Les Miserables episode 4 review ★★★★★

Despite being two different sides of the same coin, pointless to compare, this song-less BBC adaptation of Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables is often preferable to the musical. Not because of the songs, but because of how dark and brutal it’s willing to go. It’s almost tempting to read the 1400-page source material.

Ten years have passed since Jean Valjean (Dominic West) escaped the clutches of Javert (David Oyelowo) and sought asylum in a nunnery with the child Cosette. Now, the teenage Cosette (Ellie Bamber) wants to see the outside world but Valjean is heavily opposed. He finally gives in and uses it as an opportunity to warn her against the real world and everything in it.


Jean Valjean and Cosette in the Luxembourg Gardens

When he sees Cosette in the Luxembourg Gardens, there’s a glimmer of that instant affection – but it’s not long until she becomes wedged in his horny mind. This is a far more engaging and fascinating look at this famous love triangle, O’Connor being as far from the Eddie Redmayne fairytale as it’s possible to get.

Episode 4 of Les Miserables is the best episode yet, delving not only into the violent streets of 19^th century Paris but also the dark psychologies of the different characters. Except for Cosette, most of the characters are suspicious here, hiding something dark inside – nobody is intrinsically good, which provides a very human touch to the story. We have to wait till next week to know if they’ll see the light, or let the dark take them.