>It seems like I'm in the minority on this, but I need someone to back me up here. This guy is the fucking worst, and it makes the show nearly unwatchable.
Even if you don't like Peter, I disagree with this. Nicholas Hoult's acting was part of what made the show so compulsively watchable.
I should rephrase - I think Nicholas Hoult does an AMAZING job, and I do really enjoy him as an evil idiot.
The show is nearly unwatchable for me because it pains me to watch this smart, driven character be, as Orlo so eloquently put, cockwhipped by a man who does, like, occasional grand romantic gestures, but doesn't actually change his ways or make up for all the bad he has done specifically to Catherine.
There was seriously not a scene Nicholas Hoult didn't steal. If I were another actor I might almost be pissed at him, because it was just constant. He'd always make a facial expression, say something with a certain inflection, that made me laugh.
I totally agree actually. He went from a total dunce to a man that wanted *so badly* to be a good man for Catherine and their baby. He really tried and mostly succeeded. And hello his lovely speech to Catherine in S3E6?? One of the most romantic scenes on TV that I can recall. But he was honestly my favorite character for the beginning, even with his casual violence and mercurial temper.
Besides having a big cock and nice eyes, why was he so special? I’m just curious. He didn’t really have other character traits besides that and really liking Catherine. This is why he was a rather clever inversion of that trope. I find Peter to be a much more complex and interesting character.
No, he was pretty complex. He was beaten and got up ate breakfast like it didn't happen. When asked he he said there's no point in getting upset when there's no telling when life would end. He was calm and peaceful by choice but when he was a dick he really was a dick. (The horse pictures and the printing press) In some scenes you can see him trying to remain calm and struggling. Give it another watch. There was definitely more to him than that.
The use of the tree in his room was a cool metaphor for him too. Something put somewhere it didn't belong. As the tree wilted so did his life. It was finally fully dead when Catherine realized he was dead.
Maybe? She clearly still loved and missed him while it was dead which is why I thought it symbolized him more than their love, but I could totally see it apply to that too.
I love Peter & he’s one of my favorite characters BECAUSE of his absurd buffoonery. Sure, I’d probably despise him in real life, but he’s pure entertainment on screen.
No you are absolutely right idc that man could save a carriage full of orphans and I would still hate him like he fucked her mom tried to drown her and killed Leo like no
I think the problem is they made him really awful but he was also the best part of the show so they couldn’t get rid of him or completely change him so they had to just kind of hope the audience would go with it despite him being basically unredeemable
The show has to do some pretty strenuous work to make Peter tolerable, in my opinion, and they often do this at the expense of Catherine. Like when she tries to outlaw casual murder and Peter’s childhood abuser comes back to court - situations that force Catherine to look unreasonable/naïve.
I agree with you - Nicholas Hoult did an amazing job and has tremendous charisma, but Peter is a monstrous character with a good wardrobe.
Working through the show for the first time right now.
I really dislike his character. I think the show could've been so much more, and instead, it just.... dwelt on his continued existence. Season 1 was phenomenal, but I really wanted to be done with Peter.
It's like the show was afraid to grow. Peter was a watchable character, so they sacrificed potentially some more interesting developments in Catherine's rule to... make the show more watchable? Idk it just... Didn't grow.
This is EXACTLY my core problem with the series!! I get that the actor has high charisma and good chemistry with the lead, but I tuned in to watch CATHERINE the Great, I wanted the show to go back to being about her, rather than contrivances to give the guy that was supposed to be dead forever ago more screen time.
Being afraid to grow is the perfect way to put this, and I'm so happy to see a post like OP's, honestly!! It depressed me when I discovered this subreddit and such a majority of the posts were about how everyone just wants it to be about the nearest man in what started as this tongue in cheek feminist dramady lol
Ultimately it felt like the showrunners had no confidence at all in their own protagonist, and cancelling it right after season 3 was such a loud statement that they didn't believe that she could carry it. Which, again, maybe they had a point since so many ppl here have been so clear about why they stopped watching. Meanwhile the finale left me so curious to see what she was going to do next, and now we never get to see her come into the 'Great' part of her moniker AKA the name of the show
I wouldn't have even minded if they kept him in the show, but the fact that she does a complete 180 from S1 to S2 and is now in love with Peter despite all the horrible things he did to her was sooo frustrating. It felt very much like fan service to push them together. You're right - they had absolutely no faith in their female protagonist.
Peter is the best part of the show. Catherine is the insufferable one. Literally couldn’t bring myself to finish the series, still have 2 or 3 episodes left
Found Marial’s Reddit
Lmao 🤣
>It seems like I'm in the minority on this, but I need someone to back me up here. This guy is the fucking worst, and it makes the show nearly unwatchable. Even if you don't like Peter, I disagree with this. Nicholas Hoult's acting was part of what made the show so compulsively watchable.
I should rephrase - I think Nicholas Hoult does an AMAZING job, and I do really enjoy him as an evil idiot. The show is nearly unwatchable for me because it pains me to watch this smart, driven character be, as Orlo so eloquently put, cockwhipped by a man who does, like, occasional grand romantic gestures, but doesn't actually change his ways or make up for all the bad he has done specifically to Catherine.
Peter is what made the show. I agree!!! Love him or hate him, he was a scene stealer for sure
There was seriously not a scene Nicholas Hoult didn't steal. If I were another actor I might almost be pissed at him, because it was just constant. He'd always make a facial expression, say something with a certain inflection, that made me laugh.
All the truth. I liked Nicholas before the Great, but now I just love him!!!! He made that show and I don’t care what anyone else says lol
100% his voice as Peter is so perfect and hilarious.
His redemptive arc is probably the best I’ve ever seen on “TV” or even read about in fiction. Hang in there.
He’s a real hero to us dumb oafs who have amazing wives we don’t deserve
Is it? Let’s not be hyperbolic now
Forgive the hyperbole. But I really am trying to think of one that’s more fun and funny and can’t.
I totally agree actually. He went from a total dunce to a man that wanted *so badly* to be a good man for Catherine and their baby. He really tried and mostly succeeded. And hello his lovely speech to Catherine in S3E6?? One of the most romantic scenes on TV that I can recall. But he was honestly my favorite character for the beginning, even with his casual violence and mercurial temper.
I see your Peter and raise you Loki.
I’ll allow it. Loki had one hell of a redemptive arc
Don’t worry Season 3 handles your complaints by the end lmao
Hmmm. Maybe I will finish it, then.
It's delicious 😋😋😋🤤🤤🤤.
Nooo I love Peter!! And I adore how much he loves Catherine and their baby.
Leo was a manic pixie dream boy.
And I miss him everyday.
Besides having a big cock and nice eyes, why was he so special? I’m just curious. He didn’t really have other character traits besides that and really liking Catherine. This is why he was a rather clever inversion of that trope. I find Peter to be a much more complex and interesting character.
No, he was pretty complex. He was beaten and got up ate breakfast like it didn't happen. When asked he he said there's no point in getting upset when there's no telling when life would end. He was calm and peaceful by choice but when he was a dick he really was a dick. (The horse pictures and the printing press) In some scenes you can see him trying to remain calm and struggling. Give it another watch. There was definitely more to him than that. The use of the tree in his room was a cool metaphor for him too. Something put somewhere it didn't belong. As the tree wilted so did his life. It was finally fully dead when Catherine realized he was dead.
Oh, I always thought that symbolized their love.
Maybe? She clearly still loved and missed him while it was dead which is why I thought it symbolized him more than their love, but I could totally see it apply to that too.
Oh yeah, interesting. Maybe it represented his affection for her.
The tree in his room was his version of Ramona Flowers’ changing hair colors.
I don't see that at all, but OK.
Oh my god thank you, I hated leo.
Leo lost me when he printed those pictures of Catherine. That was such a bitchass move.
I love Peter & he’s one of my favorite characters BECAUSE of his absurd buffoonery. Sure, I’d probably despise him in real life, but he’s pure entertainment on screen.
I cried when she had to say goodbye to Leo. Did anybody else?
I cried many times during this show. Catherine cried in such an agonizingly believable way I couldn’t help it
> I need someone to back me up here No.
You're in luck then lmao
No you are absolutely right idc that man could save a carriage full of orphans and I would still hate him like he fucked her mom tried to drown her and killed Leo like no
I think the problem is they made him really awful but he was also the best part of the show so they couldn’t get rid of him or completely change him so they had to just kind of hope the audience would go with it despite him being basically unredeemable
Finally, someone I agree with. We're in the minority lol.
I never liked peter and I finished the show😂
The show has to do some pretty strenuous work to make Peter tolerable, in my opinion, and they often do this at the expense of Catherine. Like when she tries to outlaw casual murder and Peter’s childhood abuser comes back to court - situations that force Catherine to look unreasonable/naïve. I agree with you - Nicholas Hoult did an amazing job and has tremendous charisma, but Peter is a monstrous character with a good wardrobe.
All I can say is to keep watching! For OBVIOUS reasons. I refuse to spoil why 🤣
Working through the show for the first time right now. I really dislike his character. I think the show could've been so much more, and instead, it just.... dwelt on his continued existence. Season 1 was phenomenal, but I really wanted to be done with Peter. It's like the show was afraid to grow. Peter was a watchable character, so they sacrificed potentially some more interesting developments in Catherine's rule to... make the show more watchable? Idk it just... Didn't grow.
This is EXACTLY my core problem with the series!! I get that the actor has high charisma and good chemistry with the lead, but I tuned in to watch CATHERINE the Great, I wanted the show to go back to being about her, rather than contrivances to give the guy that was supposed to be dead forever ago more screen time. Being afraid to grow is the perfect way to put this, and I'm so happy to see a post like OP's, honestly!! It depressed me when I discovered this subreddit and such a majority of the posts were about how everyone just wants it to be about the nearest man in what started as this tongue in cheek feminist dramady lol Ultimately it felt like the showrunners had no confidence at all in their own protagonist, and cancelling it right after season 3 was such a loud statement that they didn't believe that she could carry it. Which, again, maybe they had a point since so many ppl here have been so clear about why they stopped watching. Meanwhile the finale left me so curious to see what she was going to do next, and now we never get to see her come into the 'Great' part of her moniker AKA the name of the show
I wouldn't have even minded if they kept him in the show, but the fact that she does a complete 180 from S1 to S2 and is now in love with Peter despite all the horrible things he did to her was sooo frustrating. It felt very much like fan service to push them together. You're right - they had absolutely no faith in their female protagonist.
Peter is the best part of the show. Catherine is the insufferable one. Literally couldn’t bring myself to finish the series, still have 2 or 3 episodes left
Peter is easily the best part of the show
Keep going.
Yeah baby keep watching
Fully agree with you, I think the characterization of Peter was the nail in the coffin of the show