A Gentleman in Moscow Episode 7 (“An Assembly”) Recap & Ending Explained: “A Gentleman in Moscow” is a Parmount+ eight-part limited series created by Ben Vanstone. It’s based on Amor Towles’ 2016 novel of the same name. In the previous episode, “The Fall,” set in 1947, we saw the teenage Sofia’s (Beau Gadson) relationship dynamics with her adoptive father, Alexander Rostov (Ewan McGregor). Later, when Sofia accidentally falls at Metropol, a chain of events sets in motion that threatens Alexander’s survival. Alexander ventures out of the hotel to take Sofia to the hospital for the first time in more than two decades.
The resentful Metropol manager Bishop Leplevksy (John Heffernan) thinks he could use this circumstance to his advantage and put an end to the former aristocrat. But Alexander is saved by the people whose friendship he earned over the years at Metropol. Nevertheless, as long as manager Bishop governs the hotel, Alexander and Sofia will be in peril. “A Gentleman in Moscow” episode 7, “An Assembly,” unfolds a few years after Sofia’s fall. Soviet Russia mourns the passing of its leader as Metropol hosts an all-important Communist Party leaders meeting. The political change also presents fresh opportunities for Alexander to safeguard Sofia’s future.
Now, let’s see in detail what happened in “A Gentleman in Moscow” episode 7, “An Assembly.” Spoilers Ahead.
A Gentleman in Moscow Episode 7 “An Assembly” Recap:
The return of Mishka
“A Gentleman in Moscow” episode 7, “An Assembly,” opens in 1953 spring when Alexander Rostov wakes up to the radio news of Josef Stalin’s death. Ever the Party’s lackey, the inept manager of Metropol, Bishop mourns the authoritarian’s passing. He offers a toast to the departed leader with Metropol staff, including Alexander and Sofia. Bishop catches Sofia smiling, and he knows the father and daughter duo are feeling glad about Stalin’s death. Meanwhile, a bedraggled Mishka (Fehinti Balogun) arrives in Moscow on a train after two decades.
We last saw Alexander’s best friend, Mishka, in the 4th episode “Good Times.” Mishka’s conflict with the officials destabilized his position in the Party. It seems he has returned from a gulag. After Stalin’s death, many prisoners were released from the brutal Soviet labor camps. At Metropol’s bar, Shalyapin, Alexander is seen enjoying a drink with his American acquaintance, Richard Vanderwhile. Richard works for the American State Department. Alexander is nervously waiting for Sofia’s return after the piano competition.
What important meeting is being hosted at the Metropol?
Anna Urbanova (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and Sofia come with the good news of Sofia’s victory at the competition. Chef Emily (Bjorn Hlynur Haraldsson) has prepared a cake in the shape of a grand piano to celebrate the occasion. There’s also more good news: the competition winner will join the Conservatory’s tour of Europe through Prague and Paris. Though Alexander applauds with the others, it’s apparent he feels sad about Sofia leaving him. Later, Sofia plays Beethoven’s ‘Fur Elise’ for the Metropol staff and late-night guests, which also includes Richard. But Sofia infuses a variation of blues music into Beethoven. Stalin’s regime banned blues.
Though no one raises a fuss about the joyful music, Sofia’s antics reach Bishop’s ears. The following day, Bishop informs Chef Emily and his headwaters – Andrey & Alexander – that a private dinner for 20 people is being hosted at the hotel, and he asks them to prepare for it. The dinner is for higher officials of the Party, perhaps to choose their next leader. As the trio leaves, Bishop asks Alexander to stay and raises the issue of Sofia playing blues at Shalyapin. Alexander assures he will talk to Sofia about it.
What does Richard ask from Alexander?
Later, Alexander meets with Richard at the bar. Richard asks Alexander to keep smiling and act normal while hearing what he is about to say. Richard tries to recruit Alexander to work as a spy for his nation. Alexander is shocked to hear that Richard is a spy since he knows the man from the 1940s. In the peaceful and predictable times, Richard might have played the part of a friendly American. But now, the vacuum in the top position offers America an opportunity to play its political game. Therefore, Alexander is requested to provide a piece of valuable intel that might reveal whether Soviet Russia will retain its iron curtain or be more welcoming to Western countries.
Richard wants Alexander to be their ears at the dinner of high-ranking Soviet leaders. In exchange, Richard promises Sofia a better, more independent life in America. Though Alexander initially refuses to be a spy, Richard’s offer also makes him think. Later, while talking with Anna at her suite, Alexander goes through a Lifestyle magazine provided by Richard. They speak about the material riches of the American suburban life, which makes Alexander think of his old life. Furthermore, Anna expresses her wish to live in America. Anna believes that although the country doesn’t have much in terms of culture or theater, she’d enjoy the freedom.
What does Osip want from Alexander?
Alexander recalls the convenient life he had lived in his youth. But he says eventually, all that mattered to him were the inconveniences. Anna quickly points out the privileges Alexander has enjoyed despite being locked up. He didn’t go through what most Russians endured over the last few decades. Soon, Anna receives a call. Alexander rushes to the hotel’s back alley to find the malnourished and petrified Mishka. He takes Mishka to the secret room behind the closet. The news of Mishka’s arrival from the labor camp evokes in Sofia the memory and tragic fate of her parents. In order to keep herself busy, Sofia leaves for her piano lessons.
After sleeping nearly a day, the famished Mishka wakes up and gorges on food. Soon, Mishka breaks down, and perhaps nothing can heal the deeply broken man. Alexander tends to the grievous wounds on Mishka’s feet. Later, Alexander receives Osip Glebnikov (Johnny Harris) and his wife at the restaurant and shows them to their table. Osip’s position as the secret police chief is threatened after Stalin’s death. He discreetly meets Alexander at the wine cellar and asks him to tell him what’s discussed in the Party members’ meeting.
The beautiful dream has turned into a nightmare
Osip might be safe if Georgy Malenkov succeeds Stalin. If it’s Nikita Khruschev, then Osip is doomed. Alexander assures Osip he will do what he can. Sofia tries to have a conversation with the traumatized Mishka about her parents being sent to the gulags. When Alexander arrives with Mishka’s dinner, Mishka suddenly speaks about the fire of Moscow in September 1812 as Napoleon marched into the ghost city. Alexander promises he will care for Mishka, and they will grow old talking about their younger years. Mishka acknowledges that it’s a beautiful dream, but it’s not for him. Mishka hints he might not recuperate from what his heart and mind went through in the last two decades.
Later, Alexander has a dream that gradually turns into a nightmare. In the dream, Alexander introduces Mishka to his friends Anna and Richard. Alexander’s aristocrat buddy, Prince Nikolai Petrov (killed in the first episode), and little Nina Kulikova are also present. Sofia is seen playing the piano where snow is falling. But the snow turns into ash, and the room is in flames. While the Moscow of the 1950s won’t be literally set ablaze like in 1812, Alexander now realizes that this is not the place for Sofia. The following day, Alexander describes his dream to Anna and says it’s time for him to let Sofia go. Alexander has decided to do what Richard has asked him.
What does Alexander need to do at the leaders’ dinner meeting?
It seems Anna also knows about Richard since he has already talked to her about it. From now on, Alexander asks Anna to stay away from him because if he gets caught, the authorities will go after everyone closely associated with Alexander. Anna says he will surely be caught when the authorities learn that Sofia is not returning from Paris. Moreover, Anna knows it’s too late for her to disassociate herself from him. In fact, Anna’s association with Alexander has never been defined in a clear-cut manner. But in an ensuing emotional moment, the cool-headed Anna, on the brink of tears, expresses her love for Alexander. She tells Alexander that whatever happens, they will face it together.
Subsequently, Alexander and Anna have a secret meeting with Richard. Richard shows Alexander a recording device he needs to wear, which will be connected to a famous watch that had Stalin’s approval. Alexander must hand over the tapes to Anna when she travels to Paris. Richard also says he will immediately leave Russia. Anna remarks that Richard is leaving to avoid getting arrested if Alexander is caught in the act. Nevertheless, Alexander is all set to take the risk for Sofia’s sake. Richard briefs Alexander about the device and how to start and stop recording.
What does Bishop say to Sofia?
At the hotel reception, when Sofia returns from her piano lessons, Bishop asks her to speak with him at his office. Bishop wants to look at the music she will play for the Party people at the piazza in the evening. When Bishop sees the music includes Sergei Prokofiev’s work, he tears up the sheet, calling him a counter-revolutionary. Then, to rattle Sofia deliberately, Bishop brings up her mother’s name, Nina. He says he tried to save her from Alexander’s influences by asking her dad to send Nina away to school. But Nina’s ‘inherently corrupt’ nature turned her into a rebel, and she was banished to a camp from where she never came back. Furious and dejected, Sofia leaves the manager’s office.
In the evening, Anna carefully tapes the recording device on Alexander. Anna says she will be with Sofia as she plays the piano at the piazza not to arouse any suspicions. Alexander says if he gets caught, he asks Anna to feign ignorance regarding Alexander’s acquaintance with Richard. Anna asks Alexander not to think about getting caught. Soon, Alexander arrives at the suite to serve the dinner. Alexander and other servers go through pat-down screening. Alexander’s recording device is relatively compact for its time, and he gets through the security measures.
A Gentleman in Moscow Episode 7 “An Assembly” Ending Explained:
What does Alexander learn from the meeting?
At the piazza, Sofia doesn’t feel like playing music to the people indirectly linked to her parents’ deaths. Anna comes to Sofia’s rescue and asks Sofia to trust her father and not do anything impulsive. However, Bishop comes close to Sofia and provokes her. He interrupts Sofia, asking her to play the State Anthem. Despite being angry, Sofia composes herself and starts playing the State Anthem, even playfully infusing blues into the music.
Alexander notices a man checking for listening or recording devices at the suite. Soon, the high-ranking leaders arrive for the dinner. Alexander also cleverly distracts the man who is searching for the recording devices. After silently observing what’s spoken at the dinner, Alexander meets Osip at the wine cellar. He says the leaders have sided with Khruschev. Alexander asks if Osip will get away from Moscow. But Osip says there’s nowhere to go for him. When Osip asks Alexander if he thinks Osip deserves all that’s coming to him, Alexander is brutally honest. Though Osip has helped Alexander at crucial moments, Alexander is well aware of the darker things Osip and his men have done under Stalin’s regime. However, Alexander wishes Osip a fair justice, which he didn’t offer to the ones he condemned. Osip maintains his stoic facade and says goodbye to Alexander.
The poem that saved a life
“A Gentleman in Moscow” episode 7, “An Assembly,” ends with Mishka leaving Metropol. In his attic room, Sofia gives Alexander an old photo Mishka has left for him. In the back of the picture, Mishka has written down the poem, “Where is our purpose now?” This pro-revolution poem saved Alexander’s life during the 1921 tribunal hearing. Alexander says the poem was originally written by Mishka in 1913. However, due to the political climate of the time and because of Mishka’s background, the poem was published under Alexander’s name.
Alexander mourns his dear friend’s loss. It gives him all the more reason to move forward with his action, as Anna reminds him, “It’s time to get out of this madhouse.” The penultimate episode of “A Gentleman in Moscow” has set up the sacrifice Alexander is ready to make to secure Sofia’s future. The series finale, “Adieu,” will show Alexander facing obstacles to reach his goal, particularly from manager Bishop Leplevksy.
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