The Great S01e03 < 2025 >

Reviewers from Ready Steady Cut and Vulture note that the show’s "occasionally true" approach to history allows it to focus on contemporary-feeling character arcs. However, some critics from the Chicago Sun-Times find Peter's cruelty hard to stomach as comedy, suggesting that while the satire is sharp, the "machinations of the plot" can feel tedious for those wanting a faster pace.

: The trio attempts to bring the disgruntled General Velementov into the fold during a palace celebration honoring Peter’s late father. His recruitment is a slow burn, highlighting the difficulty of building a rebellion among people who are either too afraid or too intoxicated to care. The Great s01e03

: The introduction of Peter’s nine-year-old half-brother, Ivan , adds a layer of threat. Described as a "possibly psychopathic" child kept locked away, Ivan serves as a reminder of the instability and inherent violence of the Russian line of succession. Episode Review Highlights Reviewers from Ready Steady Cut and Vulture note

Season 1, Episode 3, titled " And You Sir, Are No Peter the Great ," marks a pivotal shift in the series, deepening the psychological stakes of Catherine’s coup and Peter’s fragile ego. While the previous episodes established the "backward" world of the Russian court, this installment begins to peel back the layers of its main characters, offering a rare glimpse of vulnerability in Nicholas Hoult’s otherwise monstrous Peter. Recruitment and Romance His recruitment is a slow burn, highlighting the

If you'd like, I can help you of this episode to the rest of the season or look up fan theories about Leo's impact on Catherine's plans. The Great Recap: Bear Aspirations - Vulture

The central tension of the episode revolves around Catherine, Orlo, and Marial’s slow-moving coup planning.