An Invitation – As the episode opens, anxious Count Alexander Ilyich Rostov (Ewan McGregor) watches two guards drag a man down the hall before he is summoned to appear before the Bolshevik Tribunal. He claims to have moved into the Metropol Hotel four years ago after his house was burned down. When asked about his employment, he says gentlemen generally do not work, causing a brief disruption. Visuyshinsay (Emil Hostina) gests the Count does not understand the seriousness of his situation but he argues otherwise. The Count relocated to Paris in 1914 but later returned to Russia a year after the Revolution ended. He admits to writing “Where Is Our Purpose Now, a 1913 poem. The Bolshevik party is split on what to do with the Count. The Committee sentences the Count to a life of solitude inside the Metropol Hotel, with the threat of execution if he leaves his room. Osip Glebnikov (Johnny Harris) leaves the courtroom while Mishka (Fehinti Balogun) remains behind.

1921 Moscow – Two Red Army soldiers escort the Count back to room 317 at the Metropol Hotel where Osip Glebnikov (Johnny Harris) is waiting. Osip informs him that he will no longer occupy room 317 before leading him upstairs to the former servant’s quarters. Seeing a small room with a cot and window, the Count pretends to be optimistic. Osip tells him that all of his money and possessions will be confiscated except for a few select items. He warns him to never leave his room. The Count compliments him on how he handled the situation.

Back in room 317, the Count is collecting some of his things when he has a flashback of a woman explaining how to wind a grandfather clock. He wakes after a dream about a young girl, Helena (Matilda Hunt). Something hidden in the desk leg triggers a flashback. The Count eventually adopts a routine and relies on his memories to get him through the days. On day 47, he recalls an unexpected meeting with Nikolai/Petrov (Paul Ready) who is no longer a prince. The Count says they can take all of your possesses but not who you are. Over a drink, the Count shares a childhood memory about acting out after Vladimir Obolensky beat him in a game of draughts. He recalls his grandmother, the Countess (Penny Downie) asking why he would give Vladimir the satisfaction of seeing his fury. He tells him that Vladimir was inside his house when they set on fire. Nikolai claims to know someone who can help them get out of the country. The Count refuses to leave “his country.”

In a flashback, a patron gets irate when the barber, Yaroslav (Divian Ladwa) takes the Count in front of him. The Count tells him that he has an appointment. The man threatens him with what appears to be scissors before racing out the door. Later, the Count finds Andrey has been replaced with another, not-so friendly waiter (Damian Rozanek). Nina Kulikova (Alexa Goodall) takes a seat across from him. When she refuses to leave, he shares his meal with her. She grills him with questions about princesses and duels. He tells her about a duel between a prince and an admiral that began inside the Metropol Hotel lobby. He explains how the hotel kept a pair of pistols on hand, even though, the duel would take place elsewhere. She suggests it had to do with a woman. He says it did not have a romantic ending. After she takes her leave, the hotel manager, Mr. Halecki summons him but he refuses to go until after lunch.

A short time later, Halecki claims to have received complaints about some of the staff addressing the County as Your Excellency. The Count asks who brought it to his attention. Halecki says the hotel is permitted to operate, so the clientele can be monitored to determine who is disloyal to the party. He warns that the hotel is a dangerous place. When Halecki leaves to address an issue, the Count looks for pistols hidden compartment behind a painting. He has a flashback, a duel between the Count and Pulonov (Charley Palmer Rothwell) ends in Pulonov’s death. In the present, Osip carries out a search of the Count’s room.

In the past, the Count and Nikolai discuss how to flee Russia. Nikolai suggests taking two Red Army uniforms from the soldiers staying at the palace. He assures him if they act normal, they will not draw attention. He says they will take a car to the train station and utilize the documents that he has drawn up to get them 200 miles from Minsk. The Count gives him some cash.

Day 65 – Nina tells the Count that her mother is deceased. He claims to be about her age when his parents died. Utilizing a passkey, she leads him downstairs to the boiler room. From there, she shows him where Marina (Leah Harvey) feeds Yasha leftovers. In the storage room, he finds his grandfather’s favorite chair and grandmother’s chess board. They are in a secret room utilized by the government when Ignatov (Steve Furst) and another man arrive. They discuss the number of cases going before the tribunal tomorrow. The Count remembers the Countess leaving in a carriage and Helena (Lily Newmark) sobbing.

Day 67 – The Count informs Nikolai that his name is on the list to be prosecuted. Nikolai says the papers were picked up today but it may be a few weeks before they can leave. The Count convinces him to go alone because he must stay behind for Helena. Nikolai tries to give him the papers but he refuses. A waitress sees them together. As Nikolai performs, a Red Army soldier approaches and confiscates his violin. The Count and Nina watch as he breaks it into pieces and Nikolai is taken away. He follows them to the entrance. Once outside, Nikolai is executed. Osip says Nikolai orders travel documents for two people before leaving.

The narrator (Anna Madeley) says the Count later regretted not doing more but he would have been executed when he stepped outside the hotel. If the Count died, she would not exist to tell his story. The episode ends.

 

A Gentleman In Moscow Review

The series tells what leads up to the Count being found guilty for his involvement in the Russian Revolution. Unfortunately, it fails in a number of ways. Like the novel, there is no backstory, just present-day scenes, flashbacks, flashbacks within flashbacks, etc. Anyone who has not read the novel will struggle to comprehend the show. The dialogue sometimes sounds like the characters are talking in riddles. The poor cinematography only makes matters worse which sometimes utilizes the first-person perspective of the Count’s viewpoint.

While a diverse cast is a vital element of modern TV shows and films, it doesn’t work here. The cast does not support the characters in the novel. Count Alexander Rostov was born in St. Petersburg, Russia. Why not utilize Russian actors to fill Russian roles? It is also worth mentioning that the majority of the show was filmed in England.

An intriguing concept ruined by poor execution. I would recommend holding off on starting the series until you read the book. Otherwise, it will be one big frustrating, incomprehensible blur. The pilot episode deserves a 4 out of 10. Get more A Gentleman in Moscow recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Learn how advertising with us can help build your brand awareness. Join our newly established forum to discuss the latest movie and TV show releases, crime, Japanese wrestling, and more.