Perhaps the first mystery one ponders with this 2017-2019 French thriller might be the title in translation. Even those without much knowledge of French—or barely passable facility with Google Translate—could figure out that the original title would be more like “white zone.” So how did Zone Blanche become Black Spot? Why not at least “blank zone,” “dead zone,” or even “dead spot”? Perhaps there is a reason for this particular choice of words in the translation? Is there a metaphor we should be on the lookout for?
Another mystery: Is the partner of police chief (Major Laurène Weiss) really named “Teddy Bear” as the translation keeps calling him? It would appear that it’s just a nickname since he does resemble a teddy bear, but then the subtitles actually assign dialogue to “Nounours” which is, in fact, French for “Teddy Bear.” Hmmm. (But this mystery has a solution: His name is Martial Ferrandis according to Franck Siriani, the town’s newcomer who insists on calling people by their proper names and titles.)
Of course, the biggest mystery might be why—oh for goodness sake, WHY?!—do these people stay in this godforsaken town? And while we’re asking questions one can only pose if we have the luxury of choice, let’s add more questions like: Why is there so little sunlight in this region? Why does our heroine not wash her hair more often? etc. etc. etc.
I’m getting ahead of myself here. So, first of all, we stumbled onto this Netflix show and fairly quickly breezed through its 8-episode first season (which premiered in 2017). Since the first season ended with a major cliffhanger, we immediately transitioned to the second season. Seeing that we’re still in the middle of this second season (from 2019) and it doesn’t promise resolution for the myriad unresolved—and unanswerable?—questions, and I can’t find evidence anywhere of a third season, I realize I might be sending others on a wild goose chase by recommending this series.
All that being said, it’s worth giving this French series a try…. If you like a suspenseful series that is also (just barely) a police procedural. If you want a self-contained mystery that is concluded with each episode but where each episode also adds to a gripping narrative arc. If you are intrigued by a show which suggests that dark forces—both natural and human-engineered—are shaping our lives. If you contemplate moral ambiguities of eco-activism (bordering on eco-terrorism?). If you wonder whether NOT being more activist about our natural environment is naïve and self-defeating.
In a way, the actors in this series might offer to a bit of the familiar amidst an unfamiliar setting since many bear resemblances to British or American actors you might already know. For instance the police chief (and central character) looks an awful lot like Sally Hawkins; Gerald Steiner reminds me of Nicholas Cage; and young activist Roman might exude a Jude Law vibe…?
We haven’t yet finished the second series, but so far it’s been fun and addictive! Well, in a pretty moody and creepy and enigmatic way typical of French media….
Hi Julie, I appreciate the recommendation of the series. I have been analyzing a couple of episodes from Murdoch Mysteries trying to answer the question, "why does this story works?" and I enjoy the workings of the writers that mix and confuse the audience with clues and suspects.
I guess this French series must be similar in some ways, but different in others. I got curious.
Thanks for sharing you review.