The Great season 2 episode 1 recap: Did Catherine finally take the throne?

The Great season 2 has officially premiered — with a bang! (Literally. There were quite a few casualties in this first episode.) The season picks up four months after season 1 left off, providing closure for some stories while raising a few new big questions.

Read on to learn what happened in The Great season 2 episode 1, “Heads It’s Me.”

The Great season 2 episode 1 recap: What’s happened since the finale?

In some ways, a lot has happened since the coup started four months ago — Catherine is visibly pregnant now, for one. In other ways, however, not much has changed at all. Though Velementov feels they’re close to a victory, they still can’t quite get to Peter and his group, and Catherine is growing bored and irritated. To make matters worse, there’s still no sign of Leo, despite men looking for him in the woods day and night. At this point, Catherine doesn’t even need to be the one to kill Peter — she just wants him dead by any means necessary.

Though in grave danger, Peter is not at all concerned, continuing to party with the court despite Colonel Svenska and Arkady growing worried. Not only is he unbothered, but he’s more in love with Catherine than ever, impressed by how strategic and smart she is.

Catherine finally suggests that, since they can’t get to Peter, they should instead try to set a fire so he has no choice but to come out. Unfortunately, Peter is not in the vicinity when they set the flame, as he’s convinced Catherine’s doctor to sneak him inside her room in a box. He tries to convince her to give up, claiming he loves and misses her and the baby, but Catherine refuses. She tells Peter his death is imminent — he should give up and save more Russian lives.

The Great season 2 episode 1 recap: Do Catherine and Marial make up?

Among those trapped with Peter is Marial, who is absolutely miserable. The fact that Archie constantly tries to give her Godly pep talks only serves to make her angrier, and she regrets every listening to him. Catherine is feeling her absence as well, as her new maid doesn’t chat or have tea with her. Marial eventually finds a way into Catherine’s room and is still adamant everything she did was to save Catherine. Thankfully, the two put aside their differences and make up.

The Great season 2 episode 1 recap: Whose side is Aunt Elizabeth on?

The Great — “The Devil’s Lunch” – Episode 204 — The Ottoman Ambassador pays Catherine a visit as tensions between the countries run high. Peter throws a baby shower to win his alliance and prove to him and the court that he is more fun than Catherine, and begins his plan to destabilise her. Catherine (Elle Fanning) and Aunt Elizabeth (Belinda Bromilow), shown. (Photo by: Gareth Gatrell/Hulu) /

Though Aunt Elizabeth’s excitement about Catherine’s pregnancy is slightly dampened because it reminds her of Igor (the child she lost), she still proves a great friend to Catherine through it, even protecting her from miscarriages with frogs.

She gives her advice on motherhood as well, telling her that her love for Leo will pale in comparison to what she feels for her child and that she should raise the baby surrounded by love. That’s how she raised Igor, but sadly, that is not how Peter’s parents brought him up.

Catherine warns Elizabeth she may have to go back on her word and kill Peter after all, but Elizabeth is adamant she can take power without murdering him. Peter loves her, after all — she can control him.

The Great season 2 episode 1 recap: Is Leo alive?

The Great — “Heads It’s Me” – Episode 201 — 4 months after she launched a coup against her husband, a pregnant Catherine is gaining the upper hand in her war against Peter. The fact that he is deeply in love with Catherine and their unborn child does little to dissuade her from taking his throne. Catherine (Elle Fanning) and Velementov (Douglas Hodge), shown. (Photo by: Gareth Gatrell/Hulu) /

When Velementov kills Colonel Svenska, Georginia and Grigor realize they’re in trouble and convince Peter to flee. If she can’t find him, they reason, then she can’t kill him and take power. Plus, they may be able to garner support from other regions.

However, since the plan is so hastily put together, they forget one major thing as they head to the country house: food. They have to send someone back to get some, allowing Catherine and her team to follow and locate them. Catherine uses this fact to her advantage, cooking a feast right across the country house moat.

Eventually, the starvation gets to be too much, and Peter sends Georgina across the moat with a white flag. Catherine and Peter eventually agree to terms: Peter will be placed on palace house arrest but get 20 minutes a day with Catherine and the baby. Peter signs the documents, and power is officially transferred to Catherine.

The victory, however, is quickly cut short when Peter mentions he has Leo’s mummified head. The love of Catherine’s life is officially dead, and though the coup was successful, she lost the person who mattered to her most of all.

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