The October 23, 2022, episode of Once Upon a Time in Russia (Season 9, Episode 13) is a classic example of the show’s sharp satirical take on modern life, featuring the usual heavy hitters like Azamat Musagaliev and Denis Dorokhov.
Reflecting the trends of that autumn, several sketches touched upon the frantic energy of people trying to adapt to changing social climates. The humor poked fun at both those trying to leave and those trying to pretend everything was "business as usual." The October 23, 2022, episode of Once Upon
Episode 13 succeeded because it didn't shy away from the tension of the time; it used humor as a pressure valve. It managed to find the comedy in the frustration of modern Russian life, proving why the show remains a staple of TNT’s Sunday night lineup. It managed to find the comedy in the
A standout sketch featured the classic "clueless official" trope. Musagaliev’s delivery as a high-ranking bureaucrat trying to explain away a total lack of progress on a local project remains a masterclass in deadpan irony. Denis Dorokhov took physical comedy to the limit
Denis Dorokhov took physical comedy to the limit in this episode, often playing the "chaos agent" in domestic settings. Whether playing an overbearing neighbor or a bizarre service worker, his segments provided the high-octane slapstick that balances the show's wordier satire.
This episode aired during a peak period for the show, leaning heavily into the "absurdity of the everyday." It balanced high-energy musical numbers with sketches that mirrored the social anxieties of late 2022.