LES MISERABLES (2019): Episode 5
Excellent historical drama, but its violence demands discernment.
Should You Watch It?
Episode 5 delivers the payoff to the political tension that has been building throughout Les Misérables. Revolutionary unrest erupts across Paris, and the streets fill with barricades, armed conflict and suffering. The episode also gives its central family relationship emotional weight as Valjean tries to protect Cosette.
The cost is considerable. Sword, bayonet and gunshot wounds are shown in earnest, with many dead and injured people visible. The violence is why the source review does not advise this episode for children, even though its moral framework emphasizes sacrificial love, kindness and justice.
If you are choosing for your family, this is best reserved for teenagers and adults who can process strong violence. For that audience, WORTH WATCHING — TEENS AND ADULTS.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESPolitical unrest in Paris grows into open rebellion after the death of one of the last war heroes who fought alongside Napoleon. As radicals erect barricades and demand political reform, Marius and Cosette’s clandestine relationship deepens.
Valjean plans to evacuate Paris to protect Cosette, but their plans are complicated by what he learns about her relationship. Meanwhile, Javert goes undercover as the revolutionary crisis intensifies.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this episode is an excellent piece of television, despite a meaningful flaw. The mounting tension from the first four episodes spills into action, and the violence gives the political unrest a forceful, immediate presence.
The episode is less successful with character development once the fighting begins. Valjean and Javert’s previously methodical natures give way to recklessness and rash decision-making, and the melee weakens the careful characterization established earlier. Even so, the episode remains gripping and powerful.
The Worldview
The episode presents a strong Christian, moral worldview. A crucifix appears, and the story emphasizes sacrificial love, kindness and the father-daughter relationship. It also treats the revolutionaries’ struggle as an attempt to address injustice, class disparities and abject poverty, though their effort leads to deadly conflict.
The episode’s strongest moral emphasis is on love expressed through costly action. Valjean’s concern for Cosette illustrates a father’s willingness to risk himself for someone he loves. The Christian idea of sacrificial love is captured in Jesus’ words: “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
<strong>
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
</strong> Strong Christian, moral worldview with the depiction of a crucifix, references made to sacrificial love, kindness and an emphasis placed on the father/daughter relationship, plus revolutionaries fighting to the death to try to address the issues of injustice, class disparities and abject poverty; <strong>
Foul Language
</strong> No foul language; <strong>
Violence
</strong> Strong violence with a man’s bleeding arm wound shown close up, dead bodies are shown in piles on the street, man threatens to slit girl’s neck with a knife, men riot in the streets and many are cut down by swords and bayonets, and many men are shot; <strong>
Sex
</strong> A man drunkenly kisses an unwilling woman, a man mentions having many sexual liaisons and instructs his grandson to make a girl his mistress rather than marry her, and an unmarried couple kisses several times; <strong>
Nudity
</strong> No nudity; <strong>
Alcohol Use
</strong> Wine served many times, men drink at a tavern, and a man is shown drunk; <strong>
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
</strong> No smoking or drugs; and, <strong>
Miscellaneous Immorality
</strong> Stealing, lying/deception, disrespect, some anger.
Talk About It
Four questions for the couch, the commute, or the couple bingeing it together.
The episode presents sacrificial love as a powerful moral ideal. How is love shown through action rather than words, and how does Jesus describe the greatest form of love?
John 15:13 · 1 John 3:16–18The revolutionaries fight against injustice, class disparities and poverty. What does Scripture require of people who have power or resources?
Micah 6:8 · James 2:14–17Valjean’s relationship with Cosette centers on a father’s desire to protect his daughter. What responsibilities do parents have toward the children entrusted to them?
Ephesians 6:4 · Proverbs 22:6The streets become filled with anger and violence. How does the Bible distinguish righteous concern for justice from sinful anger?
James 1:19–20 · Ephesians 4:26–27The Final Word
Episode 5 is gripping, morally serious and often excellent. Its strong violence makes it unsuitable for children, but teenagers and adults who can process those scenes may find it worthwhile. Our answer is WORTH WATCHING — TEENS AND ADULTS.
