01x02 - The heir

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THE HEIR

After the riots subsided,
From the time the riots ended

new advisors came to court
and Anastasia became Tsarina,

the Tsar knew nothing but glory.

He picked wise, strong and able people.

With their help, support
the Tsar enacted a new law

common to the whole Russian land.

The law that was blessed by the church
and the people.

And the Tsar conscripted a new army
The likes of which Russia never had before.

his Streltsys were fearless
and obedient to his every word.

The impregnable Kazan was captured
and became from that day on

an integral part of the Rus Tsardom.

I swear to you, Macarius,
I will raise a temple here

in honor of the Intercession
of the Theotokos and our victory.

The most beautiful temple in the world.

God is with us!

Glory to the Tsar!

Was I thinking of all
these achievements then?

No.

She was all I could think about.

And of the heir she gave me.

Dimitry.

Hold him.

I’m afraid. He’s too small.

I’ll show you.

Vanya dear, what’s wrong?

I’m fine.
All is good.

I address the ablest of you.

Treat your hackbut with care.

If someone’s hackbut explodes,

he will pay out of his own purse.

If he lives.

Those who don’t load the hackbut
in time for the last drop

will be send packing.

Go!

Everyone at the in Duma says,
“We took Kazan.”

Those are the ones who did.

What kind of warriors did we have before

For six months they toil the land
and then they take up the hackbut.

Tell me, Prince is there a reliable
trustworthy man among your people?

Quick thinking, well-trained.
For my bodyguard.

Pity for the army to lose a man
for a bodyguard duty.

But you see it’s not just for that, you know,
it’s also for certain tasks.

Take a closer look at this man.

He sneaked into the enemy camp.

And he fought furiously.

Tell the Commander to send him to me.

Vanya.

What’s wrong?

You’re soaking wet.
We need to call for a doctor.

Kazan.

What about Kazan?

Everyone is happy
that you came back victorious.

You know,

I feel like I didn’t come back.

I can still see it.

As I enter through the city gates.

Bodies.

Bloodied bodies everywhere.

Piles of dead.

I’ll send for a doctor.

Don’t.

Just stay close to me.
Do you hear me?

Sire, the Duma is convened.

You told me to wake you.

I won’t let you go anywhere.
You’re unwell.

I must.

I must go. You know that.

Sire.

Hell take you. Be gone!

Vanya.

Then I’ll watch you from the secret place.

Know that I am near.

It is not proper for a wife
to attend the Tsar’s Council.

Who won’t allow me?

Just don’t tell anyone.

Why aren’t you merry, Ivan Petrovich?

Even though everyone is enjoying themselves
at least someone might be unhappy.

Have you heard of Tsar’s ruse?

He ordered to dig a tunnel
under the walls of Kazan.

and to fill it with
barrels of gunpowder.

And then it all just .... !

And what a beautiful fortress
he had build in on Sviyaga.

They finished it in mere two weeks!

You've chewed my ear off I am getting
bored with these fairy tales.

Sviyagi, the Streltsy,
gunpowder, fortresses ...

But what went on here you were gone.
Have you heard of it?

What do you mean?

Well, Repnin, though you’re a boyar,

now your presence is not required
to pass a judgement in your own fiefdom.

- How’s that?
- Just like that.

Now everything is done
only according to the law.

And your will is not taken into account.
no longer matters.

You don’t seem happy Mikhail Petrovich?

Glory to the Tsar!

Glory to the Tsar!

Some of you I haven’t seen in a long time.

I decided to take a walk.

And came into a town along the way ...

I’m sure you’ve already told
each other about the campaign.

Kazan is ours now. That’s it.

Glory to the Tsar!

Glory! Glory to the Tsar!
Glory! Glory to the Tsar!

Let’s move on to the business
that were waiting for me here.

Allow me to pitch in a word, Sire.

Speak.

Prior to your departure, you left us
with a new code of laws.

We accepted your laws.
We didn’t argue.

We had to see how everything
would turn out.

It didn’t turn out well, Sire.

Tell me what went wrong.

We were deprived of our
ancestral hereditary right.

To administer justice on our lands.

You want to be the Tsar
of your own fiefdom

while there is only one Tsar.

Your Majesty, we know our realms, Father.

We know our people.

We know how to keep them in line.

Now we are not even allowed to
the execute them for certain crimes.

Not enough blood for you?

But they will get out of control.

That’s right, Sire.
So, we must be able to subdue them.

No matter how many soldiers you keep,

they won’t be able to stand up
against the people.

I have His Majesty’s permission.

Permission, you say.

What is this, your Majesty?

First you listen to men’s conversations,
then you’ll begin to dwell on into them.

And then you'll convey your opinion
upon your spouse to your husband?

I must be near my husband.

Arrogance. Arrogance.

You think you’ll be able
to help your husband.

Ridiculous.

But what about the Law of God?

Do you want to be a sinner?

You will never come here again.

Even if your husband asks you to, refuse.

What will happen if I disobey?

Your Majesty, do you really think
I would threaten you with something?

I care about your righteousness.

After all, it’s only for the righteous life
God will save and protect your family.

Remember, Majesty, we could’ve almost
lost Tsarina, our dear Mother.

What if the riots start again?

And your heir is still a child.

If they rise again,
terrible things will happen.

It will be a disaster.

Sire.

Sire, Ivan Vasilievich.

Sire, Ivan Vasilievich!

Vanya.

It should cut a feather in the air. Got it?

All right, I’ll do it.

I’ll leave you to it.

Who are you choosing presents for?

- For Tsarevich Dimitry.
- If you want, I’ll pay.

Why is that?

The Tsar’s adviser
hired me as his bodyguard.

I was already earning decent wages
and now even more so.

I don’t have a wife,
so, I have money to spend.

If you want I’ll buy you a present too.

- I said I won’t drop the price.
- Please! - Alright, I will.

- Really?
- For eight.

Come here.

Marry me.

I can’t do that.

Why not?

You won’t understand.

I shouldn’t have gone with you.

Do explain.

Don’t ask me to marry you anymore
and don’t ask me to explain.

I’ll come again.

Lord have mercy, Lord have
mercy upon my husband Ivan.

Lord have mercy. Lord save us.
Lord have mercy.

Lord have mercy upon my husband Ivan.
Lord have mercy.

The Tsar is in a bad way.

If he doesn’t feel better today

then we need to get prepared.

We must prepare, and agree
on what to do if he passes.

Don’t be too quick to speak of death.

Nothing has happened yet.

Your business is to pray for his health.

Your Grace, none of us wants
to talk about it.

As soon as the boyars
find out about the illness,

All hell will brake loose.

They won’t shy from stampeding
over each other’s heads.

Breathe, my Lord.

Take a deep breath.
You’ll feel better.

Vanya, I’m begging you.

I implore you, don’t leave us,
we will perish without you.

Both Dimitry and I.

Dimitry.

Yeah, right. A tsar! What a mockery ...

see how everything would turn out ...

it didn’t turn out well,

Sire, you've deprived us
of our ancestral right

to administer justice on our lands.

Who is it? Who is it?

Hush! Ivan the Great might hear you.

- He’ll get angry.
- My grandfather?

So our bloodline will end with you.

No.
I have a son.

No. No.

I have a son!

Vanya. Vanya, what is it?

Father. Father.

Oh Lord...

I’ve made a decision.
I’ve made a decision.

I want the boyars to kiss the cross
in the name of my son Dimitry.

And Anastasiya will be the regent.

God favors us.

The main thing is not to make a mistake.

When the Duma convenes
we must name our Tsar.

The one who will return us
to our former way of life.

How can we choose a new tsar
when the old one is still alive?

What if he gets better?
Our heads will roll...

No one will dare, Ivan Petrovich.

That’s right.
No one will dare.

But if enough people have the same wish
the name will manifest itself.

Whose name?

Vladimir Staritsky.
Ivan’s cousin.

Have a taste my Lord.

What have you done?

You messed this up.
Did you feed them sugar?

God is my witness, we did, my Lord.

Abbot Pimen gave me exact
instructions how to feed them.

And how good his honey turned out.

Have you tried that honey yourself, my Lord?

Maybe that’s how it should be.

Vladimir Andreyich.

Use this for the honey wine.

Envoys have arrived from Moscow.

What news they bring?

The Tsar is ill.
You are summoned to Moscow.

Go tell them that I am unwell,
and I can’t travel.

- But shouldn’t you go to see your brother...
- I'm unable to help him.

And if I come, things will get ugly.

Go tell them that I’m ill.

Kids, go inside.

Hurry up!

Move! Move!

Mother, where are they going?

Why are you running around like a commoner?

You must walk with dignity.

You don’t look like a princess,
but at least behave like one.

I wasn’t running,
Mother, you’re mistaken.

The old always think
that the young are in a hurry.

What did you talk to them about?

I said that Vladimir will set off
to Moscow right away. As ordered.

How can you decide for him?
He doesn’t want to go.

My son is a prince.

It doesn’t matter if he wants it or not.
He will go.

My people overheard Tsarina’s talk.

They said that she was going
to take revenge

for disrespect shown to her family.

She mentioned your name.

We must save ourselves.

It is clear that the Zakharyinys
will act as regents.

Besides the heir, no one else
can lay claim to the throne.

Unless ...

Who are you talking about, Ivan Petrovich?

Perhaps Prince Staritsky?

Only Vladimir Staritsky
equals the Tsar by birth

You speak the truth.

Prince Vladimir is respected by everyone.
Everyone honors him.

But who will call out his name?

You can’t compare the real prince
and the Zakharins.

Staritsky would make a magnificent tsar!

Well, it doesn’t matter.

No one will dare. Anyway, I’ve warned you,
now decide for yourself.

Thank you, Ivan Petrovich.

Thank you for coming.
But the healer told him to rest.

Let him come over.

Hello, cousin.

Let me look at you.

The eyes are the same.

So gentle, so peaceful.

I remember how I would get angry
But then would catch your eye,

and my soul would be appeased.

Do you remember our childhood games?

I always wished to play
that knife game with you

because I always won!

You were really bad at it...

I remember, brother, I really do.

I don’t think I can do better now.

It’s good to see you.

But who summoned you?

I didn’t send for you.

I came as soon as I heard.

You are the only one I trust.

You won’t betray.

You’re always... ...brother...

The Tsar commands
you to kiss the cross

and swear allegiance
to his son, Tsarevich Dimitry.

He commands Tsarevich’s mother,
Tsarina Anastasia, to be his guardian.

There is no doubt that the son
should be the heir.

But we don’t agree to
his mother being a Regent!

Yes! That’s right.
We don’t agree!

We should nominate a Regent council
Out of the old families.

- That’s right.
- Absolutely.

The Tsar didn’t asked for your consent.

Judge for yourself, Aleksey Fyodorovich:

how could we live under
the rule of the Zakharyinys?

You’ll swear your allegiance
to the heir and his mother.

It’s the will of the Tsar.

Who are we going to kiss the cross for?

But we don’t want
to bow to the Zakharyinys!

Who’s going to reign then? Uh?

Staritsky.

Vladimir Staritsky.

- That's right.
- Staritsky!

This is treason. Quiet!

Staritsky.

We want Staritsky.
We want Staritsky.

You did the right thing sending
the letter to me instead of Vladimir.

Moscow still has some bright minds I see.

But I don’t understand one thing.

Why are you so eager to support us?

I believe your son.

I’m ready to follow him.

Is that not enough for you Mother?

It’s not enough, I might say.

Why don’t you just admit
that you hate the Tsar?

There is no hatred in me, Mother.

It’s just that we have different ideas
about what Russia should be like.

I see.

Do you think they’ll swear
allegiance to Vladimir?

There’s no unity.

They are afraid of the Tsar.

It’d be good to encourage them a little.
To convince them.

I know a way, I can tell you if you like.

Ride at once.
You must be there before dawn.

I would like to hear
this order from the Prince.

Do you doubt my word?

You’ll be whipped to death.

I’ll do it, Mother. I’ll do it all.

Hello, Princess.

What are you doing here?

I wanted to speak to you,
Aleksey Fyodorovich.

We have something important to discuss.

Princess Yefrosinia
has sent a man to Staritsa.

She orders the troops to move out
to Moscow on behalf of the Prince.

And what about the Prince?

He knows nothing.

The Princess is used to doing business
behind her son’s back.

Does this messenger have a letter?

I think the order is
to be conveyed verbally.

It’s impossible to prove
anything without a letter.

Besides, people know that
you don’t like your mother-in-law.

That’s why I came to you,
Alexey Fyodorovich.

God forbid, I don’t want no accusation or trial.

I don’t want anything bad to happen.

I don’t want my husband to be found guilty.

Luka,

listen to the Princess.

She’ll describe you a man
who went to Staritsa today.

Bring him back to Moscow

If you, Andrey Mikhailovich, swear allegiance
to Dimitry today, they will follow you.

Not everyone. Not all of them.

Many will follow Staritsky.

There’ll be dissension.

So far they only cry out.

They might resort to violence.

We too should think about Staritsky.

He doesn’t want to be a tsar.

The Prince isn’t stupid.

He’s an able man.

We’ll support Staritsky

and convince him to continue
the course started by Ivan.

And we will avoid dissension
among the boyars.

Aleksey, think about it.

If the Tsarina comes to power,
there’ll be trouble.

And Staritsky eventually will be
accepted by everyone.

So you doubt the will of the Tsar
who rules by divine right?

The Tsar’s command is not
to be discussed but to be obeyed.

Listen, Father.

It’s a humiliation to recognize
the authority of the Zakharyinys.

I don’t show it, but the boyars are right.

Who are these Zakharyinys?

Who are they to rule the old families?

You disagree.

Then convince the Tsar to change his mind.

And if you can’t, that’s his will.

You said you were worried
about your wife and son.

And now you, yourself
are putting them at risk.

If you pass your powers on to them,
they will perish.

And if I don’t, they’ll be devoured.

At least if these men kiss the cross,
they’ll be afraid of God.

I swear to you.

We - Alexey, Sylvester
and I all together - will protect them

on the condition that they won't reign.

Remember your mother.

Just remember
how the boyars humiliated you.

How it all happened.

It will happen again.

I remember that I survived
and ascended against all the odds.

I rose to glory.

My son will ascend too.

At least attend the council’s meeting.

And later we will think about it together.

Your role is to advise me.
Mine is to decide.

Alright, alright, dear.
Hold on.

Just a bit more.

Hey, brother!
Do you know the way to Staritsa?

No, I don’t.

Really? And I was told that
this was the way to Staritsa.

Why are you lying?

I’m headed in another direction.

Wait! Wait!

Wait!

Wait, scoundrel.

Wait! Stop!

Stop, you!

Good grief.

The boyars speak
so highly of you, Vladimir.

No one is ashamed to kneel
before our illustrious family.

How funny.

How many thirst for power
pray for it, beg God

and it’s given to the only one
who does not want it at all.

Aleksey Adashev is here to see you, Father.

Let him in.

Princess ...

Vladimir Andreevich,

do you know why I’ve come?

Leave us alone, Mother.

Don’t take a sin upon your soul.

Swear allegiance to Ivan’s son
and to the Tsarina.

The rest will follow you.

You make it sound like
it’s me I started the conspiracy.

- You know it’s not true.
- I know.

I know that you don’t want this.

It’s not of your making.

Someone is pushing you.

Am I wrong?

I see what you mean.

It was the boyars who
chose me, not my mother.

And if the boyars called me to rule,
that’s God’s will. Go now.

Don’t take the sin upon your soul.

I don’t believe there’s anything
more left to be said.

Have they pledged their allegiance?

No, Majesty. They’re still arguing.

There is no agreement among the boyars.

Hush, hush. Hush, hush.

How many boyars are undecided?

Almost half of the Duma, Ivan Vasilyevich.

Lock all the doors to the faceted chamber.

Only those who swear allegiance
to my son can come out.

What are you waiting for, Father?

Take the cross and make the boyars kiss it.
Right now.

Follow me, Tsarina. Hold your son.

What’s that supposed to mean, Your Grace?

It means that it’s time
to fulfill the Tsar's will.

Well?

It’s not right, Your Grace.
It’s not proper.

Have you heard the Tsar’s will?

Well?

What kind of medicine is this?

Opium. A rare substance from China.
Brought in by Tatar merchants.

Will it help?

The pain will go away.

I’m sorry, Your Majesty.

I think it’ll be over tonight.

I can‘t aid you in any way here.

Go to sleep, Your Majesty.

You must be exhausted.

I’ll stay here. To pray.

Take a deep breath.

Vanya. Vanya, hush. Hush.

Hush.

My son.

What?

My son.

My son.

Vanya,

Vanya dear.

Vanya.

Look how bright the light is.

Treason.

They disobeyed my will.

How much more of this do I have to take?

Bring them all to justice. All of them.

May will be implicated.

If you go ahead with reprisals,
it might start the w*r.

You are willing to sin
for a sake of revenge?

You’re not afraid of Hell’s fire.

Do not avenge yourselves, beloved,

but leave room for God’s wrath.

For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine.
I will repay, says the Lord.”

No. I didn’t start this w*r.

They rebelled against
my will to overthrow the throne

and to rule jointly.

Woe to the city ruled by many.

They were in doubt.

But they didn’t go further.

They didn’t have the time
to swear allegiance to anyone else.

It is said: by word, deed, thought.

All of those who didn’t want
to kiss the cross are my enemies now.

Anyone who had these thoughts
is my enemy now.

And God’s enemy as well.

Sire, I had my doubts too.

You must forgive me, brothers Boyars.

I missed some of your meetings
due to my illness.

But do not worry.

Everything that was discussed
at these meetings

was passed on to me in full detail.

And I had time to think.

I’ve made a big decision.

Sire, spreading rumors is one thing.

But only those who disobeyed
your will should be punished.

Sit down!

So here’s my decision.

To go on a pilgrimage.

To thank God for healing me.

What are you waiting for?

That’s all I wanted to tell you today.

Tell me, Vladimir, why didn’t publicly
refused your right of succession?

Why didn’t you announce before the Duma
that you won’t accept the power?

I didn’t dare.

I never wanted it, Ivan Vasilievich.

I never thought of it.

And now it seems to me there is nothing is
more frightening than welding such power.

That’s right Vladimir, it’s frightening.

I have sinned against you.

How?

I’m envious of you.

What do you do in Staritsa?
Beekeeping?

I’d do that too.

But God has chosen me.

This is God's will, Vladimir.

I want you to remember it well.

I won’t forget it.

I just need to know.

Is there no feud between us?

No, Vladimir.

Whatever it is,
I can’t imagine me feuding with you.

You’re my brother.

Yes.

Hello, Mother.

They don’t let me out of the Kremlin.

So I thought maybe when you leave Moscow,

the Princess will be able to hand it over?

If you stop by at the monastery, of course.

The Princess will stay in Moscow for long.

Don’t make her angry.

If she gets angry,
you will never see him again.

Please.

Go.

You’ve chosen a bad time
to take a walk, Ivan Petrovich.

Don’t make me run after you.

Hush, Mother. It’s so peacful here.
And you’re shouting.

I played here when I was a boy.

Even met a forest spirit once.

Or so it seemed to me then.

A good place.

They caught a serf recently.

He tried to chop some wood.
He said the forest was for everyone.

I had to hang him to teach them a lesson.

They’re impudent.

They treasure nothing.

Like our Tsar.

He always tries to change
the old way of doing things.

As if Russia is not good as is.

I don’t know what force pulled him
out of the grave. I don’t know.

It is what it is.

But now we know for sure that the boyars
want to see Vladimir as the tsar.

Even those close to him started
thinking about it.

Mother, but as long as the heir is alive,
nothing can be done.

What do you mean?

Nothing.

If you started something
see it through the end.

For example, I can’t stain my hands
with a baby’s blood.

Well, you always do things your way,
Mother. - Are you trying shame me?

I have nothing to be ashamed of.

Ivan’s entire family has sinned against me.

What is true is true.

Mlada. Where are you coming from so early?

- Just returned to Moscow.
- Where did you go?

Do you love
someone else?

I love no one.

So what then?

I told you not to ask.

THE SHEKSNA RIVER

Is it all right? Is it secured?

How much luggage is left?

Are there not enough
convents in Moscow?

We keep going and going.

Look, such a beautiful day, Nastya!
Have a ride with me.

I don’t want to leave Dimitry.

Well, what do we have nannies for?

I’ll look after him, Your Majesty.
Take a rest.

Tshhh ... Tshhh ...

- Don’t look.
- What is that?

They've punished an evil man.

Don’t look.

Let’s go back!

Dimitry is crying.

Son!

She has fallen overboard!

Hurry, hurry!

Stop shouting and help us look!