All language subtitles for Catherine.the.Great.2019.S01E01.1080p.WEB-DL.x264-PSiG

CATHERINE THE GREAT

Episode 1

Catherine's turbulent reign began
in 1762 with a military coup.

She seized power from her husband
Emperor Peter III

who died soon after,
in mysterious circumstances.

Surrounded by enemies
and fighting off rival challenges.

Catherine's rule is far from secure.

Shlisselburg Prison, St. Petersburg,
Northern Russia.

This way, Your Majesty.

Do you know who I am?

Do you know who you are?

Ruler.

I am Lord of all Russia.

Cousin of Emperor Peter.

You stole the crown from him.

You should give it back.

One morning...

I heard birds

sing in my brain.

A great honour.

What is?

Her Majesty.
Paying us a visit at Shlisselburg.

Prisoner Number One.

Obviously someone very important.

I've heard rumours. Obviously.

- Don't listen to rumours.
- Your Majesty!

Thank you. I've seen enough.

The Lieutenant will
take you back to the boat.

- I've seen you before.
- Your Majesty?

Lieutenant Mirovich.
With the guard here.

Yes, you made a request for money.
To my office. Several times.

And we told you to stop.

I am sorry if I offended Your Majesty.

I can assure you it was
never my intention...

It's a mistake to ask rich
people for money.

How do you think they got rich?
By giving it away?

Your Majesty...

Did you appoint Lieutenant Mirovich
to guard Prisoner Number One?

I am not sure I was responsible
for his appointment, Your Majesty.

I don't trust him.

Your Majesty, I've been
looking at your speech

and on pages twelve and thirteen
I have made some revisions...

Revisions?

It is my speech,
Minister Panin, not yours!

I have been working on this for years.
You know how important it is to me.

All I feel Your Majesty
is that some of it...

- That some of it is too liberal.
- I'll be the judge of that!

What would Your Majesty
like me to do with these?

I can think of a place
I would like you to put it.

But I am not minded to be vulgar.
So give it back to Minister Panin.

Maybe he can nibble on it for his tea.

He has always been very good
at eating his own words.

Yes, Your Majesty. Count Orlov.

Don't you remember that young man?

Lieutenant Potemkin.

He was with us on the day of the coup.

When we took your husband
from the throne.

Peter allowed himself to be deposed
like a child being put to bed.

She eats men alive. You know that.

Sounds like an interesting proposition.

Let's listen.

When I first came here, from Germany.
Many years ago,

I did not even speak the language.

I had little knowledge of the beauties
of the Russian church

and even less of the courage
and the strength of its people.

But I fell in love with this country.

Its spirit. Its passion. Its soul.

But in these more enlightened times,
I believe we need laws

that everyone respects and obeys.

The rich and powerful as well
as the poor and dispossessed.

And so. Something needs to change.

Slavery does not
have to be a Russian institution!

That didn't go down well.

I'm afraid I tried to warn your mother.

All of the audience here own serfs.
Most of them have thousands.

Russia's not ready for change.

Is it right for a rich man
to own another human being?

Which is still the case
in this country.

Look at Orlov.

The man who put her on the throne.

And now wants some of it for himself.

I believe in reason.

I believe in progress.

And when the indomitable Russian
people fight for these things,

and fight to gain a new empire in which
they will be universally acknowledged,

then Russia, your Russia,

my Russia, our Russia...

will be truly and eternally great.

She just got out of that one.

Patriotism. Always good.

You helped her get rid of her husband,
Peter III. Correct?

And now she thinks
she can do what she likes,

but does she have a right
to the throne?

And what did you get out of it?

And? What are you saying?

I'm saying she's a usurper.

Now suppose there was a man

with a legitimate claim
to be the Emperor of Russia.

I believe that man is a prisoner
at Shlisselburg.

Present arms!

They didn't seem to enjoy
that very much, did they?

Not so much. My son came late.
And looked bored.

Yes, well, he wants your job,
doesn't he?

"She took the throne. We can take it
from her." That's what they think.

We're not going to let them do that.
The army remains loyal to us.

Why was Mirovich
outside causing trouble?

I told you he can't be trusted.

I honestly had no idea, Your Majesty.

And I can see that it makes him,
potentially, a risk as far as the...

very important person he is guarding.

That's a colossal understatement.

If you say you didn't know,
you didn't know.

But my son must never
be told about this.

Of course not, Your Majesty.
This is between...

You and I.

And let us make sure it stays that way.

May I... make a suggestion?

I'm afraid since the coup your
position is vulnerable and anyone...

however mad...

even with a distant claim
to the throne is a great risk.

Therefore can I suggest an order?

That states clearly that if there is
any attempt at an escape,

Prisoner Number One...

is to be killed.

I know it goes against
your liberal principals,

but it comes from me.
You had no idea it was in place.

It's for your own protection.

We cannot risk a challenge
to your throne.

"Divorce is possibly
as old as marriage."

"Although I suppose marriage
is a few weeks older."

Voltaire.

Oh you're working.

I just passed Count Orlov
in the corridor. Looking glum.

- My fault, I suppose. Men.
- Men.

- And what are you doing?
- I was thinking of wasting your time.

If that was all right.

Your Majesty.
What about the Girls' College...

Yes. Yes. That's done.
That is approved...

Don't mind me.

OK, I won't.

Your majesty The Turkish ambassador
has sent a strong note to us.

If we stray into their territory...

Fire and death and the wrath of Allah.
Take absolutely no notice.

Auntie, aren't Christians supposed
to turn the other cheek?

Especially when people
are trying to kill them.

Your Majesty Peter? Still dead?

Afraid so!

I came to tell you I saw
the most gorgeous man.

- Oh, where?
- In the courtyard round the corner.

If he's still there.
He may have been snapped up.

There's always another gorgeous man
around the corner.

How long have you got?

Long enough.

- That's Lieutenant Potemkin.
- I saw him first.

I don't think that's strictly true.
Anyway who is the Empress of Russia?

You are, Your Majesty.

I think we should inspect
him more closely.

Lieutenant Potemkin!

Are you lost?

I was once, Your Majesty. But not now.

What are you looking for?
The Office of the Palace Guards?

- The Gentlemen of the Bedchamber?
- It was you, Your Majesty. You.

Well. Here I am.

My regiment said I was to report
to your private office.

Thomas Dimsdale has arrived,
Your Majesty.

I have to go.

Dimsdale being the doctor that
inoculates against small pox?

Well, you're very well informed.
Yes, yes I'm thinking of trying it.

It's a risk, but then life's
a risk, isn't it?

From what I've heard,
the evidence supports your choice.

I'll enjoy speaking with you again.
But now, as usual, I am busy.

The Countess Bruce will look after you.

I obey.

- Lieutenant Potemkin...
- What about him?

You're right.
It was the day of the coup

when I rode out in front of the troops,

he bent down and he picked up
something I'd dropped.

He did. A sword knot for your sabre.

Yes! He obviously has a talent
for picking up things.

We should invite him to the dinner.

You have an objection to that?

How could I?
It's not as if we're married, is it?

Don't let's have this conversation
again. We've had it so many times.

You know it's impossible.

I'm not asking to marry you.

- Well what are you asking for then?
- Recognition.

Gratitude.

For what we did for you.

- You know you have that.
- But in public.

Public and private are two completely
different things.

- Your life is lived in public.
- Thanks to you.

That wasn't the deal.

I can't do this.
I'm sorry. I just can't.

Sir!

- How's my big brother?
- Do you mind?

Can I not have a little romance?

Is that what this is?

What do you think
I get at home, Alexei?

Can I talk to you for a minute?

I'll just be a moment.

How's it going with her?

Well, she's not the most exciting girl
I've screwed in the last...

With her...

Is that any business of yours?

It's politics. You fuck it up with her
and what happens to us

and all that we've worked for?

She's never going to marry me.

Alright? God knows I've tried.

We put her there. Without us and
our armies she's nothing.

She owes us, Grigory.
And she knows it. Use that.

Does it matter what I wear?

Does she care a damn
that I am reaching nineteen?

Does she love anything
apart from power?

She loves a lot of things,
Your Excellency...

A lot of men...

She is a very clever and
well read woman, sir.

As you know she came here when she
was fifteen. Taught herself Russian by...

Sleeping with a lot of Russian men.

That'll do. For the service, I'm sure.

Where is she?

With the Orlovs probably.

Murdering my father
has made them close.

They kick him off the throne.
Then she becomes Empress.

Then they kill him.
On her orders, probably.

Now she's terrified they'll kill her
unless she's sufficiently grateful.

We do not know that anyone "killed"
your father, Your Highness.

There is an official explanation?

You probably drafted it.
"Haemorrhoidal colic." Wasn't that it?

Terminal piles! My God! I hate her.

You do not hate her.
She is your mother. You love her.

Although sometimes of course,
you hate her. This is only natural.

And one day you will succeed her.

No ruler lasts forever.

One day soon?

How soon?

Mother.

Your Majesty.

Is that suitable for your
coming of age ceremony?

- Is it not to your taste?
- He is about to become a man...

- If you will let me, mother.
- Not a Head Steward.

Look, I just want you to be someone
of whom I can be proud.

Do you understand?

That one.

Oh God!

It's not me you are interested in.

I thought I expressed
a great deal of interest.

Oh Lord. I'm interested again.

She is the one you want.

You're clever. She likes clever men.

Madam, I am a lieutenant
of no great import.

All I have is a liberal education
and a great fucking interest.

- She is the Empress of Russia.
- Precisely. She is the one you want.

Yes, but the higher one climbs...

the more visible one's arse.

That could work
to my advantage, I am told.

I have good reason for wanting
you to go to this dinner.

And make a good impression.

Yes, the more she likes me,
the better for you. Yes?

But where do I come into all this?

You come in...

right here.

Why is my son so unattractive?

It might be something
to do with his father.

The Emperor Peter was
the ugliest man east of Berlin.

Yes, and now Paul wants
to be Emperor, too.

The moment he was born, my
mother-in-law took him away from me.

She left me on the floor bathed
in my own blood and sweat.

From that point on I really...
I never saw him.

Lieutenant Potemkin.
Looking very smart.

Who are you trying to impress?

- Something troubling Your Majesty?
- That's Lieutenant Mirovich.

What's he doing here?
Do you know him?

Yes, he's a drinker and gambler.
He owes money everywhere.

He seems in a hurry to leave.

The army is dangerous if they think
they put you in power, Your Majesty,

they'll always think they
can take it away.

Are you implying Her Majesty's
soldiers are disloyal, Lieutenant?

I'm saying anyone can be manipulated.
Does the man know your son?

I'm sorry, Lieutenant,
is this any concern of yours?

What was Lieutenant
Mirovich doing here?

Praying I assume, Your Majesty.
I really do not know.

Will you tell my son I wish to speak
with him after the ceremony?

Well, Lieutenant, we must pray too.

Yes, we must.

Sir.

We should keep our eye on
Lieutenant Potemkin. He's dangerous.

"The son can do nothing of himself but
that which he seeth his father do..."

When we come to man's estate
we listen to the wisdom of our fathers

and claim what is ours by right!

A prosperous and peaceful life,
health and salvation

and in all the best help give,
Lord, to your servant, Paul

and keep him for many years.

We wait here. Till night comes.

Check your weapons.

I was sixteen when they married
me to your father.

I didn't know that men and women were
any different, under their clothes.

If you understand what I mean?

I brought myself up. So I am afraid
I think that maturity is just...

it's a decision that we make.

Is it?

You two... you're always
in each other's company.

Are you hatching some conspiracy?

- We were not... we were not...
- Not. Not-not-not. Not what?

I... I...

I think our conversations
may have touched on the fact that,

at certain stages, some thought that,

when Paul reached his majority
perhaps he might...

Yes? Might? Might what?

Many people had envisaged,
Your Majesty,

that you would act as Regent until
Paul attained his majority.

After which he would...

Yes? What?

Take more responsibility, Your Majesty.

So many people
want the Russian throne.

They die trying to get it.

And sometimes they die
trying to hang on to it.

People will tell you lies
about what you are, Paul.

But remember.
You are the son of Peter III.

You are the heir to the Russian throne.

One day. Never forget that.

Now you've reached your majority.
I think you should get married.

Yes, mother.

Why don't you run along and
think about beautiful women.

Has he been speaking with the army?

How much does he know about
what's going on at Shlisselburg?

- Nothing. I swear it, Your Majesty.
- Never talk about the succession!

Or about power sharing,
do you understand me?

Yes, Your Majesty.

I want responsibility for the boy
that's all, Your Majesty.

I have always been loyal to you.

Ever since we put his father
from the throne.

Always loyal.

I want you to find everything
that's going on at Shlisselburg.

I want to know about this Mirovich.

I do not employ you to foster
my son's illusions about himself,

but to protect me from those who
wish me harm. And there are many.

Stay close!

Be quiet!

So...

To my son on his birthday!
In the expectation of wisdom!

- To Paul!
- To Paul!

Now, you may have noticed
there is an empty chair.

I have invited one of the brightest
and best of our young men.

But he is late.

Bon appetit!

Lieutenant Potemkin! At last!

I am so sorry to be late, Your Majesty.

Well. You look quite ravishing.

Coming from the most beautiful woman
I have ever seen

that is indeed a compliment.

No, no!

Before you sit down,
everyone has to say something amusing.

And we hear that you are very amusing.

What should I say in such illustrious
company to raise a laugh?

"When I first came to this country,"

"a long long time ago,
I knew nothing about it."

"But I fell in love with its people.
Their passions."

"Their soul.
Their indominable Russian spirit."

"And yet, this country must change.
Slavery is not a Russian institution!"

"Only then can your Russia, my Russia,"

"our Russia, become truly and
eternally great."

The history of women

is the history of the worst tyranny in
the world, of the weak over the strong.

But in the end Lieutenant, the
strong have the last word. Don't they?

- Don't men rule the world?
- I beg your pardon, Count Orlov.

I believe all of us here in Russia
are governed by a woman.

Fire!

No one at my table is punished
for making jokes.

The only crimes are stupidity.

Gnawing things.

And yawning.

Grigory!

She's fucking with you. And so is he.

You know who he is! Free him!

Ruler... Lord of old Russia...
I am the rightful ruler...

Easy does it...
Free him. Free him!

- Orders are orders, Lieutenant!
- No... no, no!

He was Ivan VI,
rightful ruler of Russia.

My orders are from Empress Catherine.

Catherine is a usurper!

So...

You like this boy.

What on earth
is that supposed to mean?

You made it fairly obvious.

I can talk to whoever I choose.
In whatever manner I choose.

Do you know what I hold in my hand?

Absolute power.

Do you have any understanding
of what that means?

Well...

It can mean nothing at all.

May I remind Your Majesty that when
we put you on the throne...

Now you mind your language
very carefully, Grigory.

Remember who I am now.
Have you forgotten?

You would do so at your peril.

We killed your husband.

I know who killed my husband.
I have it in black and white.

In your bloody brother's handwriting.

Are you holding that over my head?

Still? Because you do that.

You watch and you wait and then
you move against people.

Everything I do is wrong, isn't it?

So I yawn!

Sometimes dinner with you
can be a bit fucking dull.

You're running out of friends.

What are you thinking about?

Gherkins.

What does any Russian think about when
he makes love? Gherkins, of course!

Seriously, though!
Seriously, Lieutenant.

What you are thinking about?
I never know.

I'm thinking about her.
The Empress, of course.

I enjoy spending time in her company.

The fact that she happens to be the
most powerful woman in the world

is entirely incidental.

Yes.

Were you looking for
Countess Bruce, Your Majesty?

Yes, yes I was. But...
maybe it's best not to disturb her.

Unless of course you like
that sort of thing.

I'm a married woman, Your Majesty.
I've nothing to do with that...

Would you tell her
she and Lieutenant Potemkin

are invited to play cards
tomorrow night.

The Lieutenant made a most
favourable impression.

Yes, Your Majesty.

They wanted you to see it had
been done, Your Majesty.

Violence is disgusting, but...

- No one else knows.
- Mirovich is under guard.

He knows they
were under orders to kill Ivan.

I am afraid that everyone
will assume it came from you.

Anyone with a claim
to the throne is a danger to me.

Even this... poor deranged creature.

- Even...
- Your son, Your Majesty?

Paul is easily led.

There are unscrupulous people
in Russia.

Fortunately, I am one of them.

So as you know.

We could offer Mirovich a last minute
pardon on the scaffold.

On condition that
he doesn't say anything

about the death of this gentleman.

"We"? Are you suggesting that
I offer him a pardon?

It is obviously important
to show firmness.

A public execution does that.

But I also know that you are
inclined to be merciful.

Not always.
Ask the girl who does my hair.

Showing mercy would be popular,
Your Majesty.

It could be so.

I am inclined to mercy where I can be.

I hope by now I understand the way
your mind works, Your Majesty.

So do a lot of people.

Put your money down, gentlemen.

Bets on, bets on. Quickly.

- You all lose.
- There we go.

It seems everyone
knows everything nowadays.

The Archbishop has somehow found out
about the death of Prisoner No.1.

If he starts talking...

I have had him sent away.
Before he does.

I think the English had the
right idea in the sixteenth century.

Getting rid of senior clergy and
major nobility at the same time.

Well, Lieutenant. Not only good looking
but clever too.

I am lucky to have found you.

For those in power
must learn to be criminal.

"What is any kingdom but a great piece
of highway robbery" after all?

St. Augustine.

He reads as well.

But will you fight for Her Majesty?

And not just feed her smart remarks?

Isn't a war with the Turks
coming any day now?

- Will you fight for the Empress?
- To the death. Your Majesty.

May I make a suggestion
about this Mirovich...

No.

You may leave us, Grigory.
And the rest of you can go too.

I want to speak to
Lieutenant Potemkin alone.

Please...

- Tell me...
- About?

Mirovich. Your judgement
of him was accurate.

He has done something very foolish.

I know nothing about
the affair, Your Majesty.

I certainly will not raise
his name in conversation.

I like you, Lieutenant.

Panin has offered him a pardon.
That was the Minister's idea, not mine.

And why would he do that?

Well, the danger is, you see,

a man who is about to die
may say anything he wishes.

He may throw around wild accusations
on the scaffold.

So... Minister Panin has led him
to believe that he is to expect

a last minute reprieve on the scaffold,
in order to buy his silence.

- But if he pardoned him anyway...
- Very good, Lieutenant.

If Mirovich is allowed to live,
he's always a risk.

Always there to be used by your enemies
to challenge your claim to the throne.

Quite.

I must say I suspect Minister Panin's
sudden enthusiasm for a show of mercy.

The truth is I'm running out of
people I can trust, Lieutenant.

Do you know...

I have never passed
a sentence of death.

I always wanted to be a merciful,
liberal ruler.

Must be a very difficult decision.

But one, in the end, only you can make.

- Potemkin...
- Yes, sir!

The coming man!

Success at Court is the quickest
route to failure, I am told.

I hear you play billiards.

- Very badly.
- Then let us play for money.

A thousand if you can sink it.

I tell you what.
You give me the thousand now.

If I miss, I give it straight back
plus an additional thousand.

If I sink it, you give
me five. Five thousand.

What's so funny?

That looks funny to you?

What do you gentlemen take me for?

Just another ambitious young man who
has come to court to make his money.

To lie, and deceive and flatter
his way into power?

Yes, yes...

You think I want to shine the way
the rest of you guys shine?

Like rotten wood.

Well, there you have it.
You owe me five thousand.

If you are men of your word that is...

Boys, boys, boys, boys!

Fuck off!

You've done it now.
You've killed the bastard.

- He's better off dead.
- Get off!

Did you both kill the Emperor Peter?
Or was it just you, Alexei?

Alright. Alright! Get off!

- Kill the traitor!
- Slaughter him!

A lively crowd, Your Majesty.

Yes, yes, they are.

Our friend isn't showing
much concern, is he?

He isn't.

I am glad Your Majesty has seen fit
to show mercy in this instance.

Did I say that that
was what I had done?

By the grace of God,
Queen, Catherine the 2nd,

the Empress and Autocrat of all Russia

have uncovered a conspiracy to put an
illegitimate Pretender on the throne,

and have no hesitation in ordering

the supreme penalty
for this hideous crime.

This is a mistake! I was assured
I would be pardoned!

This is a mistake.
I was assured I would be pardoned!

She murdered our true Emperor.
You all know she did!

Kill the traitor!

Again!

What have you done?
I spoke to him myself...

I never told him anything.

- What are you doing?
- Isn't it obvious? I'm writing.

What about?

Ideas about equality
for everyone under the law.

They are just ideas
at the moment.

It feels like something has changed.

Between us.

I will always love you.

But it is over between us.

Why?

Because you have fallen
out of love with me

and you don't have the courage
to say so.

I know all about those girls you screw.

Even if I choose not to comment on it.

Because I still care for you.

But you want something
I cannot give you.

You want power.

Is that a bruise on your face?
Have you been fighting?

This fucking thing.
Pushes my tits up too far.

I can't go to the ball.

Your Majesty... Splendid you look.

Your Majesty, so nice to see you.

The minister's to the right,
and your son is this way. There.

Your Majesty!
Of course, nothing fitted me.

How do we look, Your Majesty?

I think one of you looks like a
lesbian, but I'm not sure which one.

I am looking for Potemkin.

Too much rouge on this side.

Engageantes are not quite right.

I can't let her see me like this.

Well...

I think your neckline
may be too low. But...

Like this...

You poor thing.

You really are
in love with her. Aren't you?

I'm a woman, Auntie!
And I'm pregnant!

How could that happen?

You should get rid of that Fool.

Whatever you are paying for
his jokes it is too much.

You can have my head
whenever you need it, Auntie!

I keep a spare head.
I kept this one from my last job.

Didn't she like your jokes,
you handsome bastard?

I am Victor Heinrich Emmanuel.

The Landgrave of Hesse Darmstadt,
Your Majesty.

I hear you look for a
wife for Prince Paul.

- I have three attractive daughters.
- Yes, very beautiful.

- This is my wife...
- Ladies.

Lieutenant Potemkin!

I should have killed him.

I am not going to ask
who did this to you.

And let us not think about revenge.

Yet.

You know, we will do great
things together.

And don't you worry.
You will have your day.

They will not go unpunished.

And you will blossom.

But not yet. Because the Turks
are preparing for war.

We need men like you.

Now, let's celebrate new beginnings!

I want something Russian!

CATHERINE THE GREAT Episode 1