The Romanoffs Season 1 Episode 1 The Violet Hour

In The Romanoffs season 1 episode 1 entitled "The Violet Hour," the series kicks off with a bang, introducing viewers to a glamorous collection of characters that are all tied to the Romanoffs, the infamous Russian royal family. Each episode in the series is meant to tell a unique and standalone story, exploring the lives of various characters who believe themselves to be descendants of the Romanoffs, and "The Violet Hour" sets things in motion perfectly.

The episode focuses on a wealthy woman named Anushka (Marthe Keller), who is set to inherit her family's fortune, but only if she agrees to take in her nephew and his fiancé as boarders in her opulent Parisian apartment. Anushka is initially resistant to the idea, but soon agrees to it, leading to a meeting with her new tenants sometime later.

The couple, Greg and Sophie (Aaron Eckhart and Louise Bourgoin), are eager to please, but seem to have a bickering relationship. Anushka is quick to point out their flaws, criticizing everything from Sophie's floral dress to Greg's lack of structure. Despite this, the two seem determined to make a positive impression, cooking a fancy dinner for Anushka and escorting her to a theater play.

Throughout the episode, Anushka's air of superiority is on full display, as she wields her fortune and privilege like a weapon. But as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that her relationships with her nephew and her staff are strained, and that underneath her cold exterior lies a deep pain that she is desperately trying to hide.

Meanwhile, the couple reveals that they're in Paris to visit Greg's estranged mother, who he hasn't seen in years. The two are deeply in love, but it's clear that their relationship is on the rocks, with Greg struggling to connect with Sophie's French family and Sophie resistant to his attempts to buy a restaurant and settle down.

As the play concludes and the three return to Anushka's apartment, tensions come to a head. Anushka is enraged by the couples' behavior, which she sees as juvenile and disrespectful, and becomes more and more agitated as the night wears on. Meanwhile, Sophie has a heart-to-heart with Anushka's housekeeper, who reveals that the wealthy woman's husband died recently, and that she is struggling badly with depression and loneliness.

The episode concludes with a tense confrontation between Anushka and the couple, but it's clear that all three are deeply unhappy. Despite their wealth and privilege, they are all struggling to find meaning and connection, and the specter of the Romanoffs looms large over them all.

Overall, "The Violet Hour" sets the tone for the series beautifully, introducing viewers to a fascinating world full of characters that are both flawed and relatable. The performances are top-notch, with Marthe Keller in particular delivering a standout turn as the deeply unhappy Anushka. Whether or not you're a fan of historical dramas, The Romanoffs season 1 episode 1 is a must-watch for anyone looking for a captivating story full of twists and turns.