Amazon’s The Romanoffs tells the stories of people who believe they are descendants of the Romanovs. Each episode tells a new story in a different part of the world. The Romanoffs season 1 episode 7 followed Joe and Anka Garner as they traveled to Vladivostok, Russia to adopt a baby.
Don’t Smile
The Garners added some curious items to their suitcase: children’s clothes, coffee, silk scarves, large chocolate bars, and stacks of cash. They would be used to aid in their adoption of Oksana, a baby they were determined to leave Russia with after years of trying.
As they arrived in Vladivostok, it was clear the Garners were in a very different place. Guards armed with intimidating rifles were everywhere, and they constantly had to remind themselves not to smile. Elena Evanovich, the facilitator for the adoption, shuttled them everywhere they needed to go. The day after they arrived, they would go to the orphanage to meet the director, Mrs. Fedunov, and see Oksana in person.
P’yanitsa
At the orphanage, Elena told the Garners to spend some time with Oksana and take off her clothes to make sure she is what they wanted. The Garners felt that there was something wrong with Oksana. Along with a strange rash, she didn’t make noises, move, or respond to the toys. An older child in the orphanage said “p’yanitsa” to them, and while Elena insisted it meant “parents”, Anka wasn’t convinced.
While Joe went back to the hotel room to sleep, Anka went to the business center (a small room with two old computers) to research the rash. Another American woman, Patricia Callahan, came in. She was also in town to adopt. Her facilitator, Vera, was Elena’s soon-to-be daughter-in-law. Vera took everyone to a flea market. There they saw the children’s clothes they had given to the orphanage earlier that day. Anka also asked Vera what p’yanitsa meant, and she told her it meant “drinker”.
Not a Shopping Trip
Back at the hotel room, the Garners argued. Anka no longer wanted Oksana, who she believed had fetal alcohol syndrome. On the other hand, Joe insisted they had to take her no matter what. Anka pointed to her cousin, Victoria from episode 6, who she claimed was miserable because of her sick child. Joe told her that if they didn’t leave with Oksana, he no longer wanted to be with her.
The next day, they would go to the orphanage, pick up Oksana, and legally adopt her in front of a judge. Anka told Elena and Mrs. Fedunov they no longer wanted Oksana because she knew there was something wrong with her. Elena insisted they could take her back to the US where American doctors would fix her. Anka stood firm, and Joe surprisingly supported her. Elena and Mrs. Fedunov left the room for a moment and came back with another baby, Katerina.
Elena and the Garners went to court with Katerina. The papers still had Oksana’s name on them, and for all the judge knew, that baby was now Oksana. One of them had to make a statement before the court, so Joe gave a speech where he insisted the baby will want for nothing with them. The Garners then left Vladistok with Katerina.
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