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.

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.