EPISODE TEN
Are you absolutely
certain, Comrade Messing?
Yes I am, Comrade Stalin. IÖ
Sit. Please sit, Volf Grigorievich.
So if tomorrow he goes to Sverdlovsk by train
- heíll be alive?
Yes, Comrade Stalin. He will live.
What about the others?
What do you mean?
What are the others supposed to
do? The athletes, Volf Grigorievich.
Are they supposed to fly
in the plane and crash?
IÖ
No, itís just that the fate of
the athletes is unknown to me.
How can that be?
I was just thinking about your
sonÖ all the time, only him.
Of course, how could I
have forgotten? Of course.
The flight itself needs to be cancelled.
Of course, Volf Grigorievich.
Or let them fly?
No, the train. Make the
entire team take the train.
Only by train, Joseph Vissarionovich.
Thatís good. Itís good that you
take my sonís destiny so personally.
Itís probably because you take
mine so personally as well.
Yes, but I want to say that your
destiny doesnít inspire worry in me.
Just as that of the country
that has become my homeland.
And all of it thanks to you.
Tell me please, do you still
live in the Moscow Hotel?
Yes, we are still
living there. We love it.
Thatís good.
Alright, Volf Grigorievich. I will think
on how to solve your living situation.
Thank you.
Goodbye, Comrade Messing.
Goodbye, Comrade Joseph
Vissarionovich Stalin.
Goodbye.
So train it is then?
Yes. The train.
Of course.
Goodbye.
Farewell.
Get me Beria.
Lavrentiy Pavlovich, I
just had a chat with Messing.
You remember Comrade Messing, donít you?
He says that Vasily shouldnít fly
tomorrow. He says it will end in tragedy.
See to it that he travels
by train and not the plane.
Let the others fly, otherwise how
do we know if he was right or not?
Goddamn it!
Iím late!
Brovkin! Brovkin, goddamn it!
Why didnít you wake me?
Brovkin, are you deaf or something?
Brovkin!
You just wait! Iím going to show you.
Thatís it.
Brovkin!
Brovkin, what the hell?
You bastard!
What the hell?
You bastards!
Iíll court marshal all of you!
Brovkin, open up you shit!
Iíll have your heads for
this! Open the door, Brovkin!
I know youíre there! Brovkin!
Open the damn door!
Open up, you bastard!
Go on! How long must I wait!
Go sideways, Yura!
Let me think! If I do what you say,
heíll just cut through with the tower!
Heís a careful one! Are you
just as careful with your wife?
Are you sure youíll have only one?
Maybe they will be
twins! Twice the ugliness!
Screw you!
What are you laughing at? A girl and a boy
- that would be great!
Have two in one go and never
think of the matter again!
No, the doctor says that itís just one.
I think it will be a boy.
How do you know?
Just a gut feeling. The wife says
that heís really kicking in there!
Scoring goals like his old man!
A boy I tell you.
Then the wife and I will make five moreÖ
Weíll get them all together in the
yard and Iíll have my own hockey team!
Iíll be the coach! Why not?
Sure, have five and then how will you feed
them before they can even hold a stick!
Thatís alright, weíll manage. Iíll
get to see them beat the Canadians!
Alright, stop distracting
him! Coach, rightÖ
Youíre a striker so go
on make a move already!
Attack.
Will if you asked for it, here goes
- check!
You think we wonít have a go
at the Canadianís before that?
Of course we will! We just
need to win in the championship!
That way, next year we
will hit the Olympics!
And thatís where we will really
fight them, am I right boys?
Vasily Josephovich says we are the best!
Letís see if weíre the
best in Sverdlovsk also!
If you play badly prepare
to get a thrashing at home.
Vasily Josephovich can be rough
after the game, trust me I know.
Boris Michailovich, wasnít he
supposed to fly with us? Where is he?
Probably held back by business.
But thatís no reason to relax
- he will be there for the game.
Why are you taking
so long? Move already!
You just sat there for thirty
minutes and now youíre rushing me?
Wait, I will.
Well then I do this.
And I do this
- checkmate.
Youíre a clever one
- ìlet me thinkî he said!
Oh Yura, I have a feeling that you
should be playing a very different game.
What was that?
Whatís wrong with the plane?
Our pilot is quite the aceÖ
Let me go see what
they are doing in there.
I lost itÖ
Hey you!
When do we land?
We would have landed long ago but they
arenít letting us land on the ground.
A couple more laps and we will land.
Donít you worry
- everything will be alright.
See? Take it easy
guys, we will land soon.
Pack your things!
Hold on to your seat, daddy!
God forbid you should hurt yourself!
Youíll let the team down!
Could he have tricked me?
Give it all you got!
Volf, I just heardÖ the concierge told me
that the plane full of hockey players crashedÖ
They all perished.
I know.
The teamÖ You were my teamÖ
How can it be?
How could you have left me?
GarikÖ
I just realized that you
missed that puck on purposeÖ
When we were playing last time.
You let me win didnít you?
And I thoughtÖ
Who are you without me? You played in
your teams and I got you all together.
I thought that if I get the best that
it was I who created the best teamÖ
Iím a fool, guys. A fool.
You made the best teamÖ you and not me.
Now there is no youÖ there is no teamÖ
And I am left with nothing.
Are you the only one left?
There is also Vitya Shuvalov, Kolya
Kolchagin and Sasha Vinogradov.
We were lucky.
Why werenít you on the plane?
I have two broken
fingers on my left hand.
How did you train and play then?
Somehow I didÖ but right before the
flight the coach and the doctor forbid me.
I even showed up on the airstrip hoping
to sneak in while no one was watching.
Yeremin didnít let me.
Now I owe my life to him.
There was a teamÖ and
now there is no team...
The families will need to be
helped, Vasily Josephovich.
What did you think that I
would forget to help them?
Of course not. I just mentioned it.
Thank you.
Hello!
Öwe will think of the rest...
Thank you very much, it
was a pleasure, really.
See you.
Vasya, what are you doing here?
I decided to come see how you train.
I see youíre still chatting
up every man around.
What are you talking about, thatís
my coach! Donít you recognize him?
Well youíre coach is
not a woman now is he?
What was so funny? Tell me!
I want to have a laugh too.
I was about to tell you - I was awarded the 
honor of becoming a recognized Master of Sport.
Interesting. And are you going
to be awarded at a festive event?
Well of course! And they
will even give me the medal.
Get in the car, weíll
talk on the way! Go on.
Alright.
Vasya, can you imagine, he also told
me that I can go to the Olympics!
All I need to do is win!
Go have a smoke.
Thatís enough, Kappa!
Youíre finished with sport.
Let others fly to the Olympics!
No wife of mine should be
showing her legs off to everyone!
Your wife? You have a wife now?
Who are you then?
We never got married.
Alright
- we sign the documents today!
And then tomorrow you write a letter and
formally end your participation in the games.
I made that decision.
And now listen to what I decided ñ
weíre not getting married
and I will do what I see fit.
We will see about that.
You wonít be able to take a
step without me knowing about it.
Let me go.
Sit.
Let go!
I said sit!
Here, look, I already
took two steps without you.
I walked by myself before and I will
continue to do so and go where I want to go.
Letís go.
Youíll come back crawlingÖ
Colonel Molozhilov, good day, sir.
Who are you?
The head of security for
Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin.
Whereís Vlasik.
Heís at home, Comrade
Lieutenant General.
General Vlasik no longer
holds the position.
Heís expecting a transfer to a new post.
Heís at home, donít worry.
Comrade Stalin is busy right
now so youíll have to wait.
Will you let me pass or do I
have to stand and wait here?
Pass, please.
Dismissed.
Hello, father.
Why didnít you tell me
that you were coming?
I wanted to surprise you.
Look, I wanted to congratulate
you on your birthday.
Look at this!
See how beautiful it is!
What am I supposed to do with this?
Itís a present, father.
Are you saying I need to retire?
What retirement?
What do you want?
I can see that you came
here for a reason. BirthdayÖ
I was let go after that paradeÖ
You should be glad
youíre not under arrest!
You were sent to the academy! You should
be studying there for six months now.
But so far no one has
even seen you there.
What am I supposed to do at the
academy? Iím a Lieutenant General.
And now Iím supposed to share a
desk with whom? Captainís and majors?
Big General! Have you
forgotten how old you are?
Now you throw the stripes in my face?
I never chased rank. I served and
studied just like everyone else.
And I wanted to fight in the war
truly just like everyone else.
And the two planes I shot
down were also done by me.
My whole like I hear - youíre Stalinís son. 
Son of the Chief. Son of the Father of Nations.
But who am I without
that, father? No one.
I am just your son.
And you never gave me
a chance to be myself.
Just be who I really am.
I brought you a gift for
your birthday and youÖ
Good talk, dad.
Stop. Stop!
You shouldnít be mad at your father.
Nikolai Sidorovich, how are you doing?
Why were you removed?
Youíre like kin to us.
I donít know what happenedÖ why
have I suddenly lost his trust?
Someone said something to him about me.
Said some little lie and he believed them.
But Iím not mad. And whom would I
be mad at? Comrade Stalin himself?
He was god to me.
I prayed to him.
And he still is.
All those assholes, those Khrushchevs,
Malenkovs, Molotovs, Kaganoviches, BulgaginisÖ
They donít deserve to
shine the big manís shoes.
Petty little people.
What about Lavrentiy Pavlovich?
He is a clever one.
Joseph Vissarionovich trusted him
but ultimately never liked him.
I noticed it many times.
He never liked him.
What about Voroshilov? Budeniy?
Them he loved, especially Voroshilov.
Who remains by his side, Vasya?
Drunks and gluttons.
Iím also a drunk.
Youíre different! Half of Russia
is like you. You fought in the war!
Two German planes to your
name! NinetyÖ how many?
Ninety sevenÖ
Yes, ninety-seven combat
missions completed!
You commanded a squad and a division.
Look at that one - Khrushchev! He signed 
execution papers by the hundreds in Kiev!
And then he started shifting the
responsibility for it on your father!
Saying that they were
orders from Comrade Stalin.
When Comrade Stalin found out, that bastard
was on his hands and knees in front of him.
Itís not my fault he said,
it must have come out wrongÖ
He cried, snot on his fists and allÖ
How do you know?
I saw the whole thingÖ
on the Near Dacha.
I know many things, Vasya.
Mark my wordsÖ they will be at
each otherís throats soon enough.
Like a pack of hungry jackals.
And they wonít spare
you either so be careful.
Donít say the wrong things and
donít be brazen, you understand?
I do, I do.
Nikolai Sidorovich, thank you very much.
You were the one who took
care of me all these years.
You saved my ass so many times.
I remember everything, you know.
If Iím not there,
Master wonít be either.
So Vasya, have you exhibited
how powerful you are?
Do you even feel guilty?
Donít yell, people will hear.
What are you talking about?
Oh really? Since when are you
scared of people? Let them hear!
They didnít give me the medal
and they recalled my award too.
They said it was some sort of mix up.
What a funny mix up that turned out to be.
Yes, Vasya, you can call people and I will
be put under lock and key or kicked out!
But that changes nothing!
I earned all of my
victories! Without you!
And I didnít compete for the medals
but for my country, for my team.
So you can take that medal I didnít
get and shove it up you know where!
You want all my awards?
Well here! Take them all!
Are you out of your mind?
Do you even realize
who youíre yelling at?
What are you going to
do to me? Kick me out?
Iíll leave on my own
- I have hands and legs!
I will earn every award out there! I
am a Vasilieva and no wife of yours!
So donít threaten me! And who
are you, exactly? A Stalin?
Your father is Stalin!
Youíre just Vasya the drunk.
Kappa! Kappa!
Kappa, my love.
Oh god, how could this have happened?
Brovkin, get a doctor right now!
Kappa!
I didnít mean to! It just happened!
Kappa!
Brovkin!
Doctor, what are you
looking at? Do something!
Donít yell at me! What happened here?
Who did this?
It was my fault! I beg you
doctor, please save her!
Prep the ER!
Doctor, do something!
Wait here.
Who is Vasilkov?
We need to change your bandages.
Comrade, you shouldnít be here.
Forgive me.
Kappa.
Doctor, how is she?
We managed to save her eye but Iím afraid
she wonít ever compete in sport again.
The country has lost an
incredible athlete today.
Shame.
Kappa, my loveÖ
Forgive me pleaseÖ
I was so worried about you.
My boys all died in that crashÖ
So when you told me that you will fly to
all of your championships I just lost it.
Iím a fool. I decided to
act all manly and stupidÖ
To whom?
Kappa! Kappa!
My love, look at me.
Everything will be alright
with us. Just please forgive me.
I will never hurt you again.
And I will never lay a
hand on you ever again.
Forgive me.
Can you hear me?
I forgive you.
Now leave. Forever.
Hello, yesÖ
Who is this?
Vasily, my man called me and said
that Master wasnít feeling well.
He is unconscious.
Nikolai Sidorovich, what are we to do?
Let me come over there right
now, Nikolai Sidorovich!
Vasya, donít panic!
Just wait.
They wonít let you see him now anyway!
Just wait a little longer.
Yes, alright, I understand.
What ifÖ
Hello! Hello!
Damn itÖ
Be brave, Vasily. We are here for you.
Vasily, what a tragedy!
Where is he?
There. HeísÖ
Hello, dear boy.
Where is he?
In his room.
Wait. Vasia, let the
doctors work on him first.
Vasia! Vasia!
You like cognac like a Georgian
but you drink it like a Russian.
By the glass and without food.
Have some food - this is all from Georgia! 
Every morning a plane comes.
Eat something.
I donít care anymore.
I donít understand such words.
You have no right to utter them.
This isnít just a hard day
for you and you alone, Vasia.
Itís tough on everyone.
Donít you know our government?
Donít you know our Central
Committee, that shithole?
When your father was alive he
kept a boot on their throatsÖ
Now look at them - sticking to their
 corners, whispering and schemingÖ
Deciding on who they
will eviscerate first.
Probably me.
You?
Donít they have reasons to?
Do they?
Yes.
Tell me.
Donít be shy, Vasia. Tell your
fatherís friend and donít fret.
Why?
Because Iím Stalinís son and
because I know that they killed him.
Vasia, I know that this level of grief can
cloud the mind but donít be a complete moron.
Nonsense and tall tales
that can cost you your life!
This is me telling you
- the man on whose lap you sat on as a child.
Alright, Lavrentiy Pavlovich. Letís
not talk about it anymore, alright?
You have a glass.
Sorry.
My initials. Donít worry
- I didnít take it from some nobleman.
I asked them and they sewed it for me.
Donít I have that right?
You do, Lavrentiy
Pavlovich. Of course you do.
Vasily, I love you as my own son.
And I will protect you till the end.
I swear on my motherís name.
Thank you.
Remember that.
Lavrentiy Pavlovich.
Yes, dear boy.
What happens now?
That depends on you. It all
depends on you, dear boy.
Sit quietly and donít
draw attention for a while.
Alright.
Come on, dear boy.
Hello.
Please, come in.
Hello, Galya.
Hello, Vasia.
Why didnít you come into the
restaurant, I sat there waiting.
You know itsÖ
The place you took me
to on our first date.
I didnít want to go inside
- it still hurts.
I understand.
Weíll go to Zubalovo.
Thank you, Vasia.
I missed the children so much.
Galya, I was thinkingÖ take the kids.
How?
Forever.
Yes, forever. I will give you
a car and help with the money.
Thank you.
Enough, enough, enoughÖ
Sorry.
No, it is I who is sorry.
Forgive me if you can.
I forgave you a long time ago.
Get in the car.
You can go.
Come.
Vasia.
What?
Do the kids know Iím coming?
No, they donít.
Iím so worried.
Nadya, take a look at me.
I look just like father.
No, you donít.
Why do you need fatherís uniform?
I told you a thousand times
- put it back.
What do you I donít look like
him? I looked in the mirror!
I do look like him!
You do not.
Take a closer lookÖ
Sasha, Nadya, look who I brought.
My babiesÖ
Mommy!
Nadenka, SashenkaÖ
Donít cry.
Iím so happy to see you.
You will live with your mother in
Moscow from now on. In the apartment.
Daddy, you will live with us, right?
No, NadenkaÖ but Iíll come visit.
I promise.
We missed you so much.
You have grown so big.
Comrade Malenkov, Moscow Country Air Force
Commander Vasily Stalin here at your request.
At ease, Vasily Josephovich, at ease.
Take a seat.
How are you feeling?
Iím alright.
Why did you call me in?
So you want to get down to business, eh?
Fine then.
Come out with it, Malenkov!
What the hell do you think youíre doing?
What am I to you? A
brother or a cousin maybe?
You never got this sore beforeÖ
Stand at attention this
instant, Lieutenant General!
Forgive me, Comrade Malenkov.
Iíll do better.
Sit down.
I can see that you wonít do better.
Here
- this is a stream of complaints on you.
Drunken disorder, swearing, fightingÖ
They are also demanding an investigation on
the reasons behind the crash of the IL-200.
The one that crashed on the
May Day parade of last year.
I thought there was an
investigation already.
Father personally took care of
it and punished me accordingly.
I was punished by Generalissimos Stalin.
Or do you plan to overturn a
decision made by Stalin himself?
If such a necessity arises
- we will.
YesÖ
Trying on the role of Chief,
are we, Comrade Malenkov?
Youíre a long way from
Stalin, Comrade Malenkov.
Youíre as much of a Stalin
and a turd is a bullet.
What?
I demand you cease this instant!
What do you think youíre doing?
Youíre behaving like some convict!
You are so used to being the lucky
son, eh? Well times have changed!
Have they now?
Donít act stupid, you
know exactly what I mean.
I havenít taken any disciplinary action only
out of respect for the memory of your father.
Although the question did arise in
the floor of the Political Bureau.
What was their decision?
Here is an order for your transfer.
Take a look.
Tomsk then, eh?
Head of flight school?
To be honest there were discussion of
arresting you and trying for abuse of power.
The mice are out soon as the cat died.
Comrade Lieutenant General, I must warn you
that insulting members of the Polit. Bureau
may carry serious consequences.
So I advise you go to your new post as
soon as possible and get down to business.
You are free to go.
Consider that my resignation.
You littleÖ
Alright then.
Nikita Sergeevich, this
is Malenkov calling.
How are things?
Good.
I just had the son over.
He completely lost all sense.
He raised a hand on me.
How can I arrest him? Beria will
raise a fuss as will Voroshilov.
They carried that little shit
on their shoulders as a kid.
They value the memories.
So what? I propose we solve
this matter collectively.
Lets gather the Polit bureau
and find a resolution to this.
Yes, Nikolai Alexandrovich! I also
remember Vasily since childhoodÖ
I also carried him on my
shoulders and fed him ice cream.
But there is a limit to everything.
We suffered through one already
and now we have to suffer the other?
No, enough is enough.
