The opening scene of the episode brings us to a very unique situation. The time when the tsar Nicholas has some leisure time with his family by the sea and the news of war comes. Those who seemed to be friends and allies, even family members are at war now. But the entire plot of the episode TELL THE KING THAT THE SKY IS FALLING (the title is indeed ambiguous and might resemble either the very news about the war that sets the tone for most of the events to come or the very tragic situation that the eagle of the Romanov family is bound to experience) is set in Russia, in the still imperial Russia. I would like to point certain aspects that evolve here and appear to be both well depicted and thought provoking. In other words, they can be seen from different standpoints but from amidst the people who were still in power at that time.
First of all, the screenwriter and the director call our attention to the tsar in confusion and perpetual difficulty in making decisions. He changes his ministers and generals listening to, on the one hand, his loyal advisors, mainly general Alexeiev (played by Nigel Stock); on the other hand, obeying his wife Alex (Gayle Hunnicut) now under the spell of one Grigorij Rasputin (Michael Aldridge). Yes, this is the episode with Rasputin, the famous "holy man" notorious for love affairs, scandals, under the spell of supernatural powers. Not forgetting the fact that the character has been portrayed by other important actors, Mr Aldridge does something unique here. He really grasps the very essence of what, not only Rasputin was, but also the immense power that may lie in religious fanaticim. He is mad, insane, vulgar, obscene, yet surrounded by some aura of the supernatural, paranormal, chosen to be the one who heals, allegedly seeing Mother Mary. Moreover, he sees the future, his future... But in all of this, there is pride and vanity with barely any respect to other people.
One could ask oneself...how is it possible that they believed him? Who could talk to the empress's heart, to the mother's heart when her boy Tsarevich Alexis was ill? The doctors did not help but "holy father" came and helped him. From that moment on, he was the one to have a final say in the imperial family much to the dismay of generals, the Duma which was dissolved and the counselors. It did not refer to the spiritual situation only but also to the political one. Very much promoted by the mad holy man is one Protopopov (Hugh Burden), a man totally incapable of right decisions in the difficult times. That must have had its tragic consequences in the revolution which slowly but gradually rises...
Meanwhile, we see the opposite views and the vivid characters that embody certain ideas that were rising in the Russia of that time. That is, mainly general Alexeiev (Nigel Stock) who tries to open the tsar's eyes being, as he states, in total opposition to revolutionary ideas. Quite an identifiable character and a memorable one! As a more hostile attitude towards the tsar and, above all, his German wife nicknamed "sunny" comes Michen, the Grand Duchess Vladimir (played by Rosalie Crutchley). What a woman! She has one scene in the episode but, truly, it is the scene that you will not forget...Another outstanding performance! There are also some people who aim to open the eyes of the delured Tsarina, such as Ella (Ann Castle). She tries to tell her how bad Rasputin actually is but all the efforts occur to be in vain. The fanatical view of someone who can cast an evil spell results in nothing but the conclusion that she cannot endure her life without him.
And the tsar? He is somewhere in between, someone who appears to be loyal and good to his family, considering his duty to the nation but weak, indeed. Can one put up with such a weakness? Or one may come to the conclusion that all these years have been one big mistake?
Worth seeing! The episode will make you understand why the old Russia was unable to resist to the rising arrogance and brutality of the Bolsheviks.
First of all, the screenwriter and the director call our attention to the tsar in confusion and perpetual difficulty in making decisions. He changes his ministers and generals listening to, on the one hand, his loyal advisors, mainly general Alexeiev (played by Nigel Stock); on the other hand, obeying his wife Alex (Gayle Hunnicut) now under the spell of one Grigorij Rasputin (Michael Aldridge). Yes, this is the episode with Rasputin, the famous "holy man" notorious for love affairs, scandals, under the spell of supernatural powers. Not forgetting the fact that the character has been portrayed by other important actors, Mr Aldridge does something unique here. He really grasps the very essence of what, not only Rasputin was, but also the immense power that may lie in religious fanaticim. He is mad, insane, vulgar, obscene, yet surrounded by some aura of the supernatural, paranormal, chosen to be the one who heals, allegedly seeing Mother Mary. Moreover, he sees the future, his future... But in all of this, there is pride and vanity with barely any respect to other people.
One could ask oneself...how is it possible that they believed him? Who could talk to the empress's heart, to the mother's heart when her boy Tsarevich Alexis was ill? The doctors did not help but "holy father" came and helped him. From that moment on, he was the one to have a final say in the imperial family much to the dismay of generals, the Duma which was dissolved and the counselors. It did not refer to the spiritual situation only but also to the political one. Very much promoted by the mad holy man is one Protopopov (Hugh Burden), a man totally incapable of right decisions in the difficult times. That must have had its tragic consequences in the revolution which slowly but gradually rises...
Meanwhile, we see the opposite views and the vivid characters that embody certain ideas that were rising in the Russia of that time. That is, mainly general Alexeiev (Nigel Stock) who tries to open the tsar's eyes being, as he states, in total opposition to revolutionary ideas. Quite an identifiable character and a memorable one! As a more hostile attitude towards the tsar and, above all, his German wife nicknamed "sunny" comes Michen, the Grand Duchess Vladimir (played by Rosalie Crutchley). What a woman! She has one scene in the episode but, truly, it is the scene that you will not forget...Another outstanding performance! There are also some people who aim to open the eyes of the delured Tsarina, such as Ella (Ann Castle). She tries to tell her how bad Rasputin actually is but all the efforts occur to be in vain. The fanatical view of someone who can cast an evil spell results in nothing but the conclusion that she cannot endure her life without him.
And the tsar? He is somewhere in between, someone who appears to be loyal and good to his family, considering his duty to the nation but weak, indeed. Can one put up with such a weakness? Or one may come to the conclusion that all these years have been one big mistake?
Worth seeing! The episode will make you understand why the old Russia was unable to resist to the rising arrogance and brutality of the Bolsheviks.
