In the heart of Russia, a nation teetering on the brink of seismic shifts, the drama of "A Gentleman in Moscow" unfolds. The cataclysmic events of the 1917 Revolution and the tragic execution of the Royal Family have triggered a cascade of changes that have swept across the vast country overnight.
In the aftermath of these revolutions, the Leninists embark on a mission to reshape the nation, eradicating the vestiges of the Tsarist aristocracy and returning Russia to the hands of its people.
Our story begins with Alexander Rostov, our protagonist, who watches helplessly as a young child is forcibly dragged away by two menacing guards, kicking and screaming down a long corridor. The guards return, and Rostov is summoned to face the People's Court, presided over by a formidable figure named Vyshinsky.
The Count reveals that for the past four years, he has been confined to Suite 317 of the Metropol Hotel, a refuge from the wreckage of his burned-down mansion. While he lacks a traditional "occupation," his return to Russia has cast a shadow of suspicion over the court. Why has he returned? After all, Rostov's poem has been accused of inciting revolutionary fervor. As a result, he is banished from the court, his fate hanging in the balance as the nation continues to undergo profound transformations.
He remains alive, despite the relentless insistence of a handful of authorities, but instead, Rostov is confined to house arrest within the confines of that Hotel. If he dares to venture outside the Metropol's doors, his fate will be a swift and certain death. It is 1921 in Moscow, and Rostov is escorted, escorted all the way to his suite, nestled on the third floor.
Upon arrival, he is greeted by a mysterious figure, the same man we glimpsed fleetingly at the court meeting earlier in the episode. This is Osip, though we wouldn't know it unless we were peering at the subtitles! His task is to acquaint Rostov with his new abode, a clandestine chamber hidden away among the upper floors. It boasts a window, at least, but it's a far cry from hospitable, essentially a prison cell without the confining bars.
Osip repeats the admonition that Rostov must remain within the hotel's confines, and here we witness Rostov carrying on with his daily routine. The water is murky, and space is scant, but the other guests at the hotel are astonished by how Rostov maintains his dignity and refuses to be broken. This monotonous existence continues in a montage of scenes, as we reach the 47th day.
On this day, Prince Nikolai Petrov arrives, explaining that while he has been permitted to retain a room in the palace, he has essentially been exiled as well. He seems slightly edgy, yet Rostov's suggestion of a drink after dinner is met with a fleeting smile. While they are together, Rostov reveals that he returned to Russia with the intention of assisting his grandmother in her safe passage to England on a ship.
Nikolai offered his apologies for Rostov's loss, acknowledging the heartache of losing his sister. However, he revealed a surprising piece of information, disclosing that he knew someone capable of procuring papers to facilitate their safe departure from the country. Rostov was taken aback by this revelation, standing firmly in his belief that Russia was his home and he wasn't ready to abandon it anytime soon.
Within the hotel, tensions were escalating, with a man confronting Rostov and taunting him, even cutting off a portion of his moustache. An even more puzzling scene unfolded at dinner when a young girl, Nina, with her bright yellow dress and inquiring mind, emerged. She probed Rostov about his past with eager questions.
Later, Rostov was summoned to meet with the hotel manager. In his office, the manager addressed a concerning issue: some staff members persisted in addressing Rostov with titles befitting royalty, such as "Your Excellency." The manager emphasized that this outdated behavior had become problematic and urged Rostov to put a stop to it promptly. After all, the hotel was a volatile place, and Rostov could easily find himself in a perilous situation.
Rostov took the manager's warning seriously. After the manager's departure, he was left alone in the office. Curiosity piqued, he searched behind the paintings and discovered a pair of duelling pistols, a discovery that resonated with his earlier conversation with Nina about his past. Throughout the episode, fleeting glimpses of the royal palace and a tragic accident involving his family teased the viewer, hinting at a deeper, untold story that would likely be explored in future episodes.
Back at the hotel, Rostov's realization of the looming threat prompted a fateful decision. He concurred with Petrov's suggestion to flee, realizing that disguises would be crucial. What better disguise could they adopt than the uniform of a Red Army soldier? However, this meant leaving behind all their possessions, including a cherished painting of Helena that Rostov held dear. With a handful of money entrusted to Nikolai, Rostov set the wheels of their escape plan in motion.
Days passed, and on the sixty-fifth day, Nikolai Petrov's absence was still puzzling. But Nina's unexpected invitation upstairs revealed a startling secret. She proudly displayed a passkey that unlocked every door in the hotel, leading Rostov down to the basement's fiery furnaces. With a suggestive glint in her eye, she mentioned how these flames could destroy secret letters. Rostov's eyes widened as he spied vents that allowed them to eavesdrop on rooms and even observe the hotel staff.
This revelation showed Rostov a different side of the hotel, and in the office, he stumbled upon a letter that seemed to condemn Petrov utterly. The paper was written in Russian, bearing a sinister red stamp. Just when things seemed hopeless, Petrov unexpectedly appeared two days later.
In a hushed conversation, Rostov revealed the authorities' relentless roundup and trials. Guilt or innocence mattered little; the public thirsted for blood, and they were eager to spill it. Rostov's words chilled Petrov to the bone as he learned his name was on a hit list. They had no weeks to spare, as Petrov had foolishly believed. Rostov urged the Prince to flee, but he couldn't leave due to Helena.
Before Petrov's departure, he handed Rostov a note, claiming it would grant him safe passage. However, a waiter spied on them from afar, confirming his spy status. Fortunately, Rostov refrained from taking the travel documents himself. Moments later, a soldier approached Petrov, smashing his violin to pieces before dragging him away. Outside, in the snow, Nikolai Petrov lay motionless, a bullet hole in his head. The gunshot echoed through the hotel as Osip approached Rostov, interrogating him about the second set of travel documents. As Osip departed, the episode drew to a close, leaving Rostov and the hotel's secrets in a tense limbo.
