The Balmoral Test

One of the best episodes of the forth season. The symbolism and all the layers. But I find Diana irritating and perhaps Gillian Anderson, though I like her interpretation of Thatcher on the whole, is making her a bit to old. I am also delighted that the makers didn't make Charles into a monster. He was indeed the wounded deer, shot down by both his family, and a manipulative Diana.

Marriage for love is a relatively new concept, especially when it comes to royalty. Charles needs to marry. He is in love with Parker-Bowles but can't have her. So because he has had a good time with Diana and she is young and pretty, she falls to him. Margaret Thatcher has taken the government by storm and has an off with their heads mentality. Her visit to Balmoral is a disaster. The problem with this whole episode is that Diana would have had lots of experience with the trappings of the royal family. Also, why wouldn't Thatcher have some knowledge of what she would face on this outing? The story is interesting but is sitting on a weak foundation.

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?

Diana was like the fairy tale 'Cinderella', cooking and cleaning for her elder sister, the gorgeous red head debutante, Sarah Spencer, who was dating the Prince of Wales. Diana was told to remain out of sight whenever the Prince visited, and that she'd not be going to the ball. 'Cinder-diana' even had a cat and 'mice' (hamsters) for pets, cat was named 'Marmalade' (and not 'Lucifer').

And an 'evil' Stepmother (Raine Spencer), who pushed Diana out of her family home. Diana moved to a flat in London and worked at a kindergarten. Dressed plainly, she lived an ordinary life, till one day her Prince Charming (Charles) came along and asked her out. To Balmoral, to meet the Family.

The Queen was like the fairy Godmother granting Diana her wish to go to the Palace and marry the Prince. Her fairy tale Royal Wedding to Prince Charles at St. Paul's cathedral in 1981 was watched by 750 million people on TV and stunned the world. Overnight, she became the greatest sensation.

(Excellent performances from lookalikes Diana (Emma Corrin), Prince Charles (Josh O'Connor) and HM the Queen (Olivia Coleman)).

One can only wonder what non-Brits make of our crazy nation after they have watched this episode. On the one hand you have, again, an incoming leader, the country's first female PM, meeting the establishments leader, a Queen who has already been there seemingly forever. Poor Maggie, an excellent performance by her and DT, having to holiday with this clique of overprivilege with their wax coats, boots and traditions. We were cringing with Maggie - never thought I would do that - while the Royals disported in nursery style amused as much by the PM's discomfort as their own inane parlor game. Then the coin flips and we see the antithesis of Mrs T arrive and be a great success. Subtle? Maybe not. True? Well, err, only they would know what really went down that weekend. It was all very well carried by all concerned though I left it uncomfy and dismayed that this might well be how the people who run this country spend their time and considerable money. But then maybe that was the point.