A French Village Podcast with Sarah Longwell and Ben Wittes

Episode 12: Is Everybody Dead? (Season 2, Episodes 11 & 12)

May 21st, 2021  |  Season 2  |  1 hr 7 mins

Sarah and Ben discuss the relationship drama of the last two episodes of Season 2. Plus, the future of the show.

Episode 11: Fingers in the Foie Gras (Season 2, Episodes 9 & 10)

May 14th, 2021  |  Season 2  |  1 hr 5 mins

Sarah is anti-fingers in the foie gras, but anti-anti-smoothing. Bad decisions are driving the plot. Getting cold doesn’t make you sick! Don’t torture where you eat. Big promotion for Marchetti. Kurt is back! Should Lucienne have gone to Switzerland with him? Beriot has his best episode so far. Mueller has a weird concept of respect.

Episode 10: The Monkey’s Paw and Schwartz’s Foie Gras (Season 2, Episodes 7 & 8)

May 7th, 2021  |  Season 2  |  56 mins 28 secs

An astute listener is stridently anti-Lucienne. Sarah and Ben are more circumspect. Beriot and Lecienne’s father have very different drinking styles. Marcel Larcher has a lucky day! The competition for grossest character heats up (or at least for second place). Sarah should have been more specific about her aspirations for Elise Stefanik. Daniel has to make some life-and-death decisions. Also, the Communists are in these episodes.

Episode 9: Heartbreak and Hostages (Season 2, Episodes 5 & 6)

April 30th, 2021  |  Season 2  |  1 hr 2 mins

Sarah stans Lucienne, while she and Ben debate Sarah's (i.e. the character, not the host) affair. Beriot encourages. . . dancing! Hortense just gets worse. The prostitutes in the brothel are the most effective resistance. Ben tells true stories that resemble the show—plus the greatest obituary he's ever read: https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/10/world/europe/robert-de-la-rochefoucauld-noted-for-war-exploits-dies-at-88.html

Episode 8: Bolsheviks, Bigotry and... Baking? (Season 2, Episodes 3 & 4)

April 23rd, 2021  |  Season 2  |  1 hr 12 mins

The Communists become cannon fodder for the Soviets. Ben and Sarah dive deep on collaborators, terrorists, and the resistance. Lucienne and Marie meet again. Sarah and Ben discuss the plausibility of Lucienne's abortion. Hortense is the worst. It's amazing how many people are from Algeria these days. There's a cake competition. Tucker Carlson has entered the chat.

Episode 7: All the 8-Year-Olds Know (Season 2, Episodes 1 & 2)

April 16th, 2021  |  Season 2  |  1 hr 8 mins

Germany has invaded the Soviet Union, so the Communists have a new perspective. Suzanne's admission to Marcel is morally confusing. Schwartz, Heinrich, Larcher, and the deputy prefect have a nice dinner together. Then Schwartz does something kinda badass! We learn more about the Larchers. Sarah's citizenship is in question. All the 8-year-olds find out about Lucienne's bad decisions.

Episode 6: La finale! (Season 1, Episodes 11 & 12)

April 9th, 2021  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 7 mins

Lorrain and Natacha are no more, but Captain Carrot lives! Sarah gives more info to Heinrich than she means to. Mr. Schwartz is in trouble. Dr. Larcher shows some moral development maybe? Ben reflects on socialists vs. commies, Sarah reflects on who does the right thing and why.

Episode 5: Rings Are Not First-Date Appropriate (Season 1, Episodes 9 & 10)

April 2nd, 2021  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 10 mins

The persecution of Jews begins in earnest. The spy ring intersects with the ring of Jewish refugees. Is Mr. Schwartz Jewish? Ben fives into the differences between the German Army, the SS, the SD, and the Gestapo. Sarah still can't pronounce De Kervern. Ben reveals his preferred method of torture. Lucienne and Beriot have more awkward encounters. Rings are not first-date appropriate!

Episode 4: Is Heinrich the Bad Guy? (Season 1, Episodes 7 & 8)

March 26th, 2021  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 4 mins

the french village

This episode involves gambling, prostitution, and spy rings. Gustav, Ben’s favorite character, is adorable, but can’t keep a secret to save his life—or anyone else’s. The Larcher brothers’ class differences intensify. De Kervern uses some, shall we say, enhanced interrogation techniques before setting up his spy ring. How did he know how to do that, by the way? Kurt and Lucienne’s relationship is “verboten.” Heinrich is a Gestapo officer, a drug addict, and... an interesting guy? Lucienne has her “Me too” moment, figuratively and literally.

Episode 3: The Booer War (Season 1, Episodes 5 & 6)

March 19th, 2021  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 1 min

Collaboration, Armistice Day and an especially gross kiss.

Episode 2: Who’s French? (Season 1, Episodes 3 & 4)

March 12th, 2021  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 6 mins

Who exactly counts as “French” in the French village? What happens to France after the German occupation? What are the Communists are up to? Who was that guy was who fell out of the sky?!

1: Bienvenue! (Season 1, Episodes 1 & 2)

March 4th, 2021  |  Season 1  |  58 mins 12 secs

Join Sarah Longwell and Ben Wittes as they discuss “A French Village” and why it’s the perfect entertainment for our political moment.