Ekaterina II: The Rise of Catherine The Great

Six years after Ekaterina has taken the throne, conditions are harsh and Russia faces the threat of famine; the empress prepares to marry her longtime love, Grigory.

Discussing relations between Russia and Poland; Grigory seeks a treatment for his illness; a Turkish ambassador arrives in St. Petersburg.

Ivan Ivanovich takes up a position in Ekaterina's court; Pavel Petrovich and Semyon Andreevich visit the summer palace; Ekaterina keeps her eye on Lieutenant Potemkin.

Grigory ignores the significance of his illness; the empress refuses gifts from the Turkish ambassador; Alexei Orlov begs Ekaterina to accept a rare breed of horse from the Turks.

Nobles dance at a glittering party at the palace as Anna Petrovna storms in, bringing with her a deadly disease; Count Panin succumbs to his gambling vice; Pavel and Alexey become friends.

The Holy Synod attempts to influence Ekaterina's decision about marriage to Grigory; Count Panin upholds Pavel's rights as heir to the throne; the Russian ambassador arrives to a less-than-warm welcome in Constantinople.

Ekaterina visits the imprisoned Anton Ulrich; Pavel is furious with the empress; a stop at Saltykov's farmhouse uncovers damning information; a decision is made on behalf of Nikita Ivanovich.

Information about Count Orlov's sickness is revealed; Ekaterina becomes uneasy with the news and begins to second-guess a marriage to Grigory; although Sofya attempts to curb the passion of Pavel, she successfully becomes pregnant.

The Queen has fallen ill again; Pyotr is in line to succeed her at last.

Russia battles the Ottoman Empire, and their chances seem slim. In the meantime, Ekaterina considers moving the remains of Peter the III to a more honorable place.

Ekaterina makes arrangements for Grigori to leave the palace and confesses her love for Potemkin, urging him to return from the war; Pavel meets three princesses from Denmark, who are visiting in St. Petersburg.

Pavel's new wife is unfaithful, so Ekaterina finds him a German princess; Grigory goes mad; Peter the Great's monument is finally completed.