The Great, Hulu’s “occasionally true” show about Catherine the Great and her coup against her husband, Peter III, recently finished its second season. Fans got an even closer look into the psyches of the show’s main cast, as everyone dealt with the fallout of the attack in season 1 and Catherine’s pregnancy.
Because The Great is a show immersed in palace intrigue, one would think that intelligence would be of the utmost importance to its many players. While some characters use their brains to get them ahead, others are not so swift, staying blissfully mired in nonsensical myths, herd mentality, or a general lack of forethought.
Peter
In season 1, Peter was both unintelligent and unkind. Catherine looked forward to being his wife until she realized how he was as a person and all of the awful things Peter has done. He’s not entirely ignorant — he knows a lot about the things he cares about — but he’s not well-rounded, and his arrogance and naivety get in his way.
However, Peter did gain some emotional intelligence during his character arc in season 2 of the show. He realized he loved Catherine and put real effort into finding out more about her interests and sought out her affection. However, sleeping with her mother was one of the stupidest things he could have done, especially considering it literally killed her.
Georgina Dymov
George definitely didn’t think through many of her actions on the show. She slept with Peter, her husband’s best friend, repeatedly and thought that because there was a power dynamic, Grigor wouldn’t be able to tell that George enjoyed every moment of it and actively sought Peter out.
George’s constant search for power was not only ill-founded but also made her a very unlikable character on the show. When other plans don’t work out, she goes back to Grigor as her “backup” and doesn’t realize how that would make him feel. Her selfishness leads her to many unwise decisions.
Grigor Dymov
Grigor’s blind loyalty to Peter is very naive and has almost gotten him killed many times on the show. He would lay down his life for someone who was sleeping with his wife and had little to no remorse about it, even into the second season.
Grigor stood out in the cold and played charades with Peter when he was in isolation. Instead of getting to safety in France, he went back for Peter. These are all things that Grigor doesn’t seem to realize that Peter would never do for Grigor. Peter regularly puts his safety in front of others’, and Grigor is no different. But, Grigor never learns and continues to put his life at risk for him.
Joanna
Joanna is a master planner and plotter. She has the strong ambition of a Capricorn and knows how to manipulate situations to be in her favor. She was able to get all of her daughters into royalty, which is a near-impossible feat that shows off her sheer determination.
While part of Joanna’s actions boasts a big intellect, she doesn’t have a lot of perspective or compassion, which is proven when she refuses to listen to Catherine’s concerns with her marriage and when she actively tries to sleep with her daughter’s husband. She also had too much trust in the stability of window sills, which proved to be fatal.
General Velementov
The sad truth of Velementov is that he could be one of the most intelligent characters on the show. He has decades of experience, as well as political know-how. He dealt with Peter’s father and Peter for a large portion of his life so he’s knowledgeable about the way Peter’s mind works.
Additionally, Velementov seems to offer quite a bit of sage advice to Orlov and Catherine when they need it most. Unfortunately, his drinking incapacitates him and leads him to make a myriad of unwise decisions and statements throughout the course of the show. From unsavory sexual advances to belligerence, he just cannot get his act together.
Archie
Archie may be on the creepier side, but he was one of the smartest in terms of preserving his own safety and status, especially in the second season. When Catherine comes into power, Archie knows that she views him as a traitor and wants to get rid of him.
Thus, Archie uses his resources and knowledge that the public is highly religious and superstitious to his advantage. With the help of a well-worded speech and a reptilian friend, Archie secured a position in Catherine’s government and saved himself from being executed.
Marial
Marial may have briefly been on the wrong side of history at the end of season 1 and the start of season 2, but her pure heart and respect and love for Catherine kept her alive and even got her status as a lady back. She was smart enough to see Catherine’s potential and she stayed loyal to her at the end of the day, proving she’s a true ISFJ personality type.
Marial knows the ins and outs of both servitude and noble life and uses that knowledge to be compassionate to those who are now below her. She also knows enough about politics to advise Catherine, as well as coming up with a plan when her juvenile cousin comes to take her estate.
Orlo
Orlo is a man of history, literature, science and a love of puns. He’s easily one of the most educated people in Catherine’s court and on the show in general. His sights are always set on progress and making life better for the citizens, which is why he’s one of the best-ranked characters.
Orlo is the kind of balance that Catherine needs. He has a well-thought-out plan and agenda for the government, while also being aware of societal constraints and public opinion. He knows that people are inherently afraid of change and wants to do things in a way in which they’ll be the most accepted and successful instead of just quick.
Catherine
Catherine has true vision and leadership. Where Peter fails in understanding how to change things for the better, Catherine excels. She wants equality for men and women, as well as the people of her country to be educated and kind. She may be rash sometimes and impatient, but her intentions are good.
Catherine has had to deal with a lot of heartache and make many difficult decisions regarding her plans, her child, and Peter. She has handled herself with poise and even altered public opinion about her on multiple occasions with her quick wit and intellect.
Aunt Elizabeth
Elizabeth is by and large the sharpest out of all the characters on the show. No matter what she is completely herself. She endless amounts of sage wisdom as well as compassionate understanding. She is able to get along with anyone and find common ground, which is a rare gift.
She is unique as well. She trained a colony of butterflies to follow her around and perform routines. She knows things about government, art, herbs, and social graces. She is the one that people go to for advice and guidance, and for good reason. Even when she’s had to overcome significant loss and trauma, she’s held herself together with decorum.
