Stalin Rains on Ewan McGregor’s Parade in ‘A Gentleman in Moscow’

At the beginning of A Gentleman in Moscow’s episode, Alexander (Ewan McGregor) stands at the edge of the Metropol Hotel’s roof. He looks like he’s about to jump into the night. Those godforsaken communists are ruining everything! Right before he can make that fatal tumble, though, we go back in time—from Alexander’s 1,667th day at the hotel back to his 1,638th day. Let’s see how he got to this low point during his stay at the Metropol.

We’re back on the roof; now, it’s daytime, and Alexander is happily stretching. Up atop the building, the Count meets Abram (Dermot Crowley), the roof’s caretaker who takes a liking to Alexander. The pair share a sliver of honeycomb off Abram’s beehive while fretting about the sounds of explosions going off in the distance. Outside, we learn, Russia has crumbled following the death of Lenin. But inside the Metropol Hotel, all is…well, strained, but still somewhat alright.

An older Nina (Leah Balmforth) visits Alexander at the hotel. The pair bond over some chess and more fiery arguments—since Nina has aged up, she’s developed her own opinions. The pair discuss whether or not Napoleon would’ve ever been able to conquer Europe. Sasha thinks that, yes, if he didn’t have those weird maternal issues, he’d have been able to. But Nina believes that, in any circumstance, the people would’ve risen to take him down.

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