Apple TV+ ‘La Maison’ Episode 3 Review - Twisted Relationships

Episode 3 of La Maison, titled "The Family Photograph," adds another layer of complexity to the already twisted relationships within the Ledu family. While earlier episodes introduced us to the crumbling legacy of the iconic fashion house, this chapter zooms in on personal relationships, using the metaphor of a family photograph to explore the tensions simmering beneath the surface.

The idea of a "family photograph" feels apt as the characters struggle to present themselves as a cohesive unit while their personal battles unravel the facade. This episode is less about high fashion and more about the raw, emotional unraveling of the family. Vincent Ledu’s scandal has already set the stage for chaos, but here we see the quieter devastation: years of unspoken grievances, old wounds, and power dynamics that seep into the photo shoot, making it a tense and uncomfortable affair.

At the center of the episode is Perle Foster, played masterfully by Amira Casar. As she tries to hold the family together, we get a deeper sense of her internal struggles. Her efforts to present a united front feel increasingly desperate, with each member of the Ledu clan pulling in different directions. Lambert Wilson’s Vincent continues to feel the weight of his public disgrace, but in this episode, it’s the more intimate betrayal—within his own family—that stings the most.

Zita Hanrot’s Paloma Castel also shines in this episode. We see her trying to navigate the family’s complicated dynamics while asserting her own place within the company and the clan. Her storyline feels like it’s building towards something bigger, and Episode 3 leaves us on the edge, anticipating how Paloma’s ambitions will impact the family in future episodes.

One of the strongest aspects of La Maison is how it uses subtle interactions to reveal the deeper fractures within the family. In "The Family Photograph," it’s not the shouting matches that carry the most weight, but rather the silences, the sidelong glances, and the tension so thick you could cut it with a knife. The Ledu family’s dysfunction mirrors their crumbling fashion empire, both desperately trying to maintain appearances as they slowly implode.

While the episode excels at character development and emotional depth, it does feel like the pacing slows down a bit compared to earlier episodes. The intense focus on the family dynamics makes for a gripping hour of television, but those looking for more fashion industry drama might find themselves missing the catwalks and boardrooms that dominated previous chapters.

That said, the shift in focus works. Episode 3 may be less glamorous than the series premiere, but it’s more intimate and introspective, offering insight into why the Ledu family is in such disarray. The writing is sharp, and the performances are nuanced, making this episode a standout despite the slower pace.

Visually, the episode maintains La Maison’s high standards. The muted color palette reflects the somber mood of the family, and the staging of the photo shoot cleverly contrasts the pristine image they are trying to project with the underlying messiness of their reality. Directors Fabrice Gobert and Daniel Grou continue to do an excellent job of balancing the show’s aesthetic beauty with its emotional grit.

If there’s a minor complaint, it’s that the episode could have done more to tie the personal drama back into the business stakes that have been building throughout the season. We get hints of how these personal conflicts will affect the future of the Ledu fashion house, but "The Family Photograph" mostly keeps the focus on the family itself. It’s a fine balance, but for viewers more invested in the cutthroat world of fashion, this episode might feel like a slight detour.

Overall, Episode 3 is a fascinating exploration of familial relationships, power, and image. It’s quieter than the episodes before it, but no less impactful. As we move further into the series, it’s clear that the real heart of La Maison lies not just in its depiction of the fashion industry, but in its portrayal of a family caught between legacy and personal ambition. "The Family Photograph" leaves us wanting more—more secrets to be uncovered, more betrayals to be revealed, and, of course, more high-stakes drama both in and outside the fashion house.

Final Score- [8.5/10]