The Great Episode 1 recap: 5 things we loved in the series premiere

2. The lush production value on the series.

I knew this show would look gorgeous but I’m impressed by just how gorgeous. From the sets to the costumes to the small details, everything is dripping grandeur and opulence, it’s beautiful.

I hope The Great can earn at least a few Emmy nods for the costumes, makeup, and production value alone because it certainly deserves them. One of the main reasons I love period dramas so much is because oftentimes, no expense is spared, and that seems to be the case with The Great.

Even if The Great was bad and only half as entertaining, I’d still be inclined to watch just to stare at the visuals.

1. Catherine hits rock bottom.

It is not that we want to see Catherine suffer, but she has to have her romanticized vision of life married to Peter shattered for her to become the woman who will eventually become one of Russia’s greatest rulers. The Great Episode 1 does a great job at breaking Catherine all the way down.

In the beginning, she’s a fresh-faced young girl with dreams of living a grandiose life of intrigue and influence and by the end, she’s realized she is married to a madman that she hates and is desperate to break free by whatever means necessary. From the dull ladies at the court to Peter’s hideous version of lovemaking, Catherine’s armor is continuously chipped away until she is left with nothing.

I thought the final straw would be Peter burning down Catherine’s small school the second he learned that she planned to make it a girls’ school. Then I thought it would be when he shot her bear in the middle of a party, but then he punches her in the stomach and I thought that was the lowest point.

Finally, she tries to escape and Peter drowns her to make a point. Catherine is driven to self-harm until Marial steps in. Catherine, brimming with renewed vigor after Marial’s pep talk, drops the knife into the bucket and whispers, “Huzzah!” as her path forward, and to be rid of Peter, becomes clear.

What did you think about The Great Episode 1? Are you looking forward to seeing how Catherine begins to adapt to life in the court? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Season 1 of The Great is now streaming on Hulu.