“I can change the world, I know it”.
“I know you can. My fate was always you, yours always Russia. I will haunt you.”
Today is the 100th anniversary of the Bolshevik seizure of power, which led to the establishment of a communist regime in Russia and eventually in many other nations around the world.
Ura aka Huzzah - Anthropologist Jack Weatherford hypothesized that it comes from the Mongolian Huree; used by Mongol armies, and spread throughout the world during the Mongol Empire of the 13th century. The word is a praise, much like amen or hallelujah, shouted at the end of speeches or prayers.
History serves as a spoiler that she eventually overthrew her husband to become Russia's longest-reigning female leader, ruling from 1762 to 1796.
Catherine's name wasn't even Catherine, and she wasn't even Russian.
She was born Sophie von Anhalt-Zerbst and was the daughter of an impoverished Prussian Prince in Pomerania (modern-day Poland).
When she arrived in St Petersburg, Sophie was given the Russian name Ekaterina Alexeevna, and is now referred to by her anglicised name, Catherine.
Stan’s The Great is one of those rare entertainment offerings that exists in a world all of its own, a truly original series anchored by a complex and entertaining heroine.
Season one of The Great introduced us to the "anti-historical" dramedy series which is (very) loosely based on the life of Catherine the Great, Empress of All Russia, played to perfection by Elle Fanning.
When we first met Catherine, she was a naïve young woman happy to take her place beside her new husband Peter III of Russia, played by Nicholas Hoult, who brings to life a character who is completely loathsome yet utterly compelling to watch.
Take a look at the trailer for The Great season two, watch it only on Stan.
The royal couple never exactly had a fairytale romance, but things certainly escalated when Catherine discovered that women were not allowed to be educated in Russia, and so she secured the funds to build a special school, only to have Peter burn it to the ground when he learned of its purpose.
From there, Catherine and Peter fought a carefully curated, and wickedly funny, war between themselves within the palace walls. One where they and their respective bands of followers battled it out for power and control.
Catherine became pregnant with Peter's child and in the final episode of season one, she forged ahead with her plan to stage a coup and murder Peter in an attempt to take his crown. Things didn't go exactly to plan of course, and season two picks up right in the aftermath of the madness, with Catherine's attempt to overthrow Peter still raging.
One of the strongest aspects of The Greathas always been the electric dynamic between Elle's Catherine and Nicholas' Peter.
When they are together on screen, they are very much an anti-love story.
The Great introduced our new favourite heroine, season two takes her story to a new level.
