A Gentleman in Moscow Episode 6 (The Fall) Recap & Ending Explained: Created by Ben Vanstone, “A Gentleman in Moscow” is a Parmount+ eight-part limited series. It’s based on Amor Towles’ 2016 novel of the same name. In the last episode, “An Arrival,” we saw Alexander Rostov (Ewan McGregor) trying to keep Nina’s little daughter, Sofia (Billie Gadson), with him despite deputy manager Bishop Leplevksy’s (John Heffernan) hostile efforts to place Sofia at an orphanage. Eventually, thanks to Anna Urbanova (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), Alexander succeeds in his pursuit to be Sofia’s guardian. Moreover, from being Count Alexander to becoming Boyarsky restaurant’s head waiter, Alexander has perfectly acclimated himself to his confined life at Metropol Hotel. Now, after spending nearly two decades of his life alone at the hotel, Alexander, in the form of Sofia, has found something akin to a family member.
In “Gentleman in Moscow” episode 6, “The Fall,” there’s once again a time jump. Alexander is nearly at the end of his middle age, and it’s endearing to see him as a father, constantly worrying and overreacting regarding his teenage daughter’s wellbeing. The teenage Sofia (Beau Gadson) now calls Alexander ‘Papa.’ In the course of episode 6, the two get into a tough spot but are fortunately rescued by other members of this makeshift hotel family. Now, let’s find out what happens to Alexander and Sofia in “A Gentleman in Moscow” episode 6 “The Fall.” Spoilers Ahead.
A Gentleman in Moscow Episode 6 “The Fall” Recap:
Alexander is a worried Papa
The chapters in Amor Towles’ novel are perfectly structured. The series, however, doesn’t follow this structure. Hence, the time jumps feel a bit jarring, and sometimes, it pulls the emotional strings a little too much. Nevertheless, thanks to the charming characters and fine performances, we are mostly engaged with this heavily fictionalized micro-historical look at post-Revolution Soviet Russia. Episode 6, “The Fall,” jumps nearly a decade from the last time we saw Alexander and Sofia.
Like any nervous parent, Alexander sees off Sofia on her first day at school. Metropol maid and seamstress Marina (Leah Harvey) takes her child and Sofia to school. Alexander sees the little girl going out to the larger world through the revolving door. Then, nearly a decade passes (it’s 1947 – twenty-six years since Alexander was confined to Metropol), and it seems like Alexander’s everyday ritual is to anxiously wait for Sofia’s return from school. Once he sees the teenage Sofia emerging through the door, papa questions why she is late. Like a typical teenager, Sofia sulks at the sight of her overwrought papa and tells him he doesn’t have to wait for her anymore.
Why is Osip furious after watching an American film?
When Alexander wonders if Sofia is free for tea, she excuses herself since there’s homework. Perhaps Sofia really has some homework to do, or she just wants some alone time away from her ‘predictable’ papa. After observing this conversation, Metropol concierge Vasily (Daniel Cerqueira) remarks how time passes by so quickly. He inquires if Alexander has heard from Anna, who is away on a tour. Vasily confides that Olga (Anastasia Hille) isn’t talking to him anymore and seeks Alexander’s advice to mend his relationship with Olga.
Later, Alexander has his regular session with the secret police chief, Osip Glebnikov (Johnny Harris). Osip has become a more learned man on the Western ways of seeing things, though he is decidedly critical about it. They have moved from tomes to classic Hollywood flicks. Alexander and Osip have a private screening of Frank Capra’s “It’s A Wonderful Life.” They watch a dejected George Bailey running away from Bedford Falls on 1945 Christmas Eve after witnessing how the small town would have fared if George Bailey had never been born there. Mr. Bailey stands on the bridge and begs for his old life.
However, this heartrending scene only infuriates Osip as he sees it as the American propaganda machine telling its populace to stay in their place. Osip says that Americans are brainwashed to believe that with kindness and by being good citizens, they can achieve the American dream. He considers it as a lie to maintain the status quo and quash the revolutionary fervor. Furthermore, Osip rants that the glitz of Hollywood output stopped the American proletariat from taking up arms during the Great Depression. Naturally, Alexander disagrees with Osip’s thoughts and hopes Osip critiques the film once it’s over. But Osip storms out, and Alexander watches the extraordinary climax alone.
Why Alexander is angry at Sofia?
Later, while taking the elevator, Alexander sees a couple of geese in the corridor. He is called by Metropol manager Bishop Leplevksy, regarding the geese incident. Leplevsky believes Sofia might be involved in this. Something in Alexander and the manager’s expression says this is not the first time such things have happened. But Alexander assures that Sofia has nothing to do with it. When Alexander leaves, Leplevsky takes out Alexander’s file to add something, but he is interrupted by the sound of the geese.
Anna and Olga are back at the Metropol after their tour. Sofia is with them, having her piano lessons with a young man named Viktor. Olga says that Vasily proposed to her. While Anna is excited by this, Olga is anxious about accepting it and making a change. This means Olga might have to move with Vasily and break her bond with her surrogate daughter, Anna. Their conversation is interrupted when a livid Alexander walks into the hall and castigates Viktor for whatever he is trying to do with his daughter.
Sofia tries to say Viktor is just her piano teacher. But Alexander, obviously, makes a fool of himself. When Sofia storms out, he goes after her and is surprised to learn that his daughter is now growing into a woman. Sofia notes that Viktor is not even her type, which only makes Alexander behave more like a silly dad. Sofia also reveals she is learning the piano to play it for Alexander’s birthday as a surprise.
The tragic fall
Later, Alexander has tea with Anna in her suite and discusses Sofia. This conversation also doesn’t go well. Alexander’s insecurity about Sofia growing up and leaving him makes him say a foolish thing about Anna. He ponders how Anna has become Sofia’s mother figure, and the teenage girl confides in her but doesn’t say much to him. Alexander also unfairly points out how Anna is largely busy with her tours, temporarily forgetting that it is Anna’s influence that helped Sofia become Alexander’s daughter.
After coming to his senses, Alexander tries to appease his sulking daughter. A few minutes later, the two share a laugh. Suddenly, Sofia places the book she is reading on the table and runs out. Alexander runs the other way. They both climb a different set of stairs, racing toward the attic room (one of their regular games?). The joyous moment instantly turns grim when the handrail breaks and Sofia falls down. Thinking he has won the race, Alexander walks into the room and calmly sits in the chair, waiting for Sofia’s entry.
Alexander leaves Metropol
Alexander runs down frantically once Andrey says Sofia has had an accident. Despite the Metropol staff’s request, Alexander carries Sofia – who has sustained a head injury – out of the hotel and takes a taxi to the nearby hospital. Since it’s late at night, there aren’t many guests in the lobby. But the Metropol staff, including manager Leplevsky, saw Alexander walking out of the hotel, breaching his terms of incarceration.
Vasily informs what has happened to Anna. Olga immediately leaves for the hospital. Despite witnessing the tragic circumstances, Leplevsky is pleased to have found something that brings an end to Alexander. He informs about Alexander’s escape and awaits the arrival of Captain Abashev. The Captain asks his men to secure all the exits and asks Leplevsky to show him to Alexander’s quarters. Meanwhile, Alexander reaches the darkly lit, understaffed hospital. While going through Alexander’s things, the Captain steals the Rostov family lighter. He then asks Leplevsky to round up all the Metropol staff who have seen Alexander leave the hotel.
How does Anna try to save Alexander?
Anna does her own bit to save Alexander and Sofia from harsh punishments. She visits the Metropol staff – including Vasily, Marina, her husband Emily, and Andrey – to lie until Alexander safely returns to the hotel. The staff know their lives will be destroyed if it’s proved that they are lying. Nevertheless, they stand together to help their friend. Osip arrives at the hospital after hearing the news. Instead of arresting Alexander, he uses his power to take Sofia to the surgeon. The surgeon says the girl should be operated immediately. When Osip implores Alexander to return to the hotel, like any stubborn father, Alexander stands his ground and says he won’t go until he is sure of his daughter’s wellbeing.
The Captain inquires about the staff in Leplevksy’s room. All of them speak some nonsense, deliberately wasting the Captain’s time. Eventually, Anna enters the room and employs her charms to speak with the Captain in the bar. Anna confesses that Alexander was with her in the suite. She believes the Captain is aware of her popularity. But at one point, he expresses he has no idea who Anna Urbanova is. Nachevko is no longer the Minister of Culture. Therefore, his name also doesn’t have an influence on the Captain. The lecherous and thieving Captain lays her hand on Anna and suggests they can search her suite together. Having seen many fools like the Captain over the years, she firmly rebuffs his advances.
A Gentleman in Moscow Episode 6 “The Fall” Ending Explained:
The wonder of Alexander’s return
The Captain, in turn, warns her about the repercussions. In fact, the only favorable thing from the meeting is that Anna reclaims the Rostov family lighter. The secret police officers arrive at the hospital to search for Alexander. Osip deliberately misleads them and once again asks Alexander to leave. Osip warns Alexander’s actions will also affect their families and friends. Therefore, Alexander reluctantly leaves the hospital premises in a Metropol hotel delivery truck. Subsequently, Vasily receives a call at the hotel reception. Under the watchful gaze of Leplevsky, Vasily pretends that it’s from a guest.
The truth is Vasily is informed of the truck’s arrival. He cryptically delivers that message to the kitchen staff. Vasily, Emily, Andrey, and a few other staff walk past the armed men to the truck. They discretely pass a Metropol staff uniform to Alexander, who is hiding in the truck. Then, Alexander casually joins the gang and takes the delivered stock to the kitchen. When Chief Osip visits the hotel, the Captain briefs him about his men’s search throughout the hotel. Just when Leplevsky proclaims Alexander is nowhere inside the hotel, Alexander casually walks out of the elevator. He walks past them and requests Vasily for the newspaper.
What tragedy might befall Alexander and Sofia?
With an intimidating glare, Osip demands an answer to this foolishness. Once again, Leplevsky is defeated by the forces that come together to help Alexander. Soon, Alexander is informed that Sofia’s operation is successful, and she is safe at the hospital. Alexander apologizes to Anna for being harsh to her before. Anna confesses she actually missed them two, and that’s the reason behind her canceling the tour. The woman who was afraid to set down roots now wants to stay at the Metropol suite permanently with Alexander.
Anna also encourages Olga to accept Vasily’s proposal. “A Gentleman in Moscow,” episode 6 “The Fall,” ends with adult Sofia’s voiceover, informing us that Olga and Vasily lived together happily for five years before old age claimed Olga. She also recollects that Alexander’s birthday in 1947 was the last time the Metropol family was happy together. The joyous moment feels like the calm before the storm. Manager Leplevsky is seen preparing a file on Sofia. We have to wait and see what chaos this vituperative man might bring to Alexander and Sofia’s life.
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