01x09 - Episode 9

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TV Channel Russia

Written by Arif Aliev
Art director Vladimir Menshov

Directed by Alexandr Baranov,
Ramil Sabitov
Camera - Maxim Shinkorenko

Production Designers
Sergey Vorobjev, Sergey Onipenko

Music by Nikolai Rostov

Make-up Artists
Marina Dedova, Ilona Levitskaya

Leading Editor
Nadezhda Tarnovskaya

Leading Producer
Alexei Kublitsky

Producers - Alexandr Akopov
Ekaterina Efanova,
Natalia Shneiderova

Empress Elizaveta I - Yulia Aug

Grand Duke Pyotr Fyodorovich,
Emperor Peter III - Alexandr Yatsenko

Count Bestuzhev - Vladimir Menshov
Count Lestocq - Konstantin Lavronenko
Count Razumovsky

Prince Saltykov - Rinal Mukhametov
Captain Orlov - Sergey Strelnikov

Princess Johanna - Isabel Schosnig
Count Shuvalov - Nikolai Kozak
General Apraksin -Vitaly Kravchenko

Jemma - Elena Shamova
Pimen - Ivan Dobronravov
Matrena - Svetlana Korchagina

Prince Ponyatovsky - Aleksei Vorobyev
Brekdorf - Maxim Kerin
Betskoy - Kirill Rubtsov

Frederick II - Hartmut Krug
Mardefelt - Vitus Eisenach
Chetardie - Patrick Roullier Rollin

Nanny of Tsar Ivan VI -
Valentina Talyzina

With Marina Alexandrova
as Ekaterina II

EKATERINA

Excuse me, Your Majesty;
there’s an urgent message.

Empress Elisabeth has
declared w*r on Prussia.

I asked not to disturb me on trifles
when I'm playing music.

Maestro - Bach. Allegro.

Alexei Petrovich, don't you think this peacock
bears a striking semblance to Ponyatovsky?

Why bringing them together,
Ekaterina and this brainless Pole?

You know very well it's
England standing behind him.

Your Majesty, Russia has an
abundance of enemies and a deficit of friends.

That's why a friendship of Her Highness with the future
King of Poles I consider favorable for Russia.

And his connections with England
may become a Tr*mp card we'll be hiding in our sleeve.

Well, Count, I was wrong to consider you a banal
intriguer. Time to bestow a king's status upon you.

There's a letter for Your Highness.

What an uneven handwriting?

It's from
the Polish prince.

Let's see whether my guess is right.

I love you. I'll come at 7 in the afternoon
waiting near your doors until you bless me with your attention.

Clear and laconic. What a childish behavior.

Pyotr Fyodorovich, in Elizaveta Petrovna's will it is written that after her death

Pavel Petrovich shall ascend the throne.
- Not you.

So, it's Pavel.

I anticipated something
like this. May you be mistaken?

Alas, no.

Under whose
regency will Pavel reign?

I don't know. I hope Elizaveta
Petrovna will live a long life.

I pray for her good health.

But who’s the regent?

I can't believe
it will be Bestuzhev.

That awful old Bestuzhev.

Or maybe my wife Ekaterina?
Or maybe you?

In this case, you will be in no danger.

What if Pavel ascends the throne?

Then it will be the end.
Then what am I for?

Don't think about it.
I’m not a hero.

Not everyone
can be strong and brave.

I'm begging you - help me, save me.

I can’t, Pyotr Fyodorovich, I
absolutely can't do this.

If you don't help me,
I will write to Frederick.

I'm against the w*r, I'm for the alliance of
Russia and Prussia against all of Europe.

Should I become the Emperor,
I'll declare w*r against Denmark.

Why Denmark?
Russia and Denmark have always been allies.

Russians have never warred against
the Danes.

I know the Danes; my mentor was Danish.

They are cruel and sly.
They should be all destroyed.

You wanted me to be sincere?
Very well.

Your declaration
is half-baked.

I would even call it outrageous.

Guided by such thoughts,
one may bring awful tribulations upon Russia.

This is what Elizaveta Petrovna
bore in mind fearing to pass the crown to you. Sorry.

Her Highness does not receive visitors.

What do you want, Your Excellency?

Report I'm here, Mio Panna.

Her Highness would hardly agree to talk
to the author of such a bold letter.

My lady does not want
to see you.

You follow your passions
and not your reason.

You have nothing to fear?

Not always.
But today I've lost my head.

You are amusing.

Why are you silent?

Why talk when we may…

May I?

Should I reign,

would you keep me from making mistakes?

Not only me.

There are some statesmen whose advice
even the Empress herself heeds.

And one more thing,
Pyotr Fyodorovich.

Please reconcile with Ekaterina
Alekseyevna. Pavel is your son.

Can't you feel this?

Yes, I can feel that you're right.
I felt something of the sort the other day.

But I will not reconcile with her.

Good morning, Your Highness.

I ordered breakfast for just one person.

I didn't dare without your permission…

Don't worry, our guest
will partake of something.

Arina, there is something
I’ve never asked you about.

Then ask me.

Does Count Shuvalov know everything I do?

You're very kind to me, Your Highness.
How did you guess?

You can tell Count
Shuvalov what you find necessary.

I myself answer for my deeds.

My dear friend, wake up.

Have some coffee to feel refreshed.

Why would I need coffee? I am refreshed.

Like a cucumber.

My darling Cucumber.

Who spent the night with Her Highness?

He didn't mention his name.

Of course, did you expect
a report from him?

How did Her Excellency address him?

“My dear friend”.
“My darling Cucumber” in the moments of passion.

So what should I write in my report?

“Mr. Cucumber”? It is an extraordinary occurrence.

After Count Saltykov, Her Highness
did not spend a night with anyone else.

Yes, Sir. It's been long since she slept
with a man.

So what should I write down?

Grand Duke Ponyatovsky,
Polish Prince Stanislaw Augustus.

Why didn't you report then?

You said not to report about trifles but only
if there is some conspiracy, something presenting danger.

That Polish boy is three years younger than her.

Well, such is woman's nature.

This boy serves to the British ambassador.
What did they talk about, verbatim?

Your Majesty, I dared to disturb
you on a very important matter.

Ekaterina Alekseevna is having
a liaison with Grand Duke Ponyatovsky -

It is yet unknown if it has been his own
initiative or the will of the British Ambassador Williams.

Listen, I absolutely do not care whose initiative it was.

Shall we stop it or
let it go on?

Alright, Count, let’s proceed like this:
let’s make no haste.

We shall learn their true intentions.

If situation demands it,

we shall send Williams home.

And Ponyatovsky as well.

And of the girl
we can always take care.

Matryona!

Pimen!

Lord, I missed you so much!

How is your service?

It depends. Listen, I need to tell you
something about Ekaterina Alekseyevna.

It's very important. Remember my every
word and warn her without delay.

What happened?

The Empress threatens to lock Her Highness in a
convent, they are spying on her. She needs to…

Am I interrupting? Pimen,
get back to your post.

Is Her Majesty calling for me?

God forbid. But she might at any
moment. On the double, I say!

What was he going to tell you?

Nothing special, Your Honor.

Has this man of yours lost his mind?

Babbling out State secrets, it calls
for a term in prison. Or even worse.

So, what did he want to tell you?

Yes, poor, poor Pimen.

But I can forget about this
if you come to my chamber tonight.

Do you know where my chamber is?

Will you come or not?

What for?

You'll see.

Very well. I will mention your invitation
to Ekaterina Alekseyevna.

I hope she will let me come.

You witch.
I will remember that...

Your Highness, the Grand Prince is here.

Ask him to wait for a minute.

Pardon me, Pyotr Fyodorovich, I was asleep.

There is no need to apologize;
after all, we are man and wife.

I came to talk to you about Pavel.

Is he alright?

We were having a drill together today,
and I saw inclinations of a m*llitary leader in him.

Yes, but I'm afraid his mentors
won't develop his endowments.

He is surrounded by some old hags, French at that.

They will raise him not as a man, but as a pantywaist.

Do you think that Pavel does not receive
the due upbringing as the future Emperor?

Exactly.

Then talk to Elizaveta Petrovna.
Try to persuade her.

In fact that's why I came. You talk to her.

For some reason she is more fond of you than me.

You're mistaken

In any case, we should talk to
her together

as Pavel's parents.

If you wish so.

Good night.

I haven’t thought your husband
is such a caring father.

Don't discuss my family matters with me.

Your Majesty.

Take a seat, my dear.

I’ve been waiting for a while, my dear.

I thought you would
guess it yourself, but...

Then let me give you a hint of what I mean.

Prince Ponyatovsky
Stanislaw Augustus.

He calls himself the future
King of Poland.

A loafer, a posture, and your lover.

Tell me, my dear, have you forgotten
that you have a husband?

My husband has entirely
forgotten that he has a wife.

It seemed to me, you did not
care either how I fared.

I don't care.

- Anyway, he's off on his journey already.

Who?

Your Count Ponyatovsky.

I see.

Have you imagined
that I will bear with all this?

But I bear with a lot of things.

You’ve taken away my son, but still I smile at you.

I bow to you and say sweet words.

You have taken away everything from me.
My life is meaningless. And it’s your fault.

I only intended to put you to order.

In return, I heard accusations in a most impossible tone.

Get out of my sight, my dear.

I wish you all the best too, Your Majesty.

Maybe I should send her away to a convent.
She is too impudent.

We should reconcile them.

And it's time for Pyotr Fyodorovich to take up m*llitary service.

A w*r is on, My Lady.

Stay seated.

It fits you. Look how handsome you are.

Pyotr Fyodorovich, I don't understand
why are you displeased?

I made you a Premier Major;

I commissioned you with the Imperial Guard of
Izmailovsky Regiment in the position of Platoon Commander.

I kindly thank Your Majesty.

But my status entitles me to command a battalion.

Why did you
decree it in your own way?

Pyotr, dear,

it is not the Poteshny Regiment,
but a real one.

Let you learn to command
over a platoon at first.

You will serve together with your wife.

That's all. Go away.

I don't understand, are you glad or not?

I'm glad, Auntie, very glad.

In the regiment, we issue commands in Russian.

The soldiers don't know German.

Put it down, Brekdorf.

The guardsmen obey
directly to the Platoon Commander,

that is to you,

and to the Regiment Commander,
that is to me.

I will need to acquire a lot of skills.

And here you practice
fencing skills, right?

Yes, Sir.

Would you like
to examine it?

Lieutenant Grigory Orlov,
you’re under arrest!

Stop it!

Atten-tion!

What's going on here?

He is under arrest.

On whose order?

On the order of Count Shuvalov,
the Chief of the Imperial Secret Police.

Grigory Orlov visits damsels and ladies…

- Several of them. Frankly, quite many of them.

So what?

A damsel turned out to be Count Shuvalov's mistress.

Lieutenant Orlov tried to challenge
Aleksandr Ivanovich to a duel.

- Well…
- Imagine a lieutenant challenging a general.

Was there a duel?
- There wasn’t one.

Grigory thumped Shuvalov on
the head not knowing who he was.

And Shuvalov ordered his men
to cr*pple Grigory, but Grigory’s brothers interfered.

So, there was a fistfight.

Is Count Shuvalov the innocent party?

The army is first of all about
discipline and subordination.

She’s just a mistress, not a wife. For how long
has Lieutenant Orlov been in the regiment?

He was enrolled 7 years ago.

He gave a good account of himself
and enjoys respect.

For a zealous service,
he has efficiency decorations.

Then why is he still a lieutenant?

Not enough years in grade. But you have
the right to promote him.

Prepare the epaulets of...
a Staff Captain. Am I right?

Your Highness, I'm afraid he won't need them anymore.

Nobody easily returns
from Shuvalov's dungeon.

Pyotr Fyodorovich,
we shall find a way to save the lieutenant!

I don't know.

How can we save him?

I know how.

Alexei Petrovich!

Can I be of any help, Ekaterina Alekseyevna?

Yes, you can.

Yesterday a staff captain
of our regiment was arrested.

The troops, including our regiment,
are leaving on a campaign tomorrow,

and assistant of the platoon commander
has been thrown into the dungeon, and on no charges at that.

Count Shuvalov won't be slow
in making up charges.

Yes, I suspect some petty
vengeance being the case.

What a base act and bad temper.

I would offer you to turn
to Stepan Fyodorovich, for he is the Commander in Chief.

If you manage to persuade him, the staff
captain will be released at once.

Is Count Apraksin in Petersburg?

Yes, he attends the Council.
But he’ll be leaving for Narva today; make haste.

Stepan Fyodorovich...

Ekaterina Alexeyevna, I'm too old to run;
my vivacious days are over.

But you're right, every minute is precious.

Count Shuvalov drags to the rack everyone
he catches in his spiderweb.

Dear friend, hurry up.

I would gladly end on
the rack for such a look…

Stepan Fyodorovich – sadly,
I can see no grounds for Orlov’s release.

What other grounds do you want?

Most substantial ones.

Tomorrow this officer will go to the w*r in
order to protect Her Majesty and his native country.

And you, Count, will return in the rear.

They will use b*ll*ts and sabers against him,
and you will be amusing leisure with your mistress.

Why all this criticism?
Why say such things?

To wake up your conscience.

What do you need the Kn*fe for?

Ah, there's an interesting trick, Stepan Fyodorovich.

You make incisions on the man's arms and legs,

and then you pull off the
skin like a stocking.

What are you going to do?

Once upon a time, a count comes to his mistress.

She's lying naked, and officer's boots
are sticking from under the bed.

The count takes the straight razor
and sharpens it against his belt.

"Count, what are you going to do?"
"If those boots are empty, I'll shave."

Release Staff Captain Orlov immediately.

Bow down, brat.

Hello, Petersburg! I’m free!

Come on!

It's a salute in Your Highness's honor.

We should make it a tradition,
to sh**t salvos at noon.

Didn't I tell you not to drink toasts to all relatives?

And I kept saying to lay off the drink!

Did you?
-I did!

Shut up, damn your mother!
- She’s your mother too, Brother.

Gentlemen!

Brothers, here she is,
my Empress!

Is Grygory in love again?
- Bite your tongue.

Please, accept gifts from ladies of the Court.

Thank you, Your Highness,
- From the very heart.

God will be your protector on the b*ttlefield.

May God help you.

You're my savior.

Ekaterina Alekseyevna, please meet
my brothers.

Thank you, Your Highness,
for our Grishka!

I'd have throttled him if he
d*ed on the rack.

And all of you are the Orlovs?

Fully rely upon us, Your Highness.

Get up and choose your presents.

- Go get your gifts.

And you...

promise that you will come back alive.
I will be waiting for you.

Your Highness, I can't promise you that,

it's not in my power.

Do you remember that I’ve saved your life?

So now it belongs to me.

You have no right to die.

Ekaterina Alekseyevna,

it would be utterly foolish of me to die now,
on the verge of my happiness!

But w*r is w*r, it kills at random.

It kills foolish and clever ones,

cowards and braves, because w*r is like this.

Our regiment leaves tomorrow morning.

Farewell,
Your Highness.

Spring, 1757.

Empress Elizaveta Petrovna orders her army
to move toward Russia’s western borders.

w*r breaks out in Europe, with Russia facing off against Prussia.

The Russian Army is in disarray.

We are waging the w*r successfully:

we have annexed Saxony, seized
Prague, and now France is withdrawing its troops.

We should use this opportunity to sign
a treaty with England against Russia.

How are the
things about England?

The English
need an excuse.

If we find good enough grounds,
the whole Europe will join our spread to the East.

What do you suggest?

To demand the release of the former
Emperor Ioann Antonovich with all his family.

They are of German blood.

We shall put forward an ultimatum:

to immediately release the legitimate Emperor
Ioann Antonovich from the fortress.

Let him take the place he
is entitled to by the right of birth.

I'm afraid, Ioann Antonovich won't
live long after the ultimatum.

Don't be afraid.

The m*rder of Ioann Antonovich will be
good grounds to destroy the imperial dynasty.

We shall try and execute the Romanovs.

There are not so many of them left:

the Empress, Pyotr Fyodorovich, and his son Pavel.

The tree has withered.

Pyotr Fyodorovich
remains your devotee.

If he ascends the throne, Russia
will become a long-standing ally of Prussia.

No exceptions for anyone.

Because of irregular
delivery of provision and fodder,

Apraksin can't continue hostilities in Prussia.

The road is destroyed along
dozens of miles both ways.

He can't reach Koenigsberg.

The longer the w*r is,
the more means will be spent.

Isn’t it true?

Do you understand we should finish the w*r by autumn?

A letter from King Frederick.

He is seeking peace?

It's an ultimatum!

That rogue!

He demands that we release
Ioann Antonovich from Schlusselburg.

But we shall state categorically
that Ioann Antonovich d*ed in his infancy.

We'll invite the ambassadors
and will show them his grave.

We'll bring Duke Anton Ulrich
to Petersburg together with his family,

and he will announce that his son
d*ed seventeen years ago.

And he should refuse
to return to his homeland.

I'm more interested how Frederick came to know
about where we keep our secret prisoner.

Investigate into this.

As you wish, Your Majesty.

I am indifferent to the ultimatums
of this impudent sodomite.

God is my witness, I did not want this to happen.

But I have no other choice.

Ioann Antonovich has to die.

Nanny, my dear Nanny...

We observe all procedures in silence.

The prisoner didn't hear from
us a single word uttered.

How do you communicate then?

By gesturing,
Your Majesty, and urging him

like a dog, only without saying his name.

Sometimes we punish him when he disobeys,
but we inflict no bodily damage.

What would be Your Majesty's orders?

Carry on with your duty.

You will report to me directly;
I'll warn the secretary.

Should someone else ascend the throne,
you'll start reporting to that person.

Your Majesty! Your Majesty!

Is there a doctor?
- Yes.

- Be quick!
- Your Majesty...

There is no need of a
doctor. Take me home.

Simeon.

What

I'm here, My Lady. What is it?

The Holy Annointing...

Bring Father Simeon.

Your Highness,

you are summoned to the Council.

Can it be that I'll hear the glad tidings today?

Am I the Emperor? Say “yes”.

I can't go against the truth.
You are not the Emperor.

But hasn't my aunt d*ed?

Your Highness, you worry me.

Or maybe you know
something that I don't know?

Though, you can't know anything
because you were asleep.

I'm the Emperor! She is dead!

I'm the Emperor!