LES MISERABLES (2019): Episode 6

In the sixth episode of LES MISERABLES, Valjean succeeds at finding Marius at the barricade. When Valjean discovers that Marius’ compatriots have caught Javert and are preparing to kill him, Valjean requests to be Javert’s executioner. Once they are left alone, however, Valjean refuses to take revenge on Javert and lets him go. When Marius is wounded and the fighting at the barricade takes a desperate turn, Valjean escapes into the sewers and carries an unconscious Marius to freedom. Javert, unable to reconcile his concept of justice and the mercy Valjean has shown him, takes his own life. Marius is reunited with Cosette and the two are married. When Valjean’s role as Marius’ rescuer is discovered by the young couple, they go to thank him, only to discover he’s deathly ill.

While the redemptive aspect of LES MISERABLES comes across in this final episode, Davies ends the series on a mournful, unsatisfying note. While Hugo’s novel ends somberly, it also imparts a sense of triumph, but this is missing in this adaption. The power of Valjean’s sacrifice is truncated due to a lack of Christian context, leading to a sense of hollowness rather than hopefulness. MOVIEGUIDE® advises extreme caution, therefore, for the final episode of LES MISERABLES.