Paris, 1938: a city famous for its 'characters,' a city between the Spanish Civil War and the rise of Hitler. A city where Mathieu lives - and Marcelle exists.
Mathieu is trying to arrange an abortion for his mistress Marcelle, and needs money quickly. He takes Ivich to an art exhibition and kisses her for the first time.
Mathieu has not been able to borrow the money he needs. He has arranged to meet Ivich and Boris to hear Lola sing. Daniel visits Marcelle.
Ivich and Mathieu have deliberately cut their hands, thereby achieving a bond. They have arranged to meet at ten o'clock, but before then Mathieu has to give Brunet an answer.
Ivich has rejected Mathieu and Boris has left Lola. Daniel has told Marcelle that Mathieu still loves her; however, Mathieu is still trying to borrow the money for an abortion.
Ivich has failed her examinations and Mathieu has failed to persuade her to stay in Paris. He has also just stolen money for an abortion and given it to Marcelle.
Daniel has proposed to Marcelle and told Mathieu who, because of Daniel's homosexuality, has tried to dissuade Marcelle - but failed. Meanwhile, European events move towards a crisis, and towards Munich.
Marcelle and Daniel are married and Lola and Boris reconciled. Mathieu has been staying with Jacques and Odette while Chamberlain and Daladier meet Hitler. Mathieu has been called up.
Hitler has made a provocative speech against Czechoslovakia and mobilisation continues. Ivich has returned to Paris and gone to Mathieu's flat to find him leaving to report for army duty.
Mathieu has been mobilised and Europe is at war. The unit Mathieu is serving with has been demoralised as the German advance across France nears Paris.
The Germans have occupied Paris but the expected armistice has still not been signed. Mathieu's unit is waiting in a village to surrender but Pinette hopes that they will fight.
Mathieu's unit has been deserted by the officers, and the men are getting drunk awaiting capture. After initially hesitating Mathieu decides to join them to prove a kinship he does not feel.
A crack French regiment has taken over the village and plans to make a last stand there. Mathieu and Pinette are the only members of their demoralised unit who want to join them.
Colin Baker looks back on one of his earliest TV roles and discusses the significance of acclaimed 13-part drama series 'The Roads to Freedom', which is being shown on television for the first time since 1977 as part of the BBC’s centenary celebrations. Based on the novels by Jean-Paul Sartre and set in Nazi-occupied France, it has been described as an amazing, potent and subversive viewing experience, that saw taboos broken with every weekly broadcast. That assessment can now be tested by first-time viewers, as well those who saw it at the time and who have long campaigned for the BBC to screen it again.