Spin (2012–2016): Season 3, Episode 3 - Politique People - full transcript

Simon's ex-wife Apolline leaves Paris for Lebanon, where she's investigating a corruption case to which Clemence is closely linked.

Jacques?

BEIRUT

It's Apolline.

I called you three times.
Where were you?

Yes, I know.

I need 6,000 dollars.

What for? To go to a hammam,
what do you think?

Yes.

No, it's urgent.

Quick as you can.
I'm meeting my informant tomorrow.

CLIMATE CONFERENCE, PARIS



Will you organise that?

See you soon.

It's a double page spread
in Flash Mag. I hope you like it.

- Who took these photos?
- I don't know, I wasn't there.

I don't understand.

I don't understand
how you can be so casual about this.

How am I supposed to sort this out,
a fortnight after Morlaix's death?

- These things happen, Kapita.
- You just don't get it.

You're about to sink
your 5-year term.

Not to mention your candidature.
Think of the press coverage tsunami.

You know the head of Flash Mag.
Come to some arrangement.

She'll never give this up.
Imagine how many copies she'll sell!

Promise whatever she wants.
Just get me out of this mess.

It's all there.



I can see that.
Thank you very much.

SPIN

TABLOID POLITICS

You think I'll give this scoop up?

In your dreams. You'd do the same
in my position.

I wouldn't want to be
in your position.

Don't do this to me, Simon.

This is going to go global,
it's my moment of glory.

And it isn't as if our shareholders
support Marjorie.

You don't say!

I didn't know you were a bad loser.

Just think, your budget will be doubled
to save the king.

Saving the queen
may be trickier,

especially with
such a pretty princess.

Don't you think?

Practically Photoshop free.

Here, a gift,
since we're old friends.

As an old friend,
give me your source.

Who have we just been
talking about?

Anne-Marie Carrère? Via her
comms guy, Ludovic Desmeuze.

I can't say any more.

Get your president out of this
and you'll be Man of the Year.

A Vaudeville farce in the wake
of a political assassination

that has stirred the whole country.

I don't see how you'll stop the
Marjorie household from burning down,

along with his candidacy.

Incredible! It's like Christmas!

It'll be on sale in the morning
and on the web in 2 hours.

One million copies.

Thanks, Ludovic.

Marjorie shooting himself in the foot
it's the stuff of dreams.

You'll start tomorrow at 7.30am
with all the major channels.

You'll be the first to react.
Be tough, but charming.

Female solidarity for the betrayal.

Female politician,
outraged by State lies.

I won't hit hard.

I'll hit fair.
I'll appeal to the heart.

People will cry. I'll speak to the
sadness and indignation of all women.

You've become
a real asset, Ludovic.

I've dreamt of fucking you
since the first day I saw you.

You took your time.

- Out of client respect.
- That's understandable.

The first payload from Carrère,
no doubt arranged by Desmeuze.

Flash Mag triples to a million copies
and releases a day early.

It's hitting news-stands
at 6am tomorrow.

- There's no denying the affair now.
- That would be difficult.

But there's nothing to show when.

When these photos were taken.

What if we took that line?

And if we give a different
meaning to that kiss?

We say it was 6 months ago,

it was a goodbye kiss,

and that's where it ended.

- I make my apologies...
- That's madness.

You can't cheat the media
and public opinion.

The photographer knows when he took
the photo. It would backfire on us.

Who could show it wasn't true?

Some lying pap?
No one would believe them!

- Do you have a better idea?
- What about Clémence Parodi?

Can you convince her
to play along?

Would she accept
public repudiation?

I'll deal with her.

And will you also
deal with your wife?

If she hears of the affair
via the press, or a friend,

- she'll be uncontrollable.
- I'll deal with it. But not now.

- When? She returns tomorrow.
- I'll decide.

EMIRATE OF SORFAH

Why is this hearing
taking so long?

I'm worried about Marianne.

This parody of hearings
behind closed doors.

I can't shake the idea that
she's condemned in advance.

They will just judge
according to Sharia law.

They want rid of her
as much as we want her back in Paris.

My colleague is confident. Otherwise,
why allow you back into the county?

- He's hardly said a word.
- It all happens behind the scenes.

It'll be all right.

What's happening?

She's sentenced to 5 years
in prison and 100 lashes.

Mrs Marjorie, what's happening?

What's happening?

This verdict is unjust,
shocking and scandalous.

5 years for indecent behaviour?
100 lashes?

She could die.
This is like the Middle Ages.

Marianne Joly's only crime
is being a woman.

We'll appeal and we'll win.

This is about women's struggle

throughout history
and around the world.

We have to expect the worst.

Brace yourself,
the press will go wild.

And politically,
it'll be a disaster.

You don't have to worry about me.

How will the Élysée be responding?
What's the plan?

I should brief my office
to avoid clashes.

You know how much I love you,
what you mean to me,

how happy you make me.

But now...

we must stop seeing each other.

You want me to leave my post?

Hang on,
nothing's been decided yet.

But whatever happens,
we can't be alone together any more.

And maybe...

maybe you should take cover.

Get out of Paris.

For how long?

Until the outcome of the elections.

- 6 months?
- There's no other way, darling.

Kapita's assistant will contact you.
Officially, that was a goodbye kiss.

Our affair ended 6 months ago.

That's what we'll be
telling the press.

It seemed the most viable strategy.

- We couldn't think of anything else.
- This is Kapita's idea, isn't it?

Kapita?

No.

Not at all.
What does it matter?

My darling.

I'll do as you wish.

The meeting on the 18th has been
cancelled, postponed, then confirmed.

I can't cancel all my trips.
I'm a government minister.

I'm bound to cross paths
with the President at events.

No.

Could you stop swivelling
on your seat? It's very irritating.

And you could spare us
your funeral face.

It was your idea, after all.

I didn't have an affair
with the President.

Very amusing.
Got any more like that?

I have a problem with this lie.

It's the President's call,
my job is to salvage what I can.

- You should be grateful.
- Thank you. I appreciate it.

Yes?

Kapita, your ex-wife's been abducted.
The crisis meeting's about to start.

- On my way.
- Is there a problem?

I don't know
how you put up with him.

He's my boss.

- Do we know what happened?
- I'm just briefing the President.

We have no information
on Apolline Vremler's kidnappers.

Our embassy in Beirut
had no warning of a kidnap plan.

And the suggested
contacts are dubious.

So what?

Don't you want to know
if she's alive?

I do. She's my ex-wife
and daughter's mother.

I want Kapita at all meetings,
including Intelligence.

She's alive, Kapita.

- We're sure she's alive.
- Our advisors confirm it.

A French journalist is too big a prize
to kill without exploiting her first.

Thanks for your kind reassurance.

Forgive me.

How do you plan
to get her out of there?

- Do you know where she is?
- On the Syrian-Lebanese border.

It's under the control
of Syrian rebels.

- Is there any news?
- Yes.

A friend in the Syrian secret service.

- Known to Intelligence?
- No. A personal contact.

It makes no difference.
Go ahead.

He knows that a French journalist
has been detained in a Sunni village,

beyond the Lebanese border,
in Syria.

They are recent affiliates,
not hardened fanatics.

They're ready to talk
if the ransom is agreed.

But we must act before
another arm of Daesh gets involved.

- Is your contact reliable?
- He owes France some favours.

- May we know his name?
- Captain Mawad.

He was at the Paris embassy
10 years ago.

I'll see if the embassy
have anything on him.

Here's their vehicle
on the border.

The same 4X4
that we identified in Beirut.

I want you to manage
negotiations with your contact.

Intelligence will follow up
on operational matters.

The official line is no negotiation.

We'll get her out of there,
Kapita. You'll see.

I hope so.

Your daughter's mother
has a knack for getting into trouble.

We'll get her back.
Don't worry.

SYRIA

What will they do to her?

She's a German journalist.
Her ransom wasn't paid.

Mr Kapita!

- Will the President give a statement?
- Will Parodi resign?

Good evening. Nice to see
you stayed up late for this.

- What now of the presidential couple?
- When did the affair start?

I don't know exactly,
I wasn't there.

However, I can tell you that this
affair that has you all so excited

ended over 6 months ago.

Come off it, Simon. Flash Mag
says the photo is from last week.

Don't believe everything
you read in the papers.

What's Elisabeth Marjorie's
take on it?

The Élysée will publish
a statement tomorrow.

Thank you.
Good night.

That's all,
but help yourselves to coffee

and you'll find the whisky
in its usual place.

Good night.

It's bizarre that I have no messages.
I have no signal, do you?

- No, me neither.
- Let me see.

No doubt they're protecting us
from American ears.

I've arranged
a Swiss passport for you.

Keep it safe. Perhaps one day
you'll need it to travel incognito.

Thank you.
Shall I see you soon in Paris?

Yes, I'll talk to my local contact
about the details of the appeal,

and I'll be back soon.
I'll let you know.

Don't worry.
This isn't the end of it.

We've just lost the first battle.
Go home and don't worry.

This is Kellner.

What's all this sordid business
about the President?

Are you feeling OK?

I don't know.

You can't stay here like this.
Is there someone I can call?

I'll be OK. Thank you.

Thank you.

VAUDEVILLE AT THE ÉLYSÉE

Something's wrong with my phone.
I'm not getting anything, are you?

- Could you put the news on?
- The radio isn't working, sorry.

Are you sure?

I'm not even getting signal
here in Paris.

Will you lend me your phone?

Sorry, Mrs Marjorie.
Mine isn't working either.

Shit.

The latest on the President's affair
with his minister, Clémence Parodi,

is already creating a media frenzy.

A hastily delivered statement
was issued last night by the Élysée,

reflecting a certain anxiety
within the President's circle.

That's one way of putting it.

This affair is said
to have ended 6 months ago.

As the presidential
elections approach,

this alleged affair may become
the scandal of his presidency.

The affair is drawing reactions
from all political sides.

We'll hear them all...

- Good morning, my darling.
- Hi Dad, you OK?

Busy, but getting by.

- How are you?
- I'm worried.

I can't get hold of Mum
on her mobile or Skype...

She's in Lebanon
on a hot lead. I wouldn't worry.

Are you sure she's OK?

Yes, I am.

- Will you get her to call me?
- Yes, I promise.

OK, love you. Bye.

What's your first reaction
to this affair?

This business shows
President Marjorie's ability

to lie to all those close to him,

and especially to the French people.
And that's unforgivable.

How can we accept such frivolity

when one of our key political
leaders has just been murdered?

It's a disgrace.

Today, President Marjorie

has betrayed the trust
of the French people,

just as he has broken all his
campaign promises since his election.

Hello, this is Simon Kapita.
May I speak with Mr Deleuvre?

Kapita, what can I do for you?

Can I see you
as soon as possible?

Of course, no problem.

- When?
- As soon as you can.

- Come when you wish.
- Thank you.

I saw your Le Monde column
on the President's bill

and decided to come and see you.

We must rise above party divisions
when the country faces a challenge.

You know Lionel Baudry,
my former Chief of Staff.

Yes, we met
when you were at Matignon.

Have a seat.

This bill needs support
from outside the Party.

You're alluding
to Beaugendre's betrayal?

He brought around
twenty members with him,

but I know that there's
a significant group in your Party

who are warming to Carrère's
veiled appeals to the extreme Right.

I think I get your drift.
Does the President know you're here?

Of course. If your group votes
for this bill, it will go through.

Things must be bad
to ask me for help.

Republican interest,
not a cry for help.

Marjorie hasn't always
dressed it up as republican interest

when attacking my policies.

That's how it works.

I didn't find it amusing at the time.

Marjorie's presidency
is a total failure, Mr Kapita.

Our economy is a disaster,
our industry is in ruins,

unemployment
remains intolerably high,

while our neighbours
experience growth.

That's precisely
what this bill aims to address.

- The country needs this opportunity.
- Not with Marjorie.

It's too little, too late.

Is that your final word?

We both know the presidential
campaign is underway.

Do you think I'd help
Marjorie get re-elected?

That's not what I asked you for.

Thanks for coming.
It's always good to see you.

I didn't want to mention
Marjorie's affair with Ms Parodi.

That was a good decision.

However, it's difficult to ignore.

It's been all over the TV
and radio this morning.

Thank you.

How long?

About a year.

I wanted to tell you, but...

My phone cut off in the Emirates,

the radio not working,

the awkward silences around me.

Were you behind all that?

I didn't want to upset you
while you were away.

Upset me?

That's the funniest thing
you've said for a long time.

You've humiliated me,

deceived me, betrayed me,

for months, maybe years.

And you didn't want to upset me.

- Can you hear yourself, Alain?
- OK, you've made your point.

Clémence?

The lovely Clémence,
who I comforted after her divorce,

beside us throughout the campaign,
our parliamentary attaché,

so passionate and loyal,
it's all falling into place now!

I feel ashamed.

You could have spoken to me,
told me everything.

You're right.

I know how much I owe you.

I know what we've been
through together.

And I remember
every moment with you.

Over all these years.

I've never loved another woman
the way I've loved you.

But our love died years ago,
we both know that.

You've also wanted
to leave me several times.

This business
with Clémence did happen,

but it's over.

The photos were taken
a few days ago.

That's a lie to sell newspapers.
You know the press.

An affair that ended 6 months ago
won't sell many papers.

They needed fresh blood.

- You expect me to believe that?
- I'm asking you to.

Hello, Beaugendre.

Carrère was a class act,

shafting Marjorie and never
letting that demure smile slip.

She's strong. She can't
disguise her bourgeois origins,

- but don't underestimate her.
- I'd much prefer Deleuvre.

It's her you'll be facing, not him.

Could be fun. She'll never know
who caused Marjorie's downfall.

He may be floundering,
but he hasn't sunk yet.

It's enough for me
to force the primaries.

He can't avoid them any longer.

The Party is losing
faith in his chances,

and I have
more supporters every day.

By the time he realises,
I'll be sworn in.

So you don't need me any more.

You're the Home Office Minister.
I'll need access to the opinion polls,

right down to what's
happening in the regions.

That's a big ask.

Not when you consider
your son's shady dealings.

Have a good day, Palissy.

No!

No!

Stand against the wall,
face the camera.

Are you French?

No, I'm a caliphate fighter, bitch.

Read this.

I can't read that.

Read it.

In the name of merciful Allah...

I can't.

Look at the camera and read.

Put her on the chair.

In the name of merciful Allah,
his name be praised,

I condemn the infidel French
government that bombs...

Louder!

That bombs women,
children and the brave fighters...

Louder.

...of Daesh.

I will be executed
if the French army...

In the name of merciful Allah,
his name be praised,

I condemn the infidel
French government that bombs...

Louder!

That bombs women,
children, and the brave fighters...

- Louder.
- ...of Daesh.

I will be executed
if the French army

does not withdraw

from the impious coalition
with the butcher Al Assad

and his Shiite affiliates.

Responsibility for my death will lie
solely with the French government.

- You have to get her out.
- We're working on it.

No one in our Beirut,
Baghdad or Syria teams

can identify or locate this group.

I told you, going through
official networks won't work.

The kidnappers
won't risk getting blown up...

- by a drone after using a mobile.
- Is that true?

Captain Mawad isn't listed
as an official contact.

Shows what you know
about the Middle East!

He has contacted the kidnappers:
they want 2 million dollars.

- 2 million?
- Being a journalist raises the price.

The video hasn't gone through
the official Daesh channels yet.

Only through private envoys.

You did know that, didn't you?

So this is between us and them,
which is reassuring.

- Are you sure?
- Believe me.

Only the President can decide.

How can we refuse?

We'd be signing the death
warrant of a French journalist.

We should play down her importance
to us to avoid upping the stakes,

they'd sell her on to another group.

They trust Mawad, my contact.

Things will move quickly.
Give me carte blanche on this.

Make a show of negotiating
or they'll smell a rat,

but there's no compromise
on proof of life.

Five return trips
from Paris to Beirut,

three first class,
two in a private jet.

That's very generous
for the mayor of a small town.

It didn't cost the taxpayer anything,
that's the only reason I accepted.

No more than staying
in a 950 dollar per night suite?

Sorry, it wasn't my job
to book the hotel.

It smacks of Middle East Investments
paying to get the school contract.

I wanted to check the quality
of the firm's projects on the ground.

Do you think we're casual
about investing public money?

I don't suppose you've ever
been elected to office.

Please let me have
your diaries for the past 2 years.

I'm here as a witness,
not as the accused.

I'll only answer questions
about the school

and the horrible accident
that killed seven children.

Kindly focus on those circumstances,
not my travel arrangements.

You made those trips
in connection with your official role

at the expense of the company
whose negligence caused that accident.

You don't deny this.

Ms Clémence Parodi, in light of
the facts and testimonies before me,

I am obliged to notify you that
you'll be placed under investigation

for acceptance of bribes,
abuse of social property,

and collusion.

Excuse me.

Yes?

Thank you.

Clémence Parodi
is under investigation

regarding the defective
school building.

That's all we need!

Draft a letter of support
from the Élysée.

We need to know why she's being
investigated. This could be damaging.

Collusion, abuse of social
property and nepotism.

I'll know more later.

- Do they have hard evidence?
- Yes.

Enough for an investigation.

We can't issue official support
until we have more information.

If the proof stands up,
with your affair in the headlines,

imagine the consequences for you.

I can't drop her like that.

Mr President,
you must stay protected.

You and the Élysée.

I'd like to be alone.

- Good morning, Sonia.
- Simon?

- Elisabeth Marjorie wants to see you.
- Now?

- She's expecting you.
- Thank you.

Don't tell me you're not
orchestrating this pathetic farce.

I'd never let you or the President
be dishonoured like this.

How could you not know,
being so close to Alain?

I was as upset as anyone about
this affair. More than you know.

Welcome to the disenchanted palace.

I'll join you.

Is the affair really over?

Or is that a tall tale
that I'm expected to fall for?

It's the truth.

- Are you sure?
- Yes.

You look more depressed than me.

Smile before adversity.

Would you help me to get the President
out of this hornet's nest?

- Self-flagellation isn't my scene.
- We have to save the presidency.

Ms Parodi!

Are you sleeping
with the President?

Get out of here!
You have no right to be here!

- If you please, Ms Parodi.
- Leave me alone. Get out of here!

The judge has sent evidence
against Clémence to the Prosecutor.

It's a nightmare.

Incontrovertible?

You don't have any choice.

She resigns.

Draft the statement.

You can't ask me to do this,
Mr President.

It's no more than a conspiracy.
The allegations have no substance.

Clémence, this is just between us.

I won't be announcing it
at a ministers' meeting.

- The evidence is hard to contest.
- But it's derisory!

The Prosecutor
is proceeding with the case!

This is the only way to protect you.

Do you want
to be harassed day and night?

Have journalists
in front of your house?

This is unbelievable. Haven't you
considered that I could be innocent?

Should I give in,
abandon my bill,

because a jumped up judge
has it in for me?

Should I?

This is the standard procedure,
Clémence, it's what governments do.

The President is right.

It would be hell for you.

The statement will say that
you've resigned to defend your honour,

as, of course, you are innocent.

I want to speak with you now.

- Is this your idea of revenge?
- Do you think I'd do that?

You get rid of a minister and
the President's mistress. Perfect.

You know full well that
the President had no choice.

You're not the first,
and you'll be fine.

After years of legal procedures
and being hounded by the press?

It's disgusting.

I get lynched and no one
lifts a finger. Much less you.

Be warned,
I won't take this lying down.

Yes?

- Mr Kapita?
- Yes.

- This is Judge Magnier.
- Talk of the devil.

We need to talk.

- What about?
- It's about Apolline.

Yes?

I feel I'm best placed to speak of
the President's devotion to his mission

since our arrival at the Élysée.

Alain is a man of action
and keeps his word.

I've always loved
and admired that about him.

Without my wife
and her support each day,

and her sacrifices over the years,

I'd never have reached high office.

I probably wouldn't even
have won a minor election.

They're good.

Yet you're faced with the revelation
of the President's affair

with Clémence Parodi,

casting a shadow
over your years together.

I'm not the first
to be in this position.

Unbelievable.

Maybe it's some kind
of Élysée curse.

Not as deadly
as that of the Pharaohs.

"The course of true love
never did run smooth."

It's the stuff of novels and films.

She's incredible.

She'll definitely get people on board.

What makes me proudest
is the path we've taken together.

We'll overcome this crisis together,
I'm sure about that.

Who am I
to withhold forgiveness?

Nothing could ever erase
these years spent together.

What the President is not saying,

is what I've put him through,
which no one knows about.

I've been ill for many years.
I'm manic depressive,

or bipolar, if you prefer.

- Was this planned?
- Absolutely not.

My treatment doesn't always work.

I suffer, and I make
those around me suffer also.

This will go down a storm,
and consign Parodi to history.

Those I love the most,
who have always protected me.

Poor little Elisabeth,
and her kind husband, the President.

- You've been flushed away like a turd.
- Valentine.

It's true, isn't it?

You're on your own,
and no one gives a damn.

- It's the pantomime of power darling.
- And you got the rubbish part.

What goes around comes around.

Have you forgotten?

Sometimes you hit the jackpot,
sometimes you don't.

- Hello, Dad.
- Hello.

So you've finally made it to Matignon,
official PM residence!

Are you just back from Beirut?

- Did you see our friend Samir?
- Discreetly.

Don't worry.

That busybody isn't blabbing now.

I am worried.

You went in hard.

- Intelligence are on it.
- They won't get anything.

- Samir is untouchable over there.
- But you're not.

Go to Morocco
until things quieten down.

There's still an inquiry
into the school.

There's no trace.

Actually, there is: seven deaths.

I wonder about you sometimes.

Don't stay in Paris.
I'll tell you when you can return.

You're PM
and Home Office Minister.

Leave.

I'm Agnès Magnier, the judge
in charge of the Parodi case.

I've been friends
with Apolline for years.

- Do you have any news?
- No.

But I'm the reason
she went out there.

She was investigating
links between Parodi

and the Lebanese firm responsible
for the accident in the school.

She sent me the documents
to launch the investigation.

She thought she was being
followed since arriving there.

- Who knew she was there?
- Her boss and her colleagues.

Are you afraid?

I'm also under scrutiny.
We shouldn't be seen together.

The Investigating Chamber knows
I met with Apolline before she left.

Her phone must have been
bugged weeks ago.

Are you sure?

It could only have come
from the Home Office.

- And only from the Minister himself.
- Palissy?

Mawad, my friend.
Give me a minute.

Go through the motions
with the kidnappers,

tell them France won't pay.

Yes, that's right.
We make the situation worse.

Mum?

Mum?

Are you OK?

Yes, of course.

Mum, what's the matter?

- I'm pregnant.
- What?

I just did a test.
I'm pregnant.