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The Best Episodes of The Great

Every episode of The Great ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of The Great!

Binge this in 1d 1h•Peaking at 8.4/10

A genre-bending, anti-historical ride through 18th century Russia following the rise of Catherine the Nothing to Catherine the Great and her explosive relationship with husband Peter, the emperor of Russia.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    The Great Season 1 Episode 1 - The Great
    8.4/10(265 votes)

    #1 - The Great

    S1:E1

    In 1761, Catherine travels to Russia and becomes the Empress by marrying the Emperor of Russia, Peter. With hopes of marrying a great love, Catherine soon realizes Peter is a selfish brat who stands against everything she values. Catherine is feeling hopeless and verging on suicide when her servant, Marial, presents her with an alternative path – to overthrow Peter.

    Director:Matt Shakman
    Writer:Tony McNamara

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  2. The Great Season 2 Episode 1 - Heads It's Me
    8.1/10(31 votes)

    #2 - Heads It's Me

    S2:E1

    Four 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.

    Director:Colin Bucksey
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. The Great Season 1 Episode 2 - A Fake Beard
    7.8/10(54 votes)

    #3 - A Fake Beard

    S1:E2

    Catherine takes her first steps toward a coup. Taking advice from Marial, she attempts to seduce and recruit palace intellectual Count Orlo. It's a disaster. However, after seeing Peter's brutal treatment of local nobles and unwillingness to listen, he decides to join Catherine's coup.

    Director:Colin Bucksey
    Writer:Tony McNamara

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  4. The Great Season 1 Episode 8 - Meatballs at the Dacha
    7.8/10(18 votes)

    #4 - Meatballs at the Dacha

    S1:E8

    Catherine's political abilities are tested when she's given an opportunity to travel abroad with Peter and Velementov to discuss ending the war with Swedish king. Velementov finally sees the potential of her leadership and decides to support the coup. Back at the palace, Leo wants to leave court. Marial tries to keep him there by telling him about the coup.

    Director:Colin Bucksey
    Writer:Tony McNamara

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  5. The Great Season 3 Episode 1 - The Bullet or the Bear
    7.8/10(40 votes)

    #5 - The Bullet or the Bear

    S3:E1

    Catherine and Peter seek some marriage guidance after the chaotic events of the previous day left them in an awkward place in their relationship.

    Director:Matthew Moore
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. The Great Season 2 Episode 10 - Wedding
    7.6/10(13 votes)

    #6 - Wedding

    S2:E10

    Catherine makes a devastating discovery about Peter before traveling to the war front for a meeting with the Sultan. Peter considers his options now Catherine knows his secret and all parties come together for a final showdown at Marial's wedding.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Great

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  7. The Great Season 2 Episode 2 - Dickhead
    7.5/10(14 votes)

    #7 - Dickhead

    S2:E2

    Catherine, Orlo and Velementov begin their rule of Russia and unexpected obstacles appear. Peter is on a journey of self-improvement under house arrest but convinces Catherine to let him attend her coronation and hand over his crown.

    Director:Colin Bucksey
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. The Great Season 1 Episode 5 - War and Vomit
    7.4/10(25 votes)

    #8 - War and Vomit

    S1:E5

    As the war with Sweden continues to rage, Catherine and Aunt Elizabeth visit the military at the Russian front. Seeing the soldiers reminds Catherine of her goal to rule Russia differently. Grigor struggles with Peter and Georgina's relationship and poisons Peter to end it. When Peter falls ill, Velementov, Orlo, and Marial all try to influence Catherine's steps toward takeover as Peter's life hangs in the balance.

    Director:Ben Chessell
    Writer:James Wood

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  9. The Great Season 1 Episode 10 - The Beaver's Nose
    7.4/10(22 votes)

    #9 - The Beaver's Nose

    S1:E10

    Catherine's decides to move forward with the coup on her birthday. Peter isn't so easily overcome and holds Leo hostage as collateral. In exchange for a return to her status, Marial betrays Catherine to Peter and tells him that she is pregnant. Catherine realizes that the only chance for a greater Russia is to fight, without Leo. The battle begins.

    Director:Geeta Patel
    Writer:Tony McNamara

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  10. The Great Season 1 Episode 9 - Love Hurts
    7.3/10(20 votes)

    #10 - Love Hurts

    S1:E9

    Tensions mount as Catherine, Orlo, Velementov, Leo, and Marial try to get regional counts on board with the coup. A few of the men end up killed. When a body is discovered later, Peter decides to torture everyone at the palace to find the murderous traitors. Marial buckles under the pressure and confides in Archie about Catherine's plans. Catherine realizes she is pregnant.

    Director:Geeta Patel
    Writer:Tony McNamara

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  11. The Great Season 1 Episode 6 - Parachute
    7.0/10(22 votes)

    #11 - Parachute

    S1:E6

    Peter has a new lease on life after his near-death experience. He is open to Catherine's progressive ideas of introducing art and science to court and wants to focus on an heir. Orlo tries to figure out who poisoned Peter and faces demons of his own.

    Director:Ben Chessell
    Writer:Tony McNamara

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  12. The Great Season 2 Episode 3 - Alone at Last
    7.0/10(13 votes)

    #12 - Alone at Last

    S2:E3

    Catherine's grief over the loss of Leo during the coup finally catches up with her. Peter's part in Leo's death, and the discovery that he just murdered a noble, causes Catherine to lock Peter in his apartments with only his mummified mother for company.

    Director:Zetna Fuentes
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. The Great Season 1 Episode 4 - Moscow Mule
    6.9/10(29 votes)

    #13 - Moscow Mule

    S1:E4

    Catherine tries to manage her reputation at court and her relationship with Leo, both of which distract her from the coup. Meanwhile, the influential Patriarch of the church dies, and a new one must be chosen. Orlo sees an opportunity to try and influence Peter in the decision, and Archie makes moves.

    Directors:Bertie, Bert
    Writers:Tony McNamara, Tess Morris

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  14. The Great Season 1 Episode 7 - A Pox on Hope
    6.9/10(20 votes)

    #14 - A Pox on Hope

    S1:E7

    Catherine feels optimistic about peaceful coexistence with Peter and their increasing chemistry. When smallpox breaks out in the servant's quarters, however, Peter reverts to his old ways. Meanwhile, Leo and Catherine's relationship suffers and Georgina misses Peter.

    Director:Colin Bucksey
    Writers:Tony McNamara, Gretel Vella

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  15. The Great Season 2 Episode 8 - Seven Days
    6.9/10(11 votes)

    #15 - Seven Days

    S2:E8

    Elizabeth pronounces that Catherine's baby will be born in 7 days and the court begins preparations involving rituals for Peter and Catherine. Conflict with the Ottomans heightens, and Catherine tries to run the country while on forced bed rest.

    Director:Ally Pankiw
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. The Great Season 3 Episode 10 - Once Upon a Time
    6.9/10(9 votes)

    #16 - Once Upon a Time

    S3:E10

    Catherine meets court scientist Nikolai, who announces a comet is about to pass through Russia. She uses this phenomenon to her advantage and in the face of some huge challenges, unearths a new side of her leadership.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. The Great Season 2 Episode 5 - Animal Instincts
    6.8/10(12 votes)

    #17 - Animal Instincts

    S2:E5

    A crocodile roams the court, and Archie sends everyone into uproar by suggesting it might be an omen against Catherine's leadership.

    Director:Matthew Moore
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. The Great Season 3 Episode 7 - Fun
    6.8/10(12 votes)

    #18 - Fun

    S3:E7

    Catherine wants to bring more fun to the court. With Georgina's help she stages a festival of truth, jokes and stunningly clever ideas. Katya puts on a play that challenges Catherine's reign, and Catherine samples Peter's invention of salty desserts.

    Director:Matthew Moore
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. The Great Season 2 Episode 4 - The Devil's Lunch
    6.7/10(14 votes)

    #19 - The Devil's Lunch

    S2:E4

    The Ottoman Ambassador pays Catherine a visit as tensions between the regions run high. But Peter fights to win his allegiance and prove to the court he is more fun than Catherine, in an attempt to destabilize her by throwing a baby shower.

    Director:Zetna Fuentes
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. The Great Season 2 Episode 9 - Walnut Season
    6.7/10(10 votes)

    #20 - Walnut Season

    S2:E9

    Catherine and Peter are co-parenting their newborn son, Paul, with the help of Elizabeth and trying to avoid their feelings for each other. When Paul goes missing, Peter and Catherine are driven together in their quest to find him.

    Director:Colin Bucksey
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. The Great Season 2 Episode 7 - Stapler
    6.6/10(9 votes)

    #21 - Stapler

    S2:E7

    Catherine's team is falling apart and she begins doubting her reign when her mother comes to visit. She works hard to hide the realities of the court from her mother and puts on a science fair for which Russia must come up with the best invention.

    Director:Ally Pankiw
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. The Great Season 3 Episode 6 - Ice
    6.6/10(11 votes)

    #22 - Ice

    S3:E6

    Catherine tries to persuade Peter to come home whilst Hugo re-doubles his attempts to regain his kingdom. Georgina continues to play her complicated court games.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. The Great Season 1 Episode 3 - And You Sir, Are No Peter the Great
    6.5/10(31 votes)

    #23 - And You Sir, Are No Peter the Great

    S1:E3

    Catherine, Orlo and Marial continue their coup planning. They try to recruit an unhappy military general, Velementov, for their cause during palace celebrations honoring Peter's late father, Peter the Great. Peter, noting Catherine's unhappiness at court, gifts Catherine a sterile lover, Leo. She's hesitant at first, but Leo manages to charm her.

    Directors:Bertie, Bert
    Writer:Tony McNamara

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  24. The Great Season 3 Episode 4 - Stag
    6.5/10(11 votes)

    #24 - Stag

    S3:E4

    Arkady and Tatyana help Peter and Catherine through a rough patch as they clash over their son Paul. Catherine fears Paul will grow up to be a ruthless and careless leader and Archie and Elizabeth are alarmed when Catherine refuses to ordain him.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. The Great Season 3 Episode 8 - Peter and the Wolf
    6.5/10(11 votes)

    #25 - Peter and the Wolf

    S3:E8

    Catherine introduces divorce to the court with unforeseen consequences. Grigor befriends Maxim and goes stag hunting, and Elizabeth and Petrov go on a trip to the regions.

    Director:Matthew Moore
    Writers:Tony McNamara, Ava Pickett

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Best Episodes Summary

"The Great" is the best rated episode of "The Great". It scored 8.4/10 based on 265 votes. Directed by Matt Shakman and written by Tony McNamara, it aired on 5/15/2020. This episode scored 0.3 points higher than the second highest rated, "Heads It's Me".