Catherine the Great

Catherine the Great, the all-powerful Empress of Russia, embarks on a spectacular barge trip down the River Dnieper to inspect the southern lands she has conquered from the Ottoman Empire over the course of her reign. She is accompanied by her political and romantic soul mate, Prince Potemkin, who has single-handedly transformed the region in a matter of years.

General Rumiantsev leads the Russian army to a resounding victory against the Ottoman Empire, acquiring vast swathes of territory. Catherine summons Potemkin, who played a starring role, back to St Petersburg, which he takes as a sign they are about to begin their romance in earnest after the untimely interruption of war. But there is a nasty surprise waiting at Court: Catherine is in a relationship with a young guards officer, Alexander Vasilchikov, who the ever-canny Panin has manoeuvred into position during Potemkin's absence. When Catherine shows no sign of ditching dull Vasilchikov, Potemkin becomes increasingly frustrated and provocative.

Eighteen months into their romantic relationship, Catherine and Potemkin are experiencing difficulties. Potemkin feels stifled and emasculated by his subordinate position at court, longing to set out and make his mark on the world. He spends much of his time trying to convince Catherine that Russia should re-orientate its foreign policy away from an alliance with Germany and towards an alliance with Austria, so Russia can expand southwards and take Crimea from the Turks. This policy is in direct opposition to the cautious foreign policy advocated by Panin, who favours alliance with Germany and the consolidation of current borders, resulting in heated clashes between Catherine's two most senior advisers. Potemkin is frustrated that Catherine refuses to openly support him against Panin, but Catherine doesn't want to show her hand too early.

Catherine and Potemkin return to St Petersburg after the glorious Dnieper tour. It is not long before the Ottomans declare war, provoked by Russia's display of imperial aggrandisement in former Turkish lands. Potemkin - older and growing more ill by the day - is forced back out to fight for Catherine and for Russia. Catherine makes Potemkin supreme commander of all the armed forces and he begins his siege of the supposedly impregnable fortress of Ochakov. Potemkin delays the invasion for several months and the Empress begins to worry that the aging commander has lost his nerve.