Lupin (S3/2023) Series: Fascinating Tales Of A Charming Thief

In the first two parts of its story – Assane Diop has really put on a good heist show for viewers like us (and his dedicated fans in France), but along the way, he also seeks revenge for his father from a rich and powerful foe. So, in season two, not only does Assane avenge his father’s death, but he also manages to get the wealthy businessman Hubert Pellegrini (Hervé Pierre) inside the prison.

As a teenager, Assane Diop’s life was turned upside down when his father died after being accused of a crime he didn’t commit. 25 years later, Assane will use “Arsène Lupin, Gentleman Burglar” as his inspiration to avenge his father.

Episodes 1

Years after a tragic injustice involving his father, Assane seeks to settle a score, and a debt, by stealing a diamond necklace. However, the heist takes an unexpected turn.

Episodes 2

Assane hatches a plot to contact Comet, an inmate who steers him to a clue about Babakar’s demise. Anne Pellegrini comes clean about her past.

Episodes 3

Assane confronts Commissioner Dumont and plants a decoy to divert the police. Hubert Pellegrini’s connection to Babakar’s fate is revealed.

Episodes 4

Assane enlists the help of Journalist Fabienne Beriot to retrieve incriminating evidence on Hubert Pellegrini. Officer Guedira connects the dots around the Louvre heist.

Episodes 5

While on his way to Etretat with Claire and Raoul, Assane encounters an unwelcome figure. In a bind, Assane sends a message to Captain Laugier.

Assane’s quest for revenge against Hubert Pellegrini has torn his family to pieces. With his back to the wall, he now has to think of a new plan, even if it means putting himself in danger.

Episode 1

Assane searches for Raoul with Guedira in tow. In a deserted Normandy mansion, a heated confrontation erupts between Leonard and Assane.

Episode 2

Hubert makes a deal with Dumont and sets a trap for Assane, who happens to be one step ahead. Claire knocks on Hubert’s door.

Episode 3

As he attempts to gain Juliette’s trust with a series of capers, Assane devises an elaborate plot that blinds Hubert.

Episode 4

Leonard tails Assane to his home. Hubert orchestrates a frame-up. Assane leaves a clue online for Guedira that sheds light on Dumont.

Episode 5

In a scheme to usurp all schemes, Assane and Benjamin recruit and disguise a clever accomplice in order to bring Hubert to justice.

Now in hiding, Assane must learn to live far from his wife and son. With the suffering they endure because of him, Assane can’t stand it any longer and decides to return to Paris to make them a baffling proposal: leave France and start a new life elsewhere. But the ghosts of the past are never far away, and an unexpected return will turn his plans upside down.

Episode 1

To mend matters with Claire and Raoul, Assane devises a plan to get them out of France. But with high stakes come greater risks – and no room for error.

Episode 2

An unfathomable loss rocks France, but Guédira and Raoul grapple with denial. A mysterious classified ad resurrects old ghosts and long-lost hopes.

Episode 3

As Fleur and Guédira strike a deal, Belkacem visits Benjamin. Assane tries to outmanoeuvre a new enemy in the shadows while keeping tabs on his family.

Episode 4

Assane meets his mother’s captor in the flesh, but there’s no sign of her. Tasked with another all-or-nothing heist, he makes a devastating choice.

Episode 5

Increasingly suspicious, Claire launches an investigation of her own. Guédira gets the surprise – and opportunity – of a literature lover’s lifetime.

Episode 6

Having identified his opponent, Assane races to protect his family and avoid retaliation. Belkacem remains wary of Guédira; Mariama sends a message.

Episode 7

A family reunion years in the making comes to pass. With Mariama’s help, Assane makes a final play to stop Keller, right his wrongs and go out in style.

We witness, Assane Diop pulling off some of his most outlandish heists and unusual disappearing acts in this season. But still, he surrenders and ends up inside the jail.

Secret message and the loud voice-over

Just when Assane was settling down in his cell, a prison guard handed over an envelope from a fellow inmate who stays in the nearby cell in the same jail. The said envelope contained a photograph of Assane as a kid holding the Arsène Lupin book – The Cagliostro’s Revenge {La Cagliostro’s Revenge}.

{Assane}: "The riddle was within you, within the secret of your soul... In order to trap you, and to earn your trust."  

{Assane & Mariama}: "I welcomed the love you showed me."

{Mariama}: Perhaps you believed I felt it myself."

{Mariama & Hubert}: "And so you truly loved me." 

{Hubert}: "And thus, you lost all clarity."

The end.

Decoding the secret message

It was a coded message for Assanse – as it seemed that someone had taken an act of revenge on Assane as he was imprisoned. Soon enough, we decipher the details of the said message. It was sent by none other than his old foe Hubert Pellegrini (S1 & S2), whom Assane had taken revenge in earlier first two seasons.

That old photo meant that all along perhaps Hubert had predicted and planned Assane’s moves. Besides Assane’s supposed mother Mariama might be a shady character and part of the bigger conspiracy plan of his enemy Hubert. That emotional move has put Assane in jail and put his family at great risk.

Now, we have to wait for season four.

But by the end of Lupin season 3, Mariama’s voice is heard reading lines (see above) from the Lupin book La Cagliostro’s Revenge about trapping him through trust and welcoming the love shown to her. Her spoken lines mean Mariama has been working with Hubert all along. It seems that she became Keller’s hostage to gain Assane’s trust.

No wonder, this is one of the most important questions in every viewer’s mind – Is Mariama Assane’s real mother?

In addition, the full extent of Hubert’s dangerous plans will be unveiled in the upcoming season. Also, how the Assane will defeat his formidable enemy.

All of these issues might be explored in the fourth season.