The Great
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Is Peter a the Great?
No, that was his grandfather (or father, as the show says).
Also sometimes disgusting (see: severed heads later on), but still overall delightful.
That attitude means, of course, that Catherine is planning a coup.
Marial cuts through the Gordian knot as always and suggests stabbing Peter in the face.
This entire episode revolves around Count Orlo and great, big, bushy beards.
But I want to talk about Aunt Elizabeth.
AUNT ELIZABETH, who throws parties during which she casually lies back while several people lick her feet.
Here, she is the most absurd person in an absurd world, and I love her.
Can free will be debated through the medium of beards?The Greatsays yes.
Is bold the right word?
Is that what your beard says, Rostov?
Peter asks, in yet another delightful moment from this show.
Peter doesnt care and tells him to shave anyway.
So then we come to Orlo.
Orlo is … fine.
Catherine recruits him from Peters inner circle, even though he has the determination of a dithering slug.
She sees something in him, though!
Mainly an ability to recognize when Peter is being unhinged.
Her method is to pant on a chaise longue and speak in a husky tone after downing some oysters.
The oysters are bad, so she throws up in a Champagne bucket.
It is not tremendously successful as far as seductions go.
Catherine will eventually be Catherine the Great, seasoned stateswoman, famed empress.
For now, she chases Orlo down a garden path, shouting HELP ME WITH MY COUP.
Whats Peter up to?
Peter is again charming by virtue of his utter transparency.
Catherine, however, hates it.
This is stalled by the archbishop (a.k.a.
Archie) telling Catherine to try smiling, which does fix things.
To be specific, she has to smile while eating in front of the heads of Swedish soldiers.
Just … good Lord.
