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.
While not as good as "Terra Nullius" and "The Hereditary Principle", "48:1" is still very good and one of the better episodes of a patchy but mostly quite good Season 4. Although not one of the best episodes of 'The Crown' overall. It is brought down by the second story with Elizabeth's children, but the main plot with Elizabeth and Margaret Thatcher was extremely well done and my opinion of one of the cast members did actually change in this episode in a good way.
As said, "48:1" does not fare as well with the Andrew's wedding plot, which was very well acted and shows the pomposity of the brothers off very well but the momentum and tension goes. Personally found the brothers' big scene rather awkward, melodramatic and lacking in tension with some of the insults not gelling that well with everything else in the episode. Edward's especially was very out of place.
Luckily, the tensions between Elizabeth and Thatcher are a lot more convincing and the tensions actually simmers without being soapy. Also appreciated that it didn't take sides too much, easy to do with a subject that is still controversial and relevant today while making valid points about the different viewpoints. The acting from all is excellent, with Gillian Anderson actually disappearing properly into the role of Thatcher for the first time. Showing a lot more depth than the try too hard caricature she was for most of the season. Olivia Colman gives a steely and dignified performance that didn't come over as too firm like she has been in some episodes.
Furthermore, 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. The scripting is thought provoking and intriguing, uncompromising yet sensitive in its handling of this subject without descending into melodrama, also doing well in showing more than one point of view and in a way where all are understandable.
Overall, very good. 8/10.
While not as good as "Terra Nullius" and "The Hereditary Principle", "48:1" is still very good and one of the better episodes of a patchy but mostly quite good Season 4. Although not one of the best episodes of 'The Crown' overall. It is brought down by the second story with Elizabeth's children, but the main plot with Elizabeth and Margaret Thatcher was extremely well done and my opinion of one of the cast members did actually change in this episode in a good way.
As said, "48:1" does not fare as well with the Andrew's wedding plot, which was very well acted and shows the pomposity of the brothers off very well but the momentum and tension goes. Personally found the brothers' big scene rather awkward, melodramatic and lacking in tension with some of the insults not gelling that well with everything else in the episode. Edward's especially was very out of place.
Luckily, the tensions between Elizabeth and Thatcher are a lot more convincing and the tensions actually simmers without being soapy. Also appreciated that it didn't take sides too much, easy to do with a subject that is still controversial and relevant today while making valid points about the different viewpoints. The acting from all is excellent, with Gillian Anderson actually disappearing properly into the role of Thatcher for the first time. Showing a lot more depth than the try too hard caricature she was for most of the season. Olivia Colman gives a steely and dignified performance that didn't come over as too firm like she has been in some episodes.
Furthermore, 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. The scripting is thought provoking and intriguing, uncompromising yet sensitive in its handling of this subject without descending into melodrama, also doing well in showing more than one point of view and in a way where all are understandable.
Overall, very good. 8/10.