2. A Fake Beard -

: Catherine attempts to seduce and then persuade Orlo to help her overthrow Peter. After initial resistance and a failed attempt to flee, Orlo joins her when he realizes she offers a path to an enlightened Russia.

"" is the second episode of the first season of the satirical historical drama series The Great . It originally aired on May 15, 2020, on Hulu. Episode Summary 2. A Fake Beard

: The episode further establishes Peter's volatile nature, including his obsession with "beard taxes" and his bizarre methods of maintaining control over his nobles. Production Details Director : Colin Bucksey Writer : Tony McNamara Runtime : 53 minutes : Catherine attempts to seduce and then persuade

: Marial, a former noblewoman turned servant, continues to mentor Catherine in the brutal and eccentric politics of the Russian court. It originally aired on May 15, 2020, on Hulu

Following her discovery of the Empress's portrait and the realization of Peter's incompetence, Catherine begins her quest for power by attempting to organize a coup. Her primary focus is recruiting , a neurotic intellectual, to her cause. Key Plot Points

: Peter forces his religious advisor, Archie, to find a "divine sign" to justify a war, highlighting the tension between the church and Peter's whims.