Season 1 Episode 2 - Part 2 / Моя ладонь превратилась в кулак
Ilya in Russia is a different Ilya. We've seen him try cold and distant. This isn't that. This is permanent. Like he is always bracing for impact.
He is with his father. Nice room. Nice suit. The Colonel goes right past the niceties.
18:52 (Grigori): Тебе надо подстричься.
te-BYE NA-da pat-STRICH-sya.
Subtitles: “You need a haircut.”
Ever heard of a compliment sandwich? I bet Grigori’s are as crappy on the inside as they are on the outside.
18:54 (Ilya): Да, отец.
da, a-TETS
Subtitles: “Yes, sir.”
Yet again Ilya says “Yes, father” using the same formal phrase that he reserves for the in-person conversations with his dad. But the subtitles deliver the emotional state better. Yes, sir, Colonel, sir.
18:59 (Grigori): Министр все еще хочет с тобой встретиться сегодня вечером, невзирая ни на что.
mi-NISTR vsyo ye-SCHO KHO-chyet s ta-BOY VSTRE-ti-tsa se-VO-dnya VYE-chye-ram, ne-vzi-RA-ya ni na shto
Subtitles: “The minister still wants to meet you tonight, despite everything.”
Невзирая (ne-vzi-RA-ya) is old-school. A more modern equivalent is несмотря (ne-sma-TRYA). Also means “regardless of / despite” but is neutral and universal. Невзирая is the language of legal and bureaucratic documents, official statements, and elevated prose. Ceremonial.
But here it’s perfect for what it reveals about Grigori as a person – he doesn't just speak formally, he thinks formally. Everything is procedure and hierarchy.
19:04 (Ilya): Это честь для меня.
E-ta chyest’ dlya me-NYA
Subtitles: “It will be my honour.”
In Russian, Ilya sounds more sincere: “It is an honor for me.” But he is still just as stiff as his father. And in Grigori’s world, your rank and success means less than who you know, who you can call for favors, and who will call you for favors. Ilya's enthusiasm is irrelevant. Show up. Shut up. Meet the minister. Follow the path.
19:06 (Grigori): Ты должен быть поощрен честью. После вчерашнего. Ты проиграл…
ty DOL-zhen byt’ pa-asch-RYON ches-T’YU. POS-lye fche-RASH-nye-va. ty pra-i-GRAL…
Subtitles: “You should be honoured. After yesterday. You lose to…”
Поощрен честью sounds right out of military orders. A general commending a soldier, not a father talking to his son. Every time I hear Grigori talk, one phrase comes to mind – старая гвардия (STA-ra-ya GVAR-di-ya – old guard) - everything is official, hierarchical, Soviet-era stiff. A more natural way would be to say Ты должен быть рад (ty DOL-zhen byt’ rad – You should be happy) or Считай за честь (sch-TAY za chyest’ – Consider it an honor).
19:14 (Ilya): Латвии.
LAT-vi-yi
Subtitles: “Latvia.”
Here it is. Ilya has to finish the sentence.
19:15 (Grigori): Латвии.
LAT-vi-yi
Subtitles: “Latvia.”
Two men, same word, completely different weight. Ilya says it to end the sentence. Grigori says it to let it sink in. No acknowledgement of the moment of weakness. Just the word, delivered like a verdict.
19:16 (Grigori): И он еще пьет.
i on ye-SCHO p’yot
Subtitles: “And yet, he drinks.”
Grigori berates Ilya for drinking right after he himself hands him the drink. There is no winning here. Accept the drink and be accused of drinking. Refuse it and be rude. A classic Soviet-era gag: rejecting a drink would earn you a “ты меня уважаешь?“ (ty me-NYA u-va-ZHA-yesh? – “do you respect me?”), typically slurred.
And the father is back to the theatrical third person and invisible audience. We saw it in a previous phone conversation. Narrating his son's failings like a disappointed commentator. The son is right there.
The drink is in Ilya's hand. The accusation is already in the air. Welcome home, Ilya.
