Home > The Great > Season 1 « TV Series Page The Great: Season 1 (2020) Want to see Episode List Season 1 The Great Critics Consensus The Great can't quite live up to its namesake, but delicious performances from Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult and a wicked sense of humor make it a pretty good watch. 88% TOMATOMETER Critic Ratings: 75 84% Audience Score User Ratings: 273 See score details Rate And Review Submit review Want to see Edit Submit review Super Reviewer Verified Super Reviewer Verified Edit Super Reviewer Rate this season Oof, that was Rotten. Meh, it passed the time. It’s good – I’d recommend it. Awesome! So Fresh: Absolute Must See! What did you think of this tv season? (optional) Submit Continue Super Reviewer Step 2 of 2 How did you buy your ticket? Let's get your review verified. Submit By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie. You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket. Super Reviewer Rate this season Oof, that was Rotten. Meh, it passed the time. It’s good – I’d recommend it. Awesome! So Fresh: Absolute Must See! What did you think of this tv season? (optional) Submit How did you buy your ticket? Submit By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie. Episodes 1 The Gift Air date: May 15, 2020 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. More 2 The Beard Air date: May 15, 2020 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. More 3 And You Sir, Are No Peter the Great Air date: May 15, 2020 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. More 4 Moscow Mule Air date: May 15, 2020 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. More 5 War and Vomit Air date: May 15, 2020 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. More 6 Parachute Air date: May 15, 2020 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. More 7 A Pox on Hope Air date: May 15, 2020 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. More 8 Meatballs at the Dacha Air date: May 15, 2020 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. More 9 Love Hurts Air date: May 15, 2020 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. More 10 The Beaver's Nose Air date: May 15, 2020 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. More Tv Season Info Genre: Drama Network: Hulu Premiere Date: May 15, 2020 Creator: Tony McNamara Exec. Producers: Tony McNamara, Marian Macgowan, Josh Kesselman, Ron West, Brittany Kahan Ward, Doug Mankoff, Andrew Spaulding, Elle Fanning, Mark Winemaker, Matt Shakman Cast Elle Fanning as Catherine Nicholas Hoult as Peter Phoebe Fox Adam Godley Gwilym Lee Charity Wakefield Douglas Hodge Sacha Dhawan Sebastian De Souza Bayo Gbadamosi Belinda Bromilow Show More Cast News & Interviews for The Great: Season 1 TV Premiere Dates 2020 View All The Great: Season 1 News Episodes 1 The Gift Air date: May 15, 2020 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. More 2 The Beard Air date: May 15, 2020 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. More 3 And You Sir, Are No Peter the Great Air date: May 15, 2020 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. More 4 Moscow Mule Air date: May 15, 2020 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. More 5 War and Vomit Air date: May 15, 2020 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. More 6 Parachute Air date: May 15, 2020 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. More 7 A Pox on Hope Air date: May 15, 2020 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. More 8 Meatballs at the Dacha Air date: May 15, 2020 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. More 9 Love Hurts Air date: May 15, 2020 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. More 10 The Beaver's Nose Air date: May 15, 2020 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. More Critic Reviews for The Great Season 1 All Critics (75) | Top Critics (26) | Fresh (66) | Rotten (9) McNamara -- along with Fanning and Hoult, whose fine-tuned performances turn Peter and Catherine's contentious relationship into a complex frenemy-ship -- focuses on how power, and the comfort that comes with it, can corrupt them both. May 21, 2020 | Full Review… Shirley Li The Atlantic Top Critic Reality is rarely as funny as this sparkling period satire, set in mid-18th century Russia amid a sneaky coup d'état that plays out like a Scooby gang caper (with wigs). May 14, 2020 | Full Review… Matthew Gilbert Boston Globe Top Critic As with McNamara's justly celebrated screenplay for The Favourite, it's the emotional honesty of The Great that allows the comedy to land so viciously. May 13, 2020 | Full Review… Allison Shoemaker RogerEbert.com Top Critic "The Great" doesn't exactly live up to the title. Fanning and crew work wonders, but it's unclear who this series is aimed at. May 11, 2020 | Rating: C- | Full Review… Kristen Lopez indieWire Top Critic "The Great" is an engaging historical satire that resonates thanks to its vision of courtly debauchery and the tremendous acting by Fanning, Hoult and the rest of the cast. May 15, 2020 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review… Robert Levin Newsday Top Critic The most pleasant surprise here is Fanning, a skilled dramatic actor who hasn't had many chances to show her comedy chops over the course of her career. May 15, 2020 | Full Review… Glen Weldon NPR Top Critic What's a minor flaw among so much that is glorious? I only wish there could be a ten more great seasons of The Great, which thus far isn't even confirmed for a second season. Jun 23, 2020 | Full Review… Eileen Jones The Jacobin Despite the modern twist, however, this wasn't history dumbed down - it was too vicious, too interested in cracking jokes about Descartes for that. Not panto horseplay, then, more a satirical cartoon come to bulbous, bulging life. Jun 23, 2020 | Full Review… Victoria Segal Sunday Times (UK) This is a show that you will want to binge, but we firmly recommend that you don't; it's strong stuff in places and we advise that you take your time and enjoy it. Jun 23, 2020 | Rating: 8/10 | Full Review… Ed Fortune Starburst It twists history to serve its own purpose, rather than let facts dictate its narrative. The result is a refreshing interpretation of royal drama that's great enough to get away with rewriting the story of Catherine The Great. Jun 19, 2020 | Full Review… Alexis Nedd Mashable When Hoult and Fanning are going at it hammer and tongs, the air ignites. So not completely great, but pretty darn good. To coin Peter's catchphrase: 'Huzzah!' Jun 19, 2020 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review… Keith Watson Metro (UK) A wonderful and exquisitely anachronistic satire that knows how to play with its two protagonists and their antagonism. [Full Review in Spanish] Jun 18, 2020 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review… Alberto Carlos Espinof View All Critic Reviews (75) Audience Reviews for The Great: Season 1 1d ago Disappointing. Hard to accept Russian monarchs behaving like more doltish members of the British aristocracy. Too much gratuitous sex, not enough story. Indrani G 2d ago sophomoric. frat boy humor. Quit after 4 episodes Charles H 6d ago I signed up this page only to rate the great 5 out of 5 this show is f**king great ... Hazzah!! Kyungmin L Jun 27, 2020 I did not like the movie "The Favorite" but like this. I suspect that is because the leading man is stupid rather than the leading woman. It's outrageous like "What We Do in the Shadows" is outrageous. Half-hour episodes might work better in this case, too. Parrish H Jun 22, 2020 One of the best shows I've ever watched! Such a brilliant mix of genres with amazing characters and performances all round. And such brilliant writing! Jayd S Jun 21, 2020 Phenomenal show. Superb writing and use of intelligent dialogue to create a very funny and highly enjoyable show. Jake L Jun 20, 2020 This could be a very fun show if the writer didn't insist on using the F**K word in every other sentence. Nothing prudish in this comment - it is just entirely superfluous and tedious to hear it spoken in every bit of dialog. Must be something from McNamara's (writer) childhood that makes him feel this is necessary. Yawn... so tiring (he probably thinks it's radical!). Otherwise enjoyable. Dennis M Jun 20, 2020 Hoult is hilarious. A few 'fucks' too many, satire doesn't need that. But overall entertaining. Saskia G Jun 17, 2020 I feel like this show missed the mark on what it could have been by trying to appeal to TOO many audiences. Their loose take on the facts is entertaining without a doubt, and the dialogue is smart and well written. However the credibility is lost in the amount of swearing and Huzzahs that have been added. You will have a sharp exchange between characters followed by what feels like an eternity of huzzahs to follow. It feels like they are trying to capture an audience that won't appreciate the witty conversations by dumbing it down with f-bombs and huzzah every other sentence. It was a bit much in my opinion. In the middle of a pandemic, it's a good watch to escape reality. Outside of that scenario I don't think I would have been able to stay invested. Kris F Jun 16, 2020 This show is just great TV. Everything about it is fantastically done. The story that doesn't take itself seriously and yet is relatively serious. Not pretending to be historically accurate, and yet captures an autocrats court in a believable way. The sets and costumes and production quality is five star. The ever effervescent and optimistic Catherine, the autocrat Peter who thinks everyone loves him, and the cast of character that surround them are all perfect. The season finale is just fantastic and leaves you wanting more. James C See all Audience reviews News & Features 200 Erotic Movies Coming attractions for you 2020's Most Anticipated Movies What and when to watch Video Game Movies Ranked 43 ranked worst to best Best Netflix Series and Shows What to watch right now More News & Features TOP HEADLINES All Upcoming Disney Movies: New Disney Live-Action, Animation, Pixar, Marvel, and More – Rotten Tomatoes The Best Quibi Shows to Stream Now – Rotten Tomatoes The 64 Most Anticipated Movies of 2020 – Rotten Tomatoes Sundance 2020 Movie Scorecard – Rotten Tomatoes Everything We Know About The Lord of the Rings Amazon Series – Rotten Tomatoes 2019 Rotten Movies We Love – Rotten Tomatoes The 50 Most Anticipated Movies of 2021 – Rotten Tomatoes 100 Fresh Movies You Can Watch for Free Online Right Now – Rotten Tomatoes More Headlines View All Results Go back More trailers
