Ep 2. Episode 2

Ekaterina: The Rise of Catherine the Great is a Russian historical drama television series that tells the story of Catherine the Great's rise to power in 18th century Russia. Season 1 Episode 2 titled "Episode 2", delves deeper into the twisted political dynamics of the Russian court, as Catherine tries to navigate through the treacherous waters in her pursuit of power.

The episode opens with Catherine still struggling to win over her adulterous husband, Tsar Peter III, who seems disinterested in both her and the throne. Despite this, Catherine remains determined to claim her place as the rightful ruler of Russia and enlists the help of her confidante and ally, Countess Vorontsova to proxy for her at court.

Meanwhile, the powerful rumblings of the Russian nobility begin to threaten the stability of the already fragile state. Count Panin, the ambitious former tutor of Peter III and leader of the aristocrats, sees Catherine as a mere footnote in the grand scheme of things and plots her downfall. He is aided by the cunning and power-hungry Princess Dashkova, who seeks to gain favour with the Tsar and stake her own claim to the throne.

As Catherine realizes the danger she faces from the duplicitous Countess Vorontsova, she starts to take drastic steps to secure her position. She reaches out to an unlikely ally, the Prussian ambassador, who offers to support her in her bid for power in exchange for her help in securing the Prussian-Russian alliance against Austria.

Catherine is beginning to realize that the way to the top is not going to be a smooth ride. She tries desperately to hold onto her newfound allies while maintaining a veneer of civility around her detractors. She also realizes that she may have to resort to dirty tactics to reach the top. All her hopes might be dashed when the Tsar discovers her true intentions.

As the episode progresses, the political tension and intrigue continue to build up to a thrilling climax. The aristocrats struggle for power draws closer and Catherine's fate - and that of the country - hangs in the balance. A betrayal of trust and the sheer desperation to maintain a profile creates an atmosphere of intense uncertainty, which keeps the audience at the edge of their seats.

Overall, Ekaterina: The Rise of Catherine the Great Season 1 Episode 2 delivers an outstanding ensemble performance that captures the suspense that existed in the Russian royal court. The episode does a great job of showing how personal ambition and thirst for power can fuel political scheming in the highest echelons of society and highlights how Catherine the Great overcame these obstacles in her quest for ultimate power. It's a must-watch for anyone who loves period dramas, political intrigues, and great acting.