Original subtitles

TV CHANNEL RUSSIA

COSMOS STUDIO

TV CHANNEL RUSSIA

PRESENTS

A COSMOS STUDIO PRODUCTION

WRITTEN BY ARIF ALIEV

DIRECTED BY DMITRIY IOSIFOV

CAMERA DIRECTOR MAXIM SHINKORENKO

ART DIRECTOR SERGEY VOROBIEV

MAKEUP ARTIST - ARTEM DEMIDOV, COSTUME DESIGNER - SVETLANA MOSKVINA

MUSIC BY NIKOLAY ROSTOV CASTING DIRECTOR - VALERIA GANKINA

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF - SERGEY KOZIN POST-PRODUCTION BY NONNA ARISTARKHOVA

SOUND DIRECTORS VLADIMIR LITROVNIK, ANNA IVANTSOVA

PICTURE EDITORS OLGA GRINSHPUN, GLEB ROSS

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS LILIA CHEKSTER, SYUZANNA MUAZEN

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER ANASTASIA KORETSKAYA

LEAD PRODUCER DMITRIY GOLUBICHNY

PRODUCERS - ALEXANDER AKOPOV, ANTON ZLATOPOLSKY, NATALIA SHEIDOROVA

IN REMEMBRANCE OF EXECUTIVE PRODUCER ALEXEI KUBLITSKY

PAVEL PETROVICH - PAVEL TABAKOV NIKITA PANIN - SERGEY KOLTAKOV

YEMELYAN PUGACHEV - ARTHUR IVANOV PRINCESS TARAKANOVA - ANGELINA STRECHINA

STEPAN SHESHKOVSKY - MIKHAIL GOREVOY ALEXEI ORLOV - ARTEM ALEXEEV

ANDREY RAZUMOVSKY - ALEXANDER TKACHIOV NATALIA ALEXEIEVNA - ALINA TOMNIKOV

GRIGORY POTEMKIN - VLADIMIR YAGLICH GAVRIIL DERZHAVIN - DANILA DUNAEV

EKATERINA NELIDOVA - DIANA MILYUTINA LEFEBVRE - IGOR GRABUZOV

KAZIMIERZ OGIŃSKI - ARTEM KRETOV MICHAŁ OGIŃSKI - DANIIL SLUTSKY

MARIA KAROLINA - OLGA MAKEEVA FERDINAND - SERGEY TESSLER

DENIS FONVIZIN - KUZMA SAPRYKIN ADAM OLSUFIEV - STANISLAV STRELKOV

EKATERINA THE GREAT MARINA ALEKSANDROVA

EKATERINA: PRETENDERS

ST. PETERSBURG CAPITAL OF THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE, MAY 1774

- Why here? - A mouse is safest in front of a cat.

Wonderful paintings, arent they?

Russia can be proud of its sons. Its not my first time in Petersburg,

but Ive never had time to see all the pictures in this hall.

And now the carriage is waiting to take me to Paris.

Viscount, I dont know much about fine arts, Ive come on business.

Her Highness Natalia Alexeievna would like you to pass a letter to king Louis.

Arent you worried about your fate, count?

Theres nothing unexpected in a letter to the French king.

I used to be in correspondence with him. We discussed history and literature.

I assume Her Highness isnt writing about Goethes poems in this letter.

What induced her to do such an unsafe thing?

Her Highness is concerned that theres not much time left to change

her fate, along with Pavel Petrovich. The Empress may produce a new heir.

What help does she expect from the French Crown? To enthrone the Grand Duke?

She doesnt see him as an Emperor. Her ideal is Ekaterina the Great.

- She wants to follow her path. - Coup d'états and her husbands murder?

- Murder? - It wouldnt be safe to let him live.

Whos going to kill him? Is it you? To rise high you need to have faith.

Doubts are a heavy burden, they wont let you soar.

Tell Natalia Alexeievna Im waiting for her in the bathhouse.

- What? - You heard me.

Tomorrow at nine.

Go, I'll be right there.

- Good evening, sir. - Same to you.

I attended His Excellency to the Palace this morning and knew I would see you.

- How are you feeling? - Hell if I get a word of it...

Listen, His Excellency won't be back soon...

Lets go, why should we stand in the rain? Come on.

Its a bit wilted...

- What a beautiful flower. - You like it?

Thats good.

Listen, Gertrude...

"Gertrude" doesnt sound Russian, you know?

Let me call you Glaphyra.

- Ill call you Glasha. - Me?

- Glasha? - Glasha, yes.

Yes, good.

Tell me, Glasha, are you free or a serf?

Am I free?

- Are you free? - Yes.

I am a... free woman.

Free? Its good, good.

Lets give it all up and run away.

With me. Do you agree?

I cant understand your words,

but my heart tells me what you mean.

Run away. With me.

Of course you can come to visit me.

Around three, Her Highness is usually resting after lunch.

I dont understand. Do you agree? Glasha...

Well have lots of kids. Ill be a cabman.

Well be happy, away from this snakepit.

Do you agree, Glasha?

I have to go now, but...

Lets meet tomorrow, at three.

- Right here. - I dont know your language.

Tomorrow, here, at three. Three oclock.

Three... Three days? You need time to think?

Glasha, my sweet thing...

Glasha...

My sweet Glasha...

At the passing of your brother let me offer condolences

to you and the Danish people.

Sorry to come without notice,

but I need to discuss the reception of the French ambassador.

- Pavel Petrovich, be quiet! - The situation is dangerous...

I can understand Louiss reaction, but the whole worlds in anticipation.

Benighted and slaveholding Russia is too dangerous and unpredictable.

And how do you like this news about Elisabeths daughter?

Its a lie, of course, but what an impudent one!

- What are you reading? - Its... Voltaire.

Your mother likes to read it.

Come in!

- Your Highness, your coffee. - Come in, bring it here.

If Europe sides with this impostress it may come to a war on all fronts...

- Count Andrey set up a meeting... - Later.

Russia could just be gone! A lean peace is better than a fat victory.

- Russia cant be ruled the old way. - Pavel Petrovich, walls have ears.

- Would you like a cup of coffee? - No, thank you.

I heard you prefer something stronger now, dont you?

I prefer tea. My respects.

Pavel Petrovich, I would like to come to your chamber tonight.

Ill be waiting.

Natalia Alexeievna Romanova.

The Frenchman was quite insolent, he is asking to be taught a lesson.

What he said about Russian fleet, does it make sense?

Can they block our squadron? Is the risk so evident?

Unfortunately, yes, Your Majesty.

We had dispatches from Samuel Greigs squadron in Naples.

Theyre having problems with supplies and materials for repairs.

In a word - the ships are rotting.

They need to change rigging, wood to board bilges,

to make new masts, bowsprits... Otherwise well lose the fleet.

- We must recall the squadron. - And you will take this over.

I trust you.

What about Grigory Grigoryevich?

I trusted Grigory. But I don't know if he trusted me.

He loves you.

I didnt see anyone, but Grigory.

Younger brother hid in the shadow of the elder one.

But now I can see clearly...

Theres nothing to see.

The younger reflects the elder. One blood, one upbringing.

No, I see the difference.

The younger one is more thoughtful, more suave, clever.

More resolute, more insidious.

Lets stay here. Wonderful place!

- What is it, pan Kazimierz? - Be careful, Your Highness, its loaded.

Don't tell me what to do, its me who has a pistol.

Take it. I pledge myself to you.

What is this place? Why didnt we come here before?

- It can be dangerous there. - Ill go and have a look.

Catch up, pan Kazimierz.

- You saved us, Your Highness. - Its you who saved us. Dont die!

- Wheres Michal? Michal! - Michal!

Kazimierz...

Grigory...

Whose name did you call me? My brothers or Potyomkins?

- What do you think? - I think you are testing my feelings.

Its needless.

- I love you. - I like your sincerity more and more.

- Too bad we have to part soon. - You didnt need to remind me.

I must go to Naples.

Ill find you a man to help.

What are you thinking about?

About you.

What's keeping you awake?

What is it so fascinating?

Im reading a comedy by Fonvisin. Really funny. Listen...

"Truly, if we keep talking about the ways people make mistakes,

well stay here until the end of days".

Look at this, its about each one of us.

We all like to blame people for their mistakes without noticing ours.

I have no interest in comedies, especially by Fonvisin.

Its too bad, monsieur Fonvisin is a very talented person.

- We have a daring project with him. - A daring project?

- That's interesting. - We wont talk about it now.

- Should I ask Luka to bring wine? - I dont need wine, Your Majesty.

All I need is you.

You called me "Your Majesty"... by mistake?

- Didnt you like it? - I have to admit, I was flattered.

In that case you may do the same, I would like it too.

Call me like the Empress while no one is listening.

Yes, Your Majesty.

But Im hurt that you dont want to show me your daring project.

I never meant to conceal it.

But you know quite well that walls have ears.

Is there something improper?

Its a project of a constitution. It is very dangerous.

Even reading it can be regarded as a plot.

Cant we discuss it in the open air?

- Do you like to shoot? - My God, what are you up to?

Mother wants us together day and night,

lets please her and go duck hunting.

To shoot poor ducks?

If it makes you unhappy, you may leave shooting for me.

As long as shooting muffles our talk.

Good, I agree.

Then Im getting our hunting lodge ready for tomorrow.

Tomorrow? Maybe some other day?

- If you have better things to do... - No, lets go tomorrow.

Fine. Where are your ducks?

They are waiting, Your Highness, trembling with fear.

It seems we are alone at last.

Tell me of your constitution. What is it so daring that your Fonvisin wrote?

He suggests to transfer all legislative power to the Senate.

The Emperor is supposed just to supervise it.

- I can see nothing daring in it. - In the restriction of royal power?

The Senate would fear the Emperor, look back to him. Its not enough!

What is Russia? No roads...

You can go by rivers or on ice, and spring mud wont let you go at all.

Empresss dispatch reaches Kamchatka in 5 months. Dispatch, not just a letter.

If most power is not transferred to local authorities,

Russia will split into numerous states or shrink to Moscow Tsardom.

I don't accept any kind of power but enlightened monarchy.

Only an active and just monarch can unite Russia for years.

We should end all wars and focus on internal challenges,

ensure the rule of law and reclaim some traditions we had before Peter I.

For example, to exclude women from succession to the throne.

Why arent we good enough for you?

A woman on a throne is still guided by her feelings.

- It often leads to injustice. - In Russia its not enough to be just.

One needs to be strong and sometimes cruel.

- Do you have these merits? - If I need them Ill find them.

You're ready for anything?

So...

- Do something cruel. - What, for instance?

You may kill a duck, for instance.

Everything ready, Your Highness. Do you wish to commence?

Yes, Luka, I think its time.

Your Excellency, dont wait for Natalia Alexeievna.

- Why? - She is hunting with Pavel Petrovich.

- She didnt want to go. - He insisted, she couldnt refuse.

It was heartless to keep me waiting here like this.

- What else did she say or order? - Nothing, Your Excellency.

Come here.

She must have told you to apologize for her.

- Your Excellency, I'll scream! - If you scream, someone will come.

Theyll see me naked and think I have a date here.

I am much older, I could be your nanny.

Great, I was in love with my nanny, I tried to gain her love when I was 12.

Where do you keep this thing?

The Constitution is kept in a safe place in my room.

Is it that safe?

- No one knows about it. - What about me? I know it now.

I completely trust you.

When I take the throne, Ill have a box hung on the wall of the Winter Palace,

so that all my subjects could put in their petitions.

- And Ill have the only key to it. - Why wait? Have it done now.

Thats a good idea, Ill do it.

And it will be written:"Petitions to the Crown Prince,

His Highness the Grand Duke Pavel Petrovich".

At times I feel that you understand me more than anyone in the world.

Things might be difficult between us

but I thank God for bringing us together.

- I love you. - I love you too.

Your Imperial Majesty.

When you call me this, I have a strange feeling...

Get used to it, Pavel Petrovich.

Come in.

Your Highness,

I have something to say, but don't know exactly how to do it.

- Its about count Andrey. - What about him?

Andrey Kirillovich seduced the nanny of Natalia Alexeievna.

There's nothing to worry about. Andreys a famous womanizer.

- And now he values the elderly. - But theres one other issue.

It happened in the bathhouse. Why would he be there? How dare he?

Bathhouse is a public place, its mainly used by the Empress and her lovers.

Count Andrey just couldnt damage their reputation.

Thats it, Your Highness! The Prince has long gone.

No one goes there, but you and your wife.

Do you think he went there to see the nanny?

I dont care why he went there.

Youd better do your duty, Luka. Its time to go to bed.

As you wish.

Take your hands away! Take them away!

You, whore!

Whore!

- Wed better leave her by the kitchen. - She said outside.

Its too cold, shell freeze to death.

Do what youre told or theyll throw us out.

- Good God... - Come on, hurry up.

Vasya! Feed the horses of His Excellency!

Vasya! Are you deaf or what?

Glasha... Glasha, darling...

Glasha, my sweet thing, who did it to you?

Its Her Highness. I saw her in bruises many times.

- Take her away, or shell die. - Bring some water.

- Take her. Get out of the way! - Go to hell!

Were Secret Police, what do you think youre doing? Want to be whipped?

Where are you taking her, you bastards?

To Sheshkovsky Stepan Ivanovich. Take her, lets go.

Now tell me: who, what, why?

- Who beat you? - Her Highness.

For what?

What do you want, Vlas? I didnt call you.

Your Excellency, Sheshkovsky took Glaphyra...

He took my Gertrude to the fortress, theyll torture her.

- You are the only hope I have. - What a strange name.

- Who is she? Where is she from? - Shes my fiance, Your Excellency.

Who? Your fiance?

What's it got to do with Sheshkovsky?

She was taken by his agents from the Secret Police.

She needs help, shes beaten and injured.

- She might die. - I dont understand.

- Are you sure about Sheshkovsky? - Pretty sure.

Thats what his agent said. Save my fiance, Nikita Ivanovich.

- Save her from certain death. - Engaged, oh God!

What should I do with you? Understand this, you fool...

I cant go butting heads with Sheshkovsky on any occasion.

All the more for this dummy of yours.

Find yourself another one. Aren't there enough women? To hell with her.

Your Excellency, I never asked you anything.

I'll do anything for you. Help me, please.

Im told you, Im busy. I have things to do. Go, Vlas!

Ive never asked anybody twice. Never. Thats why Im still alive.

But now Im asking you. I beg you. Please, help.

Don't test my patience, Vlas!

I'm into things of national interest!

Lay off me with your woman!

Get out!

And remember who you are. And the place I got you out of.

Fool!

As Thou art merciful, fulfill the desires of us all

unto good hearken and have mercy.

Have you rested?

Then we'll continue. So...

How did you know Her Highness and count Andrey had an affair,

and not just some innocentfriendly connection?

Its a serious accusation.

Her Highness Natalia cries loudly while being intimate.

On the ship from Hamburg, Count Andrey was the captain.

What else do you know about Her Highness and count Andrey?

I am hurting...

I want to go home... To Hessen.

Ill tell you everything. Let me go.

- No. - No?

Mama...

What else must I tell?

Why? Ill tell everything.

Of course, you will.

Dont torture me. Please.

Believe me, I take no pleasure in it. But these are the rules of inquiry.

Then change them, please.

You all swear you'll tell everything and you all try to conceal something.

I must be absolutely sure that your statements are true.

Lets suspend our conversation and get back to it later.

And you will tell me everything from the beginning.

- Your Majesty... - Stepan Ivanovich.

Ive got news for you. Theres a carrier pigeon from Venice.

What did it sing to you, your pigeon?

That the ultimate solution to the problem of Tarakanova

was unsuccessful. She's well guarded.

Alternate solution?

Did I give you any orders?

Your Majesty, I took the liberty of...

I thought that by burning her letter you were giving me a hint.

- You said: "Let her go to hell". - Did I order you?

- Is she alive? - Yes.

You see what you've done?

You've made a savage of me for all of Europe.

If you want to live like a savage, do what you want.

But if you want to serve me and be worthy of enlightened monarchy.

The Russian Empress does not cut throats in the gutter!

Your Majesty, forgive me!

- Forgive me, the devil tripped me! - I know your devil.

Trying to curry favor? Get up, stop with this comedy.

Never forget, you are a servant to your Motherland, not a highwayman.

One more time and it will cost you your head.

That is not all, Your Majesty.

What else?

Her Highness, Natalia Alexeievna

informed the Danish Queen

about the death of her brother, Antony Ulrich.

- How did she know? - We are still investigating.

The Danish Queen might block the sea route for us.

Oh, Natalia Alexeievna...

- What else? - The worst news.

I'm ready for anything.

The nanny of Her Highness stated under torture,

that on the way from Hamburg,

Her Highness had repeated relations with count Andrey Razumovsky.

I wouldnt doubt these statements.

So, the Great Duchess betrayed everyone she could.

- What are your orders? - Arrest Count Razumovsky.

Interrogate him secretly, dont inform his father.

- What about Her Highness? - Its the right time for a scandal.

Ill talk to her myself. You may go.

Now set it in motion.

Am I doing better?

Theres always room for improvement, Your Highness.

How's your head?

Dont worry, the Virgin Mary protects the Poles.

I hope you wouldn't mind me taking your sword while you were sleeping.

Your Highness, I would kill anybody for this, but youre allowed to do anything.

- Who is that? - Lefebvres guard. Theyve just come.

He is waiting for you in the house.

- We shouldnt keep him waiting. - Gentlemen, follow me.

- I am happy to see you, milord. - I'll be brief.

- Time is tight. Pack your things. - Are we moving?

They say the scouts you killed were local mercenaries.

Who hired them and why - no one knows. A republic of slugs...

Its too dangerous for you to stay here.

You are moving to Naples.

I will arrange it with King Ferdinand, promise him some trade preferences.

Youll be safe under his protection.

Is he as young and handsome as they say?

And married.

It never makes a man any worse.

Natalia Alexeievna, can you call Russia your home?

- Do you miss your former life? - My life is here now.

I live for my husband and Russia.

Do you lack friends or support?

I never even thought of it. Pavel Petrovich is everything for me.

He is not only my husband, but also my best friend.

But you are still looking for friends.

Dangerous ones, judging by your correspondence.

My correspondence? With whom?

With the Queen of Denmark.

- Your Majesty, I... - Its treason.

- Dont you want to justify yourself? - No.

- It would compromise another person. - Whom?

- Speak! - Your son.

- He made me write to Juliana Maria. - Pavel Petrovich?

- Don't make me laugh. - You dont know him, Your Majesty.

He hates you, he is making up a conspiracy.

All he can make up is some stupid play.

If he could make up a more or less decent conspiracy, Id be proud of him.

Its just a mask. He dreams of becoming the Emperor.

I've never heard of it.

Hes had a box for petitions hung on the gate by the Blue Bridge.

He wrote a draft constitution, its kept in a secret place in his office.

When he becomes an Emperor he will adopt a constitution. His own words.

Pavel Petrovich, I found you at last!

- What is it? You dont look yourself. - Listen to me.

I will check it. And as for your fidelity... don't hurt Pavel Petrovich.

You should lead the life of a faithful wife.

And if you happen to have an infatuation, no other soul should know about it.

As Diderot said: "Women hate women, yet every single one stands for another".

I can understand you. I also was a stranger in a foreign country.

Yet dont look up to me. Do you really think I wanted to stage a coup?

I didnt. I was in a difficult position.

Your Majesty, does it mean that I am forgiven?

Now Im leaving you in the hands of Stepan Ivanovich Sheshkovsky.

Hell take you to the Fortress.

- Why? - You have no clue?

To take your nannys body and give her a decent burial.

To mourn her passing at least. She raised you from your childhood.

Whats the matter? Where is Andrey Kirillovich?

Another duel. Count Razumovsky is nowhere to be found for three days.

- Checking his private correspondence. - A duel?

- With whom? - I dont know.

Honestly, Your Highness, he is nothing, but trouble for me.

Why is he wanted by Secret Police?

I have no idea.

I need to know the contents of the letters, preferably in detail.

The details will come out even if you miss something.

But then well have to doubt your loyalty.

What did she say before she died?

- Who attacked her? And why? - I do the asking here.

She slandered me. She always hated me. Stole from me...

I dont want to look at her dead body.

Theres no point in going to this, Fortress.

I cant deny myself the pleasure of having a talk with you in my office.

And my office is in the Fortress.

- Stepan Ivanovich... - You are so insightful, Your Majesty.

Fonvisin... Are they together in it?

Act one.

Uncle was tall, the gateway was low, he didnt bother to duck his head,

smashed his forehead on the lintel.

Hardly you can find a wise head that would stand a blow like this,

but uncle, may he rest in peace, just wondered after sobering up

if the gate was intact.

What is it?

Its a play, Stepan Ivanovich.

Put everything back.

- Should we withdraw the weapons? - Weapons?

No, a man should have arms about him.

Hes already soft enough.

What shall we do with Natalia Alexeievnas evidence?

We cant trust this cheat anymore.

Well check her room and see whats she hiding.

Put everything in order.

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