As the episode begins, Catherine (Elle Fanning) sleeps with Peter (Nicholas Hoult) before asking Marial (Phoebe Fox) for a bath. After that, Grigor (Gwilym Lee) checks on Peter and finds out that he is in a bad mood. He tries to cheer him up by reminding him that he is the emperor of Russia. Peter keeps a close eye on Georgina (Charity Wakefield) before they have sex in the hallway. Grigor makes the men sing louder so they won’t be able to hear his wife moan. After the intro, Catherine tells Marial about her problems with her husband. She believes Orlov (Sacha Dhawan) is the one who will be able to help her.

Marial warns her that she needs to keep it a secret from Peter because he will kill her if he finds out she is plotting against him. Meanwhile, Peter, the Archbishop (Adam Godley), and others meet with people who want Peter’s help. One man wants to take lands after his brother was found killed and the Archbishop wants some of that land for God. Orlo convinces Peter not to give him the lands since it might ruin the parties. When that man leaves, Peter forces Velementov (Douglas Hodge) to get up and perform a funny dance for him. Then, Rostov enters and angers Peter because he hasn’t shaved his beard.

Orlo tries to convince Peter otherwise but he won’t listen to Rostov until he shaves his face. Rostov tells Orlo that his family holds the region together and he will make sure that taxes come in slower. Orlov believes he can help. Meanwhile, Lady Svenska stops Catherine and encourages her to join them. Catherine doesn’t join them and this enrages the women. Orlo speaks with Grigor about Rostov and his beard but he doesn’t get any help. Georgina speaks with Catherine about Peter and other things. Grigor interrupts and says he is going to retire to his apartment and his wife decides to join her. Catherine speaks with Orlo and suggests Peter might not be adequate for the job.

When that conversation ends, she tells Marial to get a meeting and a dog kills a raccoon. Orlo goes to Velementov and tries to get him to help with the Rostov situation. Then, Peter finds Aunt Elizabeth (Belinda Bromilow) training her butterflies. She stops so they can speak about Catherine and the fact that she isn’t happy right now. Peter blames everything on his new wife while Catherine comes up with a plan to get Orlo to help her. Marial encourages Catherine to seduce Orlov since that will convince him to help her. She meets with Orlov that night but he doesn’t take the bait. She gets sicks and vomits on the ground. Catherine chases after him and tells him about her plan to kill her husband.

In the morning, Catherine tells Marial what she did. Marial believes it is bad. Then, Catherine meets with her husband and he tries to find ways to fix their relationship. He wants to put their problems behind them but Catherine admits she could kill Peter because he is a bad person. He thinks that is a joke though. After that, Marial finds the Archbishop fighting with another man. She tells him about Orlov and suggests he tried to rape Catherine. The Archbishop promises that he will right that wrong. Catherine tracks down Orlov and tells him about her plan for her regime but he doesn’t want to work with her.

He says she made the mistake of choosing him. Peter takes Orlov and the others out hunting so he can talk to them about killing Catherine. Most do not agree with that idea but Georgina seems to support it. The Archbishop asks Orlov if he is trying to sleep with Catherine but he denies it. The Archbishop tells Orlo that he should not take advantage of Catherine’s unhappiness. Meanwhile, Grigor speaks to his wife about Peter. Then, Peter tells Orlo that he is going to kill Catherine and he needs to decide how it will work with Europe and the court. Marial sneaks into a room and plays with the dog until Lady Antonia Svenska (Danusia Samal) stops her and has her punished for trespassing.

Orlo goes to Catherine and warns her that Peter will kill her. Catherine begins looking for Marial only to find out she has been beaten. The Archbishop joins them and learns about the whipping as well. During the encounter, the priest encourages Catherine to pretend to be happy. That night, Catherine joins the party and speaks with Aunt Elizabeth about her butterflies and other things. She asks Catherine for some forgiveness and empathy. Catherine takes that advice and tries to be nice to her husband. They dance before Georgina does a trick for them. A bit later, they share a drink together and dessert.

Swedish heads and dessert are brought in and placed on the table and Catherine continues pretending she is happy with her new husband. Catherine removes the head’s eyes in hopes of impressing her husband before telling Marial what she did. A bit later, she sleeps with her husband once again but things do not seem to go well for Peter. After that, Catherine visits Orlo and criticizes him. He doesn’t believe he can help her. Catherine says she wants a great life but Orlo says everyone does until they wake up. Orlo tells her about the things he hates and that he believes he makes a difference. She says he would be a different man if he did this and that it would make him a man. She believes they would transform the country together.

Catherine leaves without getting what she wants. She gets the Swedish heads and takes them to the Archbishop so they can have a Christian burial. They do that out in the rain that night. Later, Peter tells everyone that he is going to forgive Catherine. Then, Rostov enters and he hasn’t gotten rid of his beard. Orlo tries to convince Peter to allow it and Velementov sides with Orlo. Peter doesn’t change his mind and Orlo warns him that this will cause discontent to rise among the people. Peter gets mad when Orlo yells at him and points a knife at his throat. He orders Orlo to shave Rostov. Rostov is not happy about that. Marial tells Catherine that Orlo is there to see her.

He is bloody and he is ready to cooperate with her.

 

The Great Review

I wish this show was more enjoyable because I think it could be good. Unfortunately, I just can’t get past the shoddy satire. I don’t find any of the lines remotely humorous. I am not sure how the actors and actresses play these roles with a straight face. Some had to question what the final product would look like midway through.

It is too far over the top. I don’t mind a little stupidity and humor but it almost never works here. Some may like the show but I feel a lot are going to be disappointed with it. The episode scores a 6.5 out of 10. Previous recaps of The Great can be found on Reel Mockery.