The Balmoral Test

This episode and the one after it play out like gothic horror - Jane Eyre or Rebecca. The mood with the gloomy castles the metaphor of killing the animal are mesmerising. Diana's isolation in the large palace rooms is effective. Very well done scenes with the nightmare lunch with Camilla and callous behaviour of Charles towards Diana before the wedding. A scathing indictment of them.

At the start of season three I have to say I was rather put off by the recastings. None of them are bad per-say, they just don't compare to the first two season's younger versions. But since then, we have had four absolutely phenomenal castings in the form of Anne, Charles, Thatcher, and Diana. I would argue that these portrayals have given the show new life, and I am now more engrossed in the show than ever before.

Opposite, I felt an empty feeling of the royal family in this episode, most of focusing on hunting, unmeaningful talking, rule, and not open in mind except the Queen. You can find out a scene about the price minister comes for lunch with the royal family. Is it true in real?

A very interesting parallel between the privileged life and normal life; which is kept up throughout as Diana excels and Thatcher fails. Wonderful acting, and a good storyline.

Seasons 1 and 2 were quite excellent on the whole, with even the weakest episodes still being good. Season 3 started off rather slow and finished underwhelmingly, but it did have high points with "Aberfan" for example being one of the best episodes of 'The Crown' in my view. Still liked the show well enough to watch Season 4 and coupled with having a high opinion of Gillian Anderson (after her wonderful acting in 'Bleak House') watching it was on the cards.

Was rather disappointed in the previous episode "Gold Stick", the Season 4 premiere. "The Balmoral Test" is an improvement and sees the season and the characters introduced in this season (so Margaret Thatcher, Princess Diana and Camilla Parker-Bowles) moving forward. It is a long way from a perfect or great episode and is a long way from being one of the best episodes of 'The Crown', but there are many good things (despite not everything working) and this reviewer is not going to be one of those criticising "The Balmoral Test" for animal cruelty when it was representing privilege and the appointment process.

"The Balmoral Test" has a lot to like. As ever the production values are superb. The production and costume design are both classy and sumptuous, but it's the photography that stands out in this regard. The music is not overbearing or low key. The scripting is thought provoking and intriguing and the story is compelling and moves things forward very well, while making one excited enough to see what the rest of the season entails. Charles and Camilla's relationship is beautifully done.

Most of the acting is fine. Emma Corrin stuns as Diana and Josh O'Connor brings out Charles' conflict of choosing royal duty or following his heart with a lot of nuance and in a way where his point of view is understood. Emerald Fennell shows a lot of potential.

For my tastes though, Gillian Anderson never properly disappears into Thatcher's character and it does come over as too much of a Thatcher caricature and Anderson trying too hard. Actually thought that Olivia Colman's acting improved a lot throughout Season 3 but here she comes over as too cold and firm.

Perhaps there are some slow spots.

On the whole though, a well done episode, warts and all, and an improvement. 7/10.