Ekaterina Alekseevna has been reigning for the sixth year. She must contend with the threat of war, while a conspiracy brews against her at court. Love intrigues are closely intertwined with state concerns: Grigory Orlov, the father of her illegitimate son, and the young officer Grigory Potemkin are fighting for Catherine's heart. But Catherine the Second would not have become Great if she had not found the strength in herself to overcome any trials.