Episode 3 of A Gentleman In Moscow opens in the bleak winter of 1926. Rostov, perched precariously on the roof, is a far cry from the serene figure at the end of the previous chapter. This time, his heart is heavy with despair, and the thought of suicide looms large in his mind. But before he can take the fatal leap, we are transported back to the early days of his incarceration, day 1638.
On the roof, Rostov stretches his limbs, feeling a sense of freedom, albeit a fleeting one within the confines of his snowy prison. The world seems to be his oyster, at least as much as it can be while trapped inside this frozen globe. But suddenly, an explosion shatters the illusion, reminding him of the revolution and the seismic cultural shifts that are rocking the country.
Abram, the caretaker, enters the scene, a new acquaintance who seems to have a wealth of knowledge about the old buildings being demolished in the distance. He casually dismisses the explosions as mere demolition work, but the air is heavy with the scent of change, a more sinister kind that is creeping over Mother Russia.
The Death of Lenin has plunged the country into a fierce power struggle between Trotsky and the rising star of Stalin. The outcome is all but certain, especially for those who are well-versed in history.
Meanwhile, Nina has grown into a woman of formidable intelligence, capable of holding her own against Rostov in intellectual spars. This is evident in their chess games, where Nina seems to have the upper hand, a subtle indication of her growing influence and Rostov's waning power.
Yet, Rostov's thoughts are often distracted by Anna, who has returned to the hotel numerous times but continues to ignore him with each visit. She is playing a dangerous game, toying with him and fully aware of the impact her actions have on him. The emotional tug-of-war between them adds another layer of complexity to Rostov's already fraught existence.
Rostov desperately strives to win Anna's heart, offering her an extravagant bottle of champagne along with a pleading note begging for another chance. While his actions may seem a tad hasty, Anna finds herself curiously anticipating what lies ahead, beyond the realm of romantic entanglements.
As she watches, Mishka approaches Rostov with grave news - the Countess has passed away. She had been in declining health for years and ultimately succumbed to her ailments at the age of 87. Rostov is stunned to learn that she has been cremated, her ashes destined to remain in exile, denied even a proper Russian burial. He lashes out angrily, declaring that he is the last remaining member of the Rostov dynasty, and even God Himself seems exiled.
Meanwhile, changes are brewing within the hotel itself. Some of the old paintings are being painted over, a silent testament to the shifting times. Rostov's displeasure mounts when he's ushered into the dining room by none other than Osip. The two men share a complex relationship, not quite friendship but a mutual understanding born of shared experiences.
Rostov recognizes the steel in Osip's military background and Osip confesses that books were a rarity in his childhood. Yet his eight-year-old daughter has a passion for reading, a fact that casts a new light on the book Rostov had given her as a gift in episode 2. Osip admits his desire to understand the privileged class and proposes a meeting, offering to assist Rostov in his endeavors.
Unbeknownst to them, Rostov's pursuit of Anna continues unabated. He goes to extremes to woo her, even forgoing the hired help to personally deliver room service to her door. When he arrives, Rostov submits to Anna's every whim, and it seems she was expecting him. All those nights, he could have knocked and requested a meeting, but he never took the initiative. Now, with the stakes raised, the tension between them is palpable, and the outcome remains uncertain.
Rostov hurriedly indulged in a sexual encounter with Anna, succumbing to her suggestion to get intimate. Afterward, when he inquired about a possible repeat performance, she responded noncommittally with a mere "perhaps." Meanwhile, on the rooftop, explosions continued to rattle the air, their rumbles echoing through the night.
Abram, his attention divided, pointed out the devastation below. The once-lush Imperial Gardens had been torn apart, and his beloved beehives, with their queen bee lifeless, had been ravaged by the chaos. This was a poignant symbol of the fallen royal family and the beleaguered worker drones struggling to find a way forward in the wake of disaster.
At dinner, Bishop sneaked up on Rostov, startling him mid-order. Rostov was a connoisseur of wine, but in this time of cultural upheaval, all the labels had been stripped away, leaving only two options: red or white. Rostov was dismayed but helpless in his current situation.
Hanging heavily over all of this was the recent loss of Rostov's grandmother. He had been certain that others would join him and Mishka in their private dining suite, but aside from Nina, no one else materialized. Even Nina seemed slightly out of sorts, talking about her dedication to Mother Russia and embracing this new way of thinking with unexpected enthusiasm.
Mishka clarifies that such loyalty or demonstration of care towards the royal family could be misconstrued as a rebellious act. Rostov is astounded to see Nina embracing these ideals and questions her fervently, ultimately leading to her storming out in a huff.
Meanwhile, in the bustling main lobby, Joseph Stalin makes a surprise decision not to attend, leaving Anna deeply disappointed. Rostov shares her embarrassment, but for entirely different reasons. Left alone, he is visited by an unexpected guest - Osip.
Osip reveals the fate of those who might have attended and cautions Rostov that despite appearances, he remains a prisoner here. As he departs, Rostov's grandmother's words echo in his mind, "Know when you are beaten."
On the rooftop, a chilling scene unfolds as Nina leaps to her death, mirroring the opening scenes of the episode where Rostov stands poised to do the same. But Abram intervenes, appearing suddenly and revealing that the bees have returned. Abram interprets this as a sign for Rostov to stay and care for them. He believes that Rostov still has so much more to contribute and warns him not to squander his potential.
That evening, Anna and Rostov find solace in their shared failures over a bottle of Bolly in the bar. As they step into the elevator, hands clasped, they toast to their misfortunes and find a fleeting moment of solace in each other's presence.
