Les Miserables (BBC) - Episodes One & Two

    Victor Hugo's remarkable masterpiece of political commentary, told by timeless characters and interwoven with themes of forgiveness and love, has been brought to the screen in a 6 episode miniseries. As a huge fan of the musical, I was excited for this to finally premiere! I was glad to see that it was going to give more background information on the characters, especially Fantine. I just watched both episodes one and two this afternoon and it's impossible not to be completely overwhelmed by the story all over again!

Episode One

    After the defeat of Waterloo, France has lost its great emperor Napoleon Bonaparte who has been replaced by a new king. A young solider, Col. Pontmercy, returns to Paris in hopes of seeing his little boy, but his disapproving father-in-law forbids him to do so. He then threatens to disinherit his grandson if his father ever makes contact with him. As the young man leaves disheartened, he looks to the window and sees his son, Marius, staring down at him.

    Colonel Pontmercy finds hope.

     Meanwhile, a beautiful young grisette or seamstress and her friends find themselves in the company of refined young gentlemen, with eager appetites and preying eyes. One of these girls, Fantine Thibault, falls madly for Felix. A handsome poet who woos the naive girl with words of tenderness and devotion. Fantine is swept away and agrees to become his mistress. Felix gifts her with beautiful clothes and romantic afternoons as long as she provides him with physical comfort and sexual appeasement. 

     Even with the birth of her illegitimate daughter, Cosette, Fantine is still financed and taken care of. However, that all comes to an end when Felix and his friends depart suddenly leaving their former mistresses in distress. Now alone with no financial support, Fantine has only her baby and her will to survive. 

     Finally, in the Bagne of Toulon, prisoner 24601 has served 19 years for theft. His approaching release parole gives him some sense of happiness, but his overseer, known only as Javert crushes any sense of light that the defeated prisoner searches for. Upon the day of his release, prisoner 24601 receives his parole and his name, Jean Valjean. However, he does not receive his freedom entirely. He is still a prisoner to the country. Wherever he goes, he must report his yellow ticket to the authorities, informing them that he is a dangerous criminal. 

     There is no hope for a prisoner.

     While Valjean is thankful to be released, his parole proves to be harder than he thought. He works hard, but is paid little. People run and hide upon seeing his face and every door is closed to him. Every door except one. Jean Valjean is welcomed into the home of the kindly--if not at times eccentric--Bishop Myriel, who casts no judgement, but feeds and houses the thief. He also talks to him of love, kindness and forgivness, all of which Valjean laughs at, believing that he would never be the recipient of such morals.

     There can be no forgiveness for a thief.  

    In the middle of the night, Valjean makes off with the Bishop's silver and is caught by the police. Thinking that this is finally the end for him, Valjean and the police are shocked when Myriel claims he gave Valjean the silver and insists that he be set free. Before Valjean is let go, the Bishop tells him that with his testimony and the silver, he now has the opportunity for a second chance in life and to become a new man. 

     Can that happen for a prisoner of 19 years?

Episode Two

    Roughly seven years later, Fantine has left Paris with her daughter looking for employment, but having to raise a child and find work is becoming difficult. Yet, she seems to find some luck when she meets the Thenardiers, a local innkeeper and his wife, who have three small children. They agree to care for Cosette while Fantine finds work in a larger town, as long as she pays them a monthly due. Although heartbroken, Fantine believes she is doing what is best for herself and her beloved little girl. 

     She soon finds a job in one of the factories of the new mayor Monsieur Madeleine. Fantine keeps her daughter a secret from her employer, fearing that she would lose any chance of good work if anyone knew. It's not long before Fantine is taken with the handsome and generous mayor (as are many of the other young women), and she truly believes that she can start a new life for her and Cosette. 

    While the little factory town takes pride in their new mayor, no one is aware of Madeleine's past as the former convict, Jean Valjean. Yet, there is one person who never forgets and is set to finding Valjean and have him pay for his crimes. The new police inspector, Javert arrives just when Fantine does and as Valjean is made mayor. While Javert respects Monsieur Madeleine, he can't help but notice certain similarities between the well loved mayor and the former prisoner 24601. After an accident where the mayor saves a man's life with his freakish strength, Javert is convinced that Madeleine is Valjean and sets out to warrant his arrest.  

    Jean Valjean immediately recognizes Javert and becomes frightened that everything he has worked so hard for, the new life he has created will be brought down by the past he cannot escape. Fantine's own past catches up with her and the secret of her illegitimate child is discovered. While under stress from Javert, Valjean is furious at Fantine for lying to him when he finds the truth about her daughter. Out of anger he dismisses Fantine from her work, leaving her destitute with no chance of a proper job.

     The Thenardiers become greedier with Fantine's monthly income as they abuse Cosette forcing her to work as a scullery maid. Out of desperation, Fantine sells her hair and two front teeth. Finally she becomes a prostitute if only to save Cosette as the Thenardiers write that she is ill and needs expensive medicine. After being humiliated by a rich man in the red light district, Fantine viciously attacks him which lands her in trouble with Javert.

    While Javert is ready to sentence Fantine to six months in prison, Valjean confronts him and seeing the lowly state that he himself has sent Fantine to, demands that she be freed. He cares for Fantine at the hospital and promises to return Cosette to her. 

     Before he can fetch the child, Javert approaches him with a startling revelation. He had accused the mayor of being the runaway convict known as prisoner 24601 or Jean Valjean. Then he discovers that man has already been arrested and is awaiting trial. Finally Valjean has an escape. If he can let this man continue to be seen as the prisoner he once was, then he will no longer live in fear of being found out.  

    Yet, he is also a new man. Devoted to God and to what is right. 

    Does he stay silent or does he speak?