New Nicholas & Alexandra Video - Mini Series? Part I

More excellent scenes.  I like them.

More excellent scenes.  I like them.

Thanks Tim, I appreciate that :-)

Not being gifted at this type of thing like you, Ann, and any number of the published authors on the AP that was A LOT for me...need a little break now, lol. Kind of a lull period approaching in the story I think...not as much to talk about 1897-1902-ish.

Next scene I'm going to create is Alix speaking with grandma QV about life at the court and specifically Nicholas's routine, her observations and concerns, etc. They visited the Queen in 1896 so this fits in chronologically and I also want to give the "viewer" some insight on the day to day activities of the Tsar...show them that it's more about annoying paperwork and meetings with ministers than play time with family and attending lavish balls.

Afterwords I may use the downtime to introduce some of our eventual antagonists and villains...Kerensky, Lenin and Rasputin specifically. Show what was going on in their worlds near the turn of the century rather than to introduce them abruptly. Stay tuned...

Now for Mikhail Alexandrovich. We see him as a dashing young man, riding, boxing and attending wild parties. Then we see him arm in arm with Beatrice of Coburg, whispering together and behaving in romantic fashion.

Then we shift to Nicholas's private study at the Alexander Palace.

Nicholas:
No Misha, you cannot marry her.

Mikhail:
But we love each other.

Nicholas:
You and Baby Bea are first cousins. And as you know perfectly well, our church does not marry first cousins.

Continued:

Mikhail:
Baby Bea is a Lutheran now. She used to be Church of England. Both those churches will marry first cousins. It happens quite often.

Nicholas:
Misha, you forget. Until Alicky and I have a son you are my heir. The heir must marry in the Orthodox Church.

Mikhail:
Nicky....

Nicholas
There is no more to be said.

Later, Nicholas and Alexandra are having tea. Alexandra is pregnant again.

Continued:

Alexandra:
Darling, we must do something about Misha. He is becoming almost as bad as the Vladimirovichi. How anyone can think that he could rule Russia? If only this child is a boy.

Nicholas gazes fondly at her:
Sunny, darling, it must be a boy. After three girls it's about time.

Wow I missed this completely. Thread must have gotten buried on me...

Good stuff Ann, thanks for putting this together and sharing!

I'm guessing this particular scene would be taking place in 1901? That's especially good since it helps fill the relative lull in action during the years 1897-1902. Nice work! What would be the next scene? Anastasia is born and Nicholas takes that long solitary walk in the park?

Hi Ann, I just read your parts.  I liked them too.

Many thanks. Yes, spring 1901.

Domestically, after Anastasia's birth, we see increasing desparation, with Dr Philippe and other dodgy faith-healers.

I need to do the scene where Wulfert challenges Mikhail, and Mikhail is hastily posted elsewhere, ending with Alexandra saying to Nicholas, 'We must DO something with Misha.' But they don't.

Ann

[Victoria:]

Next scene is a conversation between Alexandra and her grandmother Queen Victoria in London. The Queen is meeting baby Olga for the first time. It was during an extended trip through Europe by the Imperial Family (late summer/early fall, 1896) that would take them next to Paris. The Queen sits Olga on her lap who is quietly playing with a doll she's just  received as a gift.

Victoria: A marvelous child Alix...you've done so splendidly.
Alix: Thank you your majesty. It was a hard labor. She was a fighter...not sure she wanted to be born (giggling)
Victoria: She is a rather large child but so adorable and healthy. Blessed with the wisdom and good looks of her mother & father she'll be the wife a king one day.
Alix (smiling): Thank you grandmother...and I hope to become pregnant soon with the boy who will one day become Emperor!
Victoria: Russia is in good hands my dear.
Alix: As is England...and what a magical time it is for us both! My first year as Empress and your Diamond Jubilee is just around the corner your majesty!
Victoria: Yes, thank you, I suppose it is easy enough to forget about how old I am when you're planning for what will be such a great celebration for your people and country.
Alix: Indeed!
Victoria: But tell me of Nicky...how is the life of the Tsar.

We see a montage of images featuring the Tsar interacting with others while Alexandra gives a description of his daily routine...

Alix: It's nothing if not busy, rarely do I see him some days. He is buried under mountains of paperwork half of the time. He's a man of such good heart that it's difficult at times for him to be as stern as he should be with the minsters and Grand Dukes. I'm always encouraging him not to let them forget who their Emperor is.
Victoria: As a young Empress must...very well my dear.
Alix: I think he took my advice one step too far just recently although I must say I was so proud of him. The Dowager Empress spoke to me rather irritated with Nicky. I asked, Marie, what's wrong? She said she asked him for a loan of one million roubles from the State Bank to give to a needy princess. Instead of the his loving consent and the money, she received a stern lecture about finances. Nicky then told her how he could not believe the princess had the audacity to think that he would grant such unnecessary compensation where the Tsar Alexander would not have (both women chuckle).
Alix: He is surrounded by mostly good, capable men. Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich is Grand Admiral of our navy and a noted patron of the arts in his free time. Serge of course is the Governor General of Moscow and s strong leader loyal to Nicky at every step. I wonder though about our cousin the Grand Duke Alexander. Nicky tells me that he tries to use to his large frame to intimidate...a very ambitious fellow.
Victoria: It's important that Nicholas realizes his time needs to be spent much more on delegating authority and dealing with the affairs of state rather than managing personalities.
Alix: Yes I agree. Everything has just happened so quickly. Our engagement, the death of the Emperor, our wedding, coronation...it's like a whirlwind of drama that never ceases.
Victoria: I'm certain you will be fine.
Alix: God is watching over us...I wish he could also send darling Nicky a competent accountant. He's been worried about personal expenses lately. Such a generous man it's hard for him to deny the requests of many in need...that story I told you a moment ago about the Dowager Empress as an exception.
Victoria: I also understand that like his father before him Nicholas is truly Russian down to the smallest of details.
Alix: Oh yes, you should see what he wears while working and during occasions that are not formal. He even wanted to convert our court dress to the long caftans worn by Russian Tsar's centuries ago until he realized how expensive it would be! He also speaks Russian to everyone but me and insists upon his ministers reporting to him in the native tongue rather than French or English.
Victoria: I suppose I'd better freshen up on my Russian.
Alix (smiling): Oh that's not all my dear Queen, Nicky is a patron of all things Russian in art and literature as well. You'll rarely catch him reading anything, aside from the Holy Bible, other than Pushkin, Gogol, Tolstoy, or a handful of other Russian novelists. Tchaikovsky is of course his favorite playwright.
Victoria: I see. Quite the nationalist.
Alix: Also is a very independent worker, he doesn't even have an office secretary.
Victoria: What?!
Alix: He does not ever want to be far removed from the details of his work. But when he's finished he is as lovely and charming a man as you'll ever met. He won't even discuss politics with anyone when not working.
Victoria: I'm quite certain! A loving family man that won't take very long for this little one (turning her attention back to Olga) to appreciate.

Nitpicking as usual.

I understand that Victoria's grandchildren called her Grandmama, at any rate in private discussions such as this, and Alexandra called Marie Feodorovna Motherdear to her face, so would probably refer to her in this fashion as well.

Meanwhile, there is plenty of drama in the confrontation between Mikhail and Wulfert. We start with Wulfert presenting his wife to Mikhail at the Blue Cuirassiers' regimental ball. Mikhail dances with her and they soon begin writing letters and having secret trysts. We have a furious row between Wulfert and Natasha, in which he threatens her and she announces she is going to Switzerland. The scene shifts to a railway station, where Wulfert and Natasha are making their farewells in a rather stiff fashion when Mikhail turns up. Wulfert accuses Natasha of ruining him.

Later, Wulfert confronts Mikhail at his palace and demands satisfaction.

An important point I need to bring out is that Mikhail was Wulfert's Commanding Officer, so that Mikhail was behaving very badly indeed, and that, with his honour very clearly at stake, Wulfert had little option under the mores of the time but to challenge him.

Not nitpicking at all. It will be changed to "grandmama" in the second draft...thanks for the heads up!

Your Mikhail-Wulfert scene sounds tasty...can't wait to read more!

Wulfert seems to have behaved in a rather histrionic fashion, though he had cause. According to wikipedia, drawing on the Crawfords' book, he threatened to shoot himself several times. Overall, he doesn't sound a terribly pleasant individual, but whoever plays him will need to be able to engender some sympathy for him, given that Mikhail behaved extremely badly.

Mikhail can't quite believe that Wulfert is taking all this so seriously. ('My dear Vladimir Vladimirovich, why don't we have a drink and discuss this sensibly.' 'Your Imperial Highness, my honour demands satisfaction.') The regimental duelling committee meets and decides that Wulfert has good cause to seek satisfaction (I can do a meeting between the chairman - traditionally-minded Colonel - and Mikhail, who can't quite believe that Wulfert is intent on shooting him!). The news reaches Nicholas (via a Blue Cuirassiers' officer who is one of his ADCs, or perhaps via Olga Alexandrovna?), and he is given advice by Count Fredericks. Mikhail must be posted elsewhere forthwith, and the duel must be prevented without any besmirching of Mikhail's honour! Apparently Wulfert was bought off by Fredericks with a good posting and a hefty backhander. Perhaps Nikolai Koulikovsky can help calm him down.

Then, of course, we have Alexandra fulminating to Nicholas about Mikhail's dreadful behaviour, and Olga A suggesting that they all set about finding Mikhail a suitable wife - how about Patricia of Connaught (attractive, interesting, and not closely related)? But Mikhail is only interested in Natasha.....

Here goes:

The Officers’ Mess of the Blue Cuirassiers. Officers in splendid uniforms, fashionably dressed ladies, band playing in background, mess waiters circling discreetly with trays of drinks.

Wulfert:
Mikhail Alexandrovich, may I present my wife, Natalya Sergeyevna.

Nastasha curtseys
Your Imperial Highness

Mikhail kisses her hand rather lingeringly
Charming. Vladimir Vladimirovich, you are a lucky fellow. Now Natalya Sergeyevevna, is your card marked for the second polonaise?
Mikhail offers her his arm and they go off to dance

Brother officer to Wulfert, some time later, as Mikhail and Natasha sweep past
Hey Wulfert, the Grand Duke’s certainly taken a shine to your wife. That’s three dances on the trot.


Various vignettes follow. Mikhail and Natasha strolling in the park at Gatchina. Mikhail writing a letter, Natasha reading it.

In Wulfert and Natasha’s bedroom. Natasha is in bed in a negligee, Wulfert still in his uniform.
What is going on between you and the Grand Duke? You’re sleeping with him, aren’t you?
Wulfert crosses the room to Natasha, punches her in the face.

Natasha starts to cry
Vladimir, I can no longer bear you near me. I shall go to Switzerland, and take Tata with me (looks fondly at picture of a small girl on the bedside table).


At the station. Porters are moving large quantities of luggage, small daughter looking confused as Wulfert and Natasha talk about the weather and whether it will be better in Switzerland. Mikhail appears. Wulfert ignores him.
Ah Natalya Sergeyevna, I trust your health will improve in Switzerland.
Wulfert scowls


Later, in Mikhail’s palace, where he is spending a relaxing afternoon (reading something about horses or boxing). Wulfert is announced.
Vladimir Vladimirovich, what brings you here? I was just about to ring for some tea.

 
Wulfert, standing stiffly to attention in his parade dress
Your Imperial Highness…..

Mikhail
Vladimir Vladimirovich, we are brother officers.

Wulfert
Your Imperial Highness, you have seduced my wife. My honour is besmirched and I require satisfaction.

Mikhail (thunderstruck)
My dear Vladimir Vladimirovich, aren’t you taking matters a little too seriously? Of course I hold Natalya Sergeyevna in great affection, but purely as a friend. You take your duties with the regiment very seriously, so that you are often away from home. Natasha is at times a little lonely, and she and I enjoy one another’s company. That is all it is. Now sit yourself down and we’ll have a drink and sort everything out.

Wulfert
The name of your second, your Imperial Highness.

Later, in an anteroom of the Officers’ Mess, the regimental duelling committee is meeting. Senior officer sums up.
Yes, Wulfert is hardly blameless. After all, he seduced his wife while she was still married to her first husband.

Another officer
The first husband was not an officer but a musician.

Chairman
Indeed. But there is nothing to be done. When a Commanding Officer seduces the wife of a subordinate…. And, of course, neither can remain with the regiment.