Picture Credit: Netflix
Ever since its premiere on April 8th, the West Indies-set family epic Bandi has made waves in the Global Top 10 and is consistently among the most-watched series in France. But are there any loose ends at the conclusion of its first season? And most importantly, are there any plans for a sophomore season? Here is everything we know.
It seems that Netflix’s big French gamble has paid off: subscribers worldwide have given the saga of the Lafleur family and its numerous siblings a chance. With so many moving parts and high stakes, the resolutions were never going to be as tidy as one would like (especially for Kylian Lafleur). But is there hope for the series to continue? And how much is left open in the eventful season 1 finale of Bandi?
Bandi Episode 8 Recap
WARNING: Major Spoilers for the End of Season 1
As episode 8 opens, a shootout in a local club has left two dead: local drug lord SherKhan (Evil P) and one of his associates, who had successfully set up Kingsley Lafleur (Rodney Dijon) and his girlfriend Margot (Élodie Rosso). The event makes headlines in the local media, shining a harsh spotlight on drug-related violence in Martinique. This has two immediate effects: it makes Kingsley a wanted man by both the police and SherKhan’s crew, and it causes Kylian’s (Djody Grimeau) Venezuelan contacts to get cold feet about safely shipping their kiloton of drugs off the island. As Marco explains, the local police will have no choice but to intensify drug busts and make examples out of whoever they arrest. Marco also issues Kylian a clear ultimatum: either Kingsley dies, or his little brother Léo—who was taken as collateral for the operation—will die.
Meanwhile, other associates who were facilitating the drug exchange also want Kingsley dead. Kylian soon learns that his entire crew has received letters from the dockers’ syndicate, led by his connect Jean-Claude, containing a single bullet with “KING” engraved on it. With his associates turning on him, Kylian meets with his estranged brother, lamenting that his foolproof plan is ruined and the money required to keep the family afloat is gone. Instead of killing him, he offers Kingsley a choice to get away from Martinique and start a new life in another country. Kingsley promptly refuses.
Out of options, Kylian enlists Marvin to seek the help of another estranged brother: Nathanaël Lafleur, who became a drug addict after being cast out of the clan for accidentally killing one of his siblings. The three successfully move the truck containing the drugs to a new safe location. Marvin and Kylian then return Nat’s custom Lafleur ring to him.
Kingsley, meanwhile, successfully escapes the police and his enemies to visit Margot, who has stashed the drugs he stole from SherKhan. He then visits the youngest Lafleur siblings, telling them a made-up story about a “colony of ghosts,” mirroring his actions at the beginning of the series.
Kylian (Djody Grimeau) and Kingsley (Rodney Dijon)’s relationship comes to a point of non-return in the finale. Cr: Netflix
The next day, a meeting is set up between former SherKhan associates and Milord’s former crew, led by Fatso. They discuss pooling their resources, killing Kingsley, and taking over the business. A hitman joins the conversation and puts Milord (Kylian) on speakerphone. As a car drives by and the group sees Kylian talking, they receive news that the drug shipment is safe—but if they betray Milord, they can say goodbye to the Venezuelan money. Furthermore, Kylian threatens to kill every single one of them if anything happens to his brother. The meeting abruptly ends when the crew realizes a grenade has been planted under their table.
Meanwhile, investigators are contacted by Kylian’s father, who claims to have information about SherKhan’s murder. Kylian is arrested but is instead driven to meet Alex Croquet (Jonathan Zaccaï). Croquet tries to coerce Kylian into returning the money Kingsley stole, along with a 15% tax on future Lafleur business. He confesses that Kylian’s father gave up the information and that he personally prevented investigators from checking out the claims. Kylian remains stone-cold, threatening to create massive problems for Croquet’s business as well. As he walks out, he receives a video message showing Léo playing with a gang member’s child; Léo is then shot in the head as the video cuts off. Kylian loses composure, fearing Léo is dead, but then another call comes in. Léo reveals the bullet was a blank and that he was told to say, “Only death is a guarantee”—a clear warning from the gang to stop Kylian from snitching if he goes to prison.
Kingsley meets Annabelle, who reveals Kylian sent her to convince him to flee the island with an envelope of cash. Kingsley finally accepts the offer, taking the envelope and the keys to a boat provided by Kylian’s connects in exchange for 5% of the product.
In the season’s final sequences, the clan (minus Léo) reunites to swim and relax near a lake. Kylian and Kingsley are reunited, and though Kingsley tries to hit his brother for leaving Léo in the gang’s hands, they are separated by Marvin. Only Ambre stays away from the fun, wanting no part in her brothers’ illegal activities. Kingsley is assured that someone he trusts will help him start his new life, and he gives Kylian his stash of stolen drugs in a paper bag to sell.
As Kingsley leaves on a scooter to reach the boat, another scooter catches up to him. Kingsley is shot, knocked into a ditch by a young hitman, and shot again to finish the job. The unsuspecting family van passes near the scene. Aboard the van, Kylian fiddles with a family ring, which he then tosses out the window.
In the final minutes, a new docker takes over as Milord’s main connect, while Jean-Claude—who introduced Kylian to the Venezuelan gang and ordered the hit on Kingsley—is executed. Kylian’s father is seen leaving the Ducos jail, apparently on parole. Finally, Kylian is seen at the Lafleur family tomb, asking his mother for forgiveness. The final shot focuses on Kingsley’s body in the ditch; as the camera zooms in, we see there is no Lafleur ring on his finger. This is a clear confirmation that Kylian ordered the hit on his own brother, proving everyone who said he wouldn’t dare do it wrong.
Will Bandi Be Renewed For Season 2?
Capucine and Éric Rochant on the set of Bandi. Cr: Netflix
Numerous plot points remain open for Bandi, as the murder of Kingsley creates a whole new set of problems for the clan. Milord/Kylian may have appeased tensions in the drug game, but his relationship with the Venezuelans remains volatile. His closest associates, including Fatso, have already plotted a takeover without him and may turn on him again sooner rather than later. There is also the matter of Croquet trying to settle scores, regain his stolen money, and use his racist disdain for Kylian’s business to throw him in prison with the help of cooperative cops. Finally, even if Milord has covered his tracks, the murder investigation may inevitably come back to haunt him. All of this promises an explosive season 2, if it is ordered.
The show has made a highly promising start on the Netflix charts in France, and most importantly, globally. As it stands, Netflix has not made season 2 official. However, Capucine and Éric Rochant, who co-created the series and co-wrote the eight episodes (with numerous directing credits for Éric), have laid out their plans with Télé Loisirs. They noted that during the shoot of season 1, they took deep inspiration from the actors playing the Lafleur clan, stating, “If there are future seasons, we will have to make them grow up and flesh them out as characters.”
Even though the show was conceived to last multiple seasons, Éric Rochant explained that “it will all depend on the audience. Having two seasons ordered [upfront] is very rare, but in any case, we are gearing up for it.” In other words, as with many Netflix series, informal progress may have already been made on season 2 scripts to facilitate a quick start to production in the event of a renewal. This exact method was seen with Blood Coast, whose third season is now in production.
Another factor that may work in Bandi‘s favor is that Netflix’s French series lineup is currently looking scarce in terms of renewed shows. As of this writing, only Lupin (which will premiere this fall), The Cage (which is believed to be in post-production and may premiere soon), and Blood Coast have officially been renewed for new seasons. Candidates awaiting news on further seasons include Furies (which premiered in March) and Cash Queens (which premiered in February).
Are you looking forward to season 2 of Bandi? What are your feelings on the bloody finale and Milord’s ultimate betrayal? Sound off below!
