Episode 2 | 1h 46s | Video has closed captioning.
Living respectably as a provincial mayor and factory owner, Valjean hires the single mother Fantine. Trouble follows that reunites him with his old adversary Javert.
Aired: 04/21/19
Expired: 05/05/19
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LAURA LINNEY: This is "Masterpiece"... FANTINE: Now, you're to be a good girl.
This kind lady and gentleman will look after you for a while.
MAN: He has turned the fortunes of our town around!
VALJEAN: If you work well you can prosper here.
The new chief of police is here to see you.
JAVERT: Monsieur le Maire.
My name is Javert.
GILLENORMAND: Your father is on his death bed.
ALL: Vive la France!
JAVERT: I've identified a dangerous criminal.
♪ SCRIBE: They're asking for money for medicine.
Oh, my God... Are you selling, dear?
LINNEY: "Les Misérables," tonight, o JAVERT (voiceover): 19 years for a loaf of bread.
(yells, men shouting) JAVERT: My guess, you'll be back in here before another year's gone by.
Next time, it'll be for life.
You can never win.
FANTINE (voiceover): You promise you'll be good to me, Felix?
(whispers): On my life.
FAVORITE (voiceover): "Three galloping horses "will be carrying us home to our mamas and papas.
We are leaving.
We have left."
Oh, Cosette.
Whatever are we going to do now?
(man yelps) THÉNARDIER: Rich pickings here.
(groans) (groans) Oh!
You saved my life.
Who are you?
Thénardier, sir.
BISHOP (voiceover): Oh, Jean Valjean, my brother.
I have bought your soul with that silverware and these candlesticks.
No.
You belong to good.
PETIT-GERVAIS: Did you see my 40 sous, monsieur?
Get lost!
Go on!
You've got my money!
You're a dirty thief!
Petit-Gervais!
(wind whistling) (breathing heavily) Maman, I'm tired.
Two... three.
Oh, there's a good girl.
(exhales) All right.
Maman loves you.
Very much.
♪ ♪ (men talking indistinctly) ♪ MADAME THÉNARDIER: ♪ Conspirons la perte des rois ♪ ♪ Liberté ♪ Liberté You have two lovely children there, madam.
Oh, they are.
They are-- though I says so, I shouldn't-- Eponine and Azelma.
My pride and joy, ain't you, girls?
Yeah, but you've got a lovely little one, too.
Such fine clothes.
Do you want to come and sit down, take the weight off your feet?
Thank you, madam.
Look, your little girl can play with mine.
What's her name?
Cosette.
MADAME THÉNARDIER: Have you come a long way?
You look ever so tired.
From Paris.
I'm on my way to Montreuil.
I've heard there's some good work to be had there.
Oh!
Where's hubby?
(chickens clucking) Um...
He's...
He's dead.
Oh, dear.
So you've had a hard time of it, I dare say.
(wine pouring) Yes, I have.
But once I get into a steady job, I'll soon be on my feet again.
Yeah, of course you will.
Still, it's not easy holding down a job with a little one in tow, is it?
No.
(horse whinnying in distance) You keep the inn here?
Yeah, that's right, dear.
Thénardier's the name.
See that sign there?
That's my husband.
He was the hero of Waterloo.
He saved a colonel's life.
Carried him on his back through a hail of bullets.
Was your hubby a military man at all?
No.
A poet.
Oh!
Very nice.
Not a lot of money in that, though, I shouldn't wonder.
(girls laughing) Oh, look at that.
Children make friends in no time, don't they?
COSETTE: Maman!
MADAME THÉNARDIER: Look, if you walked past that, you'd swear they were three sisters.
(giggling) Could you look after my child for a while, madam?
Oh!
You see, you were right.
It's hard to get work, especially when you have a child with you.
Yeah, especially when you're on your own.
It's just, when I saw your little ones looking so pretty and well cared-for, I knew that the good Lord had guided me here.
Will you?
I could pay.
Six francs a month!
Seven.
(chuckling): Good morning, mademoiselle.
Monsieur.
It'll have to be seven.
You wouldn't want us to skimp on her meals, now, would you?
So, that's seven francs, six months in advance.
Oh, I'll be back before then to get her, I'm sure, monsieur.
In that case, of course, we'd refund you, but those are the terms.
Regrettably, we can't make any exceptions, or where would we be?
Six sevens, that's 42 francs.
THÉNARDIER: Yeah.
And I'm going to have to think about initial expenses, too, of course.
Shall we say a nominal sum of 15 francs?
15 and 42, that's... That's 57 francs.
(quietly): 57.
I'll pay it.
You will look after her?
And love her like your own?
Oh!
We love her already, don't we, Thénardier?
Oh, of course we do.
How could we not?
Come here.
Come on.
Believe me, mademoiselle.
Your little darling'll want for nothing in our loving care.
Yeah?
(crying): Thank you.
(sniffs) THÉNARDIER (chortles): Come here.
Come here, little ones, come and play with Daddy.
Oh, look!
That's a, that's a lovely cup of tea you've got there, eh?
(girls talking softly) FANTINE: Cosette.
Now, you're to be a good girl, and this kind lady and gentleman will look after you for a while.
(whimpers): No.
And Maman will be back for you very soon.
No, Maman.
(crying): Maman!
It's all right, my darling.
♪ Maman, Maman!
Maman, please.
(crying): Maman, Maman.
(sighs) (Cosette crying) FANTINE: I'll be back, darling.
It's all for the best, you'll see.
All right.
Can't let them have all their own way, can we?
Maman!
All right, come on-- bye, Maman!
COSETTE (crying): Maman, please, please!
(sobbing) (Cosette crying, Fantine sobbing) (sobbing) ♪ ♪ MAN: Monsieur Madeleine!
Père Madeleine, as he is known by many of you, came to Montreuil three years ago.
On the very day he arrived, he rushed into a burning house and brought out two children, saving their lives.
He has brought new industry to the area, and his factory has turned the fortunes of our town around.
We are all better off because of Père Madeleine.
He has been a wise and generous employer.
Ever reluctant to put himself forward, he has at last been persuaded by the grateful citizens to accept the office of mayor of Montreuil.
Mesdames et messieurs: Monsieur Madeleine.
(cheering and applauding) (crowd cheering) (cheers and applause continue) (cheering and applauding) (applause dies down) Citizens of Montreuil.
My friends.
Uh, thank you for the, uh, trust that you've, you've-- you've shown in me.
Good day.
Monsieur Madeleine!
(crowd cheers and applauds) (machinery clanging, people talking in background) FANTINE: Excuse me?
I'm looking for some work.
Wait here.
Come.
Come, nothing to be frightened of.
Here, sit here.
Your name?
Fantine, monsieur.
(clears throat): Fantine Thibault.
And you're new in the town?
Yes.
I was living in Paris.
What work were you doing there?
I was a seamstress at a dressmaker's.
Well, the work here needs nimble fingers, too.
So, you think you can learn it?
Yes.
And if you take me, I'll work very hard.
You won't regret it.
Good.
So, what are your... family circumstances?
Um...
I, I am alone in the world, sir.
No husband?
No.
No lover?
(exhales) No children?
(stammering): As I said, sir, I'm...
I'm alone in the world.
It's very important to me, and to you, Fantine, that you're completely honest with me.
You don't believe me?
Why should you care about my life, anyway?
I care about all my workers.
So... All alone in the world.
Yes, monsieur.
VALJEAN: Well, I'll take you on a month's probation.
And if you work well, you can prosper here.
Thank you, monsieur-- thank you, thank you.
Madame Victurnien, will you show her to a table?
Are you are able to begin right away?
Yes, of course, Monsieur Madeleine.
Good.
Well, go now.
Thank you again, monsieur.
Thank you.
(people talking in background) FABIENNE: His bedhead's supposed to be solid gold.
Carved angels, wings, everything.
I wouldn't mind spreading my wings in his bed.
(laughs) What?
Be a bit gentler, Fantine.
You don't want to snag it.
FABIENNE: That's good, Fantine.
You're getting the hang of it.
(people talking in background) (machinery and tools clanking) ♪ (people talking in background) MAN: Monsieur le Maire!
MAN 2: Monsieur le Maire!
(people talking in background) VALJEAN: Boys.
(boys exclaiming) (coins jingling) All right?
Here... You take that.
Merci.
♪ (people talking in background) (fire roaring) (woman speaking French) (man speaking French) (chicken clucking) FANTINE: And I hope this finds you well, Monsieur and Madame Thénardier, and that my Cosette has been a good girl for you.
Tell her Maman loves her, and sends her a thousand kisses, and hopes to be able to fetch her very soon...
Collect her-- collect her.
Thank you.
THÉNARDIER: And she sends you a thousand kisses... (smacks lips) "And I hope to be able to collect her very soon.
I remain your very humble..." Ooh!
(respond in kind) THÉNARDIER: Et cetera, et cetera-- very fancy language.
She sent the money, eh?
(giggling) Sent a bit extra to buy the dear little thing some treats.
Well, that won't be happening.
But if she's got enough to send a bit extra, I think it's time to raise the rates.
What do you reckon?
12 francs.
No, 15-- I'll write to her today.
I could do with a treat, Thénardier.
And you shall get one, my little pigeon.
THÉNARDIER: All in good time, when things look up a bit.
Any spare cash has got to go towards bills.
I don't know what it is, but whatever I do, nothing seems to prosper.
Oh!
The Wild Duck down the road gets plenty of custom, why not me?
MADAME THÉNARDIER: Back in your corner, Gavroche.
Come on, you little beast, and out of my sight.
(grunts): Do you know?
It's a strange thing, Thénardier, but I've never been able to take to that one.
I could do anything for my girls, but that nasty little creature don't bring any maternal instincts out in me at all.
Well, born under a bad sign, love.
Nothing you can do about it.
(grunts) MADAME THÉNARDIER: Do you know, Thénardier?
You know how you said how it's funny this place never seems to prosper?
Yes, my dear?
Have you ever considered, my love, that people talk?
And the coachman, like, he might say, "Oh, no, don't go in there, sir, "'cause Thénardier waters down the beer, and shortchanges you into the bargain"?
(chuckles) (laughs) I've often thought you could have a sign outside saying, "Come in here if you want to be swindled."
(scuffling) (yelps) (gasps) (softly): You shut your mouth.
THÉNARDIER: When I want your advice, I'll ask for it, yeah?
Go on.
(crying): What are you looking at?
You want some, too?
(coins jingling) (dog barking in distance) (bell ringing slowly in distance) (ringing) (workers talking in background) (bell stops ringing) (footsteps tapping) Monsieur le Maire, the new chief of police is here to see you.
Monsieur le Maire.
I thought we should become acquainted.
My name is Javert.
I arrived in Montreuil last night.
(sets pen down) Please take a seat, Inspector.
Can I offer you a drink?
No, thank you, Monsieur le Maire.
Forgive me, is that how you prefer to be addressed?
I have heard you called Père Madeleine?
Monsieur le Maire will do.
You have a fine establishment here.
Thank you.
I'm told you have restored the prosperity of the town by giving employment to all those who are willing to work.
Consequently, there's very little crime here.
Yes, I like to think that that is so.
But a thief does not steal because he is poor and desperate.
He steals because he has a criminal mentality-- because he is degenerate.
Because he is, to put it simply, wicked.
Well, there I have to tell you that we disagree.
Really?
I believe most of us are capable of good and evil, and how we turn out depends on our circumstances and how we are treated.
And has your own experience led you to that conclusion?
Yes, it has.
Well, Monsieur le Maire, I look forward to many interesting discussions on this topic.
For now, let me assure you that as your chief of police, I shall do everything in my power to seek out, apprehend, and punish every single wrongdoer in your fine town.
Glad to hear it, Inspector.
I think your task won't be too demanding here in Montreuil.
Perhaps.
On cursory inspection, your citizens seem to be contented and well-ordered.
So why does an ambitious man choose a posting like this?
You deduce that I am ambitious.
Since I left the Prison Service, I've dedicated myself to pursuing not only the obvious offenses, but the hidden ones.
Not only in the present, but in the past.
See, sometimes, a man may seem to be rich, successful, prosperous, virtuous, while all the time, he may be harboring a secret, something rotten in his past.
Is it right that such a secret should remain hidden?
Is it right that such a man should continue to enjoy the fruits of his wickedness undiscovered?
You think there is such a man here in this town?
Oh.
There are such men everywhere, Monsieur le Maire.
That's what makes my work so fascinating.
Of course, one must have incontrovertible proof of guilt.
And that takes time.
Well, I don't want to keep you.
It's been a pleasure to make your acquaintance.
Likewise.
You know, I've been thinking as we've talked.
You remind me of someone I used to know rather well at one time.
He stole from a child and never paid for his crime.
I can't recall his name now.
Ah, well.
Good night... Monsieur le Maire.
♪ (people talking in background) SOPHIE: I still can't believe he didn't invite me.
Fabs would, wouldn't you, Fabby?
FABIENNE: Shut up.
Has anyone ever been up there?
I bet he'd let Fantine in, though.
Why me?
'Cause he likes you, and we've seen him looking.
I bet he'd let you in his room.
(chuckling): Let you in his bed.
Would you, if he asked?
No!
All right, hoity toity.
What's that, Fantine?
That's pretty.
It's nothing.
Ooh, look, Fabs, it's a little bird.
Oh, that is nice.
Who's it for?
No one.
Look out, Vicky's coming.
What's this?
Show me.
Who told you to do this?
No one, madam, but I'd finished my quota.
You're not here to amuse yourself.
When you finish your quota, you ask for more work.
Sorry, madam.
I've a good mind to dismiss you on the spot.
Please.
No, madam.
Please.
Consider this a final warning.
(softly): Nasty old bitch.
(people talking in background) SCRIBE (voiceover): "I know your little girl's health and happiness "is as dear to you as it is to my dear wife and me.
A trifling sum..." (mutters): "A trifling sum."
This fellow writes abominably.
"A trifling sum of 15 francs a month..." 15 francs a month!
I can't pay that.
Do you want to hear the rest or not?
"We expect to receive this money due to us very promptly."
She was some kind of a prostitute, you say?
Well, I don't like to speak ill of anyone... but yes.
And no doubt the little girl was conceived in sin and become some sort of encumbrance.
You know, I mean, it don't bear thinking about, does it?
These people, they don't lead natural lives.
I mean, she's probably forgotten all about the little girl now.
She still writes to you.
Oh, yeah, I mean... Now and then, when she thinks about it.
Like, "I hope you're looking after her proper," and all that and so on, but what good is that to us?
Or the little girl?
VICTURNIEN: I think... You have been taken advantage of.
(coin clicks on table) THÉNARDIER: You're right there, madam.
Were you thinking about staying a night or two?
Because we have a lovely room on the front that's vacant just now.
I've taken a room at the Wild Duck.
The coachman recommended it.
Ah.
I was one of the heroes of Waterloo!
I was awarded the Legion d'Honneur by Napoleon himself!
Would you care to examine it?
No, thank you.
No, yeah.
Good day to you.
Thank you for your time.
Miserable old cow, huh?
Tant pis!
(sobbing) Oh, shut up!
(cheering) Vive Napoléon!
(rain falling heavily) GILLENORMAND (voiceover): Napoleon Bonaparte did more harm to France than all the armies of Britain, Russia, and Austria combined.
(guests murmuring) A barbarian, a savage.
Thanks be to God, now a despised exile.
(ringing) But here is a young man who thinks in the right way.
Gentlemen-- my grandson, Marius Pontmercy.
(guests applaud) Napoleon was a traitor to his country.
And my father was a traitor to his country, too.
I spit upon them both.
(feigns spitting) (laughs) Vive le roi, vive la France!
MEN: Vive le roi!
Vive la France!
(laughing): Good boy.
NICOLETTE (whispering): Monsieur, this letter has just arrived.
GILLENORMAND: Well, young man...
It seems your father is on his deathbed.
Now, what do you say to that?
Good.
(laughing): And so do I.
So do I!
(men murmuring) GILLENORMAND: Well, off you go, my dear.
NICOLETTE: The boy should see his father before he dies, monsieur.
It's only right.
Well, I won't forbid it, if he wants to go.
Do you?
(chuckles) If you don't, you might be sorry your whole life.
(whispering): It's all right.
I'll go with you, hmm?
GILLENORMAND: Women!
You have to love them, don't you?
(men laughing) (thunder rumbling) (people talking in background) (horse neighing outside) (horse screaming, people shouting) (object crashes, people shouting) VICTURNIEN (in distance): You're a liar, aren't you?
MAN (calling): Monsieur le Maire!
Come quickly!
VICTURNIEN: Monsieur Madeleine!
FANTINE (softly): Madame!
Monsieur!
No!
Please!
No, I have to go.
Monsieur-- monsieur!
FAUCHELEVENT: Help me!
Unload that cart.
JAVERT: Control that horse.
Someone untether the horse.
(Fauchelevent gasping) FAUCHELEVENT: Help me!
(cries out in pain) VALJEAN: Hold on, Fauchelevent, we'll get you out!
(groaning) We'll get someone to get it!
That's 20 minutes from here.
He'll be crushed to death by then.
It's all in hand, Monsieur le Maire.
FAUCHELEVENT: Help me!
(wagon creaking, Fauchelevent moans) (Fauchelevent struggling and gasping) (panting) (screams) VALJEAN: Hold on!
(both groaning) (straining) (people shouting, Valjean straining) (applauding) (horse neighs) Congratulations, Monsieur le Maire.
Most instructive.
And witnessed by so many.
VICTURNIEN: Monsieur Madeleine.
Not now.
This immoral young woman is a disgrace to the factory and the town.
(weeping): That's not true-- I'm innocent.
I regret to say, monsieur, she's no better than a whore.
VICTURNIEN: She has a bastard child she abandoned at Montfermeil.
FANTINE: I never abandoned her!
I never abandoned her.
I send 15 francs per month, more than half my wages...
Lying little whore!
You're a disgrace.
FANTINE: Please, Monsieur le Maire.
Believe me, my Cosette is all I care about.
Lying little whore!
This is what she does when she's supposed to be working.
A toy for her little bastard.
Monsieur Madeleine, believe me!
(pounds desk): Enough!
Both of you, enough!
Fantine Thibault.
Yes, monsieur.
I remember, I asked you about your family, and you said you were alone in the world.
I thought that if I told you about my little girl, you'd turn me away.
You lied to me.
(crying): There was no harm in it.
I was-- I was frightened of you.
Don't listen to her, monsieur.
She's an immoral woman.
I am not!
(whispers): I'm not.
But the child is yours?
Is that a crime?
And she abandoned it.
No!
I didn't!
Please believe me.
I can't believe you!
You're dismissed.
But what-- what am I going to do?
(clattering, coins jingling) There's 50 francs.
I advise you to leave the town, mademoiselle.
(tearful): But I-- I can't leave this town.
I owe people money here.
Well, find some other employment!
(softly): They said that you were a kind and good man.
I thought you were.
But you're not.
You're a monster.
You're a monster!
That's enough.
That's enough!
How dare you insult our good Père Madeleine.
Out!
Now!
This minute!
♪ (sniffles) (workers whispering) ♪ (sobbing) (hooves pounding) JAVERT: Come on!
VALJEAN: Whoa, whoa-- steady.
♪ (people talking in background) (talking stops) Chief Inspector, my name is Javert.
I have just taken charge in Montreuil.
CHIEF INSPECTOR: Inspector Javert.
What are you doing in Paris?
I've identified a dangerous criminal.
I have come to consult you on how to proceed.
Who is this man?
His name is Jean Valjean.
I knew him years ago at the prison hulks at Toulon.
He stole from a child within days of his release and fled.
A man of exceptional strength and brutality, he is now posing as the mayor of Montreuil.
You're mistaken.
I tell you, I know the man.
Jean Valjean is in custody.
He was arrested four days ago at Ailly-le-Haut-Clocher.
In due course, he will stand trial.
Has this man confessed to being Jean Valjean?
Not yet, but he will.
He's been identified.
But monsieur, there's... Bear in mind, it's a very serious matter, making accusations against important public figures.
I'd advise you to be more careful, Inspector Javert.
(men laughing quietly) (papers rustling) ♪ (hooves pounding) ♪ (horse trotting) (horse nickers) Good evening, Monsieur le Maire.
(hoof steps recede) (geese honking, people talking in background) (ringing) (door closes) (priest praying in Latin) Mon père?
(quietly): You came.
Good boy.
You will be Baron Pontmercy now.
The honor was bestowed on me by Napoleon himself at Waterloo.
And now it is yours by right.
(swallowing with difficulty): There was-- there was a man called Thénardier.
He saved my life.
If you ever meet him, do the best you can... (Fantine sniffs) (coughs) (exhales, shivering) (people talking in background) SCRIBE (voiceover): The child has caught a miliary fever.
(breathlessly): Oh, my God.
They're asking for money for medicine.
40 francs.
My poor child.
Why not go and fetch your daughter here?
And have her share my wretched life?
I don't want to bring shame on her head.
She's better off where she is.
Though God knows how I'll find the money for her keep now.
Well... You're a very... pretty young woman.
There's always ways that a pretty young woman can... make a living.
If you know what I mean.
♪ Bonsoir, monsieur.
(people talking in background) ♪ (laughing) MAN: I'm buying and I'm selling, I'm selling and I'm buying tonight.
If you're bald and toothless, you can change your life.
I'm selling and I'm buying tonight, ladies and gentlemen!
I've got golden, I've got glossy black, I've got curly, I've got straight, I've got long, and I've got short.
Here.
Have a feel of this one.
Is that soft as silk?
And teeth!
How'd you like to go home tonight with a lovely new set of teeth?
And I'll take what you've got in part exchange.
Can't say fairer than that, now, can I?
Oh, I say, there's a beauty.
Make way, ladies, let her come through.
That's it, my dear.
Now, that is as lovely a head of hair as I've seen in a long while.
Let it all down, my dear.
(softly): Are you selling, dear?
How much?
Ten francs.
Is that all?
That's the top rate-- you won't get more anywhere.
But if you was thinking of parting with those lovely white teeth, now... Just the two front ones, even.
I could give you two Napoleons for those.
40 francs.
50 all together.
Just five minutes' work.
What do you say?
All right.
A short intermission, ladies and gentlemen.
Don't go away!
(talking softly) (door closes) Sit yourself down there, my love.
(shears opening and closing) What's your name?
Fantine.
Lovely.
Look at this, Mother.
We don't often see anything as good as this, do we?
Now... Quite sure you want to go through with this?
You're allowed to change your mind, you know.
I'm sure.
Here we go, then.
♪ (shears slicing) (moaning) (catches breath) That's it, nearly done.
(yelps) Goody good, Mother.
(places shears down) There.
It'll soon grow again, I dare say.
(breathing shallowly) All right, help me hold her still, Mother.
(yelping) It's coming.
(screaming and crying) (grunts) (screaming and crying) (gasps) (gasping) Number one.
(Fantine yelping in flashback) Shh, now, it's coming.
(Fantine yelping in flashback) (gasping and crying) ♪ (crying) (sobs) THÉNARDIER (voiceover): Oh, well!
That's more like it!
Oh!
Hey?
She must be rolling in it!
I don't think we've been asking for enough, what do you think?
(Thénardier laughs) The poor little girl's at death's door, and the doctor's demanding... What do you reckon?
A hundred?
(laughing) MADAME THÉNARDIER: Go on, do it properly!
SCRIBE (voiceover): "We beg that you do "all you can for little Cosette.
Thénardier."
Tell, tell them I'll send it as soon as I can.
And how are you going to raise the money?
Hm?
I've sold my hair and my teeth.
I might as well get on with it and sell the rest.
Ah, mademoiselle.
What a shame.
You think so?
You've gone about it the wrong way round, my dear.
You should have gone on the game before you sold your pretty hair and your lovely white teeth.
Who's going to take you looking like that?
Hmm?
(thunder rumbling, rain pouring) (men talking and laughing) Get out.
Get out!
(shivering) (laughing) (Fantine yelping) (gasping, man grunting) (bell tolling in distance) (coughing) (gasping) (rain pouring) Viens, viens chez moi.
(sighs) (rain pouring, thunder rumbling) ♪ (shivering) Fantine?
Is that you?
Fantine?
Fantine?
Leave her.
BAMATABOIS: Evening, ladies!
(laughing) Lovely night for it!
WOMAN: Indeed, it is.
(talking, laughing) (coughs) BAMATABOIS: Oh, my God!
(laughing): What have we got here?
What a sight!
And how much do you charge, baldy?
(hoarsely): Whatever you think it's worth, monsieur.
Oh, how about nothing, then?
(laughs) (laughing): You hear that, gentlemen?
"How about nothing?"
Well, that's all she's worth!
Well, I have to live, monsieur, same as you.
The same as me?
You cheeky cow.
(laughing): God, did you ever hear the like of it?
Do you think I do this for fun?
I do it to feed my little girl.
So if you don't want business, do me a favor and move along.
Oh!
Oh, I, I stand rebuked.
I humbly beg your pardon, mademoiselle.
Might I ask your name, mademoiselle?
Fantine, monsieur.
Bonsoir, Fantine.
I, I hope I am forgiven.
Bonsoir, monsieur.
(laughing) Fantine-- something for you!
(men laugh) (Fantine shrieking) (people laughing) (Fantine shrieking, Bamatabois yelping) (shrieking, struggling) You, come with me.
(women laughing) (Fantine struggling) JAVERT: This is an outrage that cannot be tolerated.
A respectable property-owning citizen attacked by a common prostitute!
Take this whore to the cells.
POLICE OFFICER: Yes, sir.
You've got six months.
(crying): Six months!
But what about my child?
That's no concern of mine-- take her away.
Please, Monsieur Javert!
I wasn't always like this.
I was a good girl.
JAVERT: Take her away.
She stinks of degradation.
VALJEAN: One moment.
JAVERT: Monsieur le Maire.
(panting) Monsieur le Maire?
Ha!
(spits, women gasp) Seize her, you fool!
Yes, sir.
FANTINE: You see this man here?
You see this monster here that you call Monsieur le Maire?
It's all his fault!
He's supposed to be so good-- what did he do?
He threw me out on the street, and you know why?
Because I tried to care for my little girl!
Monster of a mayor!
(yelping) Monsieur le Maire?
A monster?
FANTINE: You understand now?
You'll let me go now?
I'll be a good little whore now.
They can do what they like with me and I won't complain.
All I want is to be able to work to feed my child and fetch her from Montfermeil, please.
I can't breathe, feel it.
Get her away from me!
VALJEAN: No!
I will take her into my care.
JAVERT: You have no right.
(coughing and spluttering) VALJEAN: Fantine, I was wrong to dismiss you.
I was wrong.
Perhaps it's too late, but let me try to make amends.
I'll-- I'll pay your debts, I'll find your child so that you can be together.
You need never work again.
I'll take care of you, I promise.
You mean it?
(choking on sobs): It's not a joke?
VALJEAN: Now let me take you to the infirmary.
Come on, come with me.
No!
I forbid it.
This woman has been sentenced and she is going to prison.
Take her to the cells.
Don't touch her!
Monsieur Javert, in municipal matters, I outrank you.
I warn you, don't cross me over this.
What exactly does this woman mean to you, Monsieur le Maire?
Someone who needs my help.
A common whore?
She is the lowest of the low.
You would risk your good name to help a creature like that?
(whimpering) She is one of God's creatures, Monsieur Javert.
And she has suffered grievously through no fault of her own.
I injured her myself, and now I want to make amends if I can.
You astonish me.
Now stand out of my way.
(Fantine wheezing) (Sister Simplice whispering) (Fantine wheezing) (snorts, startles awake) What are you doing here?
I'm...
I'm praying for you.
And for myself.
(weakly): Will you... send... for my daughter Cosette, please?
Yes, of course.
If necessary, I'll go for her myself.
(gasps) I've been a, a sinner.
But when I...
When I have my Cosette, Cosette with me, it will mean that God has forgiven me.
(breathing unsteadily) (footsteps approaching) SISTER SIMPLICE: Inspector Javert is here, Monsieur le Maire.
(footsteps approaching) VALJEAN: Sit down, Inspector.
Thank you, Monsieur le Maire.
I prefer to stand.
As you wish.
What can I do for you?
I have come to report a serious misdemeanor by an officer of the police.
(sighing): Which officer?
Myself.
I've come to offer my resignation.
For what reason?
Firstly, I'd like to apologize for my conduct earlier, and...
I denounced you to police headquarters in Paris.
I suspected you, wrongly, as it turns out, to be a notorious felon once known to me as Prisoner Number 24601.
A man named Jean Valjean.
But you were wrong.
Yes.
It seems I was.
What... What made you change your mind?
Monsieur le Maire, the real Valjean has been found.
What?
He's about to stand trial in Arras for a number of offenses, including the theft of a coin from a child who went by the name of Petit-Gervais.
Petit-Gervais?
Petit-Gervais.
Does the name mean anything to you, Monsieur le Maire?
Has this man confessed?
No.
No, but no doubt his lies will be exposed in court, and he will be sentenced to penal servitude for life.
It's over for him.
The trial is tomorrow.
I'll take the coach to Arras tonight.
And that will be my last duty as police inspector.
♪ Good night, Monsieur le Maire.
What can I do for you, Sister?
Our patient, Fantine Thibault, the prostitute... Don't call her that.
The doctor wanted you to know that she... she's very weak.
She has very little time left on this Earth, and she speaks constantly of seeing her child.
Yes, yes, I know that.
The doctor says that if she is to see her child before she dies, the child should be fetched...
Yes, I understand, Sister!
I beg your pardon.
Thank you, Sister.
Please do your best for her.
Now there are things that I have to attend to.
Excuse me.
(box clattering) (fire crackling) (flames hissing) (sighs) PETIT-GERVAIS (voiceover): You've got it, haven't you?
You've got my money!
You're a dirty thief!
A curse on you!
(clatters) (inhales) (groans) (roars) (coin clatters on floor) (moans) (breathing heavily, moans) ♪ Madame Victurnien.
VICTURNIEN: Monsieur Madeleine.
I have an errand for you, if you'd be so kind.
Do you remember Fantine Thibault?
Indeed I do.
She's in hospital.
She's very ill.
I need you to go to Montfermeil and fetch her little girl.
Bring her here.
I'd go myself, but I...
There's somewhere else I have to be.
♪ ♪ (panting) ♪ LINNEY: Next time, on "Les Misérables"... JUDGE: Are you the felon, Jean Valjean?
Where is Cosette?
(grunts, men shouting) I advise you to stay away from me!
Child should be able to play now and then-- especially at Christmas.
Oh, and some people should learn to mind their own business.
JAVERT (voiceover): Open up, police!
(breaks door down) LINNEY: "Les Misérables," next time, on "Masterpiece."
♪ LINNEY: Go to our website.
Listen to our podcast, watch video, and more.
To order this program on Blu-ray or DVD, visit ShopPBS.org.
Also available on Amazon Prime Video.
♪
Feature
Get a recap of all the action and all the feels in Les Misérables' heart-wrenching finale. Plus, see some of the episode's filming locations and discover Victor Hugo's shocking experience in the real June Uprising!
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