The Great backdrop
Drama•Comedy

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 2h•Peaking at 8.7/10

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.

Airs on
Hulu
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons3

All123

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    The Great Season 2 Episode 10 - Wedding
    8.7/10(1036 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. The Great Season 1 Episode 10 - The Beaver's Nose
    8.4/10(1431 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. The Great Season 2 Episode 6 - A Simple Jape
    8.4/10(955 votes)

    S2:E6

    Catherine is frustrated by the lack of meaningful change in her rule of Russia so far. Seeking to shake the court out of its complacency, she plays a joke on them involving a serf to prove a point, but it gets wildly out of hand with tragic consequences.

    Director:Matthew Moore
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. The Great Season 2 Episode 9 - Walnut Season
    8.4/10(837 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. The Great Season 1 Episode 8 - Meatballs at the Dacha
    8.3/10(1324 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. The Great Season 1 Episode 9 - Love Hurts
    8.2/10(1234 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Great

    READ
  7. The Great Season 2 Episode 8 - Seven Days
    8.2/10(848 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. The Great Season 2 Episode 1 - Heads It's Me
    8.1/10(1080 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. The Great Season 2 Episode 2 - Dickhead
    8.1/10(943 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. The Great Season 3 Episode 10 - Once Upon a Time
    8.1/10(730 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. The Great Season 1 Episode 7 - A Pox on Hope
    8.0/10(1278 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. The Great Season 2 Episode 3 - Alone at Last
    8.0/10(890 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. The Great Season 2 Episode 5 - Animal Instincts
    8.0/10(867 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. The Great Season 2 Episode 7 - Stapler
    8.0/10(844 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. The Great Season 1 Episode 1 - The Great
    7.9/10(2391 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. The Great Season 1 Episode 5 - War and Vomit
    7.8/10(1351 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. The Great Season 1 Episode 6 - Parachute
    7.8/10(1285 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. The Great Season 3 Episode 2 - Choose Your Weapon
    7.8/10(610 votes)

    S3:E2

    Catherine is visited by the UK and US Ambassadors both wanting her to intervene in the War of Independence. Maxim takes issue with the public displays of affection between Grigor and Marial.

    Director:Matthew Moore
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. The Great Season 3 Episode 6 - Ice
    7.8/10(726 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. The Great Season 1 Episode 3 - And You Sir, Are No Peter the Great
    7.7/10(1510 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. The Great Season 1 Episode 4 - Moscow Mule
    7.7/10(1388 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. The Great Season 2 Episode 4 - The Devil's Lunch
    7.7/10(850 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. The Great Season 3 Episode 1 - The Bullet or the Bear
    7.7/10(729 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. The Great Season 3 Episode 5 - Sweden
    7.7/10(553 votes)

    S3:E5

    Peter is once again tormented by his father, Peter the Great's expectations and his failure to continue the legacy of his empire. Catherine must decide what to do about the unrest being stirred up in the regions, but Velementov is in no state to help her.

    Director:Unknown
    Writers:Tony McNamara, Ava Pickett

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. The Great Season 1 Episode 2 - A Fake Beard
    7.6/10(1650 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"Wedding" is the best rated episode of "The Great". It scored 8.7/10 based on 1036 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 11/19/2021. This episode scored 0.3 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Beaver's Nose".