Ep 8. Part 8

War & Peace season 1 episode 8, Part 8, chronicles the aftermath of the Battle of Borodino, where the French army was victorious, but at a high cost of casualties. The episode primarily revolves around the main characters, Pierre and Andrei, who are both injured and brought to the same hospital.

Pierre, who was thought to have been killed in battle, is found by the French army and taken as a prisoner. However, due to his connections with high-ranking officials, he is granted better treatment than other prisoners. Despite this, Pierre is racked with guilt over his role in the battle and the lives lost because of it. He seeks comfort in the company of a fellow prisoner, Platon Karataev, a simple peasant who has a profound outlook on life and humanity. Their conversations are thought-provoking and help Pierre reflect on his values and the purpose of life.

Meanwhile, Andrei, who was severely wounded in the battle, is also brought to the same hospital. He is in critical condition and is fighting for his life. His father visits him and urges him to accept God and seek forgiveness for his sins. Andrei, however, remains ambivalent towards the idea of faith and forgiveness, which causes tension between him and his father. His wife, Lise, also visits him and tries to reconcile with him, but their relationship is strained due to their differences in beliefs.

As Andrei's health deteriorates, he has a vision of his deceased wife, who urges him not to give up on life and to find love again. This motivates Andrei to fight for his life and seek a purpose beyond his military career.

The episode also touches upon the aftermath of the battle for the civilians in Moscow. The city is left in ruins, and the citizens are struggling to survive without proper resources. Marya, Andrei's sister, tries her best to help the needy by donating her family's wealth and resources. She also tries to find a purpose in life beyond her duties as a sister and a daughter.

Overall, War & Peace season 1 episode 8, Part 8, captures the aftermath of war on the soldiers and civilians alike, and how it shapes their perspectives on life and purpose. It is a thought-provoking episode that touches upon themes of mortality, forgiveness, and humanism.