The Crown's quality is still on par with the previous seasons. The editing, cinematography, acting and even the music are miraculous. They all perfectly fit together. In this episode, we get introduced to a few new characters and their introduction is well structured. Unlike the first episode of 3rd season, this season kicks off very quickly with an interesting plot. My only small complaint would be about the first 10 minutes in which we changed perspectives quite a lot like saying: Here is that character you have seen him/her now, we can pass to the other character. I mean this is not bad but it is mediocre in terms of The Crown's quality. Like I said, a strong start which asked many questions for other episodes to answer.
25 Reviews
Entertaining, but Did It Happen That Way?
Hitchcoc7 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
There's a lot going on here. First of all Charles is viewed as a kind of stud horse. He needs to get married for there to be a subservient future queen at his side. We are introduced to Diana Spencer for the first time. Did they actually meet the way presented here? Of course, the more important focuses are on the rise of the Irish Republican Army and the carnage that follows. How the British brought this on themselves is a whole other issue. We also have Charles' relationship with Mountbatten and events relating to him. And, finally, the rise of Margaret Thatcher and her reign as Prime Minister. All that said, there are lots of questions and one need not be so critical of the first episode of the Fourth Season.
Not as good as it could've been.
W011y4m520 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Evidently, with the sheer amount of content the creators of "The Crown" have to get through in order to capture the entire Thatcher era in just 10 installments for S4, it's no surprise to see the finished product seems noticeably more rushed / condensed than usual, cramming two very distinct & different narratives in to one - which deserved their own separate episodes; firstly, a story of a newly appointed Margaret V the IRA - resulting in the death of Lord Mountbatten - & secondly, the initial meeting / interactions between Charles & Diana.
Thus, due to the limited runtime & the over reliance on rather a little too much concision, neither story has time to truly breathe. Hence, the plot is consequently underdeveloped, unfortunately.
Thus, due to the limited runtime & the over reliance on rather a little too much concision, neither story has time to truly breathe. Hence, the plot is consequently underdeveloped, unfortunately.
Incredible television...incredible acting.
LeatherCajun15 November 2020
The subtly of the writing and acting are breathtaking. I am so impressed that such accomplished and glamorous actors manage to convey the dowdiness, pettiness, and humanity of the royal family. Gillian Andersen as always, is a delight.
Been waiting for this-10 stars per usual
kirbie-3448115 November 2020
I don't have anything interesting to say Other than to say the quality of the show remains on par with its earlier predecessors. The princess Diana & Margaret Thatcher storylines are the ones I've been waiting for, and this season does not disappoint. Thank you for making this show.
Solid Premiere
littlebizzare15 November 2020
So satisfying
Tfbcnx15 November 2020
Black Coffins
dalefl15 November 2020
Good start compared to the previous season
dierregi19 November 2020
Most agree that season 3 of The Crown was a rather dull affair. Once the first tumultuous years of the queen in charge of the UK, supported by Churchill and great historical figures, part 3 was a plunge into the mediocrity of the 70s.
This series starts big with no less than: bloody terrorism, the first British female prime minister and the start of an ill fated-romance. A lot of material and mercifully Elizabeth left on the back seat.
The killing of Mountbatten is treated rather ambiguously, as to imply that after all the IRA had a point (even if it was more like a blind vendetta). Thatcher is such a controversial figure that whomever got to play her was probably going to fail. I didn't like Streep's performance in "The Iron Lady" and I like Anderson even less.
Finally the introduction of Diana worked out quite well, making for an eventful, interesting and gripping beginning of a new season. I just hope it won't focus too much on Diana, as some of us who lived through the 90s had more than enough of her public persona.
This series starts big with no less than: bloody terrorism, the first British female prime minister and the start of an ill fated-romance. A lot of material and mercifully Elizabeth left on the back seat.
The killing of Mountbatten is treated rather ambiguously, as to imply that after all the IRA had a point (even if it was more like a blind vendetta). Thatcher is such a controversial figure that whomever got to play her was probably going to fail. I didn't like Streep's performance in "The Iron Lady" and I like Anderson even less.
Finally the introduction of Diana worked out quite well, making for an eventful, interesting and gripping beginning of a new season. I just hope it won't focus too much on Diana, as some of us who lived through the 90s had more than enough of her public persona.
Mixed Feelings
pro_crustes17 November 2020
Good continuation of last season for the most part. But... Gillian Anderson's stratospherically over-the-top parody(?) of Margaret Thatcher is wrenchingly dissonant. Not only is she over-made-up, over-coiffed, and over-acting, she is doing all of that as if she thought she were supposed to pretend she was Meryl Streep miscast as Thatcher, instead of herself. Indeed, she comes off as if she thought she were supposed to pretend to be Streep playing Thatcher for laughs, and doing a bad job of it.
The rest is fine, albeit a bit slow at points. We will wait to see how the character of Diana is developed. Her first appearance was pleasant enough, but the potential is there for treacle, and we really don't like treacle. Time will tell, and we will watch.
The rest is fine, albeit a bit slow at points. We will wait to see how the character of Diana is developed. Her first appearance was pleasant enough, but the potential is there for treacle, and we really don't like treacle. Time will tell, and we will watch.
This is how you start a season
javiermifsud17 November 2020
This could be the greatest show ever
benntune16 November 2020
All but Thatcher was nailed
tessahouse30 August 2021
I've watched the latter seasons of The Crown a few times now. I love how atmospheric it all feels and this season was probably my favourite in terms of the content and the cinematography. I do however think I might be in a minority - particularly considering her recent golden globe nod - in my feelings about Gillian Anderson as Thatcher. My despise for Thatcher did not diminish my almost masochistic desire to sympathise with, relate to and yes, even perhaps like her character in The Crown. When I found out she was to be portrayed by Anderson I assumed that desire would be met and I would leave these ten episodes feeling the self-hatred of having grown to know the human side of such an infamous woman. Instead I rather feel like I watched a characature of a famous name, whose voice was so profoundly affected that it was impossible to take her seriously as a real, feeling and breathing woman. For me, Anderson's performance did little to represent Thatcher as a real, complex person - instead, Thatcher becomes neither likeable nor dislikeable but rather, stiff and forgettable - while the writers seemed eager to play into stereotypes about women in power, trying to 'humanise' her as a mother and wife, to show her vulnerability, instead of exploring the most interesting part of Thatcher's personality - that she was more austere, more rational and arguably more cut throat than her male conservative peers. The chasm between the intent of the writers in portraying Thatcher and that of Anderson means this formidable, divisive character in history becomes an incongruous and unrealistic characature whose motives and personality are no clearer by the end of the series than at the start.
Hello ladies
Calicodreamin27 November 2020
odly trilling
cana-039364 December 2020
Really like this one. i think we all knew what was going to happen. and the show did not try to pretend otherwise, respected it and still managed to be trilling. I'm not completly shure about Thatcher, but she is a hard one to get right.
Hot
bevo-1367820 November 2020
Should Have Been Much Much Better.
russell-ga21 March 2022
Not quite golden
TheLittleSongbird26 July 2022
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.
"Gold Stick" could have been a lot better. Not just as a season opener but also as an episode of a mostly great show. Absolutely love 'The Crown', but it hasn't quite been the same since Claire Foy departed. "Gold Stick" has a good deal of good things, which is true of all episodes of 'The Crown' (even the ones that are not as great), but considering the historical figures they were introducing (Margaret Thatcher and Princess Diana) it could have been quite a lot better than it turned out.
There are quite a lot of good things in "Gold Stick". 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. There is some thought provoking scripting and intrigue and some of the story compels. Did like the character writing for Charles and his chemistry with Camilla.
Did think the regulars were fine and actually Emma Corrin makes a promising first impression as Diana, or at least in the acting stakes.
However, Gillian Anderson as Thatcher at least in "Gold Stick" comes over as too affected and caricaturish. Or at least here. There is a little too much of the Anne subplot, which is not interesting enough yet.
Also felt the episode rather rushed and a lot more could have been done with the death of Mountbatten which is treated rather indifferently here.
Concluding, decent bur not great start to Srason 4. 6/10.
"Gold Stick" could have been a lot better. Not just as a season opener but also as an episode of a mostly great show. Absolutely love 'The Crown', but it hasn't quite been the same since Claire Foy departed. "Gold Stick" has a good deal of good things, which is true of all episodes of 'The Crown' (even the ones that are not as great), but considering the historical figures they were introducing (Margaret Thatcher and Princess Diana) it could have been quite a lot better than it turned out.
There are quite a lot of good things in "Gold Stick". 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. There is some thought provoking scripting and intrigue and some of the story compels. Did like the character writing for Charles and his chemistry with Camilla.
Did think the regulars were fine and actually Emma Corrin makes a promising first impression as Diana, or at least in the acting stakes.
However, Gillian Anderson as Thatcher at least in "Gold Stick" comes over as too affected and caricaturish. Or at least here. There is a little too much of the Anne subplot, which is not interesting enough yet.
Also felt the episode rather rushed and a lot more could have been done with the death of Mountbatten which is treated rather indifferently here.
Concluding, decent bur not great start to Srason 4. 6/10.
Don't Blame Anderson; Thatcher Would Always Be A Bad Imitation
TheFearmakers18 November 2020
You hear a lot about how women should become leaders, but the same people backing that detested (and still detest the memory and history of) Margaret Thatcher because, as she was a woman, she was also a conservative. They only want liberal women, or minorities...
That said... Gillian Anderson shouldn't be blamed for making Thatcher look silly, or like an imitation of an imitation. Especially in a show that made Churchill look like a wimp. It's easy to do for a liberal show. It's how it is.
As for Anderson's performance. Every word spoken sounds like Thatcher is taking her last breath, and it's very annoying.
That said... Gillian Anderson shouldn't be blamed for making Thatcher look silly, or like an imitation of an imitation. Especially in a show that made Churchill look like a wimp. It's easy to do for a liberal show. It's how it is.
As for Anderson's performance. Every word spoken sounds like Thatcher is taking her last breath, and it's very annoying.
Abysmall performance by Gillian Anderson
McF21 April 2021
The Real Margaret Thatcher
fh_329 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Before you watch Season 4 read the Wikipedia page for Margaret Thatcher and watch some speeches on YouTube. UK Liberals cannot stop trying to paint her as ever, mean-spirited, callous, and anti-women. The show runners bend the truth and promote fiction with this season. Many of the stories and cinematography are excellent but the portrayal of Thatcher is inaccurate. She turned the country around and the real results are impressive.
Interesting but bad casting of Diana and the Queen
phd_travel18 November 2020
This first episode is interesting enough with the beginning of Charles & Diana's romance which seems so tragic in hindsight. The assassination of Mountbatten isn't shown in too graphic detail. The bad casting that spoiled the 3rd season has multiplied in Season 4 with the terrible choice of actress as Diana. Emma Corrin is a bad choice for Diana. She doesn't have Diana's look, and lacks Diana's sweetness. Olivia doesn't look like the Queen and she has an undignified persona that just is so jarring. There are some good points that will still make me watch this season. Gillian Anderson is a superb actress - she is in top form here as Thatcher - better than Meryl. The production is lovely as always with beautiful countryside scenery helps.
Too much Anne
east_paps11 January 2021
Rocky beginning, not as good as previous seasons.
Impman215 November 2020
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews