I certainly raised a wry eyebrow when I saw the name of the director. Alan Bridges went on to direct movies for the cinema such as The Shooting Party.
I think Bridges was bored of the script. Instead he went for a stylised visual approach for the story.
It did not really work but at least it added a somewhat surreal touch.
Maigret and Lucas talking while the window of the police station is being smashed by rocks. Madame Vernoux walking in a mannered way past the camera.
The story was another family psychodrama. Maigret has gone away from Paris to meet up with an old friend.
The town is reeling from the murder of Robert de Courçon. Later there are several other deaths.
The police want Maigret to get involved in the investigation. Robert de Courçon was the brother in law of the wealthy Hubert Vernoux.
The latter was regarded as a collaborator with the Nazis during the war. Vernoux are not a popular family as the town had many people rebelling against the Nazis.
Even Robert de Courçon disliked his brother in law. The locals are getting rowdy and want to dish out their own justice. Hubert's son is the target.
I did feel the presentation could had been better. Maybe the story was difficult to adapt into a 50 minutes episode.
Some of the acting was hysterical. I bet Mr Grimsdale never had such problems!