Ep 1. The Bride

Catherine The Great is an American drama television series that is based on the life of Catherine the Great who was a historical monarch of Russia. The series is set in the 18th century and explores the reign of Catherine the Great as she rises to power and becomes one of the most powerful women in history. The first episode of the series is titled "The Bride" which introduces the viewers to young Catherine and sets the foundation for the events that occur in the rest of the series.

The episode opens with Catherine, a young Princess from Germany, preparing to marry Peter III of Russia, who is the heir to the Russian throne. Despite having never met each other before, Catherine is excited at the prospect of starting a new life in Russia with her husband. However, her excitement quickly diminishes when she meets Peter who turns out to be a cruel and foolish man. He treats Catherine poorly and belittles her at every opportunity. Catherine struggles to fit in with the Russian court and is isolated and ridiculed because she is a foreigner.

As Catherine tries to adjust to her new life, she notices the corruption and cruelty of the Russian court. She witnesses members of the court engaging in devious plots and betrayals and realizes that she needs to be careful in order to survive. Catherine’s position in the court becomes even more precarious when she learns that Peter has a mistress and has no plans of being faithful to her. She is stuck in a loveless marriage with a man who doesn’t love her, and she feels trapped and alone.

Despite this, Catherine does not give up on her dreams and aspirations. She spends her time reading, learning, and exploring the city. She even starts to learn the Russian language in secret so that she can communicate better with the people around her. She also forms a close friendship with one of the ladies-in-waiting, Marial, who becomes her confidante and ally. Together, they try to find ways to survive and improve the situation that they are in.

Amid all of the turmoil, Catherine also catches the eye of Grigory Potemkin, a powerful Russian general who is one of Peter’s closest advisors. Potemkin is intelligent, charismatic and a force to be reckoned with. Catherine is drawn to him and the two form a close bond. However, she realizes that Potemkin is not to be trusted and he has his own ambitions and agendas.

The first episode of Catherine The Great sets the stage for the rest of the series and introduces the viewers to the main characters and themes. The show explores the struggles of a young woman who is trying to find her place in a foreign land where she is not wanted. It also highlights the struggles of the Russian people who are oppressed and mistreated by their rulers. The show is a fascinating look into a pivotal moment in history and explores the themes of power, betrayal, and survival.