The Balmoral Test

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.