Ep 9. Love Hurts

In episode 9 of The Great season 1, titled "Love Hurts," tensions soar as Catherine and Peter's dysfunctional marriage reaches a boiling point. After being betrayed by Peter's latest mistress, Catherine must navigate the heartbreak and betrayal while also dealing with the aftermath of her father's death.

As the episode begins, the mood is somber as Catherine reflects on the loss of her father. However, her grief is quickly interrupted by the arrival of Archie, Peter's latest mistress. Archie announces that she is pregnant with Peter's child and demands that Catherine accept her as the new queen of Russia. Catherine is disgusted by Archie's audacity and decides to take matters into her own hands.

Meanwhile, Peter is struggling to cope with the loss of his father and turns to alcohol to ease his pain. He becomes increasingly erratic and abusive towards those around him, including Catherine. Their already strained relationship begins to deteriorate further as Peter lashes out at Catherine for not being able to provide him with an heir.

As the tension between Catherine and Peter reaches a breaking point, Catherine receives an unexpected visitor - Orlo, who has come to offer his condolences for her father's death. Catherine and Orlo share a tender moment and Catherine realizes that she has feelings for him.

However, their budding romance is cut short when Peter catches them embracing. Enraged, he threatens to have Orlo executed and Catherine is forced to choose between her love for Orlo and her loyalty to her husband and Russia.

Meanwhile, Marial is struggling with her own demons as she comes to terms with the fact that she has fallen in love with Grigor. Despite her reservations about their class differences, Marial finally allows herself to be vulnerable and confesses her feelings to Grigor.

As the episode draws to a close, Catherine is forced to make a difficult decision that will have far-reaching consequences for her future and the future of Russia. Will she choose her heart or her duty?

"Love Hurts" is a dramatic and emotional episode that explores the complicated relationships between Catherine, Peter, and their closest allies. It is a testament to the show's ability to balance humor and tragedy, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats as they follow Catherine's journey towards greatness.