Hello and welcome to a special legacy encore episode.

While we take a short break, we're dipping back into the archive to revisit some of our favorite episodes.

And this is one of Peter's greatest hits.

So here we go then, the life and the legacy of Mikhail Gorbachev.

We'll let the episode speak for itself.

But before we do, here's a quick reminder that the full back catalogue is always there for you to explore.

Welcome to Legacy for the fourth and final part of our series on Mikhail Gorbachev.

A man still fondly regarded in the West, rather less so back in the old Soviet Union.

When we left you at the end of episode three, the Berlin Wall has collapsed,

and Gorbachev is under increasing fire from his critics on both sides.

Those who think his reforms are going too far, and those who think they're not going far enough.

Only six years into his reign, it's the hardline communists who try and strike the decisive blow.

August 18, 1991, Villazarya, Foros, Crimea.

With the phone craveled to his ear, Mikhail Gorbachev looks out onto the gently

lapping waters of the Black Sea.

On the other end, his vice president, Genadi Yanayev, confirms the plan for Gorbachev's

return from vacation.

Tomorrow, I'll greet you off the plane myself, Mikhail. For two weeks, Gorbachev and his family

have been holidaying in the sun. Each day he swims in the sea, reads and spends time with his

grandchildren. But today he has work to do. Later, Gorbachev hears a knock at the door.

His bodyguard appears, eyes darting about the room anxiously.

Sir, a group of men has arrived. He moves towards the phone on his desk. General Khrushkov,

...