Ep 2. Episode 2

In the second episode of the critically acclaimed drama series Les Misérables, we find Jean Valjean, the former prisoner, living under the guise of Monsieur Madeleine in a small town. He has become a respected and successful businessman, and the people of the town admire and trust him. However, his past still haunts him, and his fear of being discovered by Inspector Javert, the man who has been hunting him for years, never leaves his mind.

Meanwhile, we are introduced to Fantine, a young woman who arrives in the nearby city of Montreuil-sur-Mer, looking for work. She is a single mother, and her daughter, Cosette, has been left in the care of an innkeeper and his wife, the Thénardiers. We see the harsh realities of life for poor working-class women in 19th-century France, as she is forced to resort to prostitution to make ends meet.

Fantine's story intertwines with that of Inspector Javert's investigation of a burglary in Montreuil. He recognises a mark left at the scene of the crime as belonging to Jean Valjean, and his suspicions are aroused. As he begins to dig deeper, he discovers that Monsieur Madeleine is not who he claims to be.

As the series continues to explore the themes of poverty, injustice, and redemption, we see the characters' paths begin to cross and collide. Jean Valjean's determination to protect the innocent Cosette from the cruel Thénardiers, and Fantine's quest to provide for her daughter while fighting against the oppressive social order, draw them together in unexpected ways.

We also see the struggles of other characters, such as the young revolutionaries Marius and Enjolras, as they fight for a better future for themselves and their fellow citizens. The class divide is starkly illustrated by their differing experiences of life in Paris, where the wealthy live in luxury while the poor are forced to survive in squalor.

With each episode, the deep emotional connections between the characters begin to emerge, bringing the story to life. While the series is steeped in historical settings and events, its themes of love, sacrifice and redemption are timeless. Les Misérables remains one of the most beloved stories of all time, and this series is a powerful retelling of its enduring message.