The Penultimate Episode of 'Madame Blanc Mysteries' Season 4 Features Death by Umbrella

There’s great excitement in the penultimate episode of Season 4 of Acorn TV’s The Madame Blanc Mysteries when the much-beloved British TV show Antique Antics comes to Saint-Victoire. In a case of TV imitating TV, Antique Antics is highly reminiscent of Antiques Roadshow and its many other spinoffs. For antique expert turned detective Jean White (Sally Lindsay) it’s a chance to meet up with old friends, and see a glimpse of the proverbial path not taken. She chose her life in Saint-Victoire instead of accepting an offer to become the host of the show. While she has the personality and expertise, she knew she would hate the publicity and lack of privacy, whereas she enjoys life in an idyllic French village, with good friends, lots of wine, and last but not least, her almost-fiancé, Dom. At least, we think she does. Because, as we saw last week, some cracks have started appearing in that perfect relationship.

But Jean is delighted that her old friend David (Les Dennis), the host of Antique Antics, now enjoys fame and fortune as a genial, courteous foil to his younger, arrogant, and ambitious co-host Nick (Richard Black).

Crowds gather outside in the bright sunlight to have their trash/treasures evaluated. The event takes place in the Lloyd-Jameses’ palatial summer house, and the couple are, as ever, ready to schmooze and explore new business ventures. But where are the stars of the show and the crew? Their van broke down on the trip from the airport, but Gloria and her beloved Electric LadyVan came to the rescue. Nick and glamorous presenter Elaine (Lorraine Burroughs) are not at all happy as they wait for Gloria to fix the vehicle. In a separate but equally unfortunate incident, the tech crew is stuck in Gatwick. Will the show go on? Of course it will!