As a former history teacher, I looked forward to listening to this episode and was impressed at its portrayal of how Rasputin died. What the "Courtyard of Death" touched upon--but didn't dare go into detail--was the perverse life of Rasputin. Though he was a spiritual adviser to the Romanovs (Alexandra more so than Nicholas whom was afraid of Rasputin), Rasputin was as perverse as a man could be. He believed that in order for forgiveness to abound, he would have to do acts that would require forgiveness. Rasputin was a sexual deviant and murderer. The episode did a fair job of detailing the death of Rasputin who in actuality lived through a stabbing and an effort to poison him which the episode does touch upon. "Courtyard of Death" did a nice job introducing its listener to Rasputin and the last czar of Russia. 3 stars.