Ep 3. The Gift

The Great season 1 episode 3, "The Gift," focuses on the arrival of a shipment of exotic animals for Peter's menagerie. Catherine tries to navigate Peter's unpredictable behavior and scheming courtiers to find a way to use the animals to gain favor with the king. Meanwhile, Marial tries to help Orlo keep his job as court librarian by convincing Catherine to intervene on his behalf.

As Catherine prepares for Peter to visit the menagerie, she finds herself drawn to the exotic animals and their beauty. However, she soon learns that the animals were not well-cared for during their journey and are in poor health. Catherine's kindness and concern for the animals impresses Peter, who begins to see her in a new light.

While Peter is distracted by the animals, Catherine takes advantage of the opportunity to try and convince him to allow her to take a more active role in governing. However, she quickly learns that Peter is still in control and is not interested in sharing power with her.

As Catherine struggles to gain Peter's favor, Marial tries to help Orlo keep his job as court librarian. Orlo has been accused of stealing books, and Marial thinks that Catherine can use her influence to clear his name. However, Catherine is hesitant to get involved in court politics and is unsure if Orlo is actually innocent.

As the episode comes to a close, Catherine must decide where her loyalties lie and how far she is willing to go to gain power and influence in the court. With Peter's unpredictability and the scheming of those around her, Catherine must be careful if she wants to survive in the dangerous world of Russian politics.

Overall, "The Gift" is an engaging and dramatic episode of The Great, showcasing the complex and often unpredictable nature of life in the Russian court. With stunning visuals and strong performances from the cast, this episode sets the stage for the rest of the season and leaves viewers eager to see where Catherine's journey will take her.