The Bureau (2017; Season 3)

 ☆ ☆ ☆ ½

The Bureau (2017; Season 3) – E. Rochant

Season 2 ended with the shock capture of Guillaume Debailly a.k.a. Malotru a.k.a. Paul Lefevbre (Mathieu Kassovitz) by ISIS/Daesh in Syria/Iraq.  Most of the third series observes his isolation/torture/attempts to escape and also DGSE’s attempts to rescue him (led by Raymond Sisteron (Jonathan Zaccaï)), even if only to prosecute him for being a traitor.  We also follow Marina Loiseau (Sara Giraudeau) who has returned to France from Iran (after very nearly being assassinated), traumatised and perhaps unfit for another mission. Team leader Henri Duflot (Jean-Pierre Darroussin) supports her and Marie-Jeanne (Florence Loiret Caille) is promoted to be his assistant. The series does contain a few shocks but there is a slight feeling of desperation here, as the plot-lines lead some characters to take uncharacteristic actions (in my view). Sure, there is intrigue a-plenty, but for the first time in The Bureau this can feel a little forced. The ending of the last episode, a noir-existential reverie, for sure, feels as though it was anticipated to be the finale for the entire show (reinforced by the fact that nearly all of the plot lines have been wrapped up).  Yet, somehow there is a fourth season…