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Catherine

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A Wild Ride with Catherine the Great, but Poor Acting from Favorites Makes Them Hard to Watch

Name: A Wild Ride with Catherine the Great, but Poor Acting from Favorites Makes Them Hard to Watch
Item: Catherine
Rating: 4
Author: tomWalker7

summarizeEditor's Summary

I finally got around to watching the TV series 'Catherine the Great', which spans multiple seasons and delivers on its promise of lavish sets and stunning scenery. But unfortunately, the acting from some of my favorite actors fell flat, making it hard to fully invest in the story. The season consists of 12 episodes, and its slogan - 'I will reign or perish...' - sets the tone for a wild ride. I appreciate the attention to detail in the costumes and production quality, but the acting issues hold it back. The show's visuals are a major draw, transporting you to 18th-century Russia, and the themes of power, politics, and relationships are thought-provoking and timely. However, the pacing can be slow at times, making it feel like a slog to get through some episodes, and some of the characters feel underdeveloped, making it hard to connect with them.

settingsSpecifications

Konular{'Bölüm Kalitesi': 8, 'Hikaye Kalitesi': 9, 'Tarihî Gerçekler': 7, 'Karar': 'İyi'}

key_emotionDelighted

overall_sentimentPositive

I finally got around to watching the TV series 'Catherine the Great', which spans multiple seasons and this is the first season.

With so many different TV interpretations of this great queen out lately, I decided to see how Catherine II was portrayed by the creators of this series.

The season consists of 12 episodes and its slogan is:

"I will reign or perish…"

What I loved

1. The locations are absolutely stunning. It's clear that a lot of money was invested in the production.

They didn't skimp on the costumes either. In general, it's a real treat for the eyes.

2. The storytelling is extremely engaging. The plot is interesting, suspenseful, and never dull. There are intrigues, conspiracies, and constant tension.

3. I learned a lot of interesting facts that I later verified on Wikipedia. For example, it was Catherine who ordered the Cossacks to attack Turkish cities and burn them down, and how much she loved birds – we see her standing by bird cages with peacocks running around in the series.

One of my favorite things about this show is the masquerade parties where women dress up as men and vice versa - it's a fun little side activity that I think my friends and family found a bit weird.

4. I loved that many historical figures from our country and others are featured in the show.

Take Friedrich, the King of Prussia, who was a favorite of Peter the Great.

Alexei Bestuzhev-Ryumin, played by Vladimir Menchov, is one of the Russian nobles.

Nikolai Kozak, as the head of the Secret Chancellery under Count Alexander Shuvalov, is another great character.

Constantin Lavronenko, as the royal physician Lestocq, is another standout performance.

Alexei Razumovsky, played by Alexander Lazarev Jr., is another great character.

What I liked 50/50

1. The acting was hit or miss for me. Julia Aug in the role of Elizabeth really stood out - she's got a striking resemblance to Natalya Gundareva.

She embodied the regal charisma of a tsarina perfectly. The way she carried herself, her gestures, and her stride all screamed 'imperial power'. I found myself believing I was watching a formidable empress.

Marina Alexandrovna as Catherine got lost in the shuffle, and I'd say the first season is more about Elizabeth than Catherine. Marina Alexandrova as the young Fyodorova who rose from poverty to wealth is decent, but I feel she lacked the talent to transform into a powerful woman.

Julia Snigir, who played Catherine in another project, was more convincing. Even in appearance, Marina Alexandrovna doesn't resemble Catherine II from the famous portraits I've seen. I've got to say, Alexander Yatsenko as Peter III was a standout for me. He nailed the complex, eccentric personality of his character, who was initially way off for the role of Russian ruler - and he knew it. He just wasn't into the whole Russian thing.

Anastasia Korolkova as Elizabeth Vorontsova was eerily similar to the real-life prototype.

But, honestly, Catherine's favorites were a major letdown for me. Sergei Saltykov as played by Rinat Mukhametov was a hard sell from the get-go. He just seemed off, like he was stuck in a role that didn't suit him. He and Catherine's love story didn't convince me at all.

I was pleasantly surprised to see Aleksey Vorobyev as Prince Stanislaw Poniatowski, the Polish ambassador to Russia. He played the part like he was channeling himself, if you know what I mean.

But what really turned me off was the role of Sergey Strelkov as Grigory Orlov. I'm glad they replaced him in the second season.

2. The film is historical, but there are moments that are exaggerated for a more visually appealing presentation.

I was surprised by how unconvincing the story of trying to poison Catherine looked. Plus, it's well-documented that she called an Orthodox doctor when she got severely ill as a child. But that moment was surprisingly glossed over.

I was also surprised by how calm everyone was when Peter got smallpox, especially since Catherine was terrified of it since childhood and even got a vaccine on her own risk. But here, the heir gets smallpox in the palace and everyone's just chill, no panic whatsoever.

The story of Ivan VI's death was also pretty muddled, it felt like they just wanted to wrap it up quickly in this season.

Lomonosov was weirdly portrayed as a smallpox fighter, when you could've shown and told more about his other notable achievements.

Overall, I think the film does a good job of depicting the main historical events - Catherine's mother's exile.

Overall, the first season of the 'Catherine the Great' series is a wild ride. I think a lot of it has to do with the performances of Yuliya Aug and Aleksandr Yatsenko.

Now, I'm not saying it's 100% historically accurate, but this is a work of fiction, not a documentary. And let's be real, we'll never know for sure what really went down with any historical figure - there are always secrets and uncertainties. Take Elizabeth's kids, for example - some historians say there were a few, while others claim there were none. And as for Catherine's kids, well, that's a whole other can of worms.

live_helpFeatured FAQ

Is the TV series 'Catherine the Great' based on a true story?

Yes, the show is based on the life of Catherine the Great, the Empress of Russia from 1762 to 1796. While it takes some creative liberties, it's generally accurate in its portrayal of historical events.

Who plays Catherine the Great in the TV series?

The role of Catherine the Great is played by the talented actress Helen Mirren. She brings a depth and nuance to the character that's impressive to watch.

How many seasons of 'Catherine the Great' are there?

There is only one season of 'Catherine the Great', consisting of 12 episodes. Unfortunately, it was cancelled after one season, but it's still worth watching for its historical significance and production quality.

What are the themes of the TV series 'Catherine the Great'?

The show explores themes of power, politics, relationships, and identity. It's a complex and thought-provoking exploration of what it means to be a woman in a patriarchal society.

Is the TV series 'Catherine the Great' suitable for all ages?

No, the show contains some mature themes, including violence, sex, and strong language. It's recommended for viewers 16 and older.

Can I stream the TV series 'Catherine the Great'?

Yes, 'Catherine the Great' is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. You can also purchase individual episodes or the entire season on Amazon Video.

What are some similar TV shows to 'Catherine the Great'?

If you enjoyed 'Catherine the Great', you might also like 'The Crown', 'Victoria', and 'Outlander'. These shows all explore historical events and figures, with a focus on strong female leads.

Is the TV series 'Catherine the Great' worth watching?

It depends on your interests and preferences. If you're a fan of historical dramas or strong female leads, you might enjoy 'Catherine the Great'. However, if you're looking for a more lighthearted show, you might want to look elsewhere.

check_circlePros

•The locations are absolutely stunning, with a clear investment in production quality.
•The costumes are a real treat for the eyes, with a lot of attention to detail.
•The show's visuals are a major draw, transporting you to 18th-century Russia.
•The themes of power, politics, and relationships are thought-provoking and timely.
•The production quality is top-notch, with high-quality cinematography and editing.
•The show's ability to balance action, drama, and romance is impressive.
•The show's attention to historical detail is impressive, making it feel like a true period drama.
•The chemistry between the leads is undeniable, making their relationships feel authentic and real.

cancelCons

•The acting from some of my favorite actors fell flat, making it hard to fully invest in the story.
•The pacing can be slow at times, making it feel like a slog to get through some episodes.
•Some of the characters feel underdeveloped, making it hard to connect with them.
•The show's reliance on historical events can feel heavy-handed at times.
•The dialogue can be clunky at times, feeling like it's trying too hard to be clever.
•The show's inability to deliver on its promise of a strong female lead is disappointing.
•The show's lack of character development makes it hard to become invested in the story.
•The show's overemphasis on historical events can make it feel like a history lesson rather than a drama.

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