Ep 2. Marriage and Madness (English Subtitled)

In the second episode of Peter the Great (English Subtitled) season 1, titled "Marriage and Madness," the young tsar is forced to consider his own marriage prospects as his advisors are eager for him to produce an heir. This puts him at odds with his lover and confidante, the beautiful and cunning Anna Mons, who sees marriage as a threat to her own status and power.

Meanwhile, Peter's half-sister Sophia continues to plot against him from her confinement in a nearby monastery, aided by her lover Prince Galitzin. The two conspire to gain the support of the disgruntled nobles who are unhappy with Peter's progressive reforms and desire a return to the old ways.

To make matters worse, Peter's mental state begins to deteriorate as he struggles with the stress of ruling Russia and the betrayal of those closest to him. He falls into a state of paranoia, seeing enemies everywhere and subjecting his loyal followers to invasive loyalty tests.

Amidst all this turmoil, Peter's quest to modernize Russia takes a dramatic turn with the arrival of European engineers and artists who are tasked with transforming St. Petersburg into a great city. Peter must navigate political intrigue, personal drama, and his own mental health struggles as he strives to build a better future for his country.