Ep 2. 1932

Baron Noir is a French political thriller series that follows the story of a former member of the French Parliament, Philippe Rickwaert. In season 1 episode 2, titled "1932", Philippe Rickwaert finds himself at a crossroads. He has just been sentenced to a year in prison for his involvement in a scandal, and his once-promising political career is in shambles.

The episode begins with Philippe serving his sentence in a grim prison cell. His former protégé, Amélie Dorendeu, comes to visit him to discuss the political situation in the country. Amélie is now a member of the Socialist Party, and she needs Philippe's help to get a controversial bill passed. The bill would nationalize the banks, and it is fiercely opposed by the banking industry and the right-wing parties.

Philippe is hesitant to get involved, but Amélie tells him that if the bill fails, it could mean the end of the Socialist Party. Philippe sees an opportunity to leverage this situation for his own benefit, and he agrees to help Amélie get the bill passed. He also wants Amélie to help him get out of prison and clear his name.

Philippe's first move is to try to win over the centrist parties. He meets with a powerful businessman named Serge Pujol, who is also a member of the centrist party. Pujol is skeptical of Philippe, but Philippe convinces him that nationalizing the banks would be good for the country's economy. Pujol agrees to support the bill, and Philippe thinks he has made a major breakthrough.

However, Philippe's political maneuvering is complicated by a personal crisis. His son, Cyril, has been arrested for drug possession, and Philippe is desperate to get him out of jail. He turns to his ex-wife, Rebecca, for help, but she refuses to get involved. Philippe is forced to take matters into his own hands, and he uses his connections to get Cyril released from jail.

Meanwhile, Philippe's former colleagues in the Socialist Party are watching his every move. They suspect that he is up to something, and they are determined to stop him. They hire a private investigator to dig up dirt on Philippe, and they find evidence that he was involved in a bribery scandal years ago. They leak this information to the press, and Philippe's reputation is once again tarnished.

As the episode comes to a close, Philippe is torn between his desire for revenge and his commitment to the cause. He realizes that he has put his own interests ahead of those of the party, and he is filled with guilt. He decides to make amends by withdrawing from the political arena altogether. He tells Amélie that he wants to spend the rest of his life working to make amends for his past mistakes.

Overall, "1932" is a gripping episode that explores the themes of loyalty, betrayal, and redemption. It highlights the often cutthroat world of politics and the complex relationships between the characters. Viewers will be left on the edge of their seats as they watch Philippe navigate his way through the treacherous waters of French politics.