Ep 11. Birdsong: Episode 1

In Masterpiece season 42 episode 11, titled "Birdsong: Episode 1", viewers are taken back in time to World War I France. The episode begins with a young officer named Stephen Wraysford (played by Eddie Redmayne) arriving in the small French town of Amiens, where he is to supervise a group of British tunnellers tasked with carving out a tunnel beneath enemy lines. Stephen is immediately struck by the beauty of the town, and befriends a local family, the Azaire family.

Stephen is particularly taken with Isabelle Azaire (played by Clémence Poésy), the beautiful and enigmatic wife of wealthy industrialist René Azaire (played by Laurent Lafitte). Despite René's warning to stay away from his wife, Stephen finds himself drawn to her, and the two embark on a passionate and forbidden affair.

As Stephen and Isabelle's relationship deepens, viewers are given a glimpse into the emotional and psychological toll of war. Flashbacks to Stephen's life before the war reveal a tragic past that has left him emotionally closed off, and his time in the trenches only exacerbates his trauma. Meanwhile, Isabelle grapples with the emptiness of her privileged life and the constraints of her marriage.

Despite the obstacles in their way, Stephen and Isabelle remain determined to be together. But as the war intensifies and Stephen's battalion is called to the front lines, the lovers are forced to confront the reality that their time together may be limited.

The episode is a masterclass in period drama, with exquisite attention to detail in the costumes, sets and cinematography. The performances by Redmayne and Poésy are particularly impressive, with both actors deftly conveying the complexities of their characters' emotional journeys. The wartime setting adds an additional layer of tension to the romance, as viewers are continually reminded of the ever-present danger facing Stephen and his fellow soldiers.

Overall, "Birdsong: Episode 1" is a gripping and emotionally resonant start to the Masterpiece series. With its themes of love and loss set against the backdrop of World War I, the episode is sure to capture the hearts of viewers looking for a compelling and powerful drama.