Spiral Series 7 [DVD] [2019]

Regular viewers of Spiral know exactly what to expect from the flawed cops who make up the Crime Squad in Paris and Series 7 doesn't disappoint.At the start we see Laure still trying to recover from a breakdown whilst the Squad is being headed by Gilou with varying degrees of success. Josephine Karlsson is being held in prison on remand accused of attempting to kill her rapist by running him down with her car and Examining Magistrate Roban is rapidly approaching an enforced retirement. Then the Squad's former head is murdered in the course of an armed robbery at a Chinese restaurant suspected of being part of a money-laundering operation and this draws Laure back to rejoin the Squad despite reservations as to her ability to function at the level required.How the murder investigation is pursued and it's ramifications for not only individual members of the Squad but also Roban and Karlsson form the substance of the plot. There are the usual missteps and wrong conclusions that we have grown used to over the years but the storylines remain compelling throughout - a tribute not only to the scriptwriters but also the sympathetic performances given by all the lead actors backed up by the support characters. Even TinTin returns having now been appointed to the French equivalent of the Internal Affairs Dept to play a significant role.Without giving away any details I would just say that the Series ends with Laure Gilou Roban and Josephine at a crossroads whether personal or professional or both and that would have been quite enough to bring the whole enterprise to a satisfactory conclusion. However I gather that Series 8 is already under way so it will be interesting to see how the characters progress in future - let's just hope it's not too long before we get to see see them back in action.Audio : FrenchSubtitles : English for the Hard of Hearing.There are no Extras.

Like immensely.

Another show I have become addicted to during lockdown. Great show, storyline and characters. Very realistic. Introduces you to a whole different judicial system. If you liked The Bridge you will like this. Now criticism is of the DVD. It's as bad as a pirated copy at times. The subtitles are out of sync. You have to keep pressing subtitle reset at the start of each episode. Save the aggro get it on a streaming service if you have wifi. I believe it is available on prime video. Don't let my canning of the dvd product put you off watching this show.

Even the loss of my favourite character, Tin Tin - yes, he does appear in a sadly debilitated role - cannot overcome a fine ending to this quite magnificent series. The directing is supported by a marvellous cast, amongst whom some six or seven are consistently powerful in their performances. Caroline Proust is superb, as is Audrey Fleurot but given that, it is difficult not to say that those who play the key roles of Escofffier, Tin Tin, Edelman. Judge Roban and at least two or three others stand up well by comparison. There is scarcely a weak character to be seen and some quite stunning performances. I'm not sure whether it was a quirk of my subtitles, or that they were set wrongly, that constant interruptions of door creaks/coughs/sighs etc punctuated the dialogue in the most annoying way. This problem never reared its head in the first 6 series. I shall very much miss this unique series. Indeed, I shall certainly return to it in the future.

I can understand why some viewers admit to " binge watching " because I could easily have watched the whole series in one go. The standard is excellent again, and the fully developed main characters such as Gilou, Laure, Josephine and the judge interact well. Obviously the series does no favours to the Paris tourism industry, with its dubious lowlife, gritty plots, dangerous car chases and some very seedy buildings, but the slow pace at times was necessary to add reality to catching the baddies. As with all subtitled crime series, you have to concentrate but it is a small price to pay for excitement, twists and turns, and as always, a hidden agenda. I cannot see any mention of series eight.Merde!

A fantastic series overall but with one caveat? Series 1 - 6 have subtitles where the option - without hard of hearing - is available. Season 7: Seems to be for the hard of hearing only even thought the info infers otherwise?My hearing, isn't perfect but I found the following so annoying I returned the item.* Subtitles - English** Subtitles - Hard of hearing - English.In addition, there are issues with out of sync speech/ subtitles?

Yet another season of this magnificent series. I literally cannot get enough of the evil antics of Josephine Karlsson and her dodgy pal Edelmann, not to mention the way Gilou and Captain Berthaud break all the rules in the cause of justice. A re-appearance of 'Tintin' adds to the story as well. As always, the grim background of Paris's city jungle (especially the Banlieues, portrayed realistically and without undue PC) is an essential element in making this series stand out.

Without question the very best cop series ever.Characters are believable, wonderfully scruffy and natural.Every series has a great story with true failings of the cops involved. Political correctness doesn’t exist in these series so don’t bother if you that offends you.You get into the main characters personalities and to understand what makes them tick whilst identifying their frailties and imperfections.My favourites are Laure and Gilou.Brilliantly acted by all.I absolutely love it.