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.