Catherine the Great (2019–…): Season 1, Episode 3 - Episode #1.3 - full transcript

CATHERINE THE GREAT:
Major General Potemkin

has distinguished himself.

I have summoned him
back to court.

What do you want from me?

I want what any man wants:

to make his own way.

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

Meteoric rise...

Many people had envisaged that
when Paul reached his majority,

he would act as a regent.

CATHERINE: I do not employ you



to foster my son's illusions
about himself.

Present arms!

It would be a terrible mistake
to go against me.

You look to your wife
and get me an heir.

COUNTESS BRUCE: You have
a great capacity for love.

I can see you feel for him.

- Here's the account, madame.
- CATHERINE: Mm. Good, good.

POTEMKIN: Matushka!

POTEMKIN: Matushka! Please!

CATHERINE: I'm coming,
I'm coming!

What are you doing?

Where have they put
my stockings?

PETER ZAVADOVSKY:
Your stockings, sir?

What the fuck is he doing here?



- CATHERINE: Well, we're working.
- What? Oh, out!

ZAVADOVSKY: Your Majesty.

POTEMKIN: Oh, where are they?

They're here. Here.

Oh, thank goodness.

Soup.

Yes. How does one
get soup on one's stocking?

By eating soup in bed.

Come here.

I'm still hungry.

- Are you? Stop.
- Yes.

- Yeah.
- Come on.

The council meeting.
Come on. We're late.

- POTEMKIN: I was thinking...
- CATHERINE: Mm?

POTEMKIN: We need a place
to live.

This is not enough?

No! No, no. A home. A home!

- This is home.
- Well...

- Your signature.
- A house...

is not a home, and a...

A home is not a palace.

A palace, and this is something
I can be quite sure of,

is not a house!

Matushka, a word, please!
In private!

In private, if there is
such a thing in this place!

It's the council, Grishenka!

Buttons will be done up.

Ah, yes. Someone's starting
to sound like my wife.

Some people say I am your wife.

CATHERINE: You could do that
to call them to order.

Yes, or shoot them, possibly.

Well, you mustn't think
they hate you.

They don't hate you.

I won't let them hate you.

Oh. Oh, yes.
Poor little lap dog, eh?

Little lap dog's
gonna make a speech.

Yes, I'm, uh...

I'm Minister Panin.

Yes, and I'm gonna talk about
Europe, and Europe,

and in particular these Germans
over here on our western front,

our allies that keep us safe.

But then I look
at Russia, Matushka.

I look down south,
and I see Crimea,

the Black Sea,
vast tracts of empty land

that we should be
laying claim to.

CATHERINE: Hm.

- The Crimea.
- POTEMKIN: Yes.

That's always been
a Russian dream.

POTEMKIN:
A port in the Black Sea.

We could build a naval fleet,

a fleet that would make us
great.

POTEMKIN: A great nation.

But do you think
that's realistic?

- Yes.
- I mean really?

Yes, of course.

Well, we must be
very diplomatic.

Well, I'll be very devious.
Yes, yes, yes. No, no.

But I know Minister Panin
loves the Germans,

as does your son,
the Grand Duke.

Yes, I'll be...
I'll be diplomatic,

- I'll be duplicitous...
- PANIN: All most

important qualities
in a statesman, Count Potemkin.

CATHERINE: Um, Count Potemkin

wishes to speak
about foreign policy.

POTEMKIN: Yes.
I'm sure some of you already

know my feelings
on these matters.

CATHERINE: Yes, we were
just discussing the Crimea.

Is Your Majesty prepared
for another Turkish war?

POTEMKIN: Well,
we won the last one,

if I recall.

If the foreign minister
is so worried

about Europe's reaction,

perhaps he might find
other alliances.

It's obviously
a very risky idea, Your Majesty.

- As minister of war...
- Foreign policy is...

a most delicate
and sensitive matter.

I'm sure Your Majesty agrees
that our alliance with Germany

is of vital importance.

- Europe is the thing.
- POTEMKIN: Is it?

Is it the only thing?

PANIN:
It certainly is important.

- ALEXEI ORLOV: It is.
- Well, of course it is a factor.

But Count Potemkin's proposals
are very interesting.

Thank you, Peter.

So, I'm going to circulate
a note from Peter Zavadosky

that I want us to study
in detail.

CATHERINE: I would draw
your attention to number four.

Now, this is in relation
to the election

of governor generals
in the provinces.

You will see at number four
we have General Kamensky,

who's been suggested...

Why didn't you support me
in there?

- It wasn't the right time.
- Oh, please.

When is the right time?

Our future lies in the Crimea.

With a port in the Black Sea,
we'd become a major power.

Well, it's my dream
as well as yours,

but do you think the French
and the Germans and the English

will let us get away with it?

- I doubt it!
- Yes.

The whole of the land to
the south can be ours.

We take it;
they will want to join us!

Well...

You may be right.

But... But what? Hm?
You don't want to lose me?

You don't want me to go
off to war, is that it?

I do love you. You know that.

It's a great adventure,
Matushka.

- Are you tired of adventure?
- Well, no one's asking me

to go on an adventure.

Oh, no,
I stay here in the palace,

and I write and I write
and I write, and I...

I'm a graphomaniac,
permanently in committee.

Well, I want to run.

I can't stand a life
without adventure.

Well, you... you... you
don't like your apartments here?

They were Orlov's.
Vasilchikov's before that.

No, I don't like
my fucking apartments.

What... What am...
What am I to you?

Am I just someone that's
supposed to... What?

Stand behind your chair
at dinner, huh?

Take you upstairs
after the brandy?

Give you a good fucking,
is that what I'm here for?

Hmm? Am I just the favorite?

- I hate that word.
- No!

- I can't stand it.
- No, no. Look...

You know. You know what you are.

No. I don't know what I am.

If I can find a way to make
your idea work,

we will do it.

That's my woman.

Come on.

Something worrying you, Andrei?

- Do I look worried?
- Yeah.

Why should I be worried?
Your wife's having a baby.

It's wonderful.

Oh, I want you to always, always

be my best friend.

You are part of our family.

Of course, Your Excellency.

Oh. Paul.

Of course. Your Excellency.

I've finally done something
to please my mother.

I've given her a baby.

A child!

An heir!

Will it look like me?

That's my only worry.

I'm sure it will.

I hope it does.

And we would like to extend
a warm welcome

to the ambassadors of the French
and the German nations,

who are bound to us
both as partners and Europeans.

Europe, Europe, Europe, Europe,
Europe.

It's all he goes on about.

Somebody needs to remind him
that we're Russian.

I need to speak to Paul.
I must find him.

Oh, yes. Now that he's gonna
give you an heir, I suppose

- he must be spoken with.
- Well, yes. You know important

- that is to me.
- Succession, of course.

Only too well.

If the man comes to power,
I'm a dead man.

Oh, don't exaggerate.
You're being ridiculous.

I'm not a natural courtier.
I never will be. I'm Russian.

Look at them.

No, no, no. Look at them.
Look at them.

Waiting for me to trip over
my own cock.

Dressed to kill, literally.

Should've worn my bearskin.

- Oh, don't be like this.
- Don't be like what?

Don't be like what?

- They're arguing.
- POTEMKIN: Huh?

I think Potemkin
wants to push her

to let him invade the Crimea.
You heard him at the council.

So that he can fight
another Turkish war

and distinguish himself.

She won't let him.

Disagreeing about politics.
Very dangerous for Potemkin.

Madame is all about politics.

Do you think she even likes men?

She eats them
and spits them out.

Well, look at my poor brother.

Potemkin almost certainly
can't satisfy her.

I am told that she requires
her men in teams of 12.

They do it in relays,

and only trained athletes
need apply.

A grandchild is what I want
most in this world.

I am glad you're happy, Mother.

And happy you are glad.

ANDREI: Natalia! Natalia!

Yes, a grandchild. What a bond.

And who cares who the father is?

The hypocrisy of family.

Well, is yours any different?

- Your Majesty.
- Yes?

The German ambassador
has arrived. Waiting to see...

F... What am I doing here?

POTEMKIN: Wasting my time!

Grigory, Grigory, if it is
this Crimea business

that's making you so angry,
I will find a way!

- I always do.
- Who gives a fuck
about the Crimea?

You think all I care about
is the Crimea?

All Europe is passionate
about Crimea, Auntie!

- POTEMKIN: Huh?
- Some of them even know

how to find it on a map.

It's more than that,
and you know it.

Who was that boy up there?

Huh? Why is he always
hanging around?

Because she likes him!

- Ah!
- Leave us, Fool!

Peter. Peter Zavadovsky.

- Oh!
- You know he's not important

- to me. How can you...
- Oh, it's Peter, now! Peter!

- No... Where are you going?
- I'm going to get drunk,

with him!

You have more vodka, Fool?

Never leave the home without it.

That's why I don't have a home.

It's the mother we never had,
Matushka.

No... You come back here.

Grishenka, you come back here
right now!

POTEMKIN: Empress...

Where the f...

Where the fuck am I?

Oh...

Oh...

- PAUL: Mother... She, uh...
- CATHERINE: Hm?

She's in labor.

- What... What's going on?
- It's the Crown Princess.

How long?

Too long, Your Majesty.

Too long.

How is she?

CATHERINE: You'll get
through it, my darling.

The Crown Princess
is experiencing

- some difficulties in labor...
- No!

Her Majesty.
How's the Empress Catherine?

She is watching,
Your Excellency,

by the bedside.

She asks that only
immediate family be present.

It's me, it's her,
it's hopeless.

She's got this new assistant.

Zavadovsky?

- He's no threat to you.
- Yeah.

You're the one she loves. It...

- It's complicated.
- It shouldn't be complicated,

that's the point.

Love should be simple,
or it isn't love.

Why are you talking like
a schoolgirl?

Because that's how
she makes me feel.

Like a schoolgirl.

She never listens to my ideas
and I'm not prepared

to sit around
and be her lap dog.

- And so, you argue.
- So it seems.

She can't bear arguments.

Well, she's fucking good
at them!

She always has things to do.

Well, tell her you have
things to do as well.

- She'll understand that.
- But I don't. That's the point.

You're ambitious, and...

in the end,
she doesn't like people

who stand and wait.

POTEMKIN: Hm.

Being yourself is the only way
you'll hold onto her.

What are you doing?

A quick one?

We shouldn't. I love her.

A quick one
wouldn't hurt anyone.

You're a terrible woman.

Does she have any chance?

And the baby?

Oh, Paul.

CATHERINE: She died.

And the baby died too.

Oh.

I'm very sorry.

They've opened her body up.

It was a boy.

A healthy boy.

I wanted to see it.

Him.

I wanted to see him.

Come here.

I'll come and see him with you.

Do you want to do that?

Am I part of your life?

If you want to be.

I can't be
if you won't let me be.

Backwards and forwards and round
and round and round in circles.

That's how we go.

I mean, what is the point
of it all?

I guess there comes a moment
in any affair...

"Any affair"?

Is that all we are?

It can't go on.

It can't continue.
You don't know why, and you...

we do things and we don't know
why we do them.

You reach a wall
and you can't see beyond.

And we've reached that point,
have we?

Well, you...

You choose a fine time
to tell me.

Well, in a sense, I don't think
we'll ever reach that point.

I just...
I never want to leave you, I...

may have to.

Well, we all have to learn
how to die.

Yes.

Yes. Poor Natalia.

- She...
- I meant us, Grishenka.

Well, I have to go.
You can come if you want.

PAUL: It's a judgment of God.

- PANIN: Your Excellency...
- I'm being punished.

- I'm a bad person.
- You mustn't...

A mother punishes her husband,
and her son punishes his mother

for what he thinks that she did
to his... his father,

and... and then the curse
goes down the family,

and misery gets passed on...

from generation to generation.

I have been speaking to
the doctors, Your Excellency.

You may see the body
of your son,

should you so wish.

My son.

My son.

How I longed for this child.

And yet it's not a child.

'Cause he's not here.

He didn't even draw breath.

PAUL: My son.

There is so little time.

Let us at least try
to love one another.

I'll try.

Yes.

Love is so important.
Don't you agree?

POTEMKIN: Mm.

But so difficult to sustain.

CATHERINE: "And so,
to the question of alliances,"

and put that in italics.

All of it, Your Majesty?

No, not all of it,
or indeed all of it.

Uh, "alliances" is the bit
she wants in italics.

Alliances. It's...

the way she says it.

You can tell when she's
speaking in italics?

That is extraordinary.

Yes, well, it's, uh...

it's very important to be
sensitive to the nuances of...

her voice.

You do it, Peter,

and let him copy out
your version.

Bezborodko,
would you leave us, please?

Peter, you stay.

Stay.

You were speaking in italics,
Your Majesty.

I spotted it.

No, I'm afraid I wasn't.

"So, where do I think
Russia should be in the world?

What do the people want us
to be?

Are we going to continue
to defer to the Europeans,

or move south
towards the Crimea?"

That's rather good, isn't it?

I wonder who wrote it.

Why, you did, Your Majesty.

POTEMKIN: Well,
perhaps I can help re-write it.

Peter, leave us.

Oh, please.

ZAVADOVSKY: Your Majesty.

How is your secretary?

I'm sorry, which one?

The good-looking one.

Peter.

Hm?

Oh. Hm.

Yeah, you trust him, do you?

CATHERINE: Mm.

For God's sake,
we can't go on like this.

- Like what?
- Like this!

This is a...

You have infinite choice
and I've got none.

I have power!
Yes, it may look as if

I can simply do as I please,
but...

Look, you know
it isn't like that.

You don't need to crawl
on your hands and knees

to Panin and his
unstoppable desire

to suck the German cock.

- Well, you haven't read the rest
of what I've written, have you?
- I don't need to hear the rest

- of the thing, do I? Oh, please.
- Well, you just listen! Listen!

Please, indulge me. Here,

I will hear the rest
of the thing. Come on, yes.

"The Muslim tribes in the Crimea

and in the whole of the area
to the north

are utterly divided
and have no love for the Turks.

It is possible we could bring
them into the Russian Empire

"without the use of force."

Might be true.

You see.

We agree, Grishenka.

I'm for expansion,
I'm for empire.

I'm all for telling the Germans
and the French and the English

to fuck off.

I'm a Russian patriot,

with a German head.

What I don't want
is another war.

You think we can...

take the Crimea without a war?

The French and the English
have other worries.

The Germans will never
act alone.

You would need someone to...

- Who could talk to the tribes.
- The tribes.

Yes.

I would be gone a long time.

We will always have each other,
Grishenka.

Well...

Don't get too fond of that boy.

- Him? Oh, don't...
- No. No. Please.

No matter what happens to
either of us,

in bed or out of it,

we will always have each other.
Won't we?

Are you giving me permission
to stray?

I don't want to be given
permission.

New beginnings, Matushka.

You go.

And you do what you have to do.

With my blessing.

Oh.

Oh, no.

But you write.

Will you, please, please,
just write, write, write.

PANIN: So, Prince Potemkin's
soldiers are headed south...

What of it?

I have to say, Your Majesty,
that I am worried.

You're worried, Minister?

It is noted.

What else are you worried about?

The drainage system
in the Ukraine?

Whether or not to tax
root vegetables?

The price of bread in Novgorod?

It's my job to worry, Minister,
not yours.

Work!

Work. That's what life
is all about.

Did you wish to discuss
anything else with me?

I'm...

obviously thinking about
the prince,

Your Majesty.

He's... suffered a blow,
but, uh...

Well, he's getting stronger.

As you know,
I'm very close to him,

and, um, I was thinking...

I think it's time
he got married again.

Where's that list?

Here is a list of suitable
princesses.

With respect, Your Majesty...

They're arranged in order
of suitability.

Start with number one
and work your way down

to number 25.

One or two of them are German,
as it happens.

Some wonderful things
have come out of Germany,

Your Majesty.

Yourself included.

Ha.

Do it. Go.

The boy needs to move on.

PAUL: I don't want to get up.

CATHERINE: It's never been easy
between us,

I know. I understand that.

PAUL: You don't understand.

I met someone
who actually loved me

and now she's...

she's dead.

She's dead.

- You must eat.
- PAUL: No.

Oh, come on. Get a grip.

- Now, I understand how you feel.
- Do you?

Well, I... I'm trying to.
I really am.

I don't feel you do.

Your wife is dead,
and your son is dead.

It... It's time to move on.

PAUL: Where are we going?

To face up to things.

No, no, no. This is her room.

- Why have you brought me here?
- I want to show you something.

No, do not touch that.

Do not touch that!

That is... That is her private
drawer! Get out!

Get out!

She kept things in here
she didn't want you to see.

Letters.

Letters from your best friend,

Count Razumovsky,

with whom she was having
an affair,

and who, in all probability,
is the father of the dead child.

How dare you say
such vile things to me?

You're lying.

You're lying.

I'm telling the truth.

I'm sorry for it.

Read.

Or are you...
Are you too frightened?

No.

One should never be frightened
of facing the truth.

This is his handwriting.
Do you recognize it?

The bastard.

Nothing in love is forever,
Paul.

Death...

and distance have a way
of interfering.

It's not a sin to fall in love
again,

when the one you love is gone.

CATHERINE: My darling,
where are you?

I've not heard from you,
and I'm worried that...

- No, not now.
- Your Majesty.

Does anyone know what this is?

It is
the Treaty of St Petersburg,

- Your Majesty.
- Yes, it is.

And it led to our alliance
with that nasty little man,

Frederick II of Prussia,

who once referred to me
in private,

although I hear everything,
as a cunt.

But it seems we are still tied
to our alliance with him.

Do either of you know why?

- Foreign policy, Your Majesty?
- Oh, get out! Get out! Get out!

Get out! Get out!

ZAVADOVSKY: Until we secure
the Crimea, Your Majesty,

it might be dangerous
to move on.

Yes, you're quite right, Peter.
Good, good.

You've been listening to me.

Yes, move slowly.
You're quite right.

I'm so sorry I was unpleasant,
I...

Things weigh on me sometimes.

I'm always grateful to serve,
Your Majesty.

Yes, you may go.

Oh, Prince Potemkin has...

Prince Potemkin has been away
too long.

I am sorry.

You know how much that I...

CATHERINE: That you...?

What... respect I have for him.
Prince Potemkin.

Yes, he is an extraordinary man.

He is.

But he is not here.

And you are.

Yes, Your Majesty.

So... rub my shoulders?

Lower.

Come... Come round to the front.

You may do whatever it is
you think I want.

Lock the door.

People are always bothering me.

You know, you are the best
secretary I have ever had.

PANIN: There are one or two
outstanding candidates.

This is the daughter of
the Grand Duke of

- Wiesbaden-Gleiwitz.
- God. What a boot.

A marriage is
a great opportunity for you,

Your Excellency.

From what I hear,
Potemkin is trying to convince

the Crimean Tartars
to join the Russian Empire,

and, unsurprisingly,
not having much success.

Your star will rise.

Princess Sophia of Wurtemburg.

Apparently she has
good child-bearing hips.

I'm so glad you are pleased

with Princess Sophia
of Wurtemburg.

She'll make Prince Paul
a wonderful wife.

She is a warm and wonderful
human being.

And German.

She is also German.

Please don't think this is
going to make me

feel more kindly
towards other Germans, Panin.

Our alliance with Germany
and the rest of Europe

is a delicate business.

Especially if we're embarked on
an adventure in the Crimea.

PANIN: She misses him.
Unfortunately.

What's he doing in the Crimea,
exactly?

No one knows.

I think he's told her
he'll somehow manage

to annex it, without a fight.

Which he won't.

ALEXEI: I saw Zavadovsky
go upstairs by the back route

to do her last night.

Oh, the back route?

Many, many congratulations, sir.

Well, aren't things easier
without One Eye?

I'm sure he'll end up killing
every Tartar in Crimea.

Unless they kill him first.

CATHERINE: I have not
heard from you

for what seems an eternity.

I know what you're doing
is dangerous,

but I beg you to let me know
what is happening.

POTEMKIN: It is true.

I am to blame for not having
written you.

My most merciful lady
and generous mistress.

I shall soon be able to tell you

the whole story
of my adventures.

It isn't finished yet,
but we are close.

I swear, in the name of
the one God,

and the Prophet Mohammed,
peace be upon him,

to serve and sacrifice my life

and my soul,
for the Empress Catherine.

POTEMKIN: I managed somehow

to persuade
the entire Tartar elite

to take the oath of allegiance
to you.

I congratulate you
upon your acquisition

of the Crimea.

I can't tell you how happy
and excited I am,

and how I long to see you.

CATHERINE: My darling,

our dreams for Russia
are finally coming true.

For all this, I thank you,
but I am missing you terribly.

A letter for Her Majesty.

CATHERINE: The Grand Duchess
has just given birth to a son,

whom I call Monsieur Alexandre.

I am besotted with this infant.

It's a pleasure to see him
sprawl on his rug.

And he is beginning to show
singular intelligence

for a child of his age.

I can make of him what I want.

POTEMKIN: What sovereign
has ever compiled

such a brilliant epoch as you?

The lands upon which
others merely glanced,

you have bound to the Russian
scepter.

This new border promises Russia
peace,

Europe envy,
and the Ottomans fear.

Take up this trophy
and order your historians

to prepare more paper and ink.

I will build a new city here
in your honor,

and a port to the open sea
that we always dreamed of.

VALERIAN ZUBOV: What are you
gonna call it, sir?

POTEMKIN: Grigory.

No, I'm not gonna call
the town Grigory.

You may call me Grigory,

because I like you.

Christ, nobody wants to live
in a town called Gregory.

The sewers would be overflowing

and it'd be all brothels
and bars.

No, this will be
a colossal city. Huh?

It'll live forever.

We'll have wide streets,

boulevards, we'll have...

art and cathedrals
and... orchards,

and music on every corner.

ZUBOV: Mozart.

Of course we'll have Mozart.

Yes.

You love her very much.

I do.

From the first moment I saw her,

when I was nothing.
And it'll never change.

No, it is a...

an affection that refuses
to be altered by circumstances.

They call this town Akhtiar.

The White Cliffs.

But we shall call it Sebastopol.

The Imperial City.

The Empress's City.

All for the glory of Catherine.

CATHERINE: Oh, how I miss you.

Come home.

Come home to me...

now.

- CATHERINE: You did it.
- POTEMKIN: Yes. Yes I did.

They said you would
never do it, and you did.

And you have a German
daughter-in-law,

just to show them what
a good European you still are.

Let them all think that...

but tonight
we are celebrating you.

POTEMKIN: Mm...

But I must soon return.

My work in the south
is just starting.

CATHERINE: Let's enjoy tonight.
There is nothing sweeter

than the sounds of a party
fading into the distance.

If you're walking away from it
with the right person.

Huh?

Mm.

I did it all for you...

my love.

POTEMKIN:
She's enjoying her child.

- She's very respectful.
- Mm?

She's learned Russian.

And she has good child-bearing
hips.

I hate her.

Of course you do.

Go on.

Go, I'll stay here.

The sight of me
might start him off.

Well, the little boy,
you know...

I'm just... I'm surprised by
how much I love him,

how much he means to me.

It's never the children,
Matushka;

it's what we do to them.

It's too late for us.

Go on, go. Go, go, go.

Go on.

Oh, hello! Hello.
Can you see me?

PAUL: Where are you taking him,
Mother?

Oh, I'm not stealing him,
darling.

Maria understands, don't you?

We can be friends now, can't we?

- Now you've given me a son.
- Grandson.

He's your grandson. He's my son.

When do we get him back, Mother?

In five years, when he's reached
the age of reason.

That was a joke.

ZAVADOVSKY: So,
what about the Turks?

Are they gonna let us
keep Crimea?

I somehow forgot to ask them.

Prince Potemkin has thought
all this through

- very carefully, Peter.
- Of course. Of course.

I do... I do think about things,
you know?

In politics, Peter, there are
always a certain amount

of unknown factors.

It's never a good idea
to try and discover them.

The future will happen.

All we know is we have Crimea.

The only other issue is...

Where next?

Is that south?
We should go south?

Ooh. Yes.

Matushka.

CATHERINE: Hm?

I've had an idea.

Please, not another one.

Wh... Where do I belong
in all of this?

Please, what is my...
What's my purpose here?

I have no idea.

Well, if you do not wish
to be here,

you can always leave.

Fine.

I will!

Your trousers.

He was getting very tedious.

Yes.

I want the Ministry of War.

You shall have it.

We don't need any of them
anymore.

Oh.

Oh, look at you.
Every button in place.

Oh, Matushka, what about
your son, the Grand Duke?

From now on, Prince Paul
can do as he is told.

How about a diplomatic tour?

He could visit
the Austrian court?

Good idea. Let's do this.

So, first, we would like
to thank Alexei Orlov

for his loyal service
at the Ministry of War,

and his post will now
be given to Prince Potemkin,

in acknowledgement for
his great work in the Crimea.

POTEMKIN: Bravo.

Bravo!

Oh, Count Orlov, did you
have something to say...

before you leave?

No, Your Majesty.

CATHERINE: And now I want
to signal a major change

in our foreign policy,
away from Europe, and...

May I...

- say something, Your Majesty?
- Yes, please do.

With respect...

we may have fooled a few savages

into giving away the Crimea,

and, in the course of time,
someone else may well

fool us into giving it away
again,

- but...
- We gained the Crimea.

Which makes us more powerful.

CATHERINE: And your point is?

- I must say... I really must...
- You must say?

What must you say?
What is your point?

My point is that
my foreign policy

has always developed on
a secure network

of alliances in Europe,

particularly in Germany.

And adventure in the Crimea

has put those alliances
in danger.

Well, what is your definition

of a "secure network
of alliances"?

One that...

- A... A system which...
- CATHERINE: A system

which you have devised
for your own convenience.

There's no such thing
as a secure network

of alliances in politics,
Minister.

You should know that
after watching me work.

I...

- I...
- Yes?

You had another point?

I really do not see how
I can proceed, if you insist...

Well, if we are following
a policy

with which you disagree,

there is only one course
for you.

I...

I do not wish to resign,
Your Majesty.

I know you have poisoned my son
against me.

There may be nothing I can
do about that now,

but know this:
I will never forgive you.

I do not wish to resign.

But?

I...

I suppose I must do so.

A principled decision.

Accepted.

And we thank you

for your loyal service
all these years.

PAUL: I do not want to go
on a state visit

to the Austrian court!

This... This is a little scheme

of Potemkin's, isn't it?

To do with his adventures
down south? Well, I'm not going!

God, this man is taking control
of the whole court!

You will go, and you will leave
my grandson with me.

I will not go!

I will not!

Ah, that will be your old tutor.
He's just resigned.

He will need money. Yes?

What use are you to me
if you cannot help me? Mm?

What use are you to anyone?

You know, what you need
in retirement, Nikita Ivanovich,

is a hobby.

I suggest you acquire one. Soon.

Now, remember,
charm at all times.

The Emperor Joseph
is sparkling company,

and we need his support
for what we're doing

in the Crimea.

So...

Don't worry, darling.
I'll take good care of him.

Just as your grandmother
looked after you.

I hardly ever saw you.

But we survived, didn't we?

Hm?

SOLDIER: Men, move out.

- Well, back to work.
- POTEMKIN: Yes.

I will also have to leave soon,
too.

Back down south,
building our empire.

I don't want you to be lonely.

There's a man I would like you
to meet. Alexander Mamonov.

Perhaps he can keep you company
while I'm away.

Though I will insist
you visit me

when the work is complete.

CATHERINE: I suppose
if we can't live together,

we'll have to learn how
to live with others.

POTEMKIN: Mm.

But without jealousy,
because jealousy is disgusting.

- It's...
- POTEMKIN: Mm-hm.

Pointless.

- And demeaning. Mm.
- Demeaning, yes.

- Your Majesty.
- CATHERINE: Mm.

- It's my pleasure.
- Very nice to meet you.

MAMONOV:
I'm sorry, Your Majesty.

I wouldn't worry about it,
really.

MAMONOV: I can't believe it.

It's never happened before.

No?

SOLDIER: Welcome aboard,
Prince Potemkin.

POTEMKIN: Let's get this show
on the road.

MAMONOV: I'm sorry.

Really. Really,
don't worry about it.

POTEMKIN: Got the weather for it
eh, lads? Huh?

SAILOR: Prince Potemkin.
Good to have you aboard, sir.

You're here!

Well... Why didn't you say?

POTEMKIN: I didn't want
to bother you.

I'm here now.

I've been getting it all ready.
All ready for you.

CATHERINE: Stop it.

So, let's to the Crimea.

POTEMKIN: Row!

ELENA: Your Majesty.

POTEMKIN:
We sail down this river,

we reach the Black Sea
and then we show everyone

a new Russia!

She's cheered up then.

Can't live with him,
can't live without him.

ELENA: Your Majesty.

- CATHERINE: Thank you.
- ELENA: Prince Potemkin.

Thank you.

I think Mamonov is fucking her.

POTEMKIN: Well,

what are you going to do
about that?

Fifty lashes.

You are a...

You're a monster.
You are, you're a terrible...

monster. You use people up
and throw them away

when you've finished with them.
Fifty lashes.

You're outrageous,
you're terrible, Matushka.

You're a monster.

That's not a very nice
thing to say about someone,

especially someone you say
you love.

Oh, but I do love you.

I'll always love you.

Even when there isn't
any more me or any more you...

I will still love you.

Does it upset you?

No, not especially.

Hmm.

But this... This...

This is what we were
meant to do.

Make Russia great.

Never had any choice
in the matter.

You're the one.

You are. It was only ever you.

Wherever you are, wherever I am.

From the first time I saw you.

Love is to do with the soul.

Me, you...

there.

Here.

Now.

POTEMKIN: My love...

- What?
- POTEMKIN: Come on.

Oh.

What are you doing here?

There's something
I want to show you.

Great. Come on.

Give me that. Give me that.

What do you taste?

What do you taste?

Salt!

We're not on the river,
we're on the sea!

What do you think
is around the next headland?

Huh? Of course you don't know,

come on! Good morning, boys!

Good morning! Good morning.
Close your eyes.

Come on, come on.
Close your eyes.

Close your... Don't! Come on!

- Hey.
- CATHERINE: Where...

There. Right there.

Keep them closed.

Now. There.

The reason we have traveled
down river.

Sebastopol, Matushka.

Our window into the Black Sea.

I have built you,
like I promised,

a Russian naval fleet.

For you, and Russia,

to take our empire across
the sea.

To Byzantium.

I've done all of this...

for you.

And only you.

This is how I love you.

CROWD: Catherine! Catherine!

MAN: When we think
we have it all...

that's when we lose everything.

CATHERINE:
Life takes everything from you.

Piece by piece by piece.

PRINCE PAUL: I am not going
to sit in the corner

while my mother struts
around the stage.

CATHERINE: You owe all of your
military power to me.

I own you.

MAN 2:
Will she still be dictating,

even when the soil
is in her mouth?

CATHERINE: I knew exactly
what I was doing.