This was a subject I admittedly knew very little about, and while there may have been some historical inaccuracies, it sure was fun to watch. You have to wonder if such a coup was actually possible, but nevertheless they told the story in a really engaging way.
18 Reviews
A Superb Storyline Entangled with a Rather Dull One
Oktay_Tuna20 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Lord Mountbatten's storyline in this episode is just fabulous. We see an old man who is still trying to do "something" even though his time has already passed. We at first find himself to be smart but also selfish but after seeing his dialogue with his sister we just realize that, this is a symptom of getting old and we instantly sympathize with the character not only because the character was cleverly written but also because of Charles Dance's performance. He is truly perfect at every role he is in. Coming to Elizabeth's storyline I can't really say the same. We just follow Elizabeth through a few countries watching her interest for horses. It seems pointless until her dialogue with Porchey which made me realize that if Elizabeth didn't say what she thought verbatim, I wouldn't understand what she was thinking. The storyline felt like it didn't have a message until Elizabeth explained the message to us clearly(like we were kids at a kindergarten). Even though I didn't like Elizabeth's storyline, I can't ignore how magnificent her dialogue with Lord Mountbatten was. Dance and Colman's actings were amazing and the dialogues were sharp and well-written. If the episode didn't drag because of Elizabeth's storyline, this would easily be a 10/10.
Cap down from the queen
Calicodreamin26 November 2020
What a beautiful ending
amandaritzmanz14 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This episode ended with one of the most beautiful scenes of the whole series. The relationship between Elisabeth and Philip is so interesting, and this scene was just gorgeous. A little bit of hope, a little bit of love. I've never written a review on here before, but I just felt the need to comment on this beautiful scene. Just beautiful.
Give Charles Dance an Emmy.
peiraths25 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This episode was amazing with the most amazing thing being the introduction of the man, the legend Charles Dance as Lord Mountbatten. Clearly Charles Dance makes every role he plays very interesting and I hope to see a lot of him in season 4.
Exquisite
BenignPillows25 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
What a series The Crown has become! This may have been its best episode so far, although I was disappointed (but also very relieved) to find that they twisted the truth with regards to the coup plans. In reality Mountbatten rejected Cecil King. ( I'm not British, so I had to resort to Trivia.)
The temptation for dramatic license was cleary too high, maybe because they had hired "Tywin Lannister" and felt they couldn't waste him. But there's no excuse for smearing the name of a historical person like that.
Still, what an episode. Poignant in so many ways in its theme of what you make of your life, how your life turns out, by choice or not. Not a boring moment. Peter Morgan (and the directors) knows exactly when to stop a scene. After he's given us the thoughtful gems that are his lines, but always before things become melodramatic. Then you have the production design and the level of acting to go with it. It's exquisite. And this episode even contained humorous (but still to the point) moments from Philip and adorable Princess Alice ("What??").
All I feel like now is get Tywin Lannister away from poor Charles. No wonder Charles got messed up!
My turn
TheLittleSongbird22 February 2022
Season 3 was something of a slow starter, which disappointed somewhat after being so impressed by the previous two seasons, and the new casting took a lot of getting used to. The quality of the season does get much better, and "Aberfan" for example was one of the best episodes of 'The Crown' and some of the best and moving pieces of television seen in a while. Was also immediately intrigued in seeing the always reliable Charles Dance as Lord Mountbatten.
"Coup" is an exceptional episode and a fine example of how well and quickly Season 3 picked up. It is almost on the same level of "Aberfan", though not quite as emotionally powerful, and is one of the best episodes of Season 3 in my view. "Coup" is especially notable for one particularly well done scene and a truly inspired casting choice that was pulled off brilliantly. Have seen plenty saying that 'The Crown' declined from Season 3 onwards, despite finding the previous two seasons better and more consistent episodes like "Aberfan" and this are indicative to me of that not being true.
Pretty much everything is fantastic here. The expense really does show in the classy, sumptuous period detail and the atmospheric and elegant way it's shot. The music for me wasn't too intrusive or low-key and was beautiful scoring on its own. The main theme is not easy to forget.
Writing probes a lot of thought and is never less than intriguing and emotionally investable, it never veers into soap-opera land and doesn't sound too modern. The story is not over deliberate and is extremely absorbing, the major standout scene being the final one. One of the season's best and most moving in an episode that is one of the season's most intelligent and poignant, the need of tissues is pretty much guaranteed.
The character development is illuminating and insightful, with Lord Mountbatten already being an interesting character. The acting is nothing short of spot on, Olivia Colman's casting has really grown on me and she is a lot more relaxed and expressive compared to her first episode "Olding". Jane Lapotaire has lost none of her poignant dignity, but best of all is Dance in a pitch perfect performance brimming with authority. Best supporting actor casting choice since John Lithgow's Churchill.
Overall, brilliant. 10/10.
"Coup" is an exceptional episode and a fine example of how well and quickly Season 3 picked up. It is almost on the same level of "Aberfan", though not quite as emotionally powerful, and is one of the best episodes of Season 3 in my view. "Coup" is especially notable for one particularly well done scene and a truly inspired casting choice that was pulled off brilliantly. Have seen plenty saying that 'The Crown' declined from Season 3 onwards, despite finding the previous two seasons better and more consistent episodes like "Aberfan" and this are indicative to me of that not being true.
Pretty much everything is fantastic here. The expense really does show in the classy, sumptuous period detail and the atmospheric and elegant way it's shot. The music for me wasn't too intrusive or low-key and was beautiful scoring on its own. The main theme is not easy to forget.
Writing probes a lot of thought and is never less than intriguing and emotionally investable, it never veers into soap-opera land and doesn't sound too modern. The story is not over deliberate and is extremely absorbing, the major standout scene being the final one. One of the season's best and most moving in an episode that is one of the season's most intelligent and poignant, the need of tissues is pretty much guaranteed.
The character development is illuminating and insightful, with Lord Mountbatten already being an interesting character. The acting is nothing short of spot on, Olivia Colman's casting has really grown on me and she is a lot more relaxed and expressive compared to her first episode "Olding". Jane Lapotaire has lost none of her poignant dignity, but best of all is Dance in a pitch perfect performance brimming with authority. Best supporting actor casting choice since John Lithgow's Churchill.
Overall, brilliant. 10/10.
Disappointing
marybbloom3 December 2019
As much as I appreciate Olivia Colman as a good actress she did convince me for a single moment that she is the queen, Queen Elisabeth. Sorry but she does not fit the role. The first 2 seasons with Claire Foy were much better in that sense at least.
Magnificent.
notjim-5979122 November 2020
I would gladly burn in a thousand hells if it meant I never had to wake up and spend a single moment in a soul that couldn't appreciate the absolute brilliance of Charles Dance and Jane Lapotaire. How could your opinion every really matter when the way of the world is lost on you?
How pitiful .
What if...
malcataa11 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
What a poignant episode! It moved me in a way I was note expecting from a tv series. And me that thought that in this series Helena Bonham-Carter excelled Olivia Coleman. Not true. In this episode the latter gave an array of emotions, sadness, despair and resignation that only a magnificent actress can deliver. And if that was not enough, the brilliant conversation between Princess Alice and her brother Lord Mountbatten on the need now to be the spectators and let others, younger ones, take front stage. A remarkable, thought provoking episode.
Conspiracy Theories as Fact
roberts-remy22 November 2020
Charles Dance is magnificent as always but The Crown's loose treatment of the truth gets waning here. Presenting unsubstantiated conspiracy theories about the Wilson government and Lord Mountbatten as historical fact just to make a more compelling story, and then getting the queen involved, is very irritating.
When a Admiral meet with the politician....the most underrated episode of '"The Crown"!
abidduib18 April 2020
Unbelievable story in the content of UK. Charles Dance did his best and no actor was qualified to share the screen with him. His acting skill is beyond the description. The episode is about - a restless admiral's ambitions to make his country great again VS progressive politicians. Or, a patriotic solder vs failed politicians. This episode reminded us all about the role of queen and that is holding the boat during a storm!
Season 3 is a great coup for a show, brilliantly handled
mbocquet-0406117 December 2019
Olivia coleman is incredible, keeping Claire's acting while recreating the role, incredible, when she says to porchey what she would have wanted to do.... wow, so moving, she is brilliant,
This cast is meant to last until the very end of the series or at least last a very long time, which the prvious one couldn't have done for long anymore, so it seems a bit abrupt from season 2 to season 3, but the cinematography changed too, and the series is going towards another level, which is impressive considering How incredible the first two seasons are already
Gee gees
bevo-1367820 November 2020
Real Politics
Hitchcoc5 October 2020
Harold Wilson was probably responsible for many of Britain's financial problems. He was often indecisive and weak, depending too much on others to make decisions. But when the coup is proposed he manages it well. Lord Mountbatten is past his time. I forgot that the actor was in Game of Thrones until I read some reviews. I disagree that the Queen is badly played--I have accepted her as the transition from the young Claire Foy to the early 70's version of the Queen. We will be looking at yet another actress soon as she ages.
Sinking Slowly
crumpytv3 December 2020
Researching gossip and unsubstantiated rumours for sensational storylines and presenting them as historical fact = fiction!
The equine story is interesting as it is more believable, but I am afraid Olivia Coleman is unconvincing as a monarch.
Unrealistic
ReviewingFilms31 December 2019
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
