Episode 2 of A Gentleman In Moscow kicks off in 1922, with Ivan Milovic's rousing speech about Russia's promising future. However, the scene is unexpectedly hijacked by Mishka, a man who passionately believes in the need for a world where opportunities are equal for all. Amidst the continued exploitation of the wealthy, he urges the crowd to show compassion to their fellow humans and unite to tilt the scales in their favor.
Hidden away in the vents, Alexander Rostov, accompanied by Nina, eavesdrops on this passionate oration. Later, in the hallway, Rostov confronts Mishka, querying his apparent betrayal of the family. Rostov believes he treated Mishka like a brother, but Mishka is consumed by bitterness, blaming Rostov for "everything that happened." As Mishka storms off, Osip, who has been observing the exchange, approaches Rostov in his room. He reveals that Mishka wields considerable influence within the Party and solicits Rostov's help to better understand him, leaving Rostov with little choice but to comply.
Dinner takes an unexpected turn when a pair of dogs suddenly dash into the room, causing a commotion. One of them greedily devours the contents of a plate, much to the astonishment of a startled woman. These dogs belong to Anna Urbanova, a renowned Russian actress visiting the city. Rostov, to everyone's surprise, manages to wrangle the dogs into submission with a whistle, earning him a delighted look from Anna. The pair exchange flirtatious glances, and the sexual tension between them is palpable. Nina, unable to resist commenting, remarks snidely that while Anna may be a film star, her acting skills leave much to be desired.
Later in the day, Rostov stumbles upon a secret passageway leading to an adjacent room. The space is dilapidated and in need of repairs, but Rostov and Nina work together to restore it to a habitable state. As they sit down to enjoy a cup of tea, Rostov reveals that Mishka and his sister were once close friends, a fact that is supported by flashbacks showing Mishka painting her portrait with great affection.
That evening, a heated altercation erupts at the bar when a drunken patron tries to cut in front of the line and demand service. While this may seem like an exaggeration, those who have spent time in nightclubs know that such scenes are not uncommon on a lively Friday night.
Regardless of the violent altercation that preceded it, Mishka and Rostov found themselves unexpectedly sharing a toast to their recovery, nursing their wounds side by side. Mishka couldn't believe that the Count had gotten so involved in the fray, and once again, their ideological differences flared up, albeit with a significantly reduced intensity compared to the tense beginning of the episode.
Rostov couldn't help but mention Petrov's untimely demise, emphasizing that he posed no threat to anyone but for the incendiary ideas Mishka was now championing. As he made his exit, Rostov was coaxed into meeting Urbanova, but Nina's timely interruption and insistence on resuming their own meeting effectively blocked his path to the actress.
Eventually, they all converged at the bar, with Nina boldly joining them on a barstool. Rostov's displeasure was evident, and his sharp outburst sent Nina scurrying away in a huff, leaving Anna to invite Rostov to her doorstep in twenty minutes.
Filled with a misplaced sense of anticipation, Rostov assumed he was in for a romantic rendezvous and presented her with a rose. As they sat together, Anna probed into Rostov's past, but he cleverly turned the conversation to her, revealing her humble beginnings as a fisherman's daughter and the tragic loss of her father when she was young. Their verbal sparring escalated into a charged atmosphere, and the sexual tension became so intense that they abandoned their dinner plans and retreated to the bedroom, where they surrendered to their desires.
The morning after, Rostov emerged from the euphoria of their intimate encounter and sought out Nina to apologize for his brash behavior the previous night. He reiterated his belief in the importance of education and his desire for her personal growth. After this conciliatory meeting, Osip appeared in Rostov's room, eager to discuss the recent "incident" at the bar. Rostov dismissed it as a minor skirmish, claiming ignorance of the factory administrators' involvement.
Osip's gaze remained fixed on Rostov as he inquired about Mishka, aware of his unwavering loyalty to Rostov, even to the point of sacrificing his status in the party. The question of why hovered between them, and Rostov's sister's name hovered on the tip of Osip's tongue. But the conversation took a dark turn when death was mentioned, and the mood became tense. Before departing, Rostov handed Osip a book, claiming it was a Christmas present, despite the holiday being outlawed. Osip accepted the gift with a grudging acknowledgment.
At dinner, Anna abruptly decided to depart with another man, boldly flaunting her departure in front of Rostov, treating him like a mere pawn in her game. To compound the situation, the duplicitous waiter, Bishop, made snide remarks about Rostov's position at the hotel, adding salt to the wound. Intriguingly, this scene stood in stark contrast to another dinner, one that was cozy and intimate, evoking memories of the contrasting dinner parties in Titanic, with the first and third classes segregated.
Regardless, Rostov chose to join Mishka as they descended the stairs to where the other workers gathered. There, they feasted heartily, laughing and drinking until the night led them to dance. Rostov, too, got caught up in the merriment, twirling with Marina, the maid who had tenderly fed her daughter scraps in the previous episode.
Later, as they sat in Mishka's room, the warm glow of the fire casting shadows on the portrait of Rostov's sister, he pondered. Would she still be alive if he hadn't intervened between her and Mishka? The guilt weighed heavily on him, especially considering his old friend's poem and life-saving gesture. Mishka and Rostov embraced, their earlier tensions melting away in the warmth of their friendship. Mishka promised to visit again.
Meanwhile, Rostov unwrapped a gift left for him, revealing a key that led all the way to the rooftop. He stepped out, taking in the breathtaking beauty of Russia, its vast landscape spreading out before him like a painted canvas.
