The Balmoral Test

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.