In this episode, next to last of the 12 Gambon Maigret shows, he has to negotiate the murky world of political skullduggery, asked by a Minister, and indeed the President, to find out why a report has gone missing, one that could seriously embarrass the Govt.
Who is telling the truth, an ambitious politician, trying to climb the greasy pole, or the established Minister, famous for being honourable. Or neither?
Maigret discovers he's being observed by Govt agents, who may or may not obstruct what he's doing, and at times has to conceal his actions.
This episode had been done in the Rupert Davies series of Maigrets (60s), and had a slightly different ending, though it told broadly the same tale, and had a slightly less run time (about 15 mins less).
As ever with these Gambon shows, the support cast is excellent, Barbara Flynn as Madame Maigret (slightly more spirited than previous actresses played her, or were allowed to), Peter Barkworth, Jon Finch, and Michael Melia amongst them. John Moffatt is the snooty Comeliau, the examining magistrate keen to preserve order - and his own job.
I only gave this show 7, as the tension isn't as great, there was no murder at the central point of the story, but the story and cast were good.
Who is telling the truth, an ambitious politician, trying to climb the greasy pole, or the established Minister, famous for being honourable. Or neither?
Maigret discovers he's being observed by Govt agents, who may or may not obstruct what he's doing, and at times has to conceal his actions.
This episode had been done in the Rupert Davies series of Maigrets (60s), and had a slightly different ending, though it told broadly the same tale, and had a slightly less run time (about 15 mins less).
As ever with these Gambon shows, the support cast is excellent, Barbara Flynn as Madame Maigret (slightly more spirited than previous actresses played her, or were allowed to), Peter Barkworth, Jon Finch, and Michael Melia amongst them. John Moffatt is the snooty Comeliau, the examining magistrate keen to preserve order - and his own job.
I only gave this show 7, as the tension isn't as great, there was no murder at the central point of the story, but the story and cast were good.
