Huzzah! It’s been over three months since The Great Season 3 took Hulu by storm. Frankly, I’m still thinking about it. The performances! The narrative! The Peter of it all! I can’t believe we lost Peter (Nicholas Hoult) and Pugachev (Hoult) in the same season. We experienced so much loss in general, as did our titular empress.
Season 3 is contested because of Peter’s unexpected, abrupt death, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. As much as I love Peter, we were able to explore the different shades and colors of these characters as they navigated their new normal. Plus, at the end of the day, this is about Catherine the Great. The back half of the season is a lovely meditation on the grief process, with some of the show’s best character work to boot.
We don’t know if Hulu will renew the Tony McNamara-created dark comedy for Season 4 (fingers crossed), but because I have too many questions, here’s what I need clarity on should the series return. UPDATE: It has been canceled. *Sigh* So, reframe this list as questions we’ll never get answers to in Season 4.
RELATED: Check out our recap for The Great Season 3 Episode 10, “Once Upon a Time”
Where Did Grigor Take Paul?
Remember when Grigor (Gwilym Lee) straight up abducted Paul after Archie (Adam Godley) ordained him in the Season 3 finale? He brandished a gun at Georgina (Charity Wakefield), snatched up Paul and fled. Since Peter’s death, Paul has been a significant part of Grigor’s grief process. Of course, Grigor endured intense periods of grief and despair, but he mainly suppressed his pain by channeling all his energy into Paul — what’s left of his best friend.
My guess is he’ll take Paul to his and Georgina’s vacation home or go back to the woods. He may return Paul to Catherine’s (Elle Fanning) quarters, but I doubt it.
Does Georgina Still Plan to Marry Paul?
I mean, it seems pretty damn obvious that Georgina wants to marry baby Paul to secure a higher position on the social and political ladder. The first step of her plan is complete: Archie ordained Paul against Catherine’s wishes. She doesn’t know about his ordination yet. I’m sure she’ll be fuming when she learns the truth. I can picture Georgina devising a scheme to marry Paul in secret in Season 4. Perhaps it’ll involve Archie since Marial (Phoebe Fox) saved him. Hugo (Freddie Fox) and Agnes (Grace Molony) might join forces with Georgina and try to depose Catherine after losing Sweden.
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Will Catherine Find Out About Orlo’s Fate?
My poor, sweet Orlo (Sacha Dhawan). RIP. I miss him so much. He didn’t deserve his fate. Catherine has no idea that she inadvertently killed him. Sure, this is the 18th century, and they didn’t have DNA kits or any way to trace Orlo’s murder back to Catherine. Plus, they’d have to gut the two bears who feasted on his remains in the Season 3 premiere. He’s very much digested by this point. Ew.
Anyway, my heart aches knowing Catherine won’t learn about Orlo’s fate and her direct contribution to it. Things didn’t end on a happy note between them. The only other person who cares for Orlo is Katya (Jane Mahady), whom Catherine shipped to Siberia. Well, Katya and Uncle Vanya (Ramon Tikaram). I can see Vanya returning to court to inquire about his nephew’s whereabouts, perhaps launching an investigation into Orlo’s disappearance.
Where Will Archie Go?
Catherine sentenced Archie to death for being a little sh*t. He manipulated her quite a bit and stirred up a literal revolution against her with Peter’s lookalike as the poster child, putting her in grave danger. So, she decides to put the archbishop in a grave of his own. Marial, despite her loyalty to Catherine, unearths her cousin before he perishes underground.
Now, it would be foolish of him to stay at court openly. Although, I could see him going into hiding in the palace, with Marial surreptitiously giving him food. There’s no way Catherine traverses every corner of her court. Additionally, Archie could find sanctuary at a nearby church. I’m sure his status will be kept secret from Catherine for as long as possible for dramatic effect.
Will Catherine Learn About Marial Saving Archie?
Marial and Catherine have been in their fair share of hot water on the friendship front. Their bond is incessantly being tested. Saving Archie would certainly put Marial back on Catherine’s sh*t list. Much like every secret on this show, it’ll stay buried until it festers and boils and cannot be contained any longer. I think Catherine will find out eventually, and it’ll thrust Marial into uncharted territory, especially with Grigor, her only other ally, potentially being MIA.
What Happened to Arkady and Tatyana?
In the Season 3 finale, we see Catherine’s army bombing Pugachev’s hideout to rid it of his followers. Arkady (Bayo Gbadamosi) and Tatyana (Florence Keith-Roach) are among them. We spot Arkady as Pugachev’s head rolls toward him, but Tatyana is nowhere to be found. Did they survive? Did they manage to escape? I can’t imagine Catherine will welcome them back to the palace with open arms if she knows about their betrayal. However, our favorite long-lasting couple is nothing if not fickle. Well, it’s more like their loyalties lie where their survival is ensured.
RELATED: Catch up on all the huzzah-worthy goodness with our The Great recaps!
Will Catherine’s Sister Find Out About Their Mother’s Death?
This one feels inevitable. Catherine’s sister wrote to her, wondering where their mother, Joanna (Gillian Anderson), was. Her sister knows Joanna visited Catherine, so she’ll put two and two together. Of course, Joanna’s “murderer” is dead, but the empress keeping this secret will throw a wrench in their sisterly bond. Catherine’s sister could discover the truth in Season 4 for sure.
What are your questions for a potential fourth season of The Great? Sound off in the comments below!
The Great Seasons 1-3 are now streaming on Hulu.
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What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
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