Gloriana

The first season of 'The Crown' was a great and at its best excellent one on the whole. Of the previous episodes, the only disappointment was "Gelignite", and primarily because of the Margaret and Peter subplot should have been a good deal more interesting than it was and because the episode went too far on making Margaret very difficult to like. Having said that there were also particularly fantastic episodes, such as "Smoke and Mirrors", "Scientia Potentia Est" and "Assassins".

"Gloriana" could have ended Season 1 with a bang, but unfortunately it was not quite glorious enough and didn't quite have the power that was expected. It is still good and has many fantastic things, the same fantastic things apparent in all the previous episodes. But what disappointed about "Gelignite", which was also not a bad episode at all don't get me wrong, returns here in "Gloriana" and just as problematically executed.

Shall start with what works excellently. "Gloriana" is exceptionally well made. The expense really does show in the classy, sumptuous period detail and the atmospheric and elegant way it's shot. The music for me wasn't too intrusive or low-key and was beautiful scoring on its own. The main theme is not easy to forget.

Writing probes a lot of thought and intrigue, it is much more than soap-opera and doesn't feel too modern. The story is far from perfect, but it does intrigue at least and is at its strongest in addressing the moral dilemma Elizabeth faces and the conflict that comes with the situation, done with subtlety yet tact. Edward's phone call to Elizabeth agreed was a beautifully handled scene. When it comes to the acting, Claire Foy comes off best in a dignified and very expressive turn that never resorted to histrionics or over-seriousness.

However, "Gloriana" is dominated too much by the Margaret and Peter subplot and once again it is on the bland side and is rather too one-sided. While Elizabeth's moral dilemma progresses and has emotional impact, the Margaret and Peter subplot doesn't have enough of either and ends on an incomplete-feeling note. The pace could have been tighter on occasion.

Furthermore, Vanessa Kirby again overdoes it and is annoying and the episode does go too far on making Margaret difficult to like or root for, with no dimension really.

In conclusion, many fantastic things here but for a last episode to such a good first season it could have been more. 7/10

I know it took a while for me to finish the 1st season but that isn't a detriment to the show. I've been focusing on movies lately so I decided to take my time with this, and ye I really like it. The highlight of the show in my opinion are the performances. Every single actor transforms into their character it's amazing. That miserable tone that the show is trying to establish is very affective. I tend to not like dramas like these but I think it really works here. As I said, historical accuracy isn't what I'm finding in this show. I'm not gonna automatically relate the actions of these characters to their real life counterparts cuz I dont really give a sht. It's jus fun seeing the characters turn on each other. Anyways pretty good so far.

A surprising place to end Elizabeth's story without getting in to the crisis in Egypt. The cold ending to Margaret's love affair feels incomplete. If true, was this how the sisters left it or did it continue to effect their relationship? I do think Claire Foy is amazing to watch and her sense of duty and patriotism is remarkable, especially in a time with people think being Queen is so amazing.

I absolutely hate it when the last shot of a film is included in the trailer. Unfortunately, this series did just that. Yet this is even worse than when a movie does it, as most movies aren't ten hours long. That's just a minor pet peeve, however. It does not detract from the episode in a major way.

One thing which has detracted from this series in a major way for me, however, is Margaret. The actor is fine, but I find that the way she was written leaves much to be desired. We're supposed to sympathize with her and Peter Townsend, so that it is all the more devastating when Elizabeth is forced to make interventions in their relationship. The problem is... I don't. In my opinion, the show did not do enough to develop their relationship. To me, it comes across as very one-dimensional. And since the connection is not felt, Margaret just becomes annoying as she repeatedly puts her sister in impossible situations and then fails to empathize with her dilemma whatsoever.

The reason I find it so disappointing that Margaret comes off as annoying and underdeveloped is that this series has set such a high standard for subtlety with every other element. I have been repeatedly amazed by the sheer elegance, simplicity, and subtlety achieved in the development of almost every character, relationship, and situation. I believe that Margaret and Peter's relationship may be the only significant weak link. Unfortunately, it is also the central story of both this episode and in some ways the season as a whole. As a result, I find this to be one of the weaker episodes of the season. However, because it is the central story-line of the episode, all the other characters tie into it, and their parts are very strong. Elizabeth's dilemma strikes at the heart of her arc, her conflict between herself as a person and herself as a sovereign. Edward also has a surprisingly touching scene. And really, despite all the problems I have with the Margaret and Peter story-line, I must admit that it provides a very natural point on which to conclude the season.

I look forward to the next season. I hope it finds a central story-line more befitting of the fantastic writing, acting, and cinematography that has come to typify the first one.