48:1

I was quite excited to see the beloved Claire Foy reprise her role as young Elizabeth. A great throwback and link to wrap the whole show together. The Crown has done a great job of bringing to life some big historical figures. They knew it would be a big task with Thatcher and Diana and they really delivered.

Excellent episode. Every bit of it. Clear illustration of the tension between the Queen and the PM, and the hamstrung role the monarch plays in politics. I only wish Gillian Anderson could convey her role better. In my view, she doesn't work. I see Gillian Anderson, not Margaret Thatcher. I hear the actor, not the PM, even if the words themselves are Thatcher. Nice scene before Andrew's wedding, with the spoiled royals and the "fringe" insult. Poignant scenes with Martin and Michael Shea. I need to read one of his books.

The Queen is quite proud of the British Empire and her role in the imperialist regimes (even though so many bodies were buried along the way). It turns out the Commonwealth has decided that enough is enough when it comes to South Africa and apartheid. Margaret Thatcher, interested only in the bottom line, believes that human suffering is insignificant if the country brings in lots of bucks. Elizabeth tries to convince her otherwise and then breaks the unwritten rule of royalty defying the Prime Minister (really, expressing any counter opinion on anything). This leads to the need for a scapegoat so she can ultimately save face. The other event that is taking place in the background is the marriage of Prince Andrew to Sarah Ferguson. The male children have a confrontation, showing how spoiled and shortsighted they are. Pomposity prevails in every scene. We also find out some of Thatcher's prejudices. Very well done episode.

Great performances from the actress, Gillian Andersen and the real Mrs. Thatcher. The way Mrs Thatcher would say in a heavily accentuated voice "Your MAJESTY", dropping in tone and curtsy nearly to the floor, made me laugh and no doubt amused the Royal Family. But the Iron Lady was unflinching when it came to doing business and putting Britain first on the International scale. She was made to bend her Iron Will when it came to sanctions against South Africa for its apartheid atrocities. Two women in charge of the nation, of course, created some royal friction with the Queen (Olivia Coleman) being the more experienced of the two. Enjoyed watching those two women challenging each other in not too subtle tones.

Lesson in history. Perhaps Mrs. Thatcher was right that the Queen should not have given in to the flatteries of Third World leaders of former British colonies. However, the Queen was wise enough to preserve the Commonwealth, uniting English speaking nations round the world that remain loyal to the Crown, in a loyalty born out of affection for British habits.

Trivia: Margaret Thatcher was a striking beauty as an Oxford student and Party supporter. She also loved cooking and cooked for her Cabinet members, at late night meetings in 10 Downing Street. She cooked the nations' favourites, shepherd's pie, kedgeree and toad in the hole. Geoffrey Howe said 'yummy'.

Excellent and terrific lookalikes, actors Nicholas Farrell as Michael Shea (Press Secretary to the Queen from 1978 to 1987) and Paul Jesson as Sir Geoffrey Howe.

This season 4 of the crown and particularly this episode has done an excellent job of showcasing the substance of Maggie Thatcher and much better than the not so long ago movie with Meryl Streep.

The moniker comes alive when the rest of the commonwealth was emotional about doing what was right, the PM demanded a measured response that was going to accomplish multiple ends. A true leader and stateswoman.

The score is once again brilliant and comes in and out subtly.

The cinematography and opening and closing shots are breathtaking. Oxford and other familiar spots position us historically and the viewer feels submerged in the era.

The plot is so nicely paced - it's the first time I'm starting to break out of the feature movie length mode and I don't like it!

I appreciate this brave story telling which is absent of activism and emphasis despite what many in the film industry view as their right. The Crown continues to shine in many ways with sub plots and themes that speak to us in this current era and even go so far as to be a moral tale for our own lives.

I'm surprised producers didn't overplay a lack of compassion and instead treated her fairly getting to the bottom of conservatives views, which is that of peppering public policy with principles to bring people out of dependance. Provoking self reliance is a true act of love. They went a step further which was right out of her speeches about a safety net and how a strong economy can make broader decisions to be benevolent.

I'm just so impressed with this production I've changed my score from 9 to 10 which should be impossible because nothing is perfect but when you're attempting to be faithful to real life events, then maybe it can.

God Save The Queen....because nothing will save Charles.