This summary section includes Chapter 12: “Alexis, Blake, Krystle, Sammy Jo, and Magda,” Chapter 13: “The War After the War to End All Wars,” Chapter 14: “Pan Tadeusz,” Chapter 15: “The Sturm Before the Calm,” and Chapter 16: “The Beauty of Stupidities.”

Magda is still away from home days later, and Irena frets about whether her daughter passed her first-year exam at law school. Beata continues taking care of Bożena. One of her duties is to watch episodes of Dynasty, in case the old woman naps through the show. Bored with the Carringtons, Beata starts making up absurd plotlines and relates them to Bożena. She thinks about the “Big Life” that other people aspire to lead and concludes that this isn’t an option for her. On her way home, she runs into Kinga, who informs her that Magda failed her test. Kinga thinks this is because the system is rigged to favor students who pay tuition. Later, at the bar, Tadeusz finds the courage to ask Beata out for tea on Sunday, and she happily agrees.

Just before Władysław and Marysia’s wedding ceremony, the Half-Village community hears rumors that the Nazis are invading Poland.