Ep 8. Meatballs at the Dacha

The Great season 1 episode 8 is titled "Meatballs at the Dacha." This episode follows Catherine as she tries to win over her new husband Peter's affections. With her friend and advisor Marial by her side, Catherine ventures to Peter's country estate known as the "dacha." Here, the couple tries to bond over Peter's love of hunting and Catherine's attempts to impress his friends.

However, things quickly take a turn when Catherine realizes the true nature of Peter's hunting practices. She becomes increasingly disturbed by the sport and the cavalier attitude towards animal life held by Peter and his friends. Catherine must navigate her own revulsion while trying to maintain a veneer of enjoyment to keep Peter happy.

At the same time, other political tensions are brewing in the court. Archie and Orlo confront Anton, the head of the secret police, about his violent tactics and atrocities. Meanwhile, Georgina runs into trouble with her own schemes when it is revealed that she has been leaking confidential information to the Archbishop.

As the episode unfolds, tensions rise among the various characters. Catherine's attempts to win over Peter become increasingly fraught, while the political turmoil threatens to unravel the fragile peace of the court. Yet despite this, the episode manages to balance these many different storylines and maintain a strong sense of momentum and tension.

Overall, "Meatballs at the Dacha" is a compelling and emotionally charged episode that showcases the strengths of the series as a whole. With its intricate plotting, excellent cast, and strong character development, The Great continues to be a standout period drama.