Les mystères du Clos des Lilas

This episode, a unique masterpiece, is among the most beautiful ones in the series in terms of colors and sounds. It captures the mother-daughter relationship, also with the world around them, on two planes. The 1st is the extreme, properly cartoonish, portrait of the murder victim, a renowned pianist, and her daughter. The 2nd, amplified by the 1st while illuminating it in return, is that of the investigating senior officer and her mother. The portrayal of the 2nd relationship -- by the writer, actors, and the set designers -- of an infinitely strong love that encompasses everything along its way -- is absolutely superb. To top it all, what is shown is the growth of the relationship into one that accommodates including others in the lives of the mother and her daughter. Growth of a relationship is not always comfortable, to the participants as well as viewers. Here, as in real life, it is accomplished by small, careful, seemingly mundane, still very much needed steps. Even so, growth of a relationship is worth everyone's effort, because this in the end is what gives us humans hope and joy. Maybe this is why, even upon watching the episode for the 3rd time, I still found it to be totally exhilarating and satisfying. To paraphrase the dialogue, I expect the culture minister would very much appreciate this episode and very much approve.