Star City (2026) s01e07 Episode Script
Plow Deep
1
[Lyudmilla] Status report
to General Konstantin Filonov Lubyanka.
Per orders of the second directorate,
the focus of the space program
has been limited to the orbit of Earth.
This follows restrictions placed
on Star City after the tragic deaths
of the three cosmonauts
in a training accident last summer.
The intelligence being gathered
by new space station Salyut-1,
under the cover of scientific research,
has proved invaluable.
Western military installations
previously inaccessible
to aerial surveillance
are now fully monitored.
[camera shutter clicking]
Salyut's ability to observe
ICBM silos, air defenses
and strategic nuclear capabilities
has become invaluable to the state.
This surveillance will proceed
as long as the program
continues to receive
the support of General Secretary Brezhnev.
And with the direct supervision
and guidance of the Chief Designer.
The intelligence reports he requested.
Uh, he's expecting you.
The latest
on the Salyut surveillance program.
[Radimir] Thank you, Comrade Colonel.
That'll be all.
[door opens, closes]
CHIEF DESIGNER
RADIMIR SERGEEVICH PETROVSKY
[theme song playing]
[machinery whirring]
[Denys] Nikulov.
Baikonur needs the load analysis redone
for an extra 100 kilos
on the next Salyut payload
by the end of the day.
No, I'm-I'm already working
on the thrust equations
for the new N-1 booster.
You'll just have to work late.
[chuckles, sniffles]
- [horses whinnying]
- [birds squawking]
[grunts]
It's morning.
[Vladimir snoring]
[gasps, mumbles]
[sighs]
- Poppa, let me help you.
- [breathes deeply]
[groans]
Got the tractor running.
You can start sowing the east field now.
You fixed the tractor.
You can manage the sowing.
I have the talk
at the Farmers' Union, remember?
[Vladimir scoffs, sighs]
You shouldn't do that.
You're still in mourning.
Eat now.
[Vladimir] Hmm.
[news reporter] The American ambassador
to the United Nations, George Bush,
made insulting and false accusations today
regarding the world's first
space station, Salyut.
Ambassador Bush claimed
that a Soviet film capsule has been
recovered on American soil,
and that it is proof
the civilian station is being used
for military intelligence
rather than scientific experiments.
The supposed proof
- that Salyut is performing… the US…
- [Zoya] Mom, I'm ready.
…has been discredited by Soviet officials
and the broader world community.
[Irina] Remember,
you have Olga today after school.
I don't like my piano lessons.
You must just keep at it.
We'll find you a better teacher.
What about Tanya?
Maybe she'll come back.
She won't.
[Ivan] This rassolnik is good.
Did you do something different?
[Tamara] I did a few extra
pickled cucumbers.
Just a little bit more than usual.
[Ivan] That must be it.
Improves the flavor.
Carrots are softer too.
[Tamara] Yes. And they were smaller,
so they cooked through.
[sighs]
[Ivan] Damn, that window's
fogging up again.
[Tamara] I wiped the glass earlier,
but it's letting in a draft.
[Radimir] Good morning, Irina.
- You said you were gonna fix it.
- [Ivan] I did fix it.
I'll look at it again tomorrow.
[Tamara] Always tomorrow.
Moscow's furious.
The botched Salyut film drop is
all over the news.
And not only have we failed
to retrieve our own surveillance,
but now the Americans know
which assets our cameras are pointed at.
Dropping canisters
of film from orbit hardly seems
like the most effective method.
As I noted in my report,
it requires an engineering solution.
And yet engineering has failed to find
a reliable method
- to transmit the photographs…
- [stammers]
- …directly from the station.
- What does that have to do with me?
Last time I checked,
Comrade Burkov reported to you.
Well, he's a loyalist to my predecessor.
You think he's
deliberately withholding a solution?
I think he believes things were better
under the previous regime.
So an example needs to be made of him.
I was entrusted by the General Secretary
with bringing Star City
back in line after everything
that happened on your watch.
My… My watch?
Well, first Mironov then Venera,
now these disloyal engineers.
I ended Venera.
I ended Mironov.
And now you need
to deal with Comrade Burkov,
or more drastic changes
to Star City will have to be made.
Oh, uh, one more thing.
Yes.
Irina Morozova, how's she doing?
Fine. She's fine.
She made the initial discovery of
Valya Mironov's activities, did she not?
Yes, but in her eagerness to impress,
she failed to alert me
at the correct time.
She has promise, I grant you,
and ambition, but she lacks discipline.
[Radimir] So did I, at her age.
Look where I am now.
Yes.
Very impressive.
I would encourage you to consider
her strengths and not only her weaknesses.
Well, it's my department
so I'll run it as I see fit.
It's only a suggestion.
Good day, Comrade Colonel.
[crowd chattering]
Good afternoon.
I am proud
to introduce this film to you today,
highlighting the triumph
of my journey as a cosmonaut
in the very place that journey began.
The communal farmland
of the Rostovskaya Oblast.
[audience cheering]
Deputy Chairman Tarasov,
I wasn't expecting to see you here.
Well, I wouldn't dream of missing this.
[calm music playing]
[narrator] The daughter of workers.
A symbol of our nation.
The film will tour the Soviet Union and
then it will travel widely in the West,
showing them the Anastasia Belikova
that the governors have tried
to hide from them.
[narrator] …proved that sacrifice and
collective strength could reach the stars.
Seems like yesterday, doesn't it?
…embodying duty, resilience
and the enduring spirit
of a people united by purpose.
A purpose she shared with her husband,
Aleksandr Dmietrievich Polivanov.
Their commitment to each other
knew no bounds,
as did their commitment
to space and country.
His ultimate sacrifice is one
our people will not soon forget.
Excuse me.
…fixed on the future of our great nation,
forged in shared sacrifice
and the knowledge that we carry
the light of the world…
[breathes shakily]
[sobbing]
We put the first man into space.
We sent cosmonauts to the moon.
We even tried
to send them to another planet.
Who knows where that might have led us?
But now, all we're doing is looking down,
staring back at Earth so we can
take photographs of missile sites.
Even you must acknowledge the difference.
So you admit that your loyalties still lie
with the former Chief Designer.
There's only one Chief Designer.
[chuckles]
Radimir Petrovsky's a KGB stooge
who can barely tell the difference
between liquid oxygen and vodka.
May I remind you
this conversation is being recorded.
I would choose
your words very, very carefully.
I've said what I'm gonna say.
Will you sign the confession
admitting to sabotaging
Chief Designer Petrovsky's efforts
- to modernize the Salyut space station?
- [sighs]
You think it'll make them fall in line,
but it won't.
The reason my team hasn't solved
the problem of the Salyut film drops
isn't for the lack of will,
and it's not insubordination.
Ideas don't just form out of thin air.
They require inspiration.
And you know there's
only one person that can do that.
Stop gawping.
Back to work.
Congratulations, Comrade Stepanov.
You are now the lead engineer on Salyut-1.
Of course, Comrade Colonel.
[chattering]
[machinery whirring]
[Sergei clears throat]
Were you able to contact him?
He's amazed you'd even consider it.
An engineer from Star City
teaching at his university.
Thank you for passing this along.
It explains my hopes for the position.
Of course, I'll get it to him.
But, Sergei, what I don't understand…
why would you want
to leave here to be a professor?
I need a change.
Star City isn't what it used to be.
[Chief Designer hums, grunts]
[humming]
[sighs]
I'm telling you,
you're gonna be sick of borscht
by the time this crop comes out. [grunts]
[Galina] Darling.
What?
[Galina] Darling.
You have a visitor.
[breathes deeply]
[sighs]
[footsteps approaching]
I see you've settled in.
Nice view.
Yes, I can almost see past
the armed guards surrounding me.
Well, it's better than the gulag.
Better hurry up
and get to your point, Lyudmilla.
Galina's likely in there now
sharpening her knives.
Our new space station, Salyut-1,
monitors the entire globe from orbit.
[inhales deeply] Has more surveillance
capability than we ever could have had
with Tupolev aircraft.
[Chief Designer] So nice they're
focusing on surveillance now.
Yes, well, we need
a more secure system in place
for sending the surveillance photos
down to Star City.
Your former engineers
are dragging their feet.
So they should be.
I can't help you, Lyudmilla.
Not after what you did to my Eagles.
I did what was necessary to protect
our nation, as I have always done.
- [scoffs]
- Do you know,
the only reason your co-conspirators
are not all in prison
is because I allowed you to take
the full responsibility for that fiasco.
Allowed? That's very gracious of you.
Why don't you ask your new Chief Designer
to help you with your little problem?
Petrovsky.
They let him use his own name, I see.
[Lyudmilla] He's…
[stammers, sighs]
…not you.
The Central Committee know that.
I suspect that's why you're still alive.
So, I can provide answers
for him to parrot to the engineers?
If not, your idyllic retirement could turn
into something much worse.
I'm not a young man anymore, Lyudmilla.
I'm not concerned about my fate.
That's as may be, but Petrovsky's…
actions may harm Star City,
perhaps irreparably.
[sniffs]
[sighing]
So what would you have me do? I'm, uh…
[chuckles] …I'm under house arrest,
no way to communicate
with the outside world.
Stalin threw you into the gulag
for no reason.
You were starved, beaten,
nearly frozen to death.
But when you were called on again,
you did not hesitate.
You did what was necessary
because you were a patriot.
Patriot.
I was a fool.
Well, Petrovsky is neither.
And if he's not given
the results he expects,
then Star City will be broken into pieces.
Everything we have built together
will be destroyed.
[Galina] Darling, breakfast.
[sighs]
[stammers]
Th-There's an algorithm
on the Venera computer.
A way to, uh, downgrade
high resolution images from the probe
on the surface of Venus into something
that can be transmitted back to Earth.
They might be able
to use that as a starting point.
The codes might
still be on Salyut's comms system.
Thank you.
[Chief Designer] That's all you're
gonna get from me, Lyudmilla.
My time has passed.
Now, go on. Go find yourself another fool.
[radio voice]
The Ministry of Agriculture has confirmed
that a period of unusually dry weather
has affected parts of the Donets
and Volga regions.
Meteorological stations report
that rainfall
has not yet reached seasonal standards…
Poppa, I'm home.
- Have you eaten?
- [Vladimir] Quiet.
- They're talking about the drought.
- …temporary difficulties.
Local party committees
and collective farm chairmen…
- [vehicle approaching]
- …are responding with decisive measures.
Many are mobilizing irrigation brigades
to ensure efficient use
of reservoir and canal systems,
- and pump stations are operating…
- [engine stops]
…around the clock to sustain fields…
Poppa, we have visitors.
What?
[sighs]
This hour?
…enables water resources to be directed
where they are needed most.
[door opens]
- Good evening.
- Comrade Tarasov.
Apologies for the intrusion.
[Vladimir] No, please, uh, come in.
- [Tarasov] Thank you.
- [Vladimir] Nastya, get some glasses.
- [car door closes]
- [radio chatter continues]
- Good evening.
- Good evening.
Please, if you follow through
to the left, please.
Uh-huh.
Preliminary forecasts suggest that…
- [Vladimir] We can have a drink.
- [Tarasov] Hmm.
…in certain districts, the overall grain
procurement plan of the Union remains…
[Vladimir breathes heavily]
How can I help you?
Well, actually, I came here to speak
with your daughter, Comrade Belikova.
- [radio chatter stops]
- Yes, of course.
I-I would like that drink though.
- Yes.
- Thank you.
Brings back memories of my own
childhood home in Bryanskaya Oblast,
not so far from here.
Thank you.
Yeah, I-I'll be in the back.
To the heroes of the Soviet Union.
Please, sit.
[groans]
You and Comrade Polivanov
must have grown close,
before the training accident.
I guess the saying is true.
Love comes when you least expect it.
[sighs]
Forgive me, Comrade.
But I'm sure a man such as yourself
has better things to do
than come all the way out here
for a drink.
Yes, yes.
Why am I here?
Well, let's just say that it is no longer
in the best interest of the state
for you to remain here.
Nor is it in yours.
You have done everything
we asked of you, Comrade Belikova.
And now it is time for us
to return the favor.
I don't understand.
We need another cosmonaut to go into
rotation on the Salyut-1 space station,
and we've selected you
to command the mission.
Commander of the mission?
[Tarasov] Mm-hmm.
I haven't trained for it.
Well, that didn't stop you on Luna-16
and you made it all the way to the moon.
[inhales sharply]
But I, uh, thought the state believed
that it was too big a risk
for me to go back into space.
Well, I mean,
it seems like an even riskier proposition
for you to remain here.
- [sighs]
- Comrade Belikova,
i-is this not what you wanted?
It's all that I've wanted.
Ever since I first went up.
Forgive me… [sighs]
…but I don't believe you are doing this
simply as a gesture of goodwill.
[chuckles]
Wow…
[inhales deeply] You've grown quite a bit
since we last spoke.
[liquid pours]
The Americans are accusing us
of using Salyut to gather intelligence.
Are we?
We are protecting the Soviet Union
against Western provocation.
But to prevent any further escalation,
we must convince the world of
Salyut's peaceful purpose.
[sighs] And if I go back up there, then…
Then your triumphant return to space
as commander of the mission, no less,
will, uh, provide an…
an alternate narrative.
[sighs]
[breathes deeply]
All right, I'll go.
Good, then that's settled.
A plane will take you from Taganrog
Air Base to Baikonur tomorrow morning.
Congratulations.
[chuckles]
Hello?
[sighs]
[Radimir] There's a reason I wanted
to speak to you privately.
I don't like the way you're being treated
by your superior.
She's holding you back.
But I know you have such potential,
such promise.
I still have much to learn from her.
There's nothing you should be learning
from her.
I was assigned to Star City after
everything that happened with Venera.
To right the ship, yes,
but also to shake things up.
Bring it into the modern era.
Part of the problem is
these dinosaurs that have been here
for decades refuse to go extinct.
If we are to remain
at the cutting edge of science,
of technology, of exploration,
it's people like us…
you and I, Irina,
that must control Star City. Hmm?
An American agent was allowed
to escape on an illegal mission,
and we're supposed to believe that
Colonel Raskova knew nothing about it?
- She didn't.
- Her time here is done.
I just need proof that it's in the state's
best interest to remove her from power.
And you want me to get that for you?
You have a bright future here, Irina.
You're stronger and smarter
than you realize.
I know what you've gone through.
How much you had to endure
before you came here.
I cannot imagine that kind of…
[inhales sharply]
…torment at the hands of such a monster.
I don't… I don't think…
In the end, something good
came out of what happened.
Your daughter, Zoya.
And I do feel that something good
can come from this as well.
Those of us from Rublyovka,
we must protect each other.
[stammers, inhales sharply]
It's getting late. I should…
- Of course. Of course.
- [Irina inhales shakily, sighs]
Think about what I've asked.
I will.
[Radimir] Hmm.
I'll see you soon.
How long is the ride?
Not long now.
What's his story?
Um, Anatoly Frolov.
He… He joined
with the latest cosmonaut attachment.
So he's KGB.
Yeah, we're both assigned
to work on the-the, uh…
The real reason for this mission?
[reporter] Cosmonaut Belikova, are you
excited about your return to space?
Of course,
this mission is a wonderful opportunity
for us to pursue our scientific objectives
on the world's first space station.
Wave to the camera.
- [camera shutters clicking]
- [reporters clamoring]
[flight controller speaks indistinctly]
Firing chain is armed.
Go for main engine start.
[Anastasia]
Star City, confirm combustion chambers
11 through 17 at full pressure.
[flight controller] Heard. Broach two.
[Frolov] Ignition.
[flight controller] On target for Salyut-1
in T-minus two hours.
[employees chattering]
Listen, everyone.
[chattering stops]
Congratulations are in order.
With yet another successful launch,
we have once again shown
the might of the Soviet Union.
But we must remain focused and resilient.
The biggest challenges are
still ahead of us.
Well done.
[Tarasov] Nicely done.
The general secretary is very pleased
with how this all came together.
[Radimir] Thank you, Deputy Chairman.
Glad to be of service.
Where's Kirill?
I don't know.
He didn't show up this morning.
[sighs]
[sighs]
[Anastasia] Trajectory normal.
On track for Salyut rendezvous.
[flight controller 1] Soyuz, patching
in comms with Salyut-1 ahead of approach.
Salyut Station,
your relief crew is on the comms.
[Salyut cosmonaut] We see you, Soyuz.
Hope you snuck
some vodka in your hygiene bags
because we're taking ours
back home with us.
[chuckles]
[gasps] It's beautiful.
[chuckles]
[Frolov] Star City, preparing
phasing orbit circularization burn
for Salyut Station rendezvous.
[Salyut cosmonaut] Proceed with docking,
Commander Belikova.
Fuel reactor cell is normal.
[sighs]
[Frolov]
Closing rate is 0.91 meters per second.
[Salyut cosmonaut] Could you speed it
up a bit? We're ready to go home.
Five meters.
[Salyut cosmonaut]
Watch your closing rate.
[Frolov] Latch alignment looks good.
[Anastasia] Contact one.
Contact two.
Soft capture complete.
[Salyut cosmonaut] Welcome to Salyut-1.
[doorbell rings]
[footsteps approaching]
What are you doing here?
I'm sorry, Comrade Colonel. There's been
an urgent issue with Salyut-1.
Couldn't wait until tomorrow?
[Irina] I-I'm afraid not.
I saw
that Chief Designer Petrovsky was about
to send the first Salyut
surveillance photos to headquarters.
Without my sign-off?
Yeah. [breathes deeply]
I've brought them for you to review.
Better come in then.
Can I see the file?
[timer ringing]
Give me a minute.
I've got something in the oven.
[timer ringing stops]
[oven door opens]
[bottles clink]
[Lyudmilla] His name was Dima.
He was killed during the war.
Sorry, I didn't realize.
It was a long time ago.
Thank you for bringing this
to my attention.
I will, uh, make sure it gets to Lubyanka.
It's late, you should go.
[Irina] There's one more thing.
Yes?
[chuckles]
Where did you find that?
I brought it.
You were going to bug me?
I was ordered to, but I couldn't.
Petrovsky?
He wants you removed.
Well, what are you waiting for?
Sorry?
[inhales deeply] Irina Vasilievna, when
the head of Star City gives you an order,
that's exactly what you must do.
I don't understand.
You will continue to report to him.
And to me, of course.
Yes, Comrade Colonel.
[employees chattering]
- [guard] Stop. You're not permitted in…
- No, please. Listen. I need…
- …without authorization.
- This regards official state business.
You are not permitted in.
[Sergei sighs]
Stepanov.
Stepanov.
Please. Wait… This is important.
I can't really be seen talking to you.
I've already got
the Night Witch up my arse as it is.
Okay. Well, then,
the sooner that you agree
to do what I'm asking you, the better.
If Chief Designer were here,
I'd be asking him.
Okay, you have one minute.
I need to reach Salyut-1.
Now.
Please. I need your help.
[sighs]
[Stepanov] Salyut-1, this is Star City.
Do you copy?
Salyut-1?
Come in, Star City, Belikova here.
[Stepanov] Commander Belikova,
it's Stepanov.
Is everything all right?
[Stepanov] Yes.
There's a test we'd like to run
on the security monitor.
That's Frolov's project.
- I'll just wake him, he's…
- Oh, no, no. No.
No.
Um…
[Anastasia] Why not?
[Sergei stammering] It's just that it…
It isn't a very big test.
So you don't need to disturb his sleep.
[Anastasia] You're not Stepanov.
Who is this?
[Sergei] Sergei Nikulov.
Nikulov?
Why does that sound familiar?
[Sergei] I'm the engineer
who thought of the way
to reduce the CO2 in your suit
during Luna-16.
So, you're the one who told me
to stab a hole in my suit in outer space?
[sighs]
- Yes. Um, I'm sorry. I was only, um…
- Don't be sorry, you saved my life.
[Sergei chuckles] I was only doing my job.
No, that's what everybody else was doing.
Now, what do you need, Sergei Nikulov?
[Stepanov] Sergei, make it quick.
Um, I'm switching us over
to a secure channel.
[Anastasia] Secure?
[stammers] You are aware
of the Venera program?
Perhaps.
Well, the surveillance technology
on your station was derived
from a concept
that came from the Venera mission.
Don't know what you're talking about.
Yes. Yes. No, of course. Um…
I was going over the data that I received
from the Yevpatoria Telescope
and I found something…
strange.
Strange?
[Sergei] Yes, uh,
and I want you to help me confirm it.
What does this have to do with Venera?
[Sergei]
That's just what I'm trying to find out.
Just run this test.
Please.
What do you need me to do?
Set the UHF transmitter
to 922.76 Megahertz.
Setting to 922.76 Megahertz.
I'm-I'm getting a signal.
Relay that signal to me, please.
[Anastasia] Relaying.
[chuckles]
That's data.
- It's data and it's compressed with, um…
- With what?
[Stepanov] What's going on?
[clears throat]
[Anastasia] With what, Sergei?
What is this?
What are you getting me into?
- I will not… [stammers]
- One more minute. Please. Come on.
I need a calendar.
Who has a… [stammers]
- Yeah, just one… Just one moment.
- Hey.
Do you read me? Are you there?
Come in.
- No, that's not possible.
- What's not possible?
[Stepanov] Sergei.
Sorry. Sorry.
- Sergei. It's over. You cannot…
- No, no, no. Please. Please.
- [Anastasia] Are you there?
- [Sergei pants]
- Do you read me? Come in. Come in.
- Uh, hello, hello, hello.
Yes, yes. I'm here. I'm here.
Where is the signal coming from?
Comrade Belikova, there is
only one other spacecraft that is capable
of transmitting data
on that frequency using my algorithm.
No.
- It can't… It's not possible.
- [Sergei] I don't know.
But somehow, if it wasn't destroyed,
then its return to Earth
would be right about…
now.
[Lyudmilla] Status report
to General Konstantin Filonov Lubyanka.
Per orders of the second directorate,
the focus of the space program
has been limited to the orbit of Earth.
This follows restrictions placed
on Star City after the tragic deaths
of the three cosmonauts
in a training accident last summer.
The intelligence being gathered
by new space station Salyut-1,
under the cover of scientific research,
has proved invaluable.
Western military installations
previously inaccessible
to aerial surveillance
are now fully monitored.
[camera shutter clicking]
Salyut's ability to observe
ICBM silos, air defenses
and strategic nuclear capabilities
has become invaluable to the state.
This surveillance will proceed
as long as the program
continues to receive
the support of General Secretary Brezhnev.
And with the direct supervision
and guidance of the Chief Designer.
The intelligence reports he requested.
Uh, he's expecting you.
The latest
on the Salyut surveillance program.
[Radimir] Thank you, Comrade Colonel.
That'll be all.
[door opens, closes]
CHIEF DESIGNER
RADIMIR SERGEEVICH PETROVSKY
[theme song playing]
[machinery whirring]
[Denys] Nikulov.
Baikonur needs the load analysis redone
for an extra 100 kilos
on the next Salyut payload
by the end of the day.
No, I'm-I'm already working
on the thrust equations
for the new N-1 booster.
You'll just have to work late.
[chuckles, sniffles]
- [horses whinnying]
- [birds squawking]
[grunts]
It's morning.
[Vladimir snoring]
[gasps, mumbles]
[sighs]
- Poppa, let me help you.
- [breathes deeply]
[groans]
Got the tractor running.
You can start sowing the east field now.
You fixed the tractor.
You can manage the sowing.
I have the talk
at the Farmers' Union, remember?
[Vladimir scoffs, sighs]
You shouldn't do that.
You're still in mourning.
Eat now.
[Vladimir] Hmm.
[news reporter] The American ambassador
to the United Nations, George Bush,
made insulting and false accusations today
regarding the world's first
space station, Salyut.
Ambassador Bush claimed
that a Soviet film capsule has been
recovered on American soil,
and that it is proof
the civilian station is being used
for military intelligence
rather than scientific experiments.
The supposed proof
- that Salyut is performing… the US…
- [Zoya] Mom, I'm ready.
…has been discredited by Soviet officials
and the broader world community.
[Irina] Remember,
you have Olga today after school.
I don't like my piano lessons.
You must just keep at it.
We'll find you a better teacher.
What about Tanya?
Maybe she'll come back.
She won't.
[Ivan] This rassolnik is good.
Did you do something different?
[Tamara] I did a few extra
pickled cucumbers.
Just a little bit more than usual.
[Ivan] That must be it.
Improves the flavor.
Carrots are softer too.
[Tamara] Yes. And they were smaller,
so they cooked through.
[sighs]
[Ivan] Damn, that window's
fogging up again.
[Tamara] I wiped the glass earlier,
but it's letting in a draft.
[Radimir] Good morning, Irina.
- You said you were gonna fix it.
- [Ivan] I did fix it.
I'll look at it again tomorrow.
[Tamara] Always tomorrow.
Moscow's furious.
The botched Salyut film drop is
all over the news.
And not only have we failed
to retrieve our own surveillance,
but now the Americans know
which assets our cameras are pointed at.
Dropping canisters
of film from orbit hardly seems
like the most effective method.
As I noted in my report,
it requires an engineering solution.
And yet engineering has failed to find
a reliable method
- to transmit the photographs…
- [stammers]
- …directly from the station.
- What does that have to do with me?
Last time I checked,
Comrade Burkov reported to you.
Well, he's a loyalist to my predecessor.
You think he's
deliberately withholding a solution?
I think he believes things were better
under the previous regime.
So an example needs to be made of him.
I was entrusted by the General Secretary
with bringing Star City
back in line after everything
that happened on your watch.
My… My watch?
Well, first Mironov then Venera,
now these disloyal engineers.
I ended Venera.
I ended Mironov.
And now you need
to deal with Comrade Burkov,
or more drastic changes
to Star City will have to be made.
Oh, uh, one more thing.
Yes.
Irina Morozova, how's she doing?
Fine. She's fine.
She made the initial discovery of
Valya Mironov's activities, did she not?
Yes, but in her eagerness to impress,
she failed to alert me
at the correct time.
She has promise, I grant you,
and ambition, but she lacks discipline.
[Radimir] So did I, at her age.
Look where I am now.
Yes.
Very impressive.
I would encourage you to consider
her strengths and not only her weaknesses.
Well, it's my department
so I'll run it as I see fit.
It's only a suggestion.
Good day, Comrade Colonel.
[crowd chattering]
Good afternoon.
I am proud
to introduce this film to you today,
highlighting the triumph
of my journey as a cosmonaut
in the very place that journey began.
The communal farmland
of the Rostovskaya Oblast.
[audience cheering]
Deputy Chairman Tarasov,
I wasn't expecting to see you here.
Well, I wouldn't dream of missing this.
[calm music playing]
[narrator] The daughter of workers.
A symbol of our nation.
The film will tour the Soviet Union and
then it will travel widely in the West,
showing them the Anastasia Belikova
that the governors have tried
to hide from them.
[narrator] …proved that sacrifice and
collective strength could reach the stars.
Seems like yesterday, doesn't it?
…embodying duty, resilience
and the enduring spirit
of a people united by purpose.
A purpose she shared with her husband,
Aleksandr Dmietrievich Polivanov.
Their commitment to each other
knew no bounds,
as did their commitment
to space and country.
His ultimate sacrifice is one
our people will not soon forget.
Excuse me.
…fixed on the future of our great nation,
forged in shared sacrifice
and the knowledge that we carry
the light of the world…
[breathes shakily]
[sobbing]
We put the first man into space.
We sent cosmonauts to the moon.
We even tried
to send them to another planet.
Who knows where that might have led us?
But now, all we're doing is looking down,
staring back at Earth so we can
take photographs of missile sites.
Even you must acknowledge the difference.
So you admit that your loyalties still lie
with the former Chief Designer.
There's only one Chief Designer.
[chuckles]
Radimir Petrovsky's a KGB stooge
who can barely tell the difference
between liquid oxygen and vodka.
May I remind you
this conversation is being recorded.
I would choose
your words very, very carefully.
I've said what I'm gonna say.
Will you sign the confession
admitting to sabotaging
Chief Designer Petrovsky's efforts
- to modernize the Salyut space station?
- [sighs]
You think it'll make them fall in line,
but it won't.
The reason my team hasn't solved
the problem of the Salyut film drops
isn't for the lack of will,
and it's not insubordination.
Ideas don't just form out of thin air.
They require inspiration.
And you know there's
only one person that can do that.
Stop gawping.
Back to work.
Congratulations, Comrade Stepanov.
You are now the lead engineer on Salyut-1.
Of course, Comrade Colonel.
[chattering]
[machinery whirring]
[Sergei clears throat]
Were you able to contact him?
He's amazed you'd even consider it.
An engineer from Star City
teaching at his university.
Thank you for passing this along.
It explains my hopes for the position.
Of course, I'll get it to him.
But, Sergei, what I don't understand…
why would you want
to leave here to be a professor?
I need a change.
Star City isn't what it used to be.
[Chief Designer hums, grunts]
[humming]
[sighs]
I'm telling you,
you're gonna be sick of borscht
by the time this crop comes out. [grunts]
[Galina] Darling.
What?
[Galina] Darling.
You have a visitor.
[breathes deeply]
[sighs]
[footsteps approaching]
I see you've settled in.
Nice view.
Yes, I can almost see past
the armed guards surrounding me.
Well, it's better than the gulag.
Better hurry up
and get to your point, Lyudmilla.
Galina's likely in there now
sharpening her knives.
Our new space station, Salyut-1,
monitors the entire globe from orbit.
[inhales deeply] Has more surveillance
capability than we ever could have had
with Tupolev aircraft.
[Chief Designer] So nice they're
focusing on surveillance now.
Yes, well, we need
a more secure system in place
for sending the surveillance photos
down to Star City.
Your former engineers
are dragging their feet.
So they should be.
I can't help you, Lyudmilla.
Not after what you did to my Eagles.
I did what was necessary to protect
our nation, as I have always done.
- [scoffs]
- Do you know,
the only reason your co-conspirators
are not all in prison
is because I allowed you to take
the full responsibility for that fiasco.
Allowed? That's very gracious of you.
Why don't you ask your new Chief Designer
to help you with your little problem?
Petrovsky.
They let him use his own name, I see.
[Lyudmilla] He's…
[stammers, sighs]
…not you.
The Central Committee know that.
I suspect that's why you're still alive.
So, I can provide answers
for him to parrot to the engineers?
If not, your idyllic retirement could turn
into something much worse.
I'm not a young man anymore, Lyudmilla.
I'm not concerned about my fate.
That's as may be, but Petrovsky's…
actions may harm Star City,
perhaps irreparably.
[sniffs]
[sighing]
So what would you have me do? I'm, uh…
[chuckles] …I'm under house arrest,
no way to communicate
with the outside world.
Stalin threw you into the gulag
for no reason.
You were starved, beaten,
nearly frozen to death.
But when you were called on again,
you did not hesitate.
You did what was necessary
because you were a patriot.
Patriot.
I was a fool.
Well, Petrovsky is neither.
And if he's not given
the results he expects,
then Star City will be broken into pieces.
Everything we have built together
will be destroyed.
[Galina] Darling, breakfast.
[sighs]
[stammers]
Th-There's an algorithm
on the Venera computer.
A way to, uh, downgrade
high resolution images from the probe
on the surface of Venus into something
that can be transmitted back to Earth.
They might be able
to use that as a starting point.
The codes might
still be on Salyut's comms system.
Thank you.
[Chief Designer] That's all you're
gonna get from me, Lyudmilla.
My time has passed.
Now, go on. Go find yourself another fool.
[radio voice]
The Ministry of Agriculture has confirmed
that a period of unusually dry weather
has affected parts of the Donets
and Volga regions.
Meteorological stations report
that rainfall
has not yet reached seasonal standards…
Poppa, I'm home.
- Have you eaten?
- [Vladimir] Quiet.
- They're talking about the drought.
- …temporary difficulties.
Local party committees
and collective farm chairmen…
- [vehicle approaching]
- …are responding with decisive measures.
Many are mobilizing irrigation brigades
to ensure efficient use
of reservoir and canal systems,
- and pump stations are operating…
- [engine stops]
…around the clock to sustain fields…
Poppa, we have visitors.
What?
[sighs]
This hour?
…enables water resources to be directed
where they are needed most.
[door opens]
- Good evening.
- Comrade Tarasov.
Apologies for the intrusion.
[Vladimir] No, please, uh, come in.
- [Tarasov] Thank you.
- [Vladimir] Nastya, get some glasses.
- [car door closes]
- [radio chatter continues]
- Good evening.
- Good evening.
Please, if you follow through
to the left, please.
Uh-huh.
Preliminary forecasts suggest that…
- [Vladimir] We can have a drink.
- [Tarasov] Hmm.
…in certain districts, the overall grain
procurement plan of the Union remains…
[Vladimir breathes heavily]
How can I help you?
Well, actually, I came here to speak
with your daughter, Comrade Belikova.
- [radio chatter stops]
- Yes, of course.
I-I would like that drink though.
- Yes.
- Thank you.
Brings back memories of my own
childhood home in Bryanskaya Oblast,
not so far from here.
Thank you.
Yeah, I-I'll be in the back.
To the heroes of the Soviet Union.
Please, sit.
[groans]
You and Comrade Polivanov
must have grown close,
before the training accident.
I guess the saying is true.
Love comes when you least expect it.
[sighs]
Forgive me, Comrade.
But I'm sure a man such as yourself
has better things to do
than come all the way out here
for a drink.
Yes, yes.
Why am I here?
Well, let's just say that it is no longer
in the best interest of the state
for you to remain here.
Nor is it in yours.
You have done everything
we asked of you, Comrade Belikova.
And now it is time for us
to return the favor.
I don't understand.
We need another cosmonaut to go into
rotation on the Salyut-1 space station,
and we've selected you
to command the mission.
Commander of the mission?
[Tarasov] Mm-hmm.
I haven't trained for it.
Well, that didn't stop you on Luna-16
and you made it all the way to the moon.
[inhales sharply]
But I, uh, thought the state believed
that it was too big a risk
for me to go back into space.
Well, I mean,
it seems like an even riskier proposition
for you to remain here.
- [sighs]
- Comrade Belikova,
i-is this not what you wanted?
It's all that I've wanted.
Ever since I first went up.
Forgive me… [sighs]
…but I don't believe you are doing this
simply as a gesture of goodwill.
[chuckles]
Wow…
[inhales deeply] You've grown quite a bit
since we last spoke.
[liquid pours]
The Americans are accusing us
of using Salyut to gather intelligence.
Are we?
We are protecting the Soviet Union
against Western provocation.
But to prevent any further escalation,
we must convince the world of
Salyut's peaceful purpose.
[sighs] And if I go back up there, then…
Then your triumphant return to space
as commander of the mission, no less,
will, uh, provide an…
an alternate narrative.
[sighs]
[breathes deeply]
All right, I'll go.
Good, then that's settled.
A plane will take you from Taganrog
Air Base to Baikonur tomorrow morning.
Congratulations.
[chuckles]
Hello?
[sighs]
[Radimir] There's a reason I wanted
to speak to you privately.
I don't like the way you're being treated
by your superior.
She's holding you back.
But I know you have such potential,
such promise.
I still have much to learn from her.
There's nothing you should be learning
from her.
I was assigned to Star City after
everything that happened with Venera.
To right the ship, yes,
but also to shake things up.
Bring it into the modern era.
Part of the problem is
these dinosaurs that have been here
for decades refuse to go extinct.
If we are to remain
at the cutting edge of science,
of technology, of exploration,
it's people like us…
you and I, Irina,
that must control Star City. Hmm?
An American agent was allowed
to escape on an illegal mission,
and we're supposed to believe that
Colonel Raskova knew nothing about it?
- She didn't.
- Her time here is done.
I just need proof that it's in the state's
best interest to remove her from power.
And you want me to get that for you?
You have a bright future here, Irina.
You're stronger and smarter
than you realize.
I know what you've gone through.
How much you had to endure
before you came here.
I cannot imagine that kind of…
[inhales sharply]
…torment at the hands of such a monster.
I don't… I don't think…
In the end, something good
came out of what happened.
Your daughter, Zoya.
And I do feel that something good
can come from this as well.
Those of us from Rublyovka,
we must protect each other.
[stammers, inhales sharply]
It's getting late. I should…
- Of course. Of course.
- [Irina inhales shakily, sighs]
Think about what I've asked.
I will.
[Radimir] Hmm.
I'll see you soon.
How long is the ride?
Not long now.
What's his story?
Um, Anatoly Frolov.
He… He joined
with the latest cosmonaut attachment.
So he's KGB.
Yeah, we're both assigned
to work on the-the, uh…
The real reason for this mission?
[reporter] Cosmonaut Belikova, are you
excited about your return to space?
Of course,
this mission is a wonderful opportunity
for us to pursue our scientific objectives
on the world's first space station.
Wave to the camera.
- [camera shutters clicking]
- [reporters clamoring]
[flight controller speaks indistinctly]
Firing chain is armed.
Go for main engine start.
[Anastasia]
Star City, confirm combustion chambers
11 through 17 at full pressure.
[flight controller] Heard. Broach two.
[Frolov] Ignition.
[flight controller] On target for Salyut-1
in T-minus two hours.
[employees chattering]
Listen, everyone.
[chattering stops]
Congratulations are in order.
With yet another successful launch,
we have once again shown
the might of the Soviet Union.
But we must remain focused and resilient.
The biggest challenges are
still ahead of us.
Well done.
[Tarasov] Nicely done.
The general secretary is very pleased
with how this all came together.
[Radimir] Thank you, Deputy Chairman.
Glad to be of service.
Where's Kirill?
I don't know.
He didn't show up this morning.
[sighs]
[sighs]
[Anastasia] Trajectory normal.
On track for Salyut rendezvous.
[flight controller 1] Soyuz, patching
in comms with Salyut-1 ahead of approach.
Salyut Station,
your relief crew is on the comms.
[Salyut cosmonaut] We see you, Soyuz.
Hope you snuck
some vodka in your hygiene bags
because we're taking ours
back home with us.
[chuckles]
[gasps] It's beautiful.
[chuckles]
[Frolov] Star City, preparing
phasing orbit circularization burn
for Salyut Station rendezvous.
[Salyut cosmonaut] Proceed with docking,
Commander Belikova.
Fuel reactor cell is normal.
[sighs]
[Frolov]
Closing rate is 0.91 meters per second.
[Salyut cosmonaut] Could you speed it
up a bit? We're ready to go home.
Five meters.
[Salyut cosmonaut]
Watch your closing rate.
[Frolov] Latch alignment looks good.
[Anastasia] Contact one.
Contact two.
Soft capture complete.
[Salyut cosmonaut] Welcome to Salyut-1.
[doorbell rings]
[footsteps approaching]
What are you doing here?
I'm sorry, Comrade Colonel. There's been
an urgent issue with Salyut-1.
Couldn't wait until tomorrow?
[Irina] I-I'm afraid not.
I saw
that Chief Designer Petrovsky was about
to send the first Salyut
surveillance photos to headquarters.
Without my sign-off?
Yeah. [breathes deeply]
I've brought them for you to review.
Better come in then.
Can I see the file?
[timer ringing]
Give me a minute.
I've got something in the oven.
[timer ringing stops]
[oven door opens]
[bottles clink]
[Lyudmilla] His name was Dima.
He was killed during the war.
Sorry, I didn't realize.
It was a long time ago.
Thank you for bringing this
to my attention.
I will, uh, make sure it gets to Lubyanka.
It's late, you should go.
[Irina] There's one more thing.
Yes?
[chuckles]
Where did you find that?
I brought it.
You were going to bug me?
I was ordered to, but I couldn't.
Petrovsky?
He wants you removed.
Well, what are you waiting for?
Sorry?
[inhales deeply] Irina Vasilievna, when
the head of Star City gives you an order,
that's exactly what you must do.
I don't understand.
You will continue to report to him.
And to me, of course.
Yes, Comrade Colonel.
[employees chattering]
- [guard] Stop. You're not permitted in…
- No, please. Listen. I need…
- …without authorization.
- This regards official state business.
You are not permitted in.
[Sergei sighs]
Stepanov.
Stepanov.
Please. Wait… This is important.
I can't really be seen talking to you.
I've already got
the Night Witch up my arse as it is.
Okay. Well, then,
the sooner that you agree
to do what I'm asking you, the better.
If Chief Designer were here,
I'd be asking him.
Okay, you have one minute.
I need to reach Salyut-1.
Now.
Please. I need your help.
[sighs]
[Stepanov] Salyut-1, this is Star City.
Do you copy?
Salyut-1?
Come in, Star City, Belikova here.
[Stepanov] Commander Belikova,
it's Stepanov.
Is everything all right?
[Stepanov] Yes.
There's a test we'd like to run
on the security monitor.
That's Frolov's project.
- I'll just wake him, he's…
- Oh, no, no. No.
No.
Um…
[Anastasia] Why not?
[Sergei stammering] It's just that it…
It isn't a very big test.
So you don't need to disturb his sleep.
[Anastasia] You're not Stepanov.
Who is this?
[Sergei] Sergei Nikulov.
Nikulov?
Why does that sound familiar?
[Sergei] I'm the engineer
who thought of the way
to reduce the CO2 in your suit
during Luna-16.
So, you're the one who told me
to stab a hole in my suit in outer space?
[sighs]
- Yes. Um, I'm sorry. I was only, um…
- Don't be sorry, you saved my life.
[Sergei chuckles] I was only doing my job.
No, that's what everybody else was doing.
Now, what do you need, Sergei Nikulov?
[Stepanov] Sergei, make it quick.
Um, I'm switching us over
to a secure channel.
[Anastasia] Secure?
[stammers] You are aware
of the Venera program?
Perhaps.
Well, the surveillance technology
on your station was derived
from a concept
that came from the Venera mission.
Don't know what you're talking about.
Yes. Yes. No, of course. Um…
I was going over the data that I received
from the Yevpatoria Telescope
and I found something…
strange.
Strange?
[Sergei] Yes, uh,
and I want you to help me confirm it.
What does this have to do with Venera?
[Sergei]
That's just what I'm trying to find out.
Just run this test.
Please.
What do you need me to do?
Set the UHF transmitter
to 922.76 Megahertz.
Setting to 922.76 Megahertz.
I'm-I'm getting a signal.
Relay that signal to me, please.
[Anastasia] Relaying.
[chuckles]
That's data.
- It's data and it's compressed with, um…
- With what?
[Stepanov] What's going on?
[clears throat]
[Anastasia] With what, Sergei?
What is this?
What are you getting me into?
- I will not… [stammers]
- One more minute. Please. Come on.
I need a calendar.
Who has a… [stammers]
- Yeah, just one… Just one moment.
- Hey.
Do you read me? Are you there?
Come in.
- No, that's not possible.
- What's not possible?
[Stepanov] Sergei.
Sorry. Sorry.
- Sergei. It's over. You cannot…
- No, no, no. Please. Please.
- [Anastasia] Are you there?
- [Sergei pants]
- Do you read me? Come in. Come in.
- Uh, hello, hello, hello.
Yes, yes. I'm here. I'm here.
Where is the signal coming from?
Comrade Belikova, there is
only one other spacecraft that is capable
of transmitting data
on that frequency using my algorithm.
No.
- It can't… It's not possible.
- [Sergei] I don't know.
But somehow, if it wasn't destroyed,
then its return to Earth
would be right about…
now.