Ep 9. The Lesson (English subtitled)

In A French Village season 1 episode 9, titled The Lesson, the residents of Villeneuve are faced with the task of aligning themselves with the Germans or resisting their occupation. The local schoolteacher, Raymond Schwartz, who has previously been compliant with the Germans, begins to have second thoughts when he is asked to teach a lesson on racial science. In the lesson, Schwartz is asked to classify his students according to their race, a task that he finds both disturbing and degrading.

Meanwhile, the Resistance continues to gather strength, with the introduction of a new member, Pierre, who has been sent to Villeneuve to help coordinate the group's activities. However, Pierre's loyalties are soon called into question when he is questioned by the Germans about his background and past activities.

In the midst of all this political turmoil, the personal lives of the villagers continue to play out. Lucienne, who has been having an affair with Heinrich, a German officer, is conflicted about her feelings for him and the implications of their relationship. She is also struggling to keep her affair a secret from her husband, who is serving in the French army.

Elsewhere in the village, the mayor, Marcel, is faced with a difficult decision when he is asked to sign a proclamation stating that "the Jews are the enemy of the Reich." Marcel understands the seriousness of the situation, but he is hesitant to take a stand against the Germans and risk the safety of his family and his fellow citizens.

As tensions continue to rise in Villeneuve, the episode ends with the villagers grappling with the moral complexities of their situation and facing the harsh realities of living under occupation. The Lesson is a thought-provoking episode that explores the delicate balance between personal and political allegiances in times of war.