In the eighth episode of "We Were The Lucky Ones," Halina finds herself confined within the grim walls of a prison. Despite her repeated assertions that she is not Jewish, her pleas fall on deaf ears, met only with kicks and punches. With her face battered and bloody, she endures three harrowing months within the prison's confines, where the occasional sound of gunshots echoes and the number of prisoners dwindles daily. When it seems all but certain that her fate is sealed, she is abruptly freed on the pretext that her arrest was unlawful. As she steps out of the prison gates, she encounters Herr Den, to whom she confesses that she nearly revealed her true identity under duress.
It is February 1945, and we find ourselves in the former Lodz Ghetto in Poland. Bella and Jakob are eagerly anticipating the arrival of their first child, while Felicia continues to grapple with the aftereffects of her time at the convent. Adam and Halina venture to the house where Halina's parents are in hiding, and their reunion is a heartfelt outpouring of tears. Meanwhile, in Rio, Addy and Caroline listen intently to the radio as Germany surrenders, signaling the end of the war. The people of Rio celebrate the joyous news with unrestrained joy, while those in Poland face the daunting task of searching for loved ones, whether living or deceased. The Kurcs decide to reunite and search for each other, with Nechuma expressing her desire to return to Radom. They harbor hope of finding letters from Genec or Addy in their old home, but upon arrival, they are confronted by hostile tenants who claim to have legally rented the property and refuse to allow the Kurcs to retrieve their mail.
As they make their way back, they come across a poster commanding Jews to vacate Radom County within a specified number of days. The realization dawns upon them that there is nothing left for them in Radom. Returning to their residence, Adam discovers that most of his family has perished, leaving him heartbroken, while Bella tries to offer him comfort. In Rio, Caroline's compassion for Jewish families shines brightly, and it is during this time that Addy casually suggests that they should marry, to which Caroline readily agrees.
While awaiting at the Red Cross, Halina's spirits lifted as she unfolded a letter from Genec, bringing joyous tidings that his family, accompanied by Selim, had found refuge in Italy. The Kurc family, their hearts swelling with delight, resolved to embark on a journey to reunite with their loved ones. Mila and Felicia, though apprehensive after seven long years of separation, eagerly anticipated their reunion with Selim. Meanwhile, Bella and Jakob, with plans to embark for the United States to join Bella's uncle, painted a picture of bittersweet farewells. Halina, though deeply saddened by their departure, gracefully accepted their decision as a path they had chosen for themselves.
Traversing the majestic Alps and boarding a train bound for Italy, the Kurcs finally embraced Genec and his family in an emotional reunion that brought tears of joy. The initial nervousness between Mila, Felicia, and Selim melted away, replaced by a sense of belonging and familiarity.
Elsewhere, in October 1945, Bella and Jakob, with their young son Victor, boarded a train destined to leave Lodz, Poland behind. In Rio, months had passed without a whisper from Addy's family, but amidst this uncertainty, Addy and Caroline shared the exciting news of their impending parenthood. They decided to relocate to Massachusetts, seeking a fresh start in the United States.
Days later, Addy's path crossed with Eliska, who, along with her American husband, shared similar plans for relocation. Just when hope seemed to wane, Addy received a telegram notification. With urgency, he sprinted to the embassy, pleading to retrieve the message despite its being closed for the day. Inside, he discovered a letter from Genec, a beacon of hope confirming the safety of his entire family.
Four months later, in June 1946, Addy and Caroline welcomed their daughter into the world, coinciding with the Kurcs' arrival in Brazil. Unable to contain his excitement, Addy rowed a small boat towards the ship, where the family's joyful screams echoed across the water as they finally laid eyes on each other once again.
Ten months hence, during the Passover celebration in 1947, the entire family gathered at Caroline and Addy's home, their spirits lifted in prayer for those they had lost. They also shared heartfelt conversations with Jakob and Bella, now thriving in Chicago, through the warmth of a telephone line. The episode concluded on a triumphant note, with real-life photographs of the Kurc family capturing their enduring bond and resilience.
