Autumn 1945. The trial of Daniel Larcher and the sub-prefect Servier begins. The municipal elections have been invalidated and Bériot must relinquish his position as mayor. Antoine finds Geneviève and the promise of a future together.
Jeannine faces the Villeneuve 'purge committee' which includes Raymond. Suzanne and Loriot try to bring Gustave back on track by teaching him the values of his father, Marcel. At the trial, Heinrich Müller's testimony is keenly awaited.
Winter 1945. Bériot, thwarted by his own party, is constantly making Lucienne pay for her lack of love. Léonor falls for Gustave, unaware of the danger he represents. Galvanised by the future elections, the communists make a hero of Marcel.
With Jeannine's support, Raymond agrees to be the Gaullist candidate in the municipal elections. He has to convince Antoine to organise a ceremony in tribute to the four resistance fighters who sacrificed themselves to save all the others.
Jean Marchetti is awaiting execution. He nevertheless agrees to testify in favour of Daniel Larcher if the latter helps him to find Rita and their son David. Meanwhile, Loriot does everything possible to protect Gustave and Léonor, even if it endangers his career.
It is a time of commemorations, for both the communists and the Gaullists. Even though he isn't convinced, Raymond officialises his candidacy for mayor. While Gustave realises that he needs to make a political commitment, at the trial the verdict is about to fall.
Daniel and Hortense argue as they await Tequiero's visit. Thirty years on, the latter, now a young surgeon, accuses Daniel of being responsible for the deportation of the Jews at the school in 1942. In 1945, at the saw mill, a particularly gory work accident sets things off.
In 1945, Anselme and Suzanne lead the strike at the saw mill. Lucienne confronts Bériot about a German soldier that he allegedly killed during the war. 1975. Daniel and Hortense return to Villeneuve for the first time.
1945. The strike at the saw mill moves up a gear and the ambience worsens. Hortense has another fit of delirium. Daniel sends her to a fellow psychiatrist who diagnoses that she should be committed. 1953. Raymond is still imprisoned for the murder of Caberni in 1942.
While in 1945 Hortense is committed in horrible conditions, in 1975 a portrait of Heinrich compromises his exhibition in Villeneuve. 1945. Gustave is wanted for murder. Thirty years later, while having a drink together, he discusses the past and present with Daniel and Tequiero.
1945. After complicated talks, Raymond manages to negotiate the end of the strike at the saw mill and immediately gives a remarkable campaign speech, striking a blow to Edmond and the communists.1975. Jewish militants protest to prevent the launch of Hortense's exhibition.
Daniel discovers the awful living conditions in psychiatric hospitals. He rescues Hortense, who is mentally and emotionally exhausted, and re-establishes an indefectible link with her. In 2003, Lucienne and Bériot say goodbye for the last time.