New Nicholas & Alexandra Video - Mini Series? Part I

Hi,

I completely concur with your thoughts on Alexei....

If you do use him at all, then the line about "Fast women and slow ships" must be used.
That's too good and witty an expression to not use in a movie!!!

We do need some merth to soften the overall tragedy of the story..

Larry

We do need some merth to soften the overall tragedy of the story..

Yeah, that is true.  Although it will be hard, considering we know what happens at the end.

Oh yes. We need some light relief. Alexei being very charming but hopelessly inefficient as a naval commander will be just the thing.

And we cannot leave Serge out.

Ann

I hate to rain on everyones parade but while GD Alexei is often portrayed as a bloated, bemedaled,buffoon who knew more about boudoirs than battleships. As well as the fast women and slow ships quote. And the fact that the Russo-japanese war was a disaster for the russian navy. In reality he was not a total incompetant and did do alot to modernize the Russian navy see his wiki bio.
Here are some quotes ect from Serge Witte:
In those days the young emperer carried in himself the seeds of the best that the human mind and heart pocessess. I knew him to be inexperienced in the extreme but rather well bred youth as a matter of fact I had rairly come across a better mannered young man than Nicholas II. Poor unhappy emperer he was not born for the momentous historical role which fate has trust upon him. Emporer Alexander III was economical and did not throw money away but nicholas II does not know how to count.
Witte was able but unpopular, uncouth, and contemptous of court life. he and nicholas II did not get along that well. there is joke about them: Nicholas II has a dream about 3 cows one lean one fat and one stupid. He goes to Father John of Kronstadt for an explanation about the dream and was told the lean cow was the Russian people, the fat cow was Witte the Finance minester and the stupid cow was himself.
Another russian joke of the period was Alexander III was his own prime minester  while nicholas II had none at all. I hope this is of some use.

James,

Thanks for chipping in. I realize Alexei was not a buffoon and as you mentioned he did much to modernize the navy. He's a colorful character to be certain. Right now I'm trying to figure out how to work him into the story in a way that will do him justice. You are correct that it's probably unfair to depict him as little more than a womanizer and the "fall guy" in the disastrous Russo-Japanese war. I hope to present him as a more complex character keeping in mind all the while that this is NOT a crucial main character to the overall story. Perhaps there is a way I can show Nicholas having a conversation among other GDs and generals about AA. They mention how much he has dobe for his country and how popular he is before it is ultimately decided that he should be relieved. This allows our character to save some face and hopefully inspires the audience to, at the very least, punch his name into Wikipedia and learn more...

Your Witte comments are both humorous and useful James and I thank you for that. I've been skimming through his "Memoirs" since it's sn essential read for the purposes of this project. Nicholas wasn't the only one who found Witte, for all of his clever brilliance, unlikeable. Theodore Roosevelt never warmed to him either, although they did exchange letters after the Treaty of Portsmouth and their meeting. Still I find it interesting that Witte couldn't find a home among the conservative autocratic elements of his own country nor, apparently, the progressive minded revolutionaries. A fascinating person and key supporting character that I've made a point to include so far and will continue to very much work into the story as we move along...

I would read Witte's Memoirs with some caution. According to the book "The Russian Revolution" R Pipes, Information has come out that Witte was the man who did the most to start the R-J war. It also states that Plehve the despised Minester of the Interior did not want a war. I also understand there are two bios of Witte out one fairly recent.

Nice...thanks for the heads up! Yes I'm studying Witte more for the purposes of character development and to hopefully pull some quotes more than allowing him to dictate the overall flow of the story.

I've just finished studying up and taking notes on Coronation and Khondynka. There's always more to learn and more material to pull from on a particular subject but I have to draw the line somewhere. I have a pile of notes that I hope to generate some script/dialogue from over the next two or three days. I feel like I'm back in college here! lol, stay tuned...

According to the book of the R-J war "Tide at Sunrise" and also "Nicholas and Alexandra TR really didn't care for Witte that much nor did Witte really like Americans. The book "Russian and Soviet Battleships" is a good account on the Russian battleships of this period.

According to the book of the R-J war "Tide at Sunrise" and also "Nicholas and Alexandra TR really didn't care for Witte that much nor did Witte really like Americans. The book "Russian and Soviet Battleships" is a good account on the Russian battleships of this period.

The is true. TR did not care for Witte but did take the time to send him a couple of letters post-treaty. One that Witte posted in his "Memoirs" was rather moving. Roosevelt was lobbying the Russia government (hoping that Witte had the ear of the Tsar) to allow for the safe passage and inclusion of American Jews to Russia either for the purposes of conducting business or meeting with relatives. Knowing full well the pervasive antisemitism.

But overall Witte found TR to be extremely naive in terms of his approach to foreign policy. I didn't know of his general dislike for Americans however. Perhaps if he had lived just a few years longer he would have come not to like his fellow Russians very much either :-/

[Moscow, May of 1896]

OK ladies and gents strap because it's Coronation time at long last! Long scene that I will be posting in several parts. As always your comments and contributions are welcome...

Moscow, May of 1896. Church bells are ringing as Musovites are shown painting and whitewashing buildings, hanging strings of evergreen across doorways and Russian flags draping from windows. Cossacks gallop past creaking carts filled with peasant women. From trains arrive tall Siberians in heavy fur coats, Turks and cavalry generals. Two Siberians in conversation exiting a train are briefly caught up to…

Man #1: Tsar Nicholas? I don’t know anything about him but what do I care…like his father before him he pushed for the construction of the Trans-Siberian railway.
Man #2 (chuckling): Yes, the “Tsar’s Train”
Man #1: Whatever. We have jobs because of it.
Man #2: Yes it gets me out of the field. Plus now we have a day of celebration!
Man #1: Russia is the envy of the world for these few days. Did you know they lift fines and taxes…and even pardon criminals?
Man #2: Good, I was planning on smuggling home some vodka and maybe stealing some fine china from the homes of the Grand Dukes. They’ll be out dancing the night away at their palaces.
Man #1: Haha yes, now we don’t have to worry about getting caught!

Both men laugh as the scene cuts away.

Next we visit Nicholas and Alexandra kneeling in prayer at the Petrovsky Palace just outside of Moscow where they will stay until the day before the coronation ceremony. The scene shifts quickly to May 25th, the day before coronation. The massive crowd awaits the arrival of the Tsar, Empress and Dowager Empress in Moscow. Troops on horseback are shown creating a four mile barrier between the eager onlookers and the procession.

Nicholas is the first to appear, mounted on a white horse and riding into town. He fixes his right hand in the salute position and receives rapturous applause from the many thousands in attendance along the route. Marie Feoderovna riding in Catherine the Great’s carriage appears next followed quickly by Alexandra. We shift to the three of them at the top of the cathedral stairs where they will be receiving mass…each bow from left to right and smile to the crowd before heading in through the doors.

We then catch up with Nicholas & Alexandra that evening. They are attending the ballet and a new play called “The Pearl” at the famous Bolshoi Theater. Much to Nicholas’s surprise the beautiful and popular Mathilde Kschessinska appears on stage giving the new Tsar a rather long look and smile while politely bowing to the Empress. Whereas Nicholas looks surprised embarrassment passes Alexandra’s face. The audience is applauding never the less as the scene fades out.

The next scene takes us to the morning of the coronation. We show Alexandra having her hair done with the assistance of three maids. She has been up with her husband since dawn…

Alexandra: I couldn’t sleep at all yet I’m too excited and too nervous to feel tired.
Nicholas: Everything will work out fine darling. You’re only required to look beautiful and look like an Empress.
Alexandra: I’m not certain how easy even that will be.
Nicholas: Trust me, once you hear the embrace from that massive crowd…thousands of Russians. The canons firing, the orchestra playing, familiar faces all around. You’ll have all the energy you need to get through the day.
Alexandra (smiling): I’m sure you’re right.
Nicholas: It’s just like the other day, only bigger this time. It will be glorious!

[Reporter:]

Alexandra smiles as the scene cuts away. We then focus on the procession route and upon the mass of humanity and splendor. From within the crowd a correspondent of the "Metropolitan of Moscow", with pencil and paper in hand, turns to his partner snapping photographs and speaks the following...
 
Reporter: "As there is no power higher, so there is no power on Earth more arduous than the power of the Tsar. No burden so wearisome as the duty of the Tsar"...what do you think Vasily?
Vasily (cameraman): I think I have never seen anything before like it, nor would I expect to see anything quite so majestic again.
Reporter (smiling, looking at his notes): So far we have the cannon's firing at precisely 7am, and the masses proceeding towards the Kremlin. The Empress made her way to the Cathedral of Assumption accompanied by bedecked troops and house guards in their eagle crested helmets.
Vasily (gazing around): Quite the diverse crowd, you should be sure to mention...enthusiastic too!
 
Camera shows the throngs in attendance cheering and waving excitedly at the procession, almost as though on queue...
 
Reporter: Yes, handpicked however. The local authorities are leaving nothing to chance.
Vasily: Here comes the Dowager Empress!
 
Next scene shows the Dowager Empress is her carriage, it's now 9am. She's fighting back tears. Overwhelmed both by the event itself and reminiscing back to her husband Alexander III's coronation. Scene cuts momentarily and catches back up with Marie Feoderovna being assisted out of her carriage by eight elderly generals and into the cathedral. She is also accompanied in by some 200 court officials, pages, ladies in waiting and maids of honor.
 
Nicholas's procession then makes its way through. Clergy sprinkle the route with holy water as his carriage makes it way to the top of the stairs. He then emerges from the canopy and greets his wife who preceded him. They are met with tremendous applause from the crowd and cannon's again begin to fire as the orchestra plays "God Save the Tsar."

From her balcony and standing alone we again focus in on Mathilde Kschessinska. A forlorn look on her face and tears in her eyes as the precession passes by in the distance. We enter into a flash back sequence...

The date March 23, 1890 scrolls across the screen. Nicholas and his father are shown having attended a performance at the theatrical institute where there were some short plays and a ballet. After the performance The Tsar has supper at a ball where performers had been invited…

Alexander III: And where is Kschessinska the second?

The young ballerina (not yet 18) is brought to the Tsar’s table where she is paid several compliments…

Alexander III: Aren’t you positively enchanting my dear.
Kschessinska (nervously): Oh thank you kindly your majesty.
Alexander III: Be the glory and adornment of our ballet!
Kschessinska (blushing): I take it you enjoyed the performance your majesty?
Alexander III: Very much so and of course congratulations to you on this graduation day. May you entertain the Russian masses for many years to come!
Kschessinska: I look forward to it and will do my very best!
Alexander III: I knew your father quite well you know...?
Kschessinska: Yes, like everyone he always spoke so highly of you and never failed to mention what an honor it was to know his majesty on a personal level.
Alexander III (smiling): Thank you for that…Mathilde have you ever met my eldest son Nicholas?
Nicholas: Hello.
Kschessinska (quick curtsey): Hello…(gives the Tsarevich a long look)…I’m honored.
Alexander III: Now I insist on you joining us for dinner. Nicholas, pull up a seat next to you for the young lady. I’m sure there will be plenty for you to chat about, only, please, don’t flirt too much (laughing).

Nicholas is shown sitting back in his seat, incredibly shy around the ballerina, speaking not a word for the entirety of the meal. Mathilde resorts to making small talk with other Grand Dukes and their wives sitting at the table. Although apparently tongue tied the Tsarevich's eyes follow her every move and soak in each gesture.

We then cut to a montage of scenes showing some future interactions between Nicholas and Mathilde. Some include the Tsarevich leaving flowers for Mathilde back stage at an intermission. She reads his note and blushes. Later the next year we see the two of them in a romantic exchange. Nicholas gives her a gold bracelet studded with diamonds and a large sapphire. Then we show them sitting and talking prior to rehearsal. Lastly we cut to the following exchange. The two are meeting on a road between Petersburg and Krasnoe Selo. Nicholas gallops up on horseback to her carriage and gets in…

Nicholas: Good afternoon Mathilde. Thank you agreeing to meet with me.
Kschessinska (kissing him): Of course...what is it you wanted to tell me…I have a feeling that I know why you’re here and why we are meeting like this.
Nicholas: You’ve been so good to me and I owe you the courtesy of a face to face meeting.
Kschessinska: These last months have been wonderful. I want you to know that before you say anything that I will treasure the time we spent together always. I understand that I cannot be your wife.
Nicholas: Then you’ll understand that I can no longer see you…I’m prepared to give my heart to and marry the Princess Alix of Hesse.
Kschessinska (nods her head as tears slowly fill her eyes): I knew this day would come eventually. I dreaded it of course.
Nicholas: You will be taken care of Mathilde, you know I wouldn’t permit anything less.
Kschessinska (giggling through her tears): Of course Nicky you’ve been so very kind to me. I’ll have you know however that I would gladly trade every gift that you’ve given me…priceless jewels, my home, my career even if it meant that I could be with you.
Nicholas: I love you but you know it cannot be…
Kschessinska: I love you too and promise that I understand.

The two embrace and the scene cuts away. Next we show Nicholas, later on, speaking to Alix of his past involvement with the ballerina Kschessinska...

[Alexandra (pausing to smile first):]

Alexandra (pausing to smile first): What is past is past and will never return. We all are tempted in this world and when we are young we cannot always fight and hold our own against the temptation. But as long as we repent, God will forgive us. Forgive me darling if anything I say troubles you, but I want you to be quite sure of my love for your and that I love you even more since you told me that little story. Your confidence in me touches me oh so deeply. May I always show myself worth of it…God bless you my beloved Nicky.

Alexandra proceeds to lean over and kiss Nicholas on his forehead as the scene shifts back to present day and the ceremony inside the cathedral. Nicholas clothed in a mantle of gold brocade and ermine receives the orb and sceptre. In front of the standing crowd he listens to the priest’s sermon. Then both he and Alexandra kneel while Nicholas prays for Russia and her people. He is then anointed with Holy Oil and swears his oath to rule the empire and preserve autocracy...

Nicholas (speaking his oath): O Lord God of our fathers, and King of Kings, Who created all things by Thy word, and by Thy wisdom has made man, that he should walk uprightly and rule righteously over Thy word: Thou has chosen me as Tsar and judge over Thy people. I acknowledge Thine unsearchable purpose towards me, and bow in thankfulness before Thy Majesty. Do Thou, my Lord and Governor, fit me for the work to which Thou has sent me; teach me and guide me in this great service. May there be with me the wisdom which belongs to Thy Throne; send it from Thy Holy Heaven, that I may know what is well-pleasing in they sight, and what is right according to Thy commandment. May my heart be in Thine hand, to accomplish all that is to the profit of the people committed to my charge, and to Thy glory, that so in the day of Thy judgment I may give Thee account of my stewardship without blame: through the grace and mercy of Thy Son, who was once crucified for us, to whom all honor and glory with Thee and the Holy Spirit, Giver of Life, unto the ages of ages.  Amen.

He then places his large crown upon his head. This followed by his placing of a smaller crowd on the head of the Empress, kisses her, and she proceeds to kneel before him. Both are shown receiving anointments and christenings from the priest. Then they step down from the alter and proceed to sit in their two thrones...

Alexandra (whispering to Nicholas as music plays and hymns are being sung): Never have I felt so strong...this ceremony is a mystic marriage between myself and Russia. I am no longer that young princess from Darmstadt. I am Empress and Matushka.

The scene shifts back outside of the cathedral as the coronation ceremony is now complete. Nicholas and Alexandra climb the red stairway and bow three times to the crowd. Wild applause greets them. They are then shown descending down the stairs escorted by Grand Dukes, Duchesses, and Generals before heading back into their carriages. The carriages ride back away from the cathedral back through the procession. The orchestra restarts a rendition of “God Save the Tsar” , more canons fire and a near deafening applause emanates from the crowd.

The scene shifts to that evening’s ball and Nicholas & Alexandra arm in arm receive their guests. Nicholas momentarily complains to Alexandra…

Nicholas: This crown is giving me a headache. I wanted to wear something smaller and simpler but they insisted on me wearing this.
Alexandra: Oh dear…it’s certainly beautiful. I was told it originally belonged to Catherine the Great and was made for her in 1762.
Nicholas: Yes it’s certainly regal I suppose…I wonder how the head and neck of the great Empress Catherine felt after a full evening with this on.
Alexandra (chuckling): We’ll be into some more comfortable attire soon my dear. You’re precious head will never feel so buoyant!

The scene fades out and we shift briefly to Nicholas and Alexandra standing alone on a Kremlin balcony. They gaze upon the gloriously illuminated city of Moscow while overlooking the river where their shimmering images can be scene quite clearly. Nicholas is standing behind and holding Alix as soft music can be heard playing in the background. The scene fades out.

[Guard #1:]

Next scene shows a mass of people walking down the streets of Moscow and heading towards the Khondynka Field in the early hours of the morning. We cut to two guards on horseback watching the huge crowds being to gather in the field with some concern...
 
Guard #1: They realize arrival time is not scheduled for several more hours, do they not?
Guard #2: Just hoping for a good place in line I suppose...still I've not seen a crowd of this size in Moscow. Looks like the entire population of Russia is in attendance.
Guard #3: We'd better be getting over to Khondynka. It looks like they're going to need every available man.
Guard #1: Right, lets go...
 
The guards gallop away.
 
Next scene shows workers frantically setting up tables inside of canopies as the crowd grows and lines up before them. They are shown placing gift wrapped items including sausage, bread rolls, nuts, sweets, gingerbread, alcohol, enamel tableware, and special coronation beakers. They hope to be ready for the throngs of attendees by 10am. We cut over to three people standing in the middle of the crowd and in conversation...
 
Man #1: How much of everything did you say they have?
Man #2: I read in the "Times" that it was 400,000.
Woman #1: I hope that's enough!
Man #1: This is insanity right now. I'd just assume head home if I thought we could actually make our way out of here.
Man #2: Good luck with that.
Man #1: You know they didn't pick such a good place to corral us in here. This field is normally used for military maneuvers.
Woman #1: Yes, I can feel the ground is pitted with ruts...and look over there (woman points)...it looks like those people are standing in the middle of a ditch.
Man #2: Lets just get what we came for and get the hell out of here...
 
The scene shifts to another group of people standing elsewhere in the crowd. A man several meters behind them begins yelling, "There's not enough! There's not enough to go around...".
 
Woman #2: What's he saying?
Man #3: He's saying there is too many of us and I think he's right.
Man #4: The front of the line is going to get everything and we're going to be stuck here, thirsty and hungry!
Man #5 (shouting among others): I've been waiting for hours, I'm not leaving empty handed! Lets get up there!
Woman #2: Wait a second you can't push, we are all boxed in here!
Man #3 (as the unruly crowd begins pushing from behind): You fools, we'll be crushed!
Woman #3 (screeching in pain): Stop it! Stop it!
 
Camera cuts back across the field showing our original gathering of people looking on horrified as the crowd several meters to their right begins to push and then fold under the pressure. People are screaming and start to fall...their bodies becoming trampled.
 
Man #1: Good God!
Woman #1: What could they be thinking?
Man #2: Stop pushing, you idiots, it's going to be a massacre!
 
We cut quickly to guards on horseback attempting to hold the line. They plead with the crowd to stop pushing. Suddenly one section of the barricade gives way and dozens begin to fall on top of one another...yelling, screaming, and crying persists. Several lifeless bodies are shown having been trampled or suffocated to death.
 

[GD Sergei:]

Next scene shifts back to the palace where suddenly Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich and Moscow Chief of Police Colonel Vlasovsky burst through doors into a room where Nicholas and Alexandra are engaging in pleasant conversation with an assortment of coronation guests. The pale look of horror on their faces alone throws Nicholas & Alexandra into an immediate state of concern. They are both quickly taken aside...
 
GD Sergei: Your majesties forgive me...something awful has happened.
Nicholas: What is it?
GD Sergei: I received word not long ago that there was a tragedy at Khondynka.
Alexandra: My Lord...
GD Sergei: As you know there were many thousands of guests lining up for hours awaiting the gifts the court so generously had arranged for them to receive. Apparently a meritless rumor began to spread that there would not be enough of each gift for all in attendance. Certain members of the crowd, probably half drunk, began pushing to get to the front of the line. A barrier broke and many were trampled to death.
Nicholas: I don't understand. How could this have happened...?
Colonel Vlasovsky: We are looking into it your majesty. We promise to keep you updated around the clock.
Alexandra: Do you know how many were killed?
GD Sergei: We are still receiving that information Alix but from what I'm being told it could be upwards of 1,300 fatalities with hundreds more injured.
Alexandra (in tears): Oh my God!
Nicholas: This is shocking. This was all supposed to be a great celebration for Russia.
 
Next scene shifts to several people crying, mourning and holding fallen loved ones. They are being surrounded by rescue workers and firefighters who hurriedly cart the dead away.
 
We then shift back to the palace. Nicholas, shown from across the room, is discussing the situation with several Grand Dukes and ministers. We focus in on a conversation between GD Konstantin Konstantinovich "KR" and GD Alexander Mikhailovich "Sandro"...
 
KR: It's awful to have to go to the fete at 2 o'clock, knowing there has been such a misfortune before it has even started. I didn't personally see anything but several people including my brother Mitia tell me that on their way here they met with firemen with large wagons piled high with the bodies of unfortunate victims.
Sandro: The Tsar has to postpone! He can't possibly go on with this hanging over the festivities. I hope to speak with him.
KR: Yes, as do I. It appears however that he is receiving plenty of council at the moment...
Sandro: It's a tragedy and a terrible omen...Nicholas will rise above it though.
 
Next scene has a still distressed looking Nicholas & Alexandra in discussion with several Grand Duke’s as well as the Dowager Empress. They are wondering what to do in the wake of the tragedy and whether to continue on with the already scheduled festivities...
 
Nicholas: An awful day. I have my reservations about continuing on but I’ve heard the recommendations of my ministers who have convinced me that there is much else to consider. So now I’m looking to you gentleman for some guidance...
GD Michael Mikhailovich: Your majesty I cannot recommend any action other than a full cancellation in the wake of this tragedy.
GD Nicholas Mikhailovich: Yes Nicholas, I fully agree with my brother. It sends a terrible message to the people.
GD Vladimir Alexandrovich: And what about the message it sends to France? Aren’t we forgetting that one of the guests of honor is the French ambassador Gustave Lannes.
GD Sergei Alexandrovich: Yes this is not a good time to rub a powerful ally the wrong way. The ambassador is clearly looking to make a strong impression on the new Tsar. He’s brought along a treasure trove of silver plates, priceless tapestries and a hundred thousand roses from Paris and Versailles. (The Mikhailovich’s role their eyes without discretion.)
GD Georgy Alexandrovich: Indeed Nicky, I’ve spoken with the French and Serge is right. We must too be very conscious of our appearance.
GD Sergei Alexandrovich: No one denies that this is a tragedy, but a sentimental approach is not befitting of a newly crowned Tsar looking to make his mark…
GD Michael Mikhailovich: Excuse me but this is ridiculous talk. The Emperor has an obligation to his people not the French government.
GD Vladimir Alexandrovich: Russian citizens will mourn their losses now and will be thanking the Tsar years from now for looking at the bigger picture…
GD Nicholas Mikhailovich: Bigger picture? 1,300 people who came for gifts and to honor the Emperor are now having their bodies carted off a field. You think offending a few guests holding flowers and offering to kiss the Emperor’s ass is of more importance than sending the right message to those Nicholas means to rule?
GD Vladimir Alexandrovich: Means to rule?
GD Michael Mikhailovich: With due respect Serge I cannot help but wonder if ignoring this tragedy is a way for you to deflect attention from your culpability in this matter…
GD Sergei Alexandrovich (getting up from his seat): I beg your pardon!
Maria Feoderovna: Oh gentlemen stop it! Stop it at once!
Nicholas: Yes, please you are my family and my most trusted advisors. I won’t permit these types of accusations and infighting.
GD Georgy Alexandrovich: What’s done is done. There are ways that we can display our sensitivities to the masses while taking the responsible course of action and continuing on with the festivities this evening.
Alexandra: I wish for us to visit the wounded in the hospital as soon as possible Nicky.
Nicholas: Yes dear, and the families of the victims should be taken care of.
GD Sergei Alexandrovich: A splendid idea…how does a thousand roubles to each of the families sound?
Nicholas (nodding his head as he paces behind his desk): I think it sounds about right…I’d also like to see them receive a proper burial. Lets make sure each has their individual coffin. I’m not comfortable with treating this as a typical mass disaster and throwing the bodies into a common grave.
GD Vladimir Alexandrovich: Very well…lets all put on a brave face now.
Maria Feoderovna (to Nicholas & Alexandra): I won’t be leaving your sides tonight.
Nicholas: Thank you dear mother.
GD Nicholas Mikhailovich (calmly): Your majesty I understand that this is not an easy decision. Still I beg you to reconsider. I believe there are greater things at stake at a time like this.
Nicholas: Allow me some time to make a final decision. I’ll need to speak alone with the Governor General now. Please do stay mother and Alix. For the rest of you I thank you all for your input.
 

[KR:]

The Grand Duke Sergei remains in his chair as everyone else leaves the room except for Nicholas, Alexandra and the Dowager Empress. Outside of the room as the grand dukes split off from one another to discuss their conversation with the Tsar to wives and family members, brothers GD Konstantin Konstantinovich and GD Nicholas Konstantinovich chat with one another. Both were in the room moments earlier although neither weighed in on the conversation at the time…
 
KR: I’m tormented by doubts...should I tell Sergei about what I consider to have been mistakes? I certainly don't want to talk to him. Sergei does not like anyone to disagree with him, he gets annoyed and loses his capacity to think coolly and logically
GD Nicholas: I think Nicholas heard what he wanted to hear. He is clearly disturbed by the tragedy but the opinion of his uncles will always carry more weight than whatever concerns our side of the family has.
KR: I respect Sergei, but it’s very difficult to be in the same room as the others at a time like his.
GD Nicholas: My guess is that Sergei Alexandrovich will refuse to cooperate with any investigation. He’d rather resign his command than to face the potential humiliation. They’ll find a way to pin this on Colonel Vlasovsky and relieve him of his duties.
KR: I’m not so certain the Tsar will allow his uncle off the hook so easily…
GD Nicholas: KR think about the Empress and the influence her sister Ella has with the Imperial Family. Do you really believe she’ll allow for her brother in law to be dragged through the mud by some investigation?
KR: I suppose you’re right brother.
 
Next scene shifts to that evening and a ball room full of guests. Naturally there is something of a somber mood accompanying the festivities. Still things are continuing on as scheduled even if it’s clear that Nicholas & Alexandra’s hearts are not into it. The imperial couple begin to dance the quadrille in the middle of the room. Alexandra’s eyes are reddened with tears while a few reserved smiles pass from Nicholas’s face to the onlookers in he crowd and returned in kind. We shift to a quiet conversation taking place behind most of the crowd. Sergei Witte is chatting with one day Foreign Minister Alexander Izvolsky…
 
Witte: We expected that the party would be called off. Instead here we are and it’s taking place as if nothing had happened.
Izvolsky: Did his majesty stop to consider the possible repercussions before dancing the quadrille with the Empress.
Witte: I must say he was far from being insensible and they were deeply moved. The Emperor’s first impulse was to order a suspension of the festivities and to retire to one of the monasteries. The Tsar's uncles urged him not to cancel anything to avoid greater scandal.
Izvolsky (sarcastically): Ah yes the ever wise Romanov uncles! Always knowing the pulse of their people. 
Witte (chuckling): Yes, masters of public perception. What’s more I hear the Tsar and Empress are planning to spend a fortnight with Grand Duke Sergei and sister Ella.
Izvolsky (incredulous): Even after what has happened and with the Governor General’s involvement in this fiasco?
Witte: Indeed. As if continuing on with the festivities didn’t already send the wrong message they’re now bunking up with the man most responsible for this tragedy.
Izvolsky: Utterly ridiculous!
 
Just then he camera shifts and we see the rather appalled looking Mikhailovich family staging a walk out. Their departure is noticed by several others but not Nicholas & Alexandra who share the floor and dance the polonaise.

We then shift the scene away from coronation and Khondynka. Nicholas & Alexandra looking to unwind spend two weeks at the country residence of Ella & Sergei Alexandrovich at Illinskoye. We meet up with Nicholas taking tea alone with Alexandra one morning…

Nicholas: Good morning Sunny.
Alexandra (excitedly): Hello, good morning to you Nicky darling!
Nicholas: You’re up surprisingly early…sleep alright?
Alexandra: Yes…finally. Coming here is like a weight off my shoulders.
Nicholas: I know what you mean.
Alexandra: It feels wonderful to have the past put firmly behind us.
Nicholas: Yes, I too awoke with the wonderful realization that everything is over and that it is now possible to live for oneself, quietly and peacefully.
Alexandra (smiling): You mother is quite concerned still, have you written her yet?
Nicholas: Actually I was in the process of doing so (pulls out a partially written letter from his breast pocket and hands it to Alix), here have a look.
Alexandra (reading Nicholas’s letter aloud): I believe we should regard all these difficult ceremonies in Moscow as a great ordeal sent by God...for at every step we shall have to repeat all we went through in the happy days thirteen years ago! One thought alone consoles me. That in the course of our life we shall not have to go through the rite again, that subsequent events will occur peacefully and smoothly.
Nicholas (reciting a Biblical verse): Respect your father and mother, and you will live a long and successful life in the land I am giving you.
Alexandra: Deuteronomy.
Nicholas: Amen.
Alexandra: Amen!

Scene fades out...