A Gentleman In Moscow Episode 4 Recap: 10 Biggest Reveals

Warning: Spoilers ahead for A Gentleman in Moscow episode 4, "Good Times."

Summary Alexander Rostov faces new challenges in A Gentleman in Moscow episode 4 as he adapts to changing circumstances in Soviet Russia.

The episode covers a period from 1932 to 1938, revealing significant personal and political developments for Rostov.

Alexander's role as a waiter, his relationship with Anna, and even a revealed past dual add layers to his character in "Good Times."

A Gentleman in Moscow episode 4, "Good Times," has Alexander Rostov in scenarios never before seen in previous installments of the adaptation. As Russia changes around Alexander and Moscow's Metropol Hotel, the life of Ewan McGregor's character must also evolve as much as it can under his restrictive circumstances. The story is revealing itself to be told over a substantial period of time, with certain members of A Gentleman in Moscow's cast experiencing some major milestones in "Good Times."

With A Gentleman in Moscow episode 3 leaving Russia's 1917-1923 Bolshevik Revolution in the rearview mirror, "Good Times" explores the state of the country in the wake of the Soviet Union's birth. Alexander's tight-knight social circle has remained his saving grace throughout his incarceration, but A Gentleman in Moscow episode 4 threatens almost all he has left that he also holds dear. By the end of "Good Times," Alexander Rostov's life is so far removed from what he grew up knowing that it's almost unrecognizable.

Related When A Gentleman In Moscow's Finale Releases & How Many Episodes There Are The new Paramount & Showtime series A Gentleman in Moscow starring Ewan McGregor will be released throughout Spring 2024 exclusively on Paramount+.

10 A Gentleman In Moscow Episode 4 Features 2 More Time Jumps

"Good Times" begins in 1932 and ends in 1938

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"Good Times" begins in 1932, which is six years after the end of A Gentleman in Moscow episode 3, "The Last Rostov." Overall, 1932 marks the 10th anniversary of Alexander's imprisonment in the Metropol Hotel. 1930 to 1933 is a period in Russian History known as the Soviet Famine. This was a time when the country struggled to grow enough food to feed its citizens, and the three-year stretch is heavily addressed in the episode due to when it's set. However, much has changed in Alexander's personal life as well as Russia's political landscape.

1932 isn't the only year shown in A Gentleman in Moscow episode 4, as the final moments of the installment show events from 1938. In total, the end of "Good Times" means 16 years have passed since the former count was sentenced to remain in the hotel for the rest of his days. This is a trend that is likely to continue through the final four episodes, showing even more of Alexander's timeline going forward and how he adapts to both the conditions in the hotel and his country's political transformation.

9 Alexander Rostov Is Now A Waiter At The Hotel

McGregor's character has found a new role

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Ewan McGregor's character has finally found a use for his encyclopedic knowledge of fine dining and expensive wine beyond knowing what bottle to pair with his dinner. By volunteering his services in the Metropol's restaurant as a member of the waiting staff, Alexander is casting off the last vestiges of his former social class. That being said, he's incredibly good in his new role and even finds time to bring the confrontational Leplevsky down to Earth with a few well-timed snide remarks regarding the other man's performance.

Leplevsky is the rude waiter who has a clear dislike for Alexander.

Alexander's unexpected job doesn't just help contribute to his sense of purpose, but it also helps him connect and bond with members of the kitchen staff who have cooked for him for so many years. Choosing to serve the other guests is the biggest sign that Alexander has exhausted several other options for keeping himself occupied, but his decision is also a huge signifier that he has made his peace with the fact that he is no longer part of the abolished aristocracy.

8 Anna Urbanova's Acting Career Was Deeply Affected By Stalin

Anna snags her first role in years during "Good Times"

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Stalin decided at the last minute not to attend Anna's movie screening in A Gentleman in Moscow episode 3, with the most likely explanation being that he didn't care for the film. As a result of the Russian leader's implied criticism, Anna has been bereft of work for many years by the time of A Gentleman in Moscow episode 4. Thankfully, her career looks to be getting back on track after being derailed through no fault of her own.

It's unclear whether Anna's work is respected in her industry, as the only review that's been spoken on screen was by Nina when she described the actress' films as "Not very good" in episode 1.

It's unclear whether Anna's work is respected in her industry, as the only review that's been spoken on screen was by Nina when she described the actress' films as "Not very good" in episode 1. However, Nina is likely being biased, as Anna's introduction to the story marks the beginning of when Alexander has spells of prioritizing his desire for Mary Elizabeth Winstead's character over spending time with his young friend. As such, Nina could just be jealous and trying to dissuade Alexander from spending time with Anna over her.

7 Alexander Has Maintained Abram's Beehive

Count Rostov has kept his word to the hotel's former caretaker

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The bees in A Gentleman in Moscow episode 3 had a deeper meaning, serving as a metaphor for Alexander's circumstances. Alexander inherited beekeeping duties from Abram in the same episode, with the Metropol caretaker claiming he was too old and tired to care for them anymore. In "Good Times," Abram is nowhere to be seen, so it's possible he either moved on, retired, or passed away. However, Alexander has kept his promise and remained as the hive's guardian.

The hive has become a part of Alexander's new daily routine, as well as working as a waiter in the hotel's restaurant. When Nina makes a long-overdue visit in A Gentleman in Moscow episode 4, Alexander wastes no time in introducing his friend to his rooftop task of honey production. The responsibility looks to give Alexander a great sense of purpose, pride, and accomplishment.

6 Alexander & Anna's Relationship Is Going As Steadily As Their Circumstances Allow

A Gentleman in Moscow's main romantic couple haven't gone public with their relationship

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Alexander's romantic involvement with Anna has survived the time jump between episodes. While it may not look like a traditional arrangement, it's clear the pair have a great affinity for one another. Given Anna's profile and Alexander's divisive reputation, the couple have chosen to keep their feelings under wraps and instead sneak around, stealing moments together whenever possible. Overall, their rendezvous have remained largely sexual, but with an underlying feeling of genuine affection.

While it's likely that Olga has long been aware of Alexander's relationship with Anna, A Gentleman in Moscow included the revelation being experienced by Minister of Culture Alexei Nachevko. Thankfully, the minister has his own secrets to keep, and so he doesn't make the information public knowledge. That being said, it's unclear what would happen should Alexander and Anna's relationship become known to those outside their immediate circle.

5 The Metropol Hotel Is Being Used To Deceive Foreign Visitors

The hotel's international guests in A Gentleman in Moscow are fooled into thinking the country is flourishing

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Although Russia is in the throes of the Soviet Famine during A Gentleman in Moscow episode 4, "Good Times," the international guests at the Metropol Hotel are none the wiser regarding the country's plight. The kitchens are sufficiently stocked, and this creates the illusion of a flourishing nation under Joseph Stalin's rule. Alexander falls for the deception just as the rest of the hotel's guests do, with Mishka telling his old friend of the saddening horrors he has witnessed related to the lack of sustenance in other areas of the Soviet Union.

Moscow's Metropol Hotel is a real place in Moscow, Russia. It is the last existing hotel in Moscow that was built before the Bolshevik Revolution.

The hotel wasn't alone in its staunch denial of the famine, with the nation's government's official stance in real life being that there was no famine at all. According to The Atlantic: "All discussion was actively repressed; statistics were altered to hide it." So, when guests would visit from abroad and stay at the Metropol, it would be difficult for them to disprove the denial of the famine due to the luxurious food and drink with which they were presented. However, the Metropol's role in the ruse was part of a much larger effort to hide the Soviet Union's failings.

4 Alexander Rostov Is Still Teaching Osip Glebnikov How To Be A Gentleman

It's unclear why Osip wants these lessons

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Alexander's dynamic with Osip looked to have been softening in recent episodes of A Gentleman in Moscow, and that theory is partially confirmed when it's revealed McGregor's character is coaching his jailer in how to conduct himself like a member of Russia's upper class. While Osip seems to be a quick study, it's also clear that he sees his prisoner as a tool rather than anything approaching a friend.

Related A Gentleman In Moscow Brilliantly Connects Ewan McGregor’s Alexander Rostov & The Metropol Hotel There is an artistic connection between the Metropol and Alexander in A Gentleman in Moscow that could foreshadow the Russian count's fate.

Alexander seems willing and yet inconvenienced by the mandatory lessons he's being forced to give, but it's still not clear why Osip wants to know how to act in the manner of a gentleman at all. Alexander's jailer is an intense man, who is unfaltering in his loyalty to the country's new regime. Despite Alexander's cooperation, Osip still uses every opportunity he can to get McGregor's character to do his bidding.

3 A Gentleman Man In Moscow Episode 4 Reveals Alexander Has Killed Before

It's implied that Alexander was defending his sister's honor

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While Alexander appears to be a harmless individual on the surface, "Good Times" features the shocking reveal that he has killed a man in the past. The incident in question wasn't cold-blooded murder, as it instead appears to have been during a duel, with both men being armed and Alexander simply coming out on top. The man at the unfortunate end of Alexander's weapon was a romantic partner of Helena's.

From Alexander's implications during "Good Times," the duel sounds as though it took place due to the other man treating the count's sister poorly due to being jealous of how Helena still felt about Mishka.

The duel came after Alexander made Mishka cut his ties with Helena, a breakup that is shown through flashbacks in A Gentleman in Moscow episode 2. The point of view shots of Alexander cutting down his opponent finally appear in "Good Times," although the scene has been teased since A Gentleman in Moscow episode 1 by showing Helena in a highly emotional state. From Alexander's implications during "Good Times," the duel sounds as though it took place due to the other man treating the count's sister poorly due to being jealous of how Helena still felt about Mishka.

2 Nina's Visits With Alexander Have Become Much Less Frequent

Alexander and Nina finally build bridges in A Gentleman in Moscow episode 4

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When Alexander has a run-in with Nina, his quietly ecstatic disposition at seeing her suggests it has been a while since the pair have spoken. When Nina tells her old friend she has been living in Leningrad for the last five years, Alexander replies with, "Goodness. Has it really been that long?" It's unclear when their last interaction was, but it's possible their falling out in A Gentleman in Moscow episode 3 was the tipping point for their fractured relationship.

What was once known as Leningrad is known as St. Petersburg today.

There are six years separating A Gentleman in Moscow episodes 3 and 4, so it's possible that Nina visited once more after their fight at Alexander's failed memorial dinner for his late grandmother. Either way, it seems to have been at least half a decade since the duo last spoke. Thankfully, after their uneasy reunion, the friendship with Nina that Alexander holds so dear has weathered their separation, with the avuncular love still visible in their interactions.

Following her departure once more, Nina doesn't return for another six years. Her life has taken a dark turn, although she has reached the milestones of getting married and having a child. As she leaves to follow her husband, Nina begs Alexander to watch her daughter until she can return, with the count being the only figure Nina can trust. Referring to McGregor's character as "Uncle Alexander," it's clear that Nina has told her daughter all about the count. Alexander agrees to help, stepping into a parental role for the foreseeable future.

1 Mishka Was Arrested For His Outburst & Could Be Dead

Alexander's friend has become disillusioned with his country's new political landscape

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Despite his steadfast belief in the country's transformation in previous episodes, A Gentleman in Moscow episode 4 shows Mishka's faith in the system dwindling to nothing after witnessing the horrific impact of the Soviet Famine firsthand. Rather than keeping his rage to himself, he seeks solace at the bottom of one too many glasses of vodka at the bar of the Metropol Hotel. Mishka's booze-fueled rant to the military personnel in the bar about the state of the nation is a step too far for him to get away with.

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When Mishka is dragged away, Osip gives the count a choice to either save his friend's life or share the information he has on Nachevko. Even with Mishka's life on the line, Alexander can't bring himself to cooperate and reveal the minister's secret affair with the general. However, Mishka made it clear earlier in the episode that he didn't want to be saved at the expense of the lives of others. When Osip tells Alexander, "You will never see your friend again," it's unclear if Mishka will be executed, or held prisoner for the duration of 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 April 3 7 TBA April 10 8 TBA April 17

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

Source: The Atlantic