Ep 7. The Letter

Catherine the Great is a historical drama series that tells the story of the famous Russian Empress Catherine II, also known as Catherine the Great. The seventh episode of the first season is titled "The Letter."

The episode starts with Catherine (played by Helen Mirren) learning about the public unrest her reign has caused due to the war with the Ottoman Empire. She realizes that she needs to take action to restore her people's faith in her leadership.

At the same time, Catherine is informed of a letter that her long-time lover, Grigory Potemkin (played by Jason Clarke), has written to her. The letter is intercepted by Count Bezukhov (played by Rory Kinnear), who has his own agenda. Catherine is torn between her love for Potemkin and her sense of duty as Empress.

Meanwhile, her son Paul (played by Joseph Quinn) and his wife Natalia (played by Gwilym Lee) continue to plot against Catherine. They want to overthrow her and take the throne for themselves. Paul is angry with his mother for neglecting him, and he sees Natalia as his saving grace.

Catherine seeks the advice of her confidante, Prince Grigory Orlov (played by Richard Roxburgh), and together they hatch a plan to deal with the letter and the unrest. They decide to hold a public meeting where Catherine will address her people directly.

At the meeting, Catherine delivers a rousing speech that wins over the hearts and minds of her people. She publicly addresses the unrest and assures them that she has their best interests at heart. The crowd cheers for her and she realizes that she has regained their trust.

After the meeting, Catherine confronts Potemkin about the letter. He explains that he wrote it out of love for her, but that he understands her position as Empress. Catherine is touched by his words and the two embrace.

Meanwhile, Count Bezukhov is revealed to be working with Paul and Natalia to undermine Catherine's rule. He informs them of her plans and they begin plotting their next move.

In the end, Catherine is faced with the realization that she must always put the welfare of her people before her personal feelings. She understands that as Empress, she must make difficult decisions for the good of all.

"The Letter" is a powerful episode that showcases the many challenges Catherine faced during her reign. It highlights her strength as a leader and her unwavering dedication to her people. The episode also delves into the complicated relationships she had with those closest to her and how those relationships were often at odds with her duty as Empress.