Ep 3. Episode 03 (Episode 3 of 12)

In Spiral season 7 episode 3, titled Episode 3 of 12, the complex web of legal and personal dramas continues to unfold in the French judicial system.

Tensions are running high as Caroline Proust's Captain Laure Berthaud, who heads up the Police Judiciaire unit, struggles with personal demons and the pressure to solve some of Paris's most high-profile crimes. Meanwhile, her conflicted relationship with Thierry Godard's Gilou escalates, adding to both the tension and the complexity of the cases they're working on.

As usual, the show delves into the interconnected worlds of law, politics, and personal relationships with equal parts grit and glamour. The investigation at the heart of this episode involves a high-stakes real estate deal around the construction of a new stadium, but the twists and turns of the plot are just as much about the characters as they are about the case itself.

There are hints of corruption and backroom deals, but the real focus of the episode is the human drama unfolding as characters navigate the ethical and emotional complexities of their professional and personal lives. From Berthaud's struggles with addiction and guilt to Godard's attempts to balance his loyalties to both the police force and his former underworld contacts, there's a sense of high-stakes drama and personal stakes that keep the tension mounting throughout the 50-minute episode.

The cinematography is dark and moody, reflecting the moral ambiguity and moral darkness of the world inhabited by Spiral's characters. But there are moments of beauty and respite, too, as Berthaud struggles to raise her daughter while also wrestling with her demons, or as the characters indulge in moments of humor or camaraderie amidst the chaos.

Viewers who are already fans of Spiral will find plenty to love in this episode, which deepens the characters and the storytelling in meaningful ways while also delivering the show's trademark blend of procedural drama and complex character work. And for newcomers, there's enough backstory and exposition to make this episode (and the season as a whole) accessible and engaging even if you're not up-to-date on everything that's come before.