[Catherine] The raw power of art...
Once your mind fires, the heart's moved.
Ideas open, and the warriors are the people themselves.
You can cut a man's head off,
or you can change what's in a man's head.
Do the latter, you have a warrior for your cause.
Do the former, you have...
A head with a lot of blood pouring out.
Sometimes I'm so fucking clever,
I have to take a breath not to become dizzy. [Giggles]
[Peter] Fuck me.
This is bold and fucking intense on the eyes.
Prometheus is bound for eternity
as a vulture snacks on his regenerating liver.
And what did this idiot do to deserve it?
He is a revolutionary. He gifted his people the arts.
Didn't I just do that?
It will turn out much better. He made some mistakes, as well.
Let us move to the next.
I do like the idea of my liver regenerating, though. Mm.
Mm. Mm!
It is a spectacular new collection.
Look at the court.
Are you sure this is working? I see a few people weeping.
[Catherine] Indeed. Happily.
Happily?
Weeping is for sad people and very terrified ones.
Sometimes one can be so moved by what they see,
their eyes explode from thejoy of it.
Remarkable.
Everybody gather 'round.
To this art...
My wife... [laughs]
And the new court.
Thank you for your Patience
as I become the me I wish to be.
I hope to have you weeping by the end of the Clay.
[Crowd applauding]
What do you think of the art?
I think it looks fine
and is feeling quite pleased with itself.
[Chuckles]
I've never seen him like this.
He's excited. Passionate.
It's all thanks to you.
To us.
We are changing this place together, don't forget.
Catherine, voronsky, you're missing the fun.
Grab a drink and come be with me.
Thank you.
[Classical music playing]
Fucking paintings.
Who knew?
I am not the emperor's favorite person at present.
Yes, you ruffled his feathers.
I'll win him back.
I commend you your resilience.
What is this abomination?
I think it means sometimes you get off on odd things,
and that's okay.
- Good lord. - Oh, please.
I once walked in on you when I was young, having peacock feathers
inserted into your arsehole by lady svenska.
I was young. God had not yet found me and set me right.
[Sighs] She is changing this place.
It's just paintings.
Art has power, and she knows it.
The church has used it to tell the truth for hundreds of years.
New truths?
No such thing.
Good luck with the emperor.
I hope it's not UN-pheasant.
Oh, come on. That was a good one.
I heard about the soldier.
You all right?
I don't know.
I am alarmed by how easy it was.
What is strangest is I feel unlike myself.
But also never more like myself.
Tends to happen the first time.
Then it stops?
Then you learn the best way to numb it a little.
Whiskey or vodka?
I don't drink.
You didn't kill, either.
Cheers.
[Peter] Here is my idea,
but let us begin with the applause it will deserve.
[All clapping]
Brilliant. It is an ideas box.
People may have ideas or thoughts
that they feel they need to express.
Sometimes they are rightfully awed by me
and can but stutter and bow when they talk to me.
But now...
You want people to write their ideas.
Anonymously.
So you won't know who it is.
[Peter] Genius. Hmmph.
It is my idea, this box. No one has ever had it.
Maybe I will not be Peter the great.
But perhaps I can be Peter the great idea.
[Chuckles] Rich!
Why is that funny?
Indeed. I'd be fascinated to know.
Now please, sir. Illuminate us, arkady.
It's genius of the emperor. I will lead the applause.
You're sucking up, Archie.
- I am. - Continue.
[Applauding]
Excited for phase two?
I am. You are very sexy when you talk in phases.
Thank you.
I'm nervous. But imagine.
You imagine. I merely help out after.
Empress, this is men's things.
[Catherine] Your gift came,
and I could not wait to give it to you.
- [Laughs softly] - [Peter] Aah!
A fig press!
- It is a printing press! - It's a printing press!
But we banned them. Didn't we?
- We did. - [Orlo] A while ago.
We have not reconsidered recently.
I give this gift to my dear husband,
for he is printing a new Russia
from his brain and ever-expanding heart.
- We did outlaw them, but... - Please do not refuse me
happy. To make you ire my des
with it, we can liberate the people,
with free speech for all.
You could do a newsletter.
Tell them of our latest battle victories.
Which are none, by the way, you fat fuck, velementov.
It doesn't just do words.
Pictures, too. Anything you would like.
Fuck me.
It is a bear in a crown. I am the bear?
[Laughs] This is very good.
- Grigor, you must look at this. - [Catherine] He does not have to.
We can print one for him, also. For everyone.
Amusing, indeed. However, I must say...
Everyone could stand in the halls laughing and praising me in bear form.
More joy from their emperor.
- [Catherine] Absolutely. - Huzzah, wife. I am pleased.
Hopefully, itjuices figs, as well.
- If you put them there... - [Archie] Forgive me, emperor,
but the use of the printing press has always been reserved for the church.
Perhaps something the empress has forgotten.
So, Archie, what you're telling me
is you're strongly opposed to it.
Yes. I am.
Excellent. It stays. Set it up.
Go and trim your beard, Archie. You're of no use to me today.
Everyone, out.
- Except you, wife. - [Laughs softly]
Aah. This pleases me. And my box pleases me.
Art pleases me. Science pleases me.
You please me.
Only this morning, I was thinking about the time I was planning on killing you.
Did I ever tell you about that?
Not directly, but I had a sense.
Mm. A small carriage accident.
Had the axle sawed and everything.
But now look at us. Working together.
Indeed. You are making a new Russia.
Your brain and heart expanding before me.
A changed man.
I wish to now also give you a gift.
How exciting. We are curiously like-minded.
Sit on the desk and pull up your skirts.
0h, right. That gift.
[Peter] Mm-hmm.
Uh, what are you...
Stop.
- What? - I, uh...
[Pants] ...Don't know.
Hmm.
- [Groans] - [Peter] Mm.
[Moaning]
[Moaning, panting]
[Moaning loudly]
[Screams]
[Panting]
[Peter grunts]
[Panting] This noise. I've not heard it before.
- Good or bad? - Bad.
- Good. - Well, huzzah!
Fucking huzzah!
Now, I told aunt Elizabeth how much help you'd been to me,
and she showed me this tongue trick to use in thanks.
Huh. We really are doing well this week.
Yes. I must go.
- Have a good afternoon. - Hmmph.
[Sighs]
Catherine, my dear.
Something has happened.
Peter has shown you my special tongue trick.
How can you tell?
The flush in your cheek. The slight shock in your eye.
I remember the first time it was used on me.
I was 14,
and my math tutor was endeavoring to teach me simple addition.
It left me feeling truly wonderful.
And with a great respect for the number 33.
I am confused.
I am very fond of Peter.
We are closer than ever.
But it is Leo who has my heart.
Well, I understand.
He's quite supple, incredibly charming, and...
No doubt pine-scented when sweaty.
But if I am able to enjoy myself...
That much... with Peter...
Let me make one thing clear.
Where one's heart lies and who blows their lump
are two very different things.
Really?
I could make you come right here, right now, if I wanted to.
So shall I?
It is a generous offer, but I think I understand.
What happened with Peter was physical.
Leo is the one for me.
I'm glad we sorted that.
Now, have a few sugar cubes to restore your strength.
Did you hear about the press?
We will fill the court with philosophy, poetry,
and the most marvelous ideas from our favorite minds in Europe.
And even the Americas.
In no time, Russia will be a wonder
and a powerhouse of thought and ideas,
unrivaled in the world.
You really are spectacular.
I want to embroider every word you just said onto a cushion.
[Frogs croaking]
Emperor, a couple of things.
You're bold, coming near me while I have a weapon.
I come not as a flawed man but as patriarch,
head of your 15,000 churches and voice to the people.
I have some good news.
As patriarch, I have doubled the tithes
we pass on to your royal self.
Fuck me. That's a lot of money. Hmm.
[Archie] Indeed.
The bind between church and emperor
is the scaffolding that holds our unwieldy empire together.
I know.
It was more you were a lying prick than a church problem.
I'm 5 o r r y, a 9 a in
all right, fuck. Stop crying.
Unless you're looking at art. Then it's okay.
We all make mistakes.
This will be a regular amount of money?
Indeed.
- Good. - Uh, one thing, though.
The raven, my fault.
The dream, I did not create.
God sent you that.
Fuck off, then. You're forgiven.
I'm off to do science.
He is a strange dog.
He's half a dog and some hair, really.
He is more than that.
He doesn't mind that I reek of piss,
and he kisses me when I like.
[Sighs]
- [Laughs, kisses] - I could do that.
And I reek of piss, too, so I... I... I wouldn't notice.
You ever been with a woman, vlad?
- Yes. Of course. - N0t.
Not.
[Blini barks]
- What are you... - All this sassy talk.
[Chuckles]
Take your clothes off.
The empress is at dinner. It is your lucky day.
0h, fuck.
What?
Your back.
Did you touch it?
- I should go back downstairs. - No.
No way.
Come with me.
Get in the cupboard. Quickly!
[Upbeat instrumental music playing]
You do not have to say it. You are impressed.
Not really.
It is proof that he is changing.
That my coup of ideas is working.
Coup of ideas?
That is what I am calling it. It is catchy, do you not think?
I think you've plagiarized my original strategy
and given it a cleverer title.
So in a way, I am saying you were right.
Join me in this.
Together we can change this place.
When you asked me to do this with you,
you said you saw a bigger man.
Well, now I am bigger.
Huge, in fact.
I killed a soldier, and I'm too tall for these corridors.
And I cannot go back.
I understand.
But look, orlo.
The printing press. Art.
My idea works
and will work better with this bigger orlo behind it.
The only thing this machine is proof of is Peter's fickle nature.
Give him an hour, and he will have turned his attentions
to sticking fireworks in his desserts.
Then should we not seize this moment?
Print and seed as many vital ideas as possible?
- Look at them, orlo. - 0h. Indeed.
Now, uh, which vital idea shall we focus on first?
Um, "the gigantic turnip"?
"Mikhail, the erotic tales of a Russian guard"? [Laughs]
Or bykov's stroganoff recipe?
- They are... a start... - [Tatyana] Empress.
Lady svenska has discovered the ink from the press
can be used to make us all look like badgers. Would you like some?
No. Perhaps another time.
[Lively music playing]
[Crowd exclaims, applauds]
[Indistinct chatter]
The lungs.
Human heart.
Human heart with a bullet hole.
Moving on to the spleen...
[Peter] Aah! Wife.
Voronksy, just in time.
What is going on?
It is a surprise.
I call it... a science party.
I have assembled some of the finest brains in the region to entertain us. Come.
Meet Dr. Smirnov and Nikolai.
Smirnov likes to shock people, quite literally. [Chuckles]
It is an honor, empress.
He has come to show us his electrical boy. [Whispers] Do the thing.
Go on. Give it all you got. Electrocute him.
[Electricity buzzing]
[Nikolai whimpering]
[Crackling]
- [Laughing] - Is he all right?
He is fine.
- [Clinks] - He's fine.
Huh. To become a human magnet. What an honor.
Hmm. Now, Chekhov's over there.
He'll show you the innards of humans.
And yahontov will let you break wind on a flame
- and watch it go up. - [Farts]
[Crowd laughing]
What is wrong?
It is science. I thought it would excite you.
So much so, I am stunned into stillness.
- 0h. - Huzzah, husband.
You have taken my advice and done something truly...
[Exhales] ...Striking.
Good. Now...
Who would like to electrocute young Nikolai again, hmm?
Leo?
Oh, I wish I could.
I'm, uh, fetching drinks.
Let's do it anyway. Hmmph.
[Electricity crackling]
May I talk to you about something first?
I suppose.
What happened to me this morning...
I think it would be best if we do not mention it to Leo.
- Mm. - It is a matter of manly pride, I think.
He perhaps is not as skilled in the area
- and could be put off. - I suspected as such.
Do not worry. I will handle things lightly, as I always do.
I need to speak with you. Urgently.
I will return.
[Dr. Chekhov] The scrotum, dissected.
Madam dymov. It is spectacular, is it not?
All this change at court.
We have been reading all day and are suddenly full of culture
and fun wordjapes.
Your new spot at the table, for instance.
A metaphor for how things are progressing with the emperor.
How else might we put it creatively?
You are a tray of old food he has left outside his room.
A wig that has lost its shape and been replaced.
And you are fucking bitches.
Witty. I will put that in my new book of witty sayings.
- [Tatyana chuckles] - [Leo] Good afternoon, ladies.
I do not know them well,
but they seem quite terrifying.
They are harmless. Just enjoying this new Peter.
[Laughing]
And you are not?
He seems distracted,
as is the empress, I'd imagine.
She has seen a change in him.
Wants to embrace it, even if it is through gritted teeth at times.
Ah, Leo. Lost you.
I have something to share.
- Another experiment. - [Peter] In a sense.
I put on a tongue play for the empress this morning,
and fuck me, did she applaud,
stammer, and sing a little bit with unbridled fucking joy.
I ate her pussy.
Oh, I see. You're speechless, not uncomprehending.
Catherine has told me of your... issues.
Thought it best not to mention,
but then if there is one thing I have learned since my near death,
it is that knowledge is all.
You know it can be done, and that I did it,
and now you may improve.
- Yes. - [Peter] Hmmph.
Huzzah. Very kind.
Anyway, we'll chat.
Perhaps we can print you up a diagram later, hmm?
[Chuckles]
What was that you were saying about the empress and her gritted teeth?
- Where is he? - The cupboard. I panicked.
- [Knocks twice] - Are you all right in there, vlad?
[Vlad] Well...
I... I have pox, so... not great.
But, em... empress, I'm s-sorry.
There is nothing be sorry for.
We will help you through it.
You found the markings on his back?
- You're sure it is the pox? - My mother died from it.
I will remember those markings for the rest of my life.
How did you see them?
We were making the bed,
and his shirt f... fell off... came down.
Hmm. Strange.
[Footsteps approaching]
Chekhov.
Empress. Excuse the blood.
My servant has smallpox. He is in the cupboard.
Excellent. Well done.
We can probably just carry him outside in that,
- as it is wood, and it'll burn quite well. - [Vlad] What?
[Dr. Chekhov] There is an outbreak downstairs
in the servants' quarters. We must deal with this.
It is the way they do it. They burn them all. This is why I hid him.
We are not burning him.
- [Vlad] Thank you. - What about treatments?
Nobility, we try, but servants...
Believe me, I know it is difficult to find good service people,
but there will be others.
Not everyone dies from the pox. You burn them all?
It is standard process.
No one is burning anyone. Treat him.
Let's push the cupboard into that room
and shut him in there.
Now, can anything be shot from a gun?
Let us see.
And... if it lives,
have we invented a new form of travel?
Hmm? Huh?
- [Fires] - [All exclaiming]
Huh. Huzzah!
[All laughing, applauding]
[Catherine] I'm sorry.
I need to speak with you.
There's an outbreak of smallpox in the servants' quarters.
Don't fret, dear wife. We will quarantine them,
and burn them so the disease is destroyed.
They do not all die.
They do, usually. It's a big fire.
The disease does not kill all, I mean.
The empress has a novel idea, sir,
that the serfs should be treated as the nobles are.
- [All chattering] - And why'd we do that?
It's risky enough that we treat nobles.
From what I understand, this thing gets nasty.
It wiped out villages of thousands in Siberia.
We must hit it hard when it raises its head.
We cannotjust burn fathers, mothers, and children alive.
Yes, we can. They are serfs.
We cannot let an epidemic loose upstairs,
- if that is the empress' suggestion. - [Laughing]
What if we were to set up tents
in the grounds, far away from here?
The disease is known to either kill or pass in a few days.
Those who live will swear eternal love and loyalty to us.
To repeat tatyana's excellent point, they are fucking serfs.
That's a good point, grigor.
- It is a savage disease. - Terrifying.
The pox ruined my dear cousin's face.
All right, everyone, shut the fuck up a moment. I'm thinking.
Jesus... uh... [exhales]
- No. It's a no. - What?
Well, you told me to listen to the people, and they do not like your idea.
If I may, emperor, I think that's an excellent decision.
If I may, I will put your face on my printing press and flatten it.
Shut up.
You can't just burn people. I beg you.
There must be a better solution.
There is not. Unless you have one.
Which you obviously do not.
I'm sorry.
- [Glass clinks] - [Quuid pouring]
[Pensive instrumental music playing]
[Upbeat orchestral music playing]
[Laughs]
- [Knocking] - [Catherine] Orlo!
- I am drunk. - You don't drink.
Well, things are changing, empress Catherine.
Progress is being made.
I did not drink. Now I do.
I did not kill. Now I do. I did not hope...
Oh. No. That is still the same.
Orlo, you must help me.
There is smallpox downstairs.
The emperor insists we burn the serfs.
We must stop him.
He's said yes to so much so far.
I think if I can convince him of an alternative...
Variolation.
Variol... what?
Variolation.
It... it is a way of helping your body reject the disease,
used in some Asian countries with some success.
But not here.
- Why not? - The church runs medicine.
Approves cures, licenses doctors, everything,
and they do not agree with it.
I mean, it... it is radical,
but thousands are dying in the regions, as well.
Help me.
I would like to, but I'm quite dizzy.
[Groans] My bed spins.
In the morning, help me.
I am your servant.
[Snorts]
I smelled the empress.
- She was here. - She just left. [Sniffs]
Why does she like you?
You're a roach.
We were going to launch a coup against Peter
and take power for her.
[Laughs]
It is funny when you think on it. [Laughs]
That sweet girl, the emperor of Russia.
[Laughs]
I know. Stupid idea. Stu...
Thankfully, she came to her senses.
[Velementov laughs]
Hmm.
[Elizabeth] Were you staring at me?
No, ma'am.
You were. Like you wanted me.
- No, no. I was... - I will walk on.
And do not even think of following me,
dragging me into a salon, throwing me over a table,
and fucking the hell out of me.
Good god, do I have to make it plain?
Hold that thought.
So pretty when you sleep. Always were.
Jesus. Don't do that.
Come with me.
They were scattered about this morning.
Velementov, me, Catherine.
It is just fun.
Also a pamphlet entitled
"who is fucking your wife" has appeared,
'causing much ruction.
- [Chuckles] Funny. - Mm, perhaps.
Oh, come on, aunt. You of all people love a bit of fun.
At a party, yes.
As a tone for court, it is worrying.
I'm a new kind of leader.
I allow a certain amount of freedom. People enjoy it.
Have fun. Feel grateful. Feel love.
Feel love? Look.
[Peter laughs]
Guy getting fucked by a donkey. Brilliant.
It's you.
But it doesn't even look like me.
You're the donkey!
Oh, yeah. [Chuckles] Funny.
It is just fun.
Disrespect. Disdain for us. It's not good.
But this way we also see things like this. We canjudge the level of discontent.
See if it is just fun plays or actual danger.
Hmm. That is not without merit.
Huzzah. I will not ruin as after all.
I will remake Russia into my own image.
- [Laughter] - [Man] Stupid...
[Grunting, yelling]
When needed, we still show the court who's in charge. Nick.
[Men grunting]
[Yelling, grunting]
[Grunting]
[Yells]
[Grunts]
Huzzah.
[Men grunting]
[Door closes]
What is with all the red things you took in there?
Some say it helps.
I don't know.
Not the reassuring type doctor, are you?
- She is clear. - You can tell me, you know.
- You are clear. - Good.
I wish to ask you something. It is about variolation.
It can teach the body to fight the pox.
[Clears throat] Yes. In theory. You introduce a little into the blood.
Seeing as it is a small amount, it acclimatizes.
I must warn you, variolation is unstable,
and it will be difficult to convince the people.
[Catherine] But it could work.
[Chekhov] There has been some success.
Good. You will gather pus from the sick,
and we will go to the patriarch and the emperor with our idea.
Let's go back. Gathering pus, I will do.
Throwing my career away on an idealistic whim,
not as thrilled about.
You come and find me if your plan works.
[Vlad] Catherine. Empress.
This... this variolation thing. It's going to help me?
Sorry, vlad.
It is for those who have not yet contracted the disease.
But do not worry. Chekhov sees an improvement in you already.
Your sores are not as pronounced.
If everyone has variolation, then it cannot spread.
It will disappear.
My thoughts exactly.
You are smart, my favorite thing about you.
- Besides his looks. - Indeed.
Can I read one of your books about it?
You should rest.
It... it'll help me sleep.
Empress.
Can a queen not spontaneously
give the head of her church his own sermons,
printed for eternity by our own press?
She can.
But I suspect you do not.
Fine. You've caught me.
I was hoping they could act as a symbol of sorts,
for how the new and old may work together.
I'm waiting on the next bit,
which is clearly the bit where you need something from me.
So smart.
I've always admired that in you.
Still waiting.
- Variolation. - No.
I was skeptical at first, also.
But it is quite remarkable and simpler than you may think.
You may bend the emperor with your printing press abomination,
but medicine, my decision.
Let's talk some more and lean on the fact
you are smart and will see reason.
Have you broached this with the emperor?
Not in full. But I shall.
So will I. Court is a mess.
Seems like a fertile time to go back to what worked.
- Archie. - Move.
Do not go...
[Grunting]
Can a man not eat his fucking breakfast in peace?
No. I need to talk to you.
The head of your church has just been forced into a footrace
with your unhinged wife.
Really? Who won?
Ah. You have seen this filth.
Yeah. Give these fuckers some freedom, and they repay us with this.
I mean, it is funny and no real threat, but still...
And mostly it is me fucking women
who lie on top of beds of starving serfs,
which I do not understand the point of, as I have never done that.
A horse fucking me.
Why would he...
I was going to let it go,
but Elizabeth is concerned, and your reaction shows me
perhaps we should find the fuck drawing them and have a word.
Draw a line across his throat with a knife.
I will not have you upset.
There's also a heretical pamphlet
extolling the virtues of self-pleasure.
- Hmm. - A satanist has printed my sermons
replacing the word "god" with the word "cock."
And several calling for the Jews to be killed en masse,
as Luther called for
when the Germans invented the printing press.
Still others calling for the end of the aristocracy.
Some woodblocks, some ink, a nightmare is unleashed.
- So funny. - [B0th laughing]
Brilliant! [Laughs] It's fine.
- It's not fine. - Fuck!
Everyone is annoying with thoughts and opinions today.
My point exactly. Once only one opinion mattered: Yours.
Only one law: Yours.
You have allowed two viruses:
Freedom, the debauchery of ideas and of image,
and chaos at court.
Feature this filth before you.
Are you actually still fucking talking?
I'm exercising my freedoms. Huzzah.
The smallpox. We must discuss it.
I'm eating raspberries, so must we?
[Catherine] Variolation.
We should consider it with open minds.
We will not consider it at all.
We treat the court,
and then we do not have to burn all the serfs.
If we can save our people,
our court from death, why would we not?
It's a good point.
Because we are god's creatures to kill as he wishes.
Uh, what is it? This... vario thing?
You take a small amount of pus from a victim
and infect yourself.
Your body learns the disease
and resists it when exposed later.
You give yourself smallpox.
- That seems mad. - Well said, emperor.
And our research abroad shows that it often kills
and is known to cause outbreaks.
It is not perfect, but...
How will the emperor convince his people to swallow smallpox?
And when they die or outbreaks break out, what then?
We must lead them. That is how.
I had a vision of you. To bring you here.
And I've often pondered why.
But today, I see clearly.
It was to bring forth a war.
A sweet-smelling, beautiful woman
that hid a devil that meant to destroy us,
so that we would heed god's call to rise up
and cleanse Russia.
That's just fucking mad.
All I am talking of is science.
Infecting us with smallpox is not science.
Throwing a dog off a roof is science.
But she's not the devil, Archie.
You both need to calm the fuck down.
Know this.
The church will not support an emperor
who turns his back on god.
For he is lost, and Russia with him.
- You're threatening me. - Facts are not threats.
They're just facts.
[Sighs]
Do not listen to him.
- You must do this... - Just leave me be a minute.
- I... - What did I say? Get out!
[Footsteps departing]
[Door opens]
Oh, hello.
I shalljoin.
No, I am...
I need the room.
I've been riding.
Pulled a muscle.
What's wrong?
Our status at court slips.
He and I are closer than ever.
We're fine.
If you never fucked him again, how would you be?
Do not speak like this.
What, you mean say things out loud?
I have lost him.
He has not touched me in weeks. 00 you not see that?
You won.
You mean we won.
Yes. I meant we.
The emperor requests your presence.
[Water rushing]
What have you done?
Since I last saw you?
Um, heard that the emperor made you come with his tongue.
Got angry, gotjealous, got drunk.
Made art, distributed it across the palace,
wandered out here, passed out asleep, woke up to you,
and now feel slightly regretful and slightly fucking pleased with myself.
- How about you? - I'm trying to do something big.
You know that. And your cartoons don't help.
- Did you come? - Yes.
Good. 'Cause if you had not, my response would be out of all proportion.
But now you did, I feel okay.
And if marial sucked your cock, would you lay limp?
I suppose I would not.
And do I have a choice to be in his bed?
You do not. This is our life.
You have grown close to him, then.
It perhaps got to me.
I love you.
You fucking... fucking idiot!
Nice of you to say. The first bit. Less so, the second.
Fuck you.
I miss you.
Know that I miss you.
[Exhales]
The greater good.
[Inhales] I know. I'll remember.
You drew me fucking a horse.
It seemed a bit rough at the time. I just sort of...
Drank through the thought process of it. Sorry.
No one will remember.
All I wish is to hold Russia in one hand
and you in the other.
You have me.
I fear Russia is slipping.
[Door opens]
[Footsteps departing]
[Marial] Where are you going?
My sores are flat, because I have flatpox.
- The book says it is a fatal type. - [Marial] I...
It's the one my mother had.
It's just a book. It doesn't know you. You're tough.
I will go.
It is safest for you.
- Vlad, I... - Careful. Don't.
Thank you for kissing me.
[Laughs softly]
It turns out timely.
[Footsteps departing]
[Inhales]
[Door opens]
What are you...
What has happened?
[Door opens]
Dearest friends.
- Are you all right? - Come in.
Everyone wants a fucking piece of me today.
I just need you guys who don't want anything from me.
We are at your service.
Advice, companionship, as I have always been.
- And I. - Since we were children.
A bond that cannot be broken.
[Huffs] Drink.
George, lay on me.
Mm. I have not whiffed your scent in weeks.
I'm hard as a rock instantly.
[Liquid pouring]
What is your trouble?
I give people art, science, freedoms at court.
Everyone was happy. Now these fucking cartoons
and smallpox have appeared,
which Archie says is god's sign of doom.
And Catherine wants me to allow variolation.
What is that?
It's sort of like you drink a bit of vodka, get a hangover
but do not drink a bottle and die.
[Georgina] May I speak freely?
If you shift your ass up and down my hard cock, you may.
[Georgina] I think it sounds ridiculous.
Hmm. So did I, when she told me.
Give yourself smallpox to avoid smallpox.
[Scoffs] But she is smart.
Not smarter than you.
And an outsider.
[Grigor] Of course, but medicine evolves.
And the church would rather we died in a holy fashion than live,
and honestly, that's a bit fucked up.
So you will line up to have smallpox pus under your tongue?
Huzzah. Good point, George. Who the fuck is going to do it, anyway?
Ah! I called for it. See what the people think.
- [Door closes] - Ah.
"We should ride horses in the long hallway."
- Brilliant. - Ha!
No. What is it?
Oh, it's... nothing.
Read it.
"Kill yourself."
[Whispers] "Kill yourself."
"Stop the war."
[Peter] "Burn the serfs." "Burn the serfs."
"Burn the serfs." "Kill yourself."
Me fucking a donkey. A donkey fucking me. Jesus Christ!
Fucking pricks. Ungrateful fucks.
I just keep thinking, we were all so happy
before all this change that Catherine brought.
Just musing.
- I wanted to change. - And you have.
You are a ruler who tries things for the good of his people.
Who has the courage to experiment.
And if they do not work,
you have the courage to admit you were wrong...
And go back to what did.
[Man groaning]
[Indistinct chatter]
[Coughing]
You should not be here.
- And without a beak. - My friend's here.
[Child crying]
The dead ones are on the right.
If he's still alive, he may be sitting over there.
I'm collecting this pus for you, for the variolation.
[Child crying]
Vlad!
Vlad?
[Whispers] He just left hours ago.
You must get away from him, empress.
[Footsteps departing]
[Panting]
[Indistinct chatter]
You are right. I am being foolish. Churlish.
I've written a variolation pamphlet.
We print it and distribute it at court with its merits.
Are you okay?
Not really.
He's gathering everyone. Why do you have a knife?
I'm going to cut something.
What are you doing?
[Peter] Ah, I was looking for you.
We need a chat before I address the court on new things.
- [Catherine] What? - Fuck off, orlo.
Now, I am sorry.
Look, we've had fun experimenting with court and ways of ruling.
A couple of things, though. The press is out of hand,
so everything must now be officially approved by a committee.
Archie, orlo, arkady.
And unfortunately, variolation seems ridiculous,
and no one will do it, anyway.
- Why do you have a knife? - You cannot give in.
You can fight them.
I know part of you wants to.
I know it is disappointing,
but my wife or god is the choice.
I choose god.
Look, this is Russia, not France or Germany.
Look, there is a way that Russia works, that is...
[Crowd chattering]
I know there is fear of the pox.
What are you doing?
I have just collected the pus from Chekhov.
- [Peter] What? - [Catherine] But we can stop it.
If we place it in the bloodstream, a tiny amount,
our body learns to accommodate it.
- No, that's not... - So it will not kill us.
It is not unlike freedom.
We absorb a small amount,
knowing it is not dangerous.
We are wise people.
We are exciting people.
- We are interested people. - Get the fuck down
- and stop speaking. - The press freed us.
Did it not?
And though it was hard to take the sharp edges
of free talk and thought,
it was exhilarating.
What the fuck are you doing?
- What the fuck are you doing? - [Catherine grunts, winces]
Stop! What is she doing?
[Crowd chattering]
Who willjoin me in moving our country forward?
Did you just put pox on you?
- You fucking idiot! - We cannot be scared.
- [Peter] Why would you do that? - Or we cannot progress.
Guards, help her. Help her.
Take her to her apartments. Confine her.
Jesus Christ.
I feel fine. You can go.
Just tell me any change.
My heart is broken.
- I meant fever or rash. - I'm fine.
Are you just going to stand there?
I think that's best.
[Passionate groaning]
- Fuck me! Fuck me! Aah! - Oh, god, I've missed...
- This! - Harder! Aah!
[Groaning continues]
[Georgina squeals]
- [Clattering] - [Passionate groaning, yelling]
[Peter yells]
[Georgina screams]
- Marial. - [Gasps softly]
Are you all right?
I feel fine.
And I'll do you next.
It is outlawed.
The last printed edict.
[Exhales]
I found vlad.
Is he all right?
[Sobs]
[Weeping]
["(What's so funny 'bout) Peace, love, and understanding?" By Sharon Van etten plays]
J” as I walk through j”
j” this wicked world j”
j” searching for light in the darkness j”
j” of insanity j”
j” I ask myself j”
j” is all hope lost j”
j” is there only pain and hatred j”
j” and misery j”
j” and each time I feel like this inside j”
j” there's one thing I want to know j”
j” what's so funny 'bout j”
j” peace, love, and understanding? J”
j” what's so funny 'bout j”
j” peace, love, and understanding? J”
J” as I walked on j”
j” through troubled times j”
j” my spirit gets so downhearted j”
j” sometimes j”
j” so where are the strong? J”
j” who are the trusted? J”
j” where is the j”
j” Harmony? J”
j” sweet Harmony j”
j” 'cause each time I feel it slipping away j”
j” just makes me wanna cry j”
j” what's so funny 'bout j”
j” peace, love... j”