about your son.

He should bring more
to the partnership.

I bring enough.

More than enough.

To please the partnership
and ruin Marjorie.

I'm like Joan of Arc, Angelina Jolie
and the Queen of England all in one.

You can do magic, Kapita.

It's early, but let's celebrate.
Champagne!

Marianne's parents have
received official information

that her case is moving forward.

We have visas,
so we can go help her.

Wear a helmet
under your headscarf just in case.

- I'll be good.
- I'll believe that when I see it.

You've used me to boost
the popularity of the President.

He's moved up five points.
A miracle.

- You can say that again.
- You don't think badly of me.

Only a little.

But thanks to you,
Marianne can defend her case,

and we'll be there to help her.
That's all that matters.

Your usual fricasseed kidneys, sir.

- Thank you, Florian.
- You're welcome.

Excuse me!

How do you eat so much?

This is pure poetry for me.
Thank you for coming.

- Martin sends his best.
- I haven't seen him in months.

I prefer to keep him at a distance.

And Morocco has excellent
property development opportunities.

What did you want to tell me?

I need the services of your friend
Caroline Vitoz and her newspaper.

You know her.
Why go through me?

Because she's a good friend of yours.
As all of Paris knows.

I have a scoop for her,
but she mustn't know it came from me,

but rather from your client,

Anne-Marie Carrère.

What kind of scoop?
How would it benefit my client?

It will sink Marjorie's candidature.

Why do you want to ruin Marjorie?

He just made you PM.
That was your dream.

Ludovic, you're still new to politics,

despite your hard image.

I can't tell you everything.

Just focus on the path
I'm offering you for Carrère.

Without Marjorie in her way,
and with Morlaix dead,

there'd be no one to oppose her.

Tell me more.

No way!

- Like them?
- I'm usually on top of everything,

before anyone else, but this...
I'm speechless.

Just let my client
be first to comment.

Carrère.
Did this come from her?

It doesn't matter.

You're right, especially
as my shareholders support her.

Our Flash Mag contact just sent these.
He took them at the press.

- They're going to headline it?
- Yes.

They're tripling the print run.
On sale tomorrow.

Would you pass me
the documents, please?

- Is this the latest version?
- Yes.

- Here you are, Mr President.
- Yes.

There are still some
amendments to be made.

It's perfect.

- When will it be finished?
- This afternoon.

Check that all our partners
are in agreement.

- Have a good day.
- And to you.