Here it all begins (spoiler): Gaspard and Ferdinand make a pact – An unexpected alliance that could shake up the Institute!
The upcoming episode of Here It All Begins promises a twist that’s as surprising as it is dangerous. In an already tense atmosphere at the Institute, Gaspard and Ferdinand , two personalities with radically different temperaments, find themselves bound by an agreement as secret as it is improbable. This pact, sealed in the shadows of the kitchens, could well shake the already fragile balance and trigger a series of events with irreversible consequences. What begins as a simple arrangement ends up transforming into a calculated alliance, between ambitions, lies, and manipulation.
It all begins in the early morning. The Institute is still quiet, but the atmosphere in the hallways is tense. For several days, palpable tension has reigned between the students and some of the teachers. Ferdinand, recently returned to the forefront after a notable absence, finds himself in the crosshairs of several members of the teaching staff. His authoritarian attitude and unorthodox methods are disturbing. But behind his cold confidence lies a well-honed strategy: he wants to regain his place at the top, no matter the cost.
For his part, Gaspard is experiencing a period of self-doubt. Determined to prove his worth, he encountered bitter failures during his last evaluations. His relationships with his classmates, especially Carla and Jasmine, have cooled, and he struggles to find his place. The more time passes, the more he feels invisible. It is in this vulnerable and bitter state of mind that he runs into Ferdinand in the kitchen. Their meeting, initially fortuitous, becomes the starting point of a dangerous game of influence.
The scene takes place in the apparent calm of the pastry laboratory. Gaspard, bent over a failed preparation, rants in a low voice. Ferdinand, passing by by chance, watches silently. Then, in a calm, sharp voice, he says:
“You know, talent isn’t enough here. What you need is knowing how to manipulate the system.”
This seemingly innocuous sentence ignites a spark in Gaspard’s mind. He raises his head, intrigued. Ferdinand continues, in a more confidential tone:
“If you want to be taken seriously, you’re going to have to learn to play by the rules… or bend them.”
These words mark the beginning of a strange complicity. Gaspard, initially suspicious, ends up listening. He discovers in Ferdinand a vision of the world as cynical as it is lucid. For him, success is not a question of merit, but of strategy. Little by little, the young man is seduced by this speech. The professor, for his part, has understood that he holds a precious pawn.
In the days that followed, the two men met several times, out of sight. Ferdinand began to offer him advice, not on cooking, but on the art of manipulation: how to gain the trust of a superior, how to divert attention, how to bring down a rival without getting his hands dirty. Gaspard, in search of recognition, eagerly absorbed these lessons. Their relationship gradually transformed into a tacit pact, based on an exchange of services.
Ferdinand offers him a clear deal: in exchange for his help in moving up the rankings, Gaspard will have to provide him with information on certain students and the Institute’s internal decisions. The idea shocks him at first, but the temptation is too strong. Tired of being the supporting actor, he finally accepts. Their alliance is sealed with a handshake in the dark corridors.
From then on, everything changes. Gaspard becomes more confident, more ambitious, almost unrecognizable. Under Ferdinand’s guidance, he begins to subtly manipulate those around him. He slips well-chosen words to his comrades, influences certain collective decisions, and makes himself indispensable in group projects. Little by little, he gains credibility. But behind this rapid rise hides a growing shadow: that of Ferdinand, who pulls the strings from the shadows.
Meanwhile, several students begin to notice Gaspard’s change in attitude. Carla, in particular, is suspicious. She finds him colder, more calculating. An argument breaks out between them when she catches him eavesdropping on a conversation that didn’t concern him. Gaspard dodges questions, pretending he simply wanted to help. But his gaze betrays a growing concern: he knows that if he’s unmasked, his entire plan will collapse.
Meanwhile, Ferdinand multiplies his maneuvers. He uses the information provided by Gaspard to influence certain administrative decisions and discredit his rivals. He arranges for certain teachers to fail in their educational projects, while he reaps the benefits. Through Gaspard, he weaves a complex web that allows him to regain control without ever directly showing himself.
But in this dangerous game, cracks soon appear. Gaspard, caught between his loyalty to Ferdinand and his conscience, begins to doubt himself. The further he goes, the more he realizes he’s sinking into a spiral from which he won’t emerge unscathed. The stares of others, their suspicions, the repeated lies—all of it eats away at him. One night, unable to sleep, he confronts Ferdinand.
The tense and masterful scene pits two wills against each other: that of a young man still driven by moral values, and that of a seasoned manipulator. Gaspard wants to break their agreement, but Ferdinand subtly threatens him:
“You think you can get away with it like that? You’re forgetting that you’re no longer innocent. You’re already like me.”
These words hit Gaspard hard. He realizes that the pact he thought he could control has become a prison. He tries to distance himself, but Ferdinand is on guard. The next episodes promise to explore this complex relationship, between dependence, fear, and rebellion.
Meanwhile, other characters begin to notice that something is going on. Théo, intrigued by some strange behavior, discreetly questions Gaspard. For her part, Clotilde begins to suspect Ferdinand of internal manipulation. The noose is tightening. And if the truth comes out, the Institute’s entire reputation risks being tarnished.
The episode ends with a symbolic sequence. In the darkened kitchen, Gaspard observes his flour-covered hands—a stark contrast between the purity of his craft and the darkness of his actions. In the background, Ferdinand’s voice still echoes: “In cooking, as in life, it’s all a question of balance.”
This spoiler for Here It All Begins therefore announces a breathtaking plot, where ambition and manipulation intertwine in a game of psychological chess. The alliance between Gaspard and Ferdinand, as fascinating as it is toxic, marks a major turning point for both characters. Behind the stove, the recipes become as political as they are gustatory, and the viewer senses that this pact could well cause everything to explode.
Between betrayal, guilt, and a thirst for success, this episode is already shaping up to be one of the most intense of the season. Nothing will ever be the same again at the Auguste Armand Institute—and Gaspard, despite himself, may have just signed a contract with the devil.
