A Gentleman In Moscow Episode 3 Recap: 10 Biggest Reveals

April 12, 2024, 4:08 p.m.

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A Gentleman In Moscow Episode 3 Recap: 10 Biggest Reveals

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Warning: Major spoilers ahead for A Gentleman in Moscow episode 3, "The Last Rostov."

Summary "The Last Rostov" sends the plot hurtling forward with Alexander Rostov facing new developments and unknown territory in 1926.

The growing political situation in Russia greatly influences the narrative, affecting Alexander's relationships and experiences at the Metropol Hotel.

A Gentleman in Moscow continues its emotional roller coaster with shocking revelations about Alexander's family, and his sense of purpose.

This article mentions suicide.

A Gentleman in Moscow episode 3, "The Last Rostov," comes loaded with developments that send the plot hurtling forward into the unknown. Building on the elements introduced in A Gentleman in Moscow episode 2, the third installment of Ewan McGregor's historical drama takes Alexander Rostov into unknown territory. Showtime's adaptation of Amor Towles' 2016 novel has been an emotional roller coaster so far, and "The Last Rostov" continues that trend.

A Gentleman in Moscow's cast grows in size in episode 3, and the status of the Russian political situation also greatly informs the narrative, even more than the 1917-1923 Bolshevik Revolution did in the first two episodes. A Gentleman in Moscow's Metropol Hotel continues to be Alexander's entire world, and yet his opportunity for new experiences continues to grow with the building's walls.

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10 A Gentleman In Moscow Episode 3 Features A 4-Year Time Jump

"The Last Rostov" begins three years after the end of the Russian Revolution

The first two episodes of A Gentleman in Moscow take place in 1922, just one year before the end of the Russian Revolution. In "The Last Rostov," the story picks up four years later than the previous episode. As such, episode 3 takes place in 1926. The time jump reveals that Alexander has settled into an established routine to keep himself occupied and distracted during his unusual form of incarceration.

A Gentleman in Moscow episode 3 also proves that Nina's farewell at the end of the previous installment was not permanent. Alexander's companion may not be around as permanently as she once was, but she regularly returns, with her visits being of visible delight to her mustachioed friend. Unfortunately, Alexander's relationship with Anna hasn't blossomed quite so well, with the female narrator revealing the pair haven't exchanged so much as a single word in the four years since their passionate fling.

The identity of the narrator in A Gentleman in Moscow has yet to be revealed, but all signs so far point to the storyteller being an even older Nina.

9 Alexander's Grandmother Is Dead (& Has Been Living In London)

The countess was 87 years old

A Gentleman in Moscow has already shown Alexander's flashbacks of him saving his grandmother from the wrath of the Bolsheviks. The point of view shots have proven the countess got as far as a carriage to make her escape with Alexander's assistance, and the implication so far has been that she made it to safety. This is confirmed in "The Last Rostov" when Mishka brings his old friend news that Alexander's grandmother made it to England, but has recently died at the age of 87.

Later in the episode, Alexander also states that his grandmother raised him from when he was 10 years old, meaning she was essentially the count's mother for the majority of his life. Following the news that Alexander's "Grandmama" was cremated in London, he attempts to hold a wake befitting members of the Rostovs' former social class. Alexander's few invitees do not attend out of fear of punishment due to the political situation in Russia.

The death of Alexander's grandmother makes him the last surviving member of the Rostov bloodline, which is where the episode's title is derived from.

8 Alexander's Vision Suggests Helena Took Her Own Life

Helena's cause of death before "The Last Rostov" was left ambiguous

The manner in which Helena Rostov met her end in A Gentleman in Moscow has been a mystery during the show's first two episodes. While "The Last Rostov" doesn't confirm the location of Alexander's late sister's death, his vision during his own suicide attempt implies that Helena jumped from a height, just as her brother was intending to do before he was stopped by the Metropol's caretaker.

Like everybody, Alexander Rostov has his breaking point, and he reaches it during his failed memorial dinner for his late grandmother.

Helena isn't facing away from the ledge as she falls during Alexander's vision, which means she was looking right at her brother as she jumped. Furthermore, the shot in question is from Alexander's point of view, which is a hallmark of one of his flashback sequences, as is the 4:3 aspect ratio. It would make sense for how Helena died to be on Alexander's mind, given his grandmother's passing and the episode's title.

7 Osip Glebnikov May Be Softening Very Slowly

Alexander's jailer's mask is slipping

Alexander's guard at the hotel has so far been a very Stoic figure who plays his cards close to his chest. "The Last Rostov" finally has the enigmatic man tell Count Rostov that his name is Osip Glebnikov. In A Gentleman in Moscow episode 2, "An Invitation," Glebnivok grudgingly accepts a copy of War and Peace as a Christmas gift, despite the holiday itself being outlawed at the time.

In addition, Glebnikov also opens up more about his own past in "The Last Rostov," meaning he either trusts or needs Alexander more than he's letting be known, although it's more likely to be the latter. Paired with Glebnivok's gift acceptance and his name reveal, this new open nature could be a sign of things to come for the uneasy relationship between the two men.

6 Alexander's Rude Waiter Has Turned Out To Be More Of A Threat Than Expected

Leplevsky has barely made an attempt to conceal his dislike of Alexander

A surprise antagonist comes to the forefront in "The Last Rostov." While the disgruntled waiter from the Piazza initially seemed like nothing more than a member of staff unhappy with Alexander's presence, A Gentleman in Moscow episode 3 makes it clear the man is not to be trifled with. Revealed to be called Leplevsky, the waiter's suggestion to strip all the Metropol's wine bottles of their labels seems like a personal attack on Ewan McGregor's character. Leplevsky's newfound power is unlikely to diminish, and Alexander will certainly need to keep a watchful eye on his adversary.

In Amor Towles's original novel, Alexander refers to Leplevsky as "The Bishop," in reference to the waiter's tall stature resembling that of the chess piece. Alexander's flashbacks have often shown the young count's point of view as he plays chess with his grandmother, and he also has a set in his secret room off his quarters. As such, chess could become a very salient metaphor for future events in A Gentleman in Moscow, with Leplevsky heavily involved.

The Metropol Hotel hosted the First Moscow International Chess Tournament in 1925 in real life.

5 Vladimir Lenin Is Dead & Joseph Stalin Is In Power

Lenin died in 1924

A Gentleman in Moscow has adhered brilliantly to historical timelines so far. While Alexander and the other characters are fictional, the hotel and the Russian Revolution are very much rooted in reality. Following the implication that Lenin had a stroke in episode 2, the time jump in "The Last Rostov" continues A Gentleman in Moscow's penchant for accuracy by having Joseph Stalin in power due to the death of Vladimir Lenin.

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Stalin is almost tempted to the Metropol Hotel by Anna Urbanova's movie, but at the last minute, the hotel's occupants are disappointed to hear he won't be attending. This is a clever move by the show's writers, and it helps further blend A Gentleman in Moscow's fictional elements with its factual components. Seeing as Anna is a fictional character, Stalin can't possibly have interacted with her, so the real timeline of the politician's life is kept intact.

4 There Is A Political Divide Between Alexander & Nina

Their pair's relationship is revealed to be fraught in A Gentleman in Moscow episode 3

When Alexander and Nina are bonding in episodes 1 and 2, Nina is young enough to simply listen to her friend and soak up his words like a sponge. With very little experience of the world herself, Nina takes on what the count says as gospel, as she is unable to form her own opinion. Now that Nina's education is reaching a certain point, her political views are aligning with those of Joseph Stalin's Communist Party.

Even after the time jump in "The Last Rostov," Alexander is all smiles as he converses with the hotel staff and when he meets with Nina as she arrives.

As an ex-member of his country's ruling class, Alexander Rostov is everything 1926 Russia stood against. So, when Nina begins defending certain actions and policies enacted by Stalin, Alexander is deeply offended by his friend's altered thought process, even going as far to ask, "What have they done to you?" Their shared history and importance to one another may overcome this new political dissonance between them, but only time will tell.

3 Alexander Rostov's Patience Has Run Out

Ewan McGregor's character is low on emotional stamina

Alexander has displayed a tremendous amount of fortitude so far, with his imprisonment within the Metropol Hotel seemingly not bothering the count. However, it's been relatively clear that he has been putting on a performance, so his jailers can't see he's been beaten. Even after the time jump in "The Last Rostov," Alexander is all smiles as he converses with the hotel staff and when he meets with Nina as she arrives.

Like everybody, Alexander Rostov has his breaking point, and he reaches it during his failed memorial dinner for his late grandmother. The event's paltry attendance paired with Nina's new political ideology are enough to send Alexander into a fit of rage, yelling and breaking assorted pieces of dinnerware. The release of years of frustration is too much for the count to handle, as he leaves a note for Nina and heads to the roof to take his own life. If it hadn't been for a certain beekeeper, Alexander might have succeeded.

2 Alexander Rostov May Have Found A New Sense Of Purpose

The bees in A Gentleman in Moscow are a great metaphor for Alexander's situation

An early scene in "The Last Rostov" shows the hotel's caretaker bonding with Alexander over his bees, and more specifically, their honey. The moment initially seems like a feelgood addition to Alexander's life in the hotel, but it turns out to be pivotal in the journey of McGregor's character. The bees in question are being flushed out of their pollen-gathering area due to the destruction of certain areas of Moscow, and it's this detail that becomes important at the end of the episode.

When coaxing Alexander down from the ledge, the caretaker reveals the bees have been resourceful and resilient enough to overcome the city's transformation. The not-so-subtle hint here is that Alexander must find the strength to do the same. To help him on his way, the caretaker hands over beekeeping duties to Count Rostov, giving him something to do beyond day-to-day survival.

1 Anna & Alexander Finally Have The Beginnings Of Something Real

The Gentleman in Moscow couple have four years of lost time to make up for

Despite not entering the fray until A Gentleman in Moscow episode 2, Anna has already become one of the show's most important characters. Her carnal rendezvous with Alexander in her first episode leads to a repeat performance in "The Last Rostov," despite the pair not speaking once in the four years that separate the installments. Although the physical attraction between them is evident, the ending of episode 3 suggests a much more meaningful relationship could be blossoming.

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Following Alexander's Rostov's suicide attempt and Anna Urbanova's failed movie screening, the downtrodden duo accidentally meet in the bar of the Metropol for a drink of commiseration. After a brief exchange, they head up to Anna's room once more, but this time with an energy between them that could be love rather than just physical desire. Going forward, their unconventional romance will be fascinating to watch unfold, given that their interactions are limited to the confines of the hotel in A Gentleman in Moscow.

A Gentleman In Moscow Release Schedule Episode Number Title Release Date (2024) 1 A Master of Circumstance March 29 2 An Invitation April 5 3 The Last Rostov April 12 4 Good Times April 19 5 TBA April 26 6 TBA May 3 7 TBA May 10 8 TBA May 17

A Gentleman in Moscow is released weekly, with a new episode each Friday on Showtime.