Episode list

Gábor Báthory, the new prince of Transylvania, takes his throne in Cluj-Napoca. Despite his beloved sister, Anna Báthory, and his aunt, Erzsébet Báthory, who is admired and feared by everyone, the young prince is greeted with suspicion and distrust. Báthory's former teacher, Gábor Bethlen, also tries to calm the mood - unsuccessfully. Báthory should not only stand up as a prince, but also as a husband, but the young ruler follows his desires rather than fulfilling his duty.

Cornered, Gábor Báthory seemingly agrees with the noble leaders who are hostile to him, after offering them a deal. He paints the Saxons as a common enemy, against whom he intends to launch a large-scale campaign, from which the hajduks and the Transylvanian nobles hope for serious financial gain. Gábor Bethlen, meanwhile, tries to repair in Cluj what Báthory has destroyed - be it politics or the broken heart of the princess.

An assassination attempt is being made against the prince. Until the last moment, it seems that the assassination will succeed - but the prince receives help from an unexpected source, thanks to which he survives. After the assassination, Báthory begins a bloody showdown, and with one exception, he succeeds in settling accounts with all the traitors.

Palatine Thurzó, who imprisoned Elizabeth Báthory, offered the countess a deal: if she persuaded her nephew to make peace with Hungary, Thurzó would spare the lives of Elizabeth's servants.

The mock trial against Elizabeth Báthory is progressing unstoppable: the countess is being accused of the most absurd accusations. Bethlen, who arrives on the scene, tries to stop the witch hunt, first with kind words and then with increasingly threatening actions. Báthory is tormented by remorse for his atrocities, but he knows that the monster he has awakened cannot be stopped: he sets off on another raid.

Gábor Báthory realizes that if he really wants to be a ruler of European fame, he must see the Turks not as enemies, but as allies. He devises a grand plan for the Transylvanian armies to invade Hungary and Europe together with the Muslim hordes. Bethlen Castle is guarded by his unsuspecting wife and Anna Báthory, who is entrusted to his care. Meanwhile, Thurzó's armies besiege the castle.

Bethlen is completely overwhelmed by grief, while Báthory is consumed by anger over Géczy's betrayal. In his final despair, Báthory visits Bethlen - and is convinced that Bethlen has remained loyal to him and would never betray him. The Transylvanian-Saxon army led by Géczy sets out against the Hajdú army led by Báthory, and the stakes of the battle are now clearly the princely throne.

The battle is won by Báthory's forces, but in the process, Báthory loses all his important men and allies. The prince is left almost completely alone - his only ally is his wife, who returns to Báthory despite repeated humiliation. Bethlen, meanwhile, allies himself with the Turkish armies, with whose help he is able to remove Báthory from the throne.