The Lost Sailor

Maigret discovers a man wandering around the streets looking vague and almost incoherent, when he is spotted shoplifting, he decides to take him in, he discovers the man had recently been shot, and is now struck silent, his housekeeper identifies him as

It's a very fine episode, it is hugely atmospheric and thoroughly engaging, the mystery is definitely engrossing, just who is that strange man, how did he end up in this way, and what ultimately happened to him, it's a classic mystery.

It's a good looking production, the streets, shops and various cafes look really good, you can definitely see that a few quid went into it, superior to many shows of the time.

There isn't the humour that so often plays a part, Maigret has no official or grumpy official to bounce off, but his personality shines through as always.

Peter Welch was good as tough guy Big Louis, and Frederick Schiller did a fine job as Lloris, not an easy part to play.

Saw this on the UK Talking Pictures channel, (old films & tv) though I'd seen it when they first came out. This was another good episode, Maigret and team gradually finding out who a mystery man (found wandering) was, where he came from, and why he couldn't speak.

This series had a little more budget than the first, so there's a bit of location film (Honfleur looked great), and the support acting has improved (the villain in this was also the dastardly Sheriff of Nottingham!).

But you can see that most of the bars they have for some of the plots were built from the same base, and even some house rooms!

This series has episodes of just an hour, less ads, which means they have to crack on for some stories, and hope sometimes the viewers can keep up?! But that's OK, Simenon's stories are heavy on character development, Maigret getting into the heads of all concerned, and that takes time to put on screen, so it's quite a skill for these directors to fit everything in.

Looking forward to the next one!

Maigret comes a cross a man wandering the streets who can't speak and doesn't seem to understand what's going on. Eventually he is identified and returned to his coastal town and devoted housekeeper. As so often, there's a friendly bar, some suspicious locals and a dysfunctional family. Maigret sorts everything out.