Catherine the Great (2019–…): Season 1, Episode 2 - Episode #1.2 - full transcript

COUNTESS BRUCE: I came to tell you,
I saw the most gorgeous man.

CATHERINE: Oh?
That's Lieutenant Potemkin.

Your majesty.

CATHERINE: You look quite ravishing.

GRIGORY POTEMKIN: Coming from
the most beautiful woman

I have ever seen,
that is indeed a compliment.

Your army is dangerous.

They put you in power,

you'll always think
they can take it away.

CATHERINE: I always wanted
to be a merciful, liberal ruler.

But, anyone with a claim
to the throne



is a danger to me.

My God, I hate her.

Does she love anything
apart from power?

CATHERINE: I'm running out
of people I can trust.

We should keep our eye
on Lieutenant Potemkin.

GRIGORY ORLOV: Isn't a war
with Turks coming any day now?

Will you fight for the empress?

To the death.

ALEXANDER VASILCHIKOV:
When I was 12,

they gave me this book with

the complete history
of my family

and I... I thought
it was fascinating.

It really was.

Aunties I'd never heard of,
and...



- uncles from down south...
- I'm sorry, what...

What are you talking about?

Uh, just telling about
my parents.

About how kind they were to me
and how...

how wonderful
they've always been.

I have to work.

Well, do you? Can't we...

CATHERINE: I am managing
the tail end of a war,

in case you hadn't noticed.

CATHERINE: Sir Major-General

and Gentleman
Not of the Bedchamber.

I was just getting to know you,

and away you go

to make war against the Turks...

who deserve someone as terrible
as you as an opponent.

Have you really
been away so long?

I can't believe it.

If I'd known the Turkish War

would have dragged on
for two years,

I would have thought twice
about sending you away

when I'd only just found you.

Check your muskets, men!
Make 'em safe.

From Her Majesty.

GENERAL RUMIANTSEV:
First-class work.

Attacked when you said
you would.

RUMIANTSEV: Excellent.

Lunch?

CATHERINE: General Rumiantsev
reports great things

of your bravery.

You have done everything
we asked you to do,

risen through the ranks
to glory,

and the decorations of honor.

For my part, however,
I very much wish to preserve

those who are zealous, brave,
clever and skillful.

This letter is to ask you not
to endanger yourself further

and return to us.

RUMIANTSEV: She's writing to you
under separate cover?

Good not to show
how pleased you are.

First class work.

POTEMKIN: Your Majesty,

permit me to offer you
my most humble congratulations

on the conquest of another
Turkish town on the Danube.

I can only hope that
this major defeat for the Turks

will somehow bring this long war

to a speedy conclusion.

Letter for Her Majesty.

POTEMKIN: I feel unable
to express in words

my most humble gratitude
to you...

And yet I must confess

I am proud
to kill and risk my own death

for the sake of
Your Majesty's glory.

The origins of the Turkish War,
Your Majesty,

were a dispute
over territorial incursion,

but it... it may be something
that the Turks had been planning

and... and was, well, in a sense,
uh, an excuse.

The "casus belli" was not
actually the "casus,"

if you see what I mean.

The causes of war really are
not as simple as they seem,

- are they, Your Majesty?
- Forward the whole file

to the minister.

Perhaps it is wrong
for me to write this to you,

for after reading it,

you may fear that I...
I should forget you,

or replace you in my affections.

But you're not so easy
to forget, my friend.

You lurk in the mind,

dangerously.

Come back, dear major general,
come back.

EMELYAN PUGACHEV:
I am telling you the truth!

The emperor, Peter III is alive!

His spirit is alive in me!

He is back to avenge himself

on his bitch wife Catherine.

MAN: Pugachev!

PUGACHEV: I will rule!

I will rule with my son, Paul...

who was betrayed
by his cow of a mother.

CROWD: Pugachev! Pugachev!

PUGACHEV: Who would come
between a father and his son?

PAUL I: There he is.

The Emperor Peter III.

My father.

You said.

CATHERINE: Weak chin,
don't you think?

Hm.

So, how do you like
your new name?

Natalia.

I love it, Your Majesty.

It's Russian.
You should love it.

I wanted to ask you something.

CATHERINE: Yes, ask.

I wanted to join the Council.

No.

He would have wanted it.

CATHERINE:
He also wanted me in prison.

Or dead.

I am simply asking

if I might be allowed
to sit on the Council

- and do the work my fa...
- No.

CATHERINE: Thank you, Alexei.
Most helpful.

Gentlemen, we have
urgent business to discuss...

ALEXEI ORLOV:
It is a devastating defeat

for the Turks.
They are suing for peace!

Our armies have pushed south
to Kagul

and my fleet has wiped out
the Sultan's ships

in the Mediterranean.

- The sea is...
- Red with the blood of infidels,

apparently.

And it seems
Major General Potemkin

has distinguished himself.

MAN: Very good.

Anyway, I have summoned him
back to court.

And I thought Prince Orlov

might join the peace
negotiations in Turkey.

Is this a way of trying to
get rid of me completely?

Why on earth
would Your Excellency

think such a thing?

I would like a word
with Prince Orlov alone.

I accept that we are over,

but am I to have no influence
at all? Is that your idea?

I have great regard for you.
You know that.

This is an opportunity.

Take it.

- It is all over.
- Not yet. Not yet!

COUNTESS BRUCE: So, you asked
Potemkin to come back?

CATHERINE: I did.

Now you don't know
what to do with him.

Correct.

What are you going to do
about him?

I'm not sure.

I thought I wanted him back,
but then I saw him...

Oh.

I was in love with Orlov,
you know.

COUNTESS BRUCE: I know.

I just...

I don't want to go through
all that again.

- No, I... I can see that.
- You know, men want power.

They all... They like to feel
they're... they're in control.

- And women?
- Well yes, of course.

We want that too.

The difficulty here
is that I am in control.

I have the power.

You are the Empress

and he can be
your devoted servant.

You think
it's as simple as that?

I do not.

It's just...

giving your heart is...
Is just such a risk.

It lays you open.

Suddenly you're at the mercy
of the whole world.

COUNTESS BRUCE: Oh,
I wouldn't know about that.

Come along.

Ah! Ha-ha.

CATHERINE: Oh!

Paul. Natalia.

Why does my son's new wife
not bow to me?

Is there some prejudice against
bowing in Hesse Darmstadt?

- Hm?
- There may be, Your Majesty.

I'll look into it.

She won't let me
join the Council.

Are you listening?

Why are you staring
at Count Razumovsky?

Was I staring
at Count Razumovsky?

Don't think I was.

I was listening to you, darling.
I always listen.

You are a very interesting man.

POTEMKIN: Why write to me

if she doesn't want me?

Hm?

It's a game.

That's all it is.

Play it.

Does my son's wife
want everyone to know

that she's fucking
his best friend?

You don't need
to answer that question.

Is not she wonderful?

CATHERINE:
She's absolutely wonderful.

Is she a baritone?

This way you can look at her
when you come.

Oh, fuck her.

That is so obviously
what you want to do, darling.

- She's frightened.
- Of what?

Of what she feels for you.

You think?

Who's that fucking boy
up there next to her,

that rat? Who's he?

It'll all be over soon.

I wasn't talking about...

COUNTESS BRUCE: What in God's
name do you think you're doing?

POTEMKIN: I'm leaving.

I can't... I won't stand for this
anymore.

COUNTESS BRUCE: But you've only
been back about a week.

Do you want to end up like me
and all these loyal citizens?

Where do you think you're going?

To God! The monastery!
I shall be a monk.

Oh, don't be ridiculous.

Who's being ridiculous?

COUNTESS BRUCE: She is in love
with you, my friend.

What makes you say that?

I shall tell you why.

I have never seen two people
more in love.

She's got a funny way
of showing it.

Patting the cheek of that...

ludicrous boy!

I may be in love but I'm not...

What?

I'm not happy.

I'm not happy at all.

MAN: He's here!

PUGACHEV: Brothers and sisters,
children of Russia,

I greet you
in love and friendship.

I am your lost emperor,
Peter III.

This sword was given to me
by Peter the Great.

I am sent by God

to raise you up from the dust...

to feed you and clothe you,

and give you a way of escaping
the slavery

in which you've been held
by the bitch Catherine!

CROWD: Pugachev! Pugachev!

Russia belongs to us all!

Oh.

I'm planning a dinner
for the new French ambassador.

What do you think:
Russian food or French?

Why not both?

Yes, that's a good idea.

So, to what do we owe
the honor of this visit?

COUNTESS BRUCE: Potemkin.

CATHERINE: Yes? What of him?

He's leaving.

Leaving? Leaving who?
Leaving what?

Leaving court.

And...

leaving you,
since you are the court.

Well, why are you
telling me this?

Why are you pleading his cause?

Why am I saying what I'm saying?

I like love.
I like watching it develop...

in other people;
I've never known it myself.

But you...

I think you have
a great capacity for love...

of the violent
and unpredictable kind.

It will shake you.

But I am your friend, and...

I can see you feel for him
things...

No, no, no. You...

You'd better go. I'm...
I... I'm terribly busy.

And your friend, Potemkin,
might be missing you.

He is no longer my friend

in that capacity.

COUNTESS BRUCE: Wait.

Natalia.

Count Razumovsky.

I want to speak with you, now.

If you want to stay married
to that insolent girl,

you'll probably have to
lock her up.

You have no idea, do you?

Even when it's right in front
of your nose.

Well, I see someone else
has got your attention.

I do not know
how you have the nerve

to lecture me about my love life
when...

When you ogle that...

oaf!

I see the way you look at him.
Oh, is it love?

Is that what this is?
At your age?

Love should wait upon judgement,
Mother.

But oh, no, not you.

- You're like a fly to honey.
- Go!

- You're leaving?
- Yes, well, I've...

- thought about it, but...
- Something detained you?

Well, yes. You...

Your Majesty.

I...

I have neglected you
since your return.

Oh, you've had other things
to occupy you.

New friends.

I choose friends as I need them.

And discard them when they are
no longer useful, it seems.

You're being impertinent.

POTEMKIN: I am being honest.

They can look similar.

There is no real love...

without absolute honesty.

Do people... lie to you,
Your Majesty?

'Cause of your position.

All the time, I'm afraid.

What do you want from me?

Nothing.

I want this...

now...

standing next to you.
That's enough.

So, money and titles?

I will take as much
as I can get my hands on,

but I will not be given things.

- You want...
- I want what any man wants.

- To make his own way.
- Yes, I can see that.

And...

to find love, if possible.

You did some very brave things
against the Turks.

And I was very grateful
to Your Majesty

for the opportunity to kill

as many of the little buggers
as possible.

Come to my private apartments...

any time you want.

Come by the private staircase.

Oh, but shout as you come up
in case I'm in the bath.

Are Potemkin
and m... my m... mother...

Anything is possible with her.

She never lets me
anywhere near power.

I know how you feel,
Your Excellency.

This, um, Pugachev...

What about him?

They say he wants to
put me on the throne.

I do not imagine Your Excellency
would want to owe your power

- to an illiterate peasant.
- No.

No, no.

He obviously has more taste

than my mother
in certain matters.

Major General Potemkin
is on his way up to see her

even as we speak.

I heard them yesterday
making an assignation.

- Well, I...
- Get up those stairs now!

If you want any kind
of career at court.

I don't think
she wants me there, Minister...

She doesn't know what she wants.

- CATHERINE: I want this to go
to my mother...
- Get up there now!

CATHERINE: And this is for
King Gustav of Sweden.

Ah, Minister Panin.

I think we need
a Council meeting

regarding this business
in Samara, this, um...

- Pugachev, your Majesty.
- Pugachev.

Why do I keep forgetting
his name? Is that significant?

Or is it just a sign
of his own insignificance?

That might have
something to do with it,

Your Majesty. Um...

There's always something
in the countryside.

I'm sure it's nothing
to worry about.

Wherever there are Russians

there is something
to worry about.

It's not surprising that
our serfs are in rebellion

the way we treat them.

If only the landowners
had listened to me.

Oh, and you need to speak
with my son. Do you know, he...

He behaved abominably to me
yesterday.

Your Majesty. Uh, I must...

And I need to be briefed
on those Turkish negotiations.

I hear Count Orlov is making
a fool of himself again.

I must be kept informed.
Do you understand?

PANIN: The papers are on
their way, Your Majesty.

I have advised my office.

Uh, may I remind you that, um...

you need...

Have you seen
Major General Potemkin?

I asked him to come to see me
and...

I'm... sure he's on his way,
Your Majesty.

Oh, you're up to something.

Oh, yes, I can see it
in your eyes.

Did we arrange
for you to come today?

I... I thought we did,
Your Majesty.

No, no. No, no.
Get your clothes on now.

I have to work.

Your Excellency.

How wonderful to see you.

Uh, Your Excellency,
I think Her Majesty...

Say something.

What would you like me to say,
your Majesty?

Something intelligent.

I think this has gone
far enough.

Minister Panin...

- Your Excellency.
- Good day.

Um...

Please continue, Lieutenant.

You were going down
and I was going...

up.

VASILCHIKOV:
Thank you, Major General.

POTEMKIN: Oh, sweet lady

Love me as I love you

It's love that makes us new

You will go down
to the green garden

And weave your garlands there

Take me to...

Sorry, Your Majesty, I...

Am I disturbing you?

No, no. Not at all, not at all.
No.

Nothing interesting
was happening.

Please, continue singing.

I like it.

More than I can say.

POTEMKIN:
Go down to the sweet...

Um...

You could sing in here
if you like.

If that is what
Your Majesty desires,

then that is what I shall do.

Go down, go down

To the swift river

And throw your flowers in

Take me to...

I want to talk to you
about the women

you've been involved with.

Well, I shall do my best,
Your Majesty,

though I may have to
consult my notes.

CATHERINE: I'm sure
there have been a great many.

You are a very attractive man.

Uh, when I was 12 and a half

- in a barn outside Smolensk...
- All right.

I think I'll go first.

A very good idea, I think,
Your Majesty.

My husband, Peter, was one of
the most unpleasant men

I've ever met in my life.

So, you may discount him.

Yes, I never thought much
of him, Your Majesty.

You couldn't really say
we had a sex life.

Do you know, he had a condition
of the foreskin

whereby for a very long time

it was impossible for him
to get an erection.

I never knew that, Your Majesty.

Well.

No need to go into any further
details about Peter III.

Oh, he was...

He could be so frightening.

He was violent. He was drunk.
He was like an angry child.

I was terrified of him.

Other men?

I mean...

- I heard...
- Yes?

- What did you hear?
- Fifteen.

POTEMKIN: What?

No. No.

Oh, what lies they tell
about women in power.

So.

Not that many.

Five.

There was one when I was living
under the empress, Elizabeth.

Still married to that pig,
Peter.

The only...

significant one, really,
is Orlov,

unless you count
the King of Poland.

I am jealous of Orlov.

You shouldn't be.

Although I was in love with him.

He wanted to marry me.

Well, of course he did;
he wanted the power.

I will not share my throne
with anyone.

Grigory resented the power.

The power I seem to have.

Oh, the power you have.

He has no idea
how difficult it is

to maintain such a thing.

How many the dangers.

How varied the directions
from which they emerge.

I'm not interested
in debauchery.

I'm interested in love.

And honesty.

And that is all
that interests me.

I need love.

I have an obsessive need for it.
I will confess that.

So if you want to be with me,

you have to love me always.

And always tell me the truth.

At 15, there was a girl
in a field outside of Smolensk.

No, no, no!

Enough!
Enough with these confessions!

- I got you, though. I got you.
- No!

- I did. I got you.
- Listen,

I find my private bath house

is... is a wondrous place
to relax.

I'm going to tell them that
you are to be allowed access

whenever you wish.

Very generous of Your Majesty,

though I make no promises about
any debauchery that might occur.

Fields, barns,
Smolensk, Minsk...

Your record in this area
is very troubling.

Oh, it is so reassuring
to have you back at Court.

So...

When I was 16 and a half...

CATHERINE: Well...

What do you want to do now?

- Mm?
- Well,

- I was thinking that I might...
- Mm?

Quit while I'm ahead.

PUGACHEV: The only ones

who have reason
to be frightened...

are the pigs
who steal your land...

and beat you like dogs.

This is your governor!

And his wife!

Lady Anna Vassilaevna!

No, please!

PUGACHEV:
Because of these pigs...

there are still slaves
in Russia.

Do you wanna be slaves?

CROWD: No!

LADY ANNA VASSILAEVNA: No!

LADY ANNA: No!

No!

Don't you think
she looks like Catherine?

- No! Please!
- Maybe she is Catherine.

Look at those eyes.

She wants to fuck
everything she sees.

No, please.

Including my horses!

Kill the child!

ALEXEI: I thought you might like
a tour of the barracks

because I know how passionate

Your Excellency is
about soldiering.

DRILL SERGEANT:
Do you understand?

SOLDIERS: Yes, sir!

You heard the officer!

On the double on command!

ALEXEI: What's remarkable
about the Preobrazhensky guard

is that we take peasants
and we turn them into soldiers,

for your mother's wars.

And why is it the peasants dream

of my father returning
to save them?

Because Russia must be ruled
by a man, Your Excellency.

I don't know how impressed
the Turks are with our peasants,

but I can tell you this:
they terrify me.

What do you make
of this Pugachev business?

I think it may be more serious
than she believes.

She's taken her eye
off the ball.

She only has eyes for...

Her Majesty needs
to pay attention

to the Preobrazhensky.

They put her in power,

and they can take it away again.

Oh, I'm sure she's very aware
of any threat they may pose.

She doesn't miss much, sir.

And may I say, Your Excellency,

now that my brother
is hardly in Court anymore,

how sorry I was
about your father.

I was very much a junior partner
in that business.

I'm sure you understand.

Oh...

I understand all about
being excluded from power,

Count Orlov.

She's putting Potemkin
on the Council, I hear.

Meteoric rise.

POTEMKIN: Who's there?

I'm here by permission
of our Empress.

CATHERINE: I also.

POTEMKIN:
I'm stark naked, Your Majesty.

CATHERINE: As am I.

Under my clothes.

Drape yourself in something
and come out here;

I need your advice.

POTEMKIN: Attempting
to cover my equipment...

is a colossal task.

GRIGORY: What time did he go in?

An hour ago.

- And her?
- Fifteen minutes.

He's been hard at work
while I've been down south.

Let's see how much time
they devote to fucking.

It has important
political implications.

And this man, Pugachev,
in the Lower Volga,

what do you think?

Well, I don't know
what to think yet.

I came across him down south.

CATHERINE: Yes?

Yes, he, uh,
I heard he'd fled from the army.

He's not from the Volga;
a Don Cossack, and Old Believer.

Is he sane?

Well, there are those that say

running away from
the Russian army

is a positive sign of sanity.

Do I think that this
Pugachev business is serious?

Yes, I do.

CATHERINE: Hmm.

You see, I didn't think
it was that serious but I...

I think maybe it is?

The peasants
could listen to him.

They always think they need to
be ruled by a man,

poor lost souls.

"Slavery does not have to be
a Russian institution."

Some woman said that.

And yet it does.

However much we wish
that not to be true.

CATHERINE: Oh...

You know...

you really are...

a very attractive man.

I can't tell you
how pleasant it is

to have someone to talk to.

POTEMKIN: Mm.

Well, yes. Well, then...

tell me...

Lieutenant Vasilchikov...

No, no.
I... I'm gonna get rid of him.

Oh yes. I've offered him
60,000 rubles

and quite a nice palace.

Panin is making
all the arrangements.

You see...

if we were to be lovers,
it would...

- it would have to be...
- For all time.

Are you proposing?

Well, how would one go about
proposing such a thing,

Your Majesty?

That's an impossible idea
I'm afraid.

Here I was, thinking
we were gonna make love,

and we end up talking politics.

And that's why I like you
so much.

Oh.

What the fuck are you two
doing out here?

GRIGORY: Timing you.

It takes more than ten minutes
to satisfy her.

Ah.

And I suppose
your little brother's out here

with his hand on his cock

hoping to watch
somebody having sex.

Probably the closest thing
he gets to it.

A little like his hands-off
approach to naval warfare.

You won't last with her
or anyone else, Potemkin.

You are a vulgar
little counter jumper

and your days are numbered.

Fancy trying for the other eye,
do you, Alexei?

- We're not listening to this.
- Huh?

You gonna join your brother
and fuck off from court too,

are you?

I don't know how you can stay.

I mean,
where's your self-respect?

I will never allow
the country I love

to be governed by a disgusting
little upstart like you.

This little disgusting upstart
has been away at war.

I dunno what you were doing

but I've been cutting my way
through Turkish hordes.

Given the opportunity,
I will do the same to you.

GRIGORY: What do you want,
Potemkin?

I don't think it's got through
your thick skull, has it?

I'm not here to use the woman

or squeeze her
to make money out of her.

No, hey?

I don't want to use her
as a stepping stone

to my brilliant fucking career,
am I?

I love the woman, huh?

Come on, I love her!

In the way a man
should love a woman.

You want a bit of this?

Huh? Come on,
bend the fuck over!

GRIGORY: You're mad!

GRIGORY: Potemkin! Insane!

POTEMKIN: Yes!

So, Grigory Orlov
has finally left court.

I wonder why.

I showed him my penis,
Your Majesty.

It seems Monsieur Pugachev
is moving towards Moscow.

He's taken Kazan.

Destroyed General Kar.

This is serious, Grishenka.

Of course,
Panin and the rest of them

think that we are too
preoccupied with each other.

They say we're having an affair.

Well, aren't we?

Not that I noticed.

Oh. Not yet, anyway.

PANIN: We did send
a small force,

- Your Majesty, and...
- CATHERINE: I know, I know.

They were cut down.

Any loss of a Russian
soldier's life

is like losing a part of myself.

Now we need someone
of proven experience.

Major General Potemkin,
your opinion.

Your Majesty, if Pugachev
is indeed marching on Moscow,

then we need to mobilize now.

Agreed.

A large force,
but who should lead it?

I don't think this is a job
for the Navy, Count Orlov.

Unless of course you mean to
navigate your way to Kazan.

It is possible, Your Majesty,

- that, um...
- There is someone at this table

who has fought hand to hand
with the Turks,

and brought home
astonishing victories.

Major General Potemkin.

If it is thought I am the man
to succeed, Your Majesty,

then I am more than happy
to settle

this deluded traitor
once and for all.

An excellent notion,
Your Majesty.

Good. Then it is agreed.

Potemkin will take command
of the army.

Let us put it into motion.

POTEMKIN: Well,
it seems I must go, and you...

must stay.

CATHERINE: Stay alive.

That's all I ask.

And when I come back...

If I come back...

CATHERINE: You will come back.
You will and you must.

Lieutenant Potemkin.

I think you'll find I have been
promoted, Your Excellency,

- some time ago.
- PAUL I: I know people like you.

You crawl to my mother
and think you will get money...

I crawl to no one.

I serve my country.

Need I remind you?

Whose dog are you
if it comes to that?

You cannot speak to me
like that.

I just did.

And now, sir...

I have a war to win.

You'd look wonderful
in uniform, sir.

Oh, war, war, war, war!

All I want to do
is talk about sex.

Or gardening.

COUNTESS BRUCE: You want to talk
about Potemkin, don't you?

CATHERINE: Yes.

CATHERINE: Yes, I do, I do!

PAUL I: Right wheel...

forward!

PAUL I: Right wheel...

forward!

CATHERINE:
That's just like my husband.

- PAUL I: Left, right!
- You know, Peter used to drill

little toy soldiers

for hours on end, dressed in
full Holstein uniform.

My.

CATHERINE: And we have to find
Alexei Orlov a job

or he's gonna cause trouble.

Always keep the awkward ones
busy.

And then get rid of them

if they actually fuck it up.

Minister of War?

Well, there's an idea.

PAUL I: My father
was the father of his people.

And one day I will fulfill
the duties

and responsibilities
of that role.

I will lead a disciplined
army of soldiers

to make his dream for
this great country come true.

Discipline, gentlemen.

Martial, masculine discipline.

Present arms!

About face!

Are you planning your own
little coup?

Is that what this is all about?

Well you won't succeed,
young man.

The army is loyal to me,

and the peasants will do
as they are told.

I'm sorry, but that's the truth.

The mass of the people
always obey orders.

It would be a terrible mistake
to go against me.

Because I know more
about politics

than you will ever know.

I survive,

as I have survived
for half a century

in a world that does not
want me.

You would not last two minutes
as the ruler of Russia.

And all your drilling
with your little toy soldiers

will get you nowhere at all.

You see, power...

power is a balancing act.

You have to learn
how to walk the line.

You always spoke of reform

when you first began to rule.

Yes, well, I had all sorts
of ideas when I was younger,

and I still believe
in justice for all.

But I would remind you
always to remember

from where your power...

if you were ever to have any,

which I doubt...

will derive.

- All I'm saying is...
- This is my country.

You stupid boy.

You look to your wife.

- You get me an heir.
- You lied to me.

About my father.

And you lied to the country.

You promise them one thing
then give them another.

I want my father to be alive.

I want him here beside me.
Is that a crime?

Look, I... I understand.

Look, I know you're going to
rule one day, probably.

And... And I do want to hear
your... your political ideas.

Um, why don't you
write something?

Um, something about, oh,
I don't know,

the... the peasants' unrest
and send it to me

I will read it. I will.
I promise.

Agreed?

POTEMKIN: Yes, you.

Go fuck yourself,
you one-eyed cunt.

POTEMKIN: Stand him up!

You think you're
fucking invisible?

Potemkin has finished him off.

Ha-ha!

He's riding back
to St. Petersburg

with Pugachev in a cage
like the wild beast that he is.

Major General Potemkin deserves
our thanks, Your Majesty.

I'm not usually in favor
of triumphal marches;

it smacks too much of the last
days of the Roman Empire,

but I think
I will ride out to meet him.

Is that... wise, Your Majesty?

Why would it not be, Minister?

You could be in danger,
Your Majesty.

Is the countryside
entirely pacified?

How would you know, Minister?
You hardly ever go there.

Make the arrangements.

I will ride out at the head
of the Preobrazhensky Guard.

PANIN: I...

I do feel that this
is dangerous, Your Majesty.

They need to see me.

Minister.

Oh, I do have
one piece of advice, however,

I would like from you.

I want it to be
thoroughly researched

and I would like
comprehensive answers

in the best traditions
of the Russian Civil Service.

What am I going to wear?

What am I going to wear?

PEASANT: Pugachev!

PUGACHEV: God sees
all your suffering, my children.

He sees everything.

Through my eyes, he sees!

Through my eyes.

The whore, Catherine...

will try and fuck my corpse!

PEASANT: Pugachev!

We congratulate you
on your service.

- POTEMKIN: Your Majesty.
- SOLDIER: Move back!

- PEASANT: Pugachev!
- SOLDIER: Move!

MAN 1: Catherine.

- MAN: Your Majesty.
- MAN 1: Catherine.

MAN 2: Mother of all Russia.
We are not worthy.

MAN 3: We bow before you,
Your Majesty.

MAN 4: Bless us, Your Majesty.

MAN 5: We bow before you,
Your Majesty.

CROWD:
Catherine, Catherine, Catherine.

Catherine, Catherine,
Catherine...

Whore!

CATHERINE: They want
a public execution.

I've told the hangman
he is not to be disemboweled.

Why do they think cruelty

can wipe out
the memory of cruelty?

POTEMKIN: Hmm.

What you need,
Major General Potemkin,

is a bath.

Mm. Do I?

Mm. Not unpleasantly.

I do not dislike the smell of...

fresh sweat on a man.

My bath house in ten minutes?

CATHERINE: Come and join me.

But lock the door.

People are inquisitive
in this palace.

And I am the most inquisitive
of all of them.

Please, join me.

No need to wear a towel.

It's wonderfully hot in here.

No, I want to see

if everything they say
about you is true.

POTEMKIN:
I will apologize in advance

for any deficiencies...

I might have.

I want you not because of...

what you can give me...

or who you are.

Oh, I want you.

I want you.
I want you because...

I love you.

And that will never change.

Was that a proposal?

- Are you proposing?
- No!

POTEMKIN: It is!

POTEMKIN:
It sounds like a proposal.

GRIGORY POTEMKIN: Our future
lies in the Crimea.

CATHERINE: I'm for empire.

What I don't want
is another war.

NIKITA PANIN:
Disagreeing about politics...

very dangerous for Potemkin.

Your star will rise.

POTEMKIN: What am I to you?

Am I just the favorite?

CATHERINE: Mirshinka,
you come back here right now!

POTEMKIN:
I've done all of this...

all for the glory of Catherine.