Summer ’36 Ending Explained: Believing from the first episode that one or all of the four leading women in the series are the killers, French whodunit Summer ’36 leaves us with a googly in the end. With two sudden murders being committed, the identity of the perpetrators remains on everyone’s minds as Blanche, Eugénie, Giulia and Léonie try to get to the bottom of the mystery. The ending, however, is far more emotional and tragic than one could’ve imagined from the beginning, tied to events that had taken place years before the crime at the Riviera Hotel.
The ending highlights how nothing is ever black or white as the moral dilemma blurs the lines between justice and revenge.
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Who is in the Cast of Summer ’36 Netflix Show?
Julie de Bona, Sofia Essaïdi, Nolwenn Leroy, Constance Gay, Miou-Miou, François-Xavier Demaison, Pascal Elbé, Sam Karmann, Simon Ehrlacher, Assaad Bouab
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Who is the Director of Summer ’36 Series?
Frédéric Garson
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What is the Original Title of Summer ’36?
L’Été 36
The series has 6 episodes, with a runtime of 60 minutes each.
Summer ’36 Ending Explained
Who Really Killed Adrien Jacquart?
As the series reaches its conclusion, the truth comes out that Blanche, Eugénie, Giulia and Léonie did not kill Adrien. Although it seems like they are the perpetrators because of their relationships with the victim, it eventually comes out that the truth is far more complex. As we see in episode 6, the real perpetrator is Anne-Marie Meunier-Dauphin, one of the guests of the Riviera Hotel, who shared a close bond with Marthe Pontavice-Caron. Her connection with Adrien goes back years, as she had a son with him whom Adrien accidentally ran over and left for dead to protect his reputation.
Never being able to overcome the tragedy of losing the child and already suffering from the guilt of giving him up for adoption, Anne-Marie took it upon herself to get revenge against him and eventually confronts him in his hotel room. However, Adrien, being the terrible man that he is, offers her money to keep her quiet instead of showing remorse. Overcome by grief and anger, she stabs him with a letter opener, causing his death.
Who Killed Edgar Girault?
In a rather surprising turn of events, another surprising victim is the hotel’s manager, Girault, who witnesses Adrien’s murder. He, of course, being a greedy man, blackmails Anne-Marie instead of going to the authorities, hoping to make a quick buck out of this tragedy. However, her sister, Marthe, steps in at this point and poisons him with arsenic to stop him from going after Anne-Marie.
Why Do Blanche, Eugénie, Giulia, and Léonie Frame Raoul Delaunay?
It is revealed during this time that the four women had framed Raoul to get the police off their backs. They justify this by telling Anne-Marie and Marthe that Raoul is a terrible person who has already committed a murder in the hotel. He’s a violent businessman who is never going to face justice because of his connections. The women, thus, framed him to remove him from being a further threat to society. The characters use the law to deliver their own idea of justice and catch someone who has consistently escaped accountability.
Why Doesn’t Commissioner Raven Reveal the Truth?
Summer ’36 repeatedly reminds viewers that the law is not for the rich and powerful, who constantly get away with doing terrible things thanks to their wealth and connections. Thus, when Commissioner Raven finally pieces everything together and realises what actually happened, he refuses to change the official version of events and doesn’t arrest Anne-Marie. Realising that people like Raoul would never face justice for the crimes that he has committed, he does what is right to him, as he knows that the law doesn’t always deliver justice.
What Happens to all the Characters?
Eugénie assumes leadership of her family’s factory with her husband, hoping to turn a new leaf for workers and their rights. Blanche decides to leave Adrien behind and finally live a happy life with her husband. Léonie opens a detective agency in Paris to finally live the life she wants her way and eventually frees her father as well; Guilia continues to work at the hotel for her daughter, hoping to rekindle her relationship with Joseph one day. And, lastly, Commissioner Raven
What Does the Ending Really Mean?
In the last few minutes, the characters wonder whether they did the right thing while looking up at a marvellous fireworks show. However, it’s quite clear that they are happy with their decision, highlighting that sometimes you have to make morally grey decisions to bring about justice. While putting Anne-Marie and Marthe would’ve been the lawful thing to do, it would result in powerful murderers like Raoul going free, and giving them a chance to terrorise poor and less fortunate people. Although it’s not ideal, it’s the best way to see justice being served, according to them.
None of the decisions is unquestionably right, of course. However, the series presents these situations in front of audiences and intentionally leaves the questions unanswered, hoping to make viewers think more deeply about whether punishments should always follow the law even when the law repeatedly protects the powerful. Summer ’36 is a morally ambiguous watch, one that stays with you long after the series is over.
The series is streaming right now on Netflix. What are your thoughts on the ending? Let us know in the comments below!
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