The Great Season 2 Story:-
I’ve been putting off writing this blog post for so long, you wouldn’t believe it. I actually watched the second season of The Great back in November of 2021, and here we are in the summer of 2022. Yes, I know, I’m way behind schedule. I had to rewatch the show to refresh my memory about my initial thoughts, but it turns out I remember quite a bit about it.
Movie Ratings
| Release Date | 15 April 2023 |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Comedy, Drama, History |
| Episodes | 11 |
| Cast | Elle Fanning, Nicholas Hoult, Phoebe Fox, Sacha Dhawan, Charity Wakefield, Gwilym Lee, Adam Godley, Douglas Hodge, Belinda Bromilow, Richard Pyros, Bayo Gbadamosi, Sebastian de Souza |
| Director | Colin Bucksey, Matthew Moore, Ally Pankiw |
| Writer | Tony McNamara |
| Cinematography | Anthony Boys, Billy Sneddon, Edel McDonnell |
| Music | Nathan Barr |
| Producer | Tony McNamara, Elle Fanning, Marian Macgowan, Brittany Kahan Ward, Doug Mankoff, Andrew Spaulding, Josh Kesselman, Ron West, Matt Shakman, Nick O’Hagan, Dean O’Toole |
| Production | Thruline Entertainment, Echo Lake Entertainment, Lewellen Pictures, Macgowan Films, Piggy Ate Roast Beef Productions, MRC, Civic Center Media |
| Certificate | 18+ |
When The Great first premiered in 2020, it felt like a breath of fresh air. I was drawn to the show’s premise because it dared to inject humor into what is typically seen as serious historical subject matter—specifically, Russian history, especially concerning the tsars and their empire. Plus, I have to admit, I’m a huge fan of Elle Fanning. The age gap between her and Nicholas Hoult may seem a bit odd, but I guess I’m just projecting modern expectations onto an era where such age gaps were commonplace.
The first season of The Great concluded with the coup orchestrated by Catherine and her accomplices, Velementov and Count Orlo. The second season picks up four months after these events, revealing that the coup has achieved some measure of success.
Peter, now in seclusion at his countryside villa with his beloved chef Jean-Louise, agrees to relinquish all power to Catherine, marking the dawn of a new era in the Russian monarchy. In the first episode, a significant plotline from the first season reaches its conclusion as Peter presents Catherine with the head of her lover, Leo, in a bag. Charming, right?
Thus begins Catherine the Great’s reign in the second season. Peter is placed under house arrest, where he undergoes a gradual transformation and attempts to win Catherine’s favor in surprisingly authentic ways, given his previously brutish nature—though, of course, his attempts are not always flattering.
However, the transition of power is far from peaceful. In the second episode, the country’s noblemen are aghast to find a woman on the throne, and Catherine’s first official act is to declare Russia a place of religious freedom (much to Archie’s dismay, to say the least).
A significant portion of this season is dedicated to character development. Catherine, who was thrust into the Russian world with little preparation, now finds herself at the pinnacle of power, eager to implement sweeping changes. We also witness her grieving for Leo, whom she loved deeply, even as her relationship with Peter evolves into one of mutual respect. And then there’s the bombshell of her pregnancy from the first season, which solidified her position in the revolt.
The Great excels in its performances and humor, though it does take liberties with historical accuracy, as established in the first season. This adds an element of fun, such as the science fair where Catherine hosts what appears to be the first rollercoaster.
As for the subplot involving Catherine’s mother’s advances toward Peter and his accidental role in her demise—it’s a mix of daytime humor and darker themes, culminating in a shocking revelation for Catherine in the season finale, setting the stage for the next installment.
Overall Thoughts
I found the second season just as entertaining as the first, though I can see how it might have become stale if the characters had remained static. The Great does risk feeling repetitive at times, which is why its format as a limited series with ten episodes per season works well. The shifting dynamics between characters are intriguing, though the cycle of enemies to lovers and back again by the season’s end feels somewhat predictable. I’ll certainly tune in for season three, but I’m unsure if the series can maintain its momentum beyond that.
