Ep 1. The Great

In episode one of The Great, viewers are introduced to Catherine, a young noblewoman from Germany who is set to marry Peter, the Emperor of Russia. Catherine is hopeful that her marriage will be one of love and affection, but her hopes are soon dashed as she realizes that her new husband is a petty tyrant who is more interested in partying and womanizing than ruling his country.

As she begins to navigate the treacherous waters of the Russian court, Catherine is met with resistance at every turn. Her father-in-law, the powerful Archbishop, is openly hostile to her, and the other members of the court are equally suspicious of her intentions. However, Catherine is determined to make the best of her situation and sets about learning everything she can about Russian politics, culture, and history.

Despite her best efforts, Catherine's attempts to gain control of her destiny are met with repeated setbacks. When she tries to speak out at a meeting of the court, she is ridiculed by her husband and his friends. When she tries to stand up to the Archbishop, she is accused of being a heretic and put on trial.

Despite all these challenges, Catherine refuses to give up. With the help of a few trusted allies, including her chambermaid Marial and her tutor Orlo, she begins to hatch a plan to take down Peter and seize control of the throne for herself. Along the way, she must navigate the complex web of alliances and betrayals that make up the Russian court, as well as dealing with the personal demons that threaten to consume her.

As the first episode of The Great draws to a close, viewers are left wondering what fate has in store for Catherine. Will she be able to overthrow Peter and take control of Russia for herself, or will she be consumed by the treacherous forces that surround her? Regardless of what happens, it's clear that Catherine is a force to be reckoned with, and that the journey ahead will be fraught with danger and excitement.