Ep 4. On Earth as it is in Heaven (English subtitled)

In A French Village season 1 episode 4 titled "On Earth as it is in Heaven," the fictional village of Villeneuve, in the Jura region, is occupied by the Germans in World War II. The episode explores the theme of National Socialism and how it’s affecting the daily lives of the French villagers, particularly the Jewish community.

The episode starts with a scene where the members of the German army have gathered in the center of the village to erect a wooden cross. They are complaining that the Catholic Church in the village is too small for their troops and want a larger place to hold their masses. Moreover, they want to manipulate religion to spread their propaganda and control the villagers.

Meanwhile, in the town hall, Mayor Servier is in shock with the news that Germany is putting the Jews in ghettos. The mayor sees this action as the ultimate insult to the French human rights. As some inhabitants of Villeneuve town indicate that the town is hosting Jews during the German occupation. The mayor encourages the citizens to come forward with the names of the Jews they are currently giving shelter in the town. Mayor Servier feels that they should be very cautious and not handle things that can claim their lives or the lives of the people they’re hiding.

The episode also explores the life of the Mayer family, who are Jewish, and their daughter Jeanne has given birth to a son Nicolas. The couple decided to baptize their son as a Catholic for his safety. However, the Germans view this act as treachery, and as a consequence, they want the baby taken away from their ‘Christian’ parents. The Mayer's appeal to their non-Jewish neighbors, the Schwartz family, to take care of their baby while they try to flee to Switzerland. The Schwartz family agrees to look after Nicolas, and the Mayer family flees across the Swiss border.

In the village, the tension between the German soldiers and French villagers didn’t only manifest in religious clashes, but also in their everyday interactions. For instance, the Germans seek out Jean to sell them cured ham. When she is hesitant to sell due to their differing nationalities, Boris, a Frenchman who had been working with the German Army, criticizes Jean for her patriotism. Boris even starts to question his own system of values because he has been serving the National Socialist German Workers Party.

In conclusion, A French Village season 1 episode 4 "On Earth as it is in Heaven," is an excellent illustration of how complex wartime experiences can be. It highlights the cultural, religious, and political clashes between the French and German forces during WWII and adds depth to the show by providing the viewers with scenes that reveal the inner turmoil of the main characters. Furthermore, the episode is a masterclass in storytelling and makes it easy for the viewers to understand the everyday dilemmas of the French villagers in an occupied town.