User Reviews

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.

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.

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.

The fourth season starts off great, introducing Margaret Thatcher and Princess Diana in the most creative way. As well as that one scene that surely caught me by surprise!

Excellent and addictive. Portrays the royal family as boorish snobs and poor sweet Di being pulled apart my indifference to her innocence and charm. Love the Iron Lady

That really took some courage from the producers. I'm glad Netflix had the balls to show that. And people call Americans imperialists. This is easily the best series that Netflix has ever produced.

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.

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.

From start to finish, this episode had me glued to my TV screen. Words can't describe how awed I am by the level of production and writing in this show. Outstanding.

Considering the epic events this episode covered, it is a relatively speak entry. The writing and pace were lack luster. The acting and production values were as terrific as ever.

But listening to Gillian Anderson trying to be Margaret Thatcher is excruciating. I found myself muting the tv every time she spoke.

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.

Such a strong start for the season, introducing Diana and Thatcher, and getting things started. Fabulous acting and great casting as usual.

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.

I like the bit where the queen dresses up in all that military uniform

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.

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.

The Crown was a great series, untill someone decided to cast Gillian Anderson as Thatcher... Her perfromance is simply painful to watch.

Otherwise, well done all round.

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.

Builds a strong opening episode. Great visuals, dramatic story points, but unnecessary Anne side plot worked in. Overall, I believe Diana was too young to be with Charles.

Signed itty and mitty

A little sickening to listen to the propoganda of a terrorist organisation trying to justify the murder of children. Hopefully the next episode will be an improvement.