I really enjoyed this episode like I do the majority of them.. however the misrepresentation of the astronauts irritated me. I understand it was trying to get the mid life crisis Philip experienced across but not at the expense of these men!
44 Reviews
Wonderful Desolation
dsmoore27 July 2020
Like so many of the Crown episodes, this too is respectful of the audience. The writing is so good that you need moments of silence to just reflect on what was said. No quick cutaways or an anxious editor wanting to cut to something else because the scene is not moving along. This is John Ford stuff. Not afraid to stay on the actors as they involve themselves in reflection and thought and we are right there along with them. Faith, magnificent desolation, doubt, calm, fulfillment, and silence. All these ideas are beautifully expressed in this episode. Thank you to the whole cast and crew for treating the audience with deference. This whole series is storytelling at its best.
Moondust
bobcobb3011 January 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Tobias Menzies has really done a strong job this season as Prince Philip. At first I was a little iffy on him in this role, but episodes like this, where we see the quandaries the character is in he really does shine.
Great subject matter here and an entertaining episode for sure.
Great subject matter here and an entertaining episode for sure.
Bravo, Tobias
rich-fouts28 November 2019
I have been a fan of Tobias for a long time from Casino Royale to Game of Thrones and several other films. Casting him in this role was a brilliant decision (kudos to Nina Gold).
His delivery and performance in this episode was a perfect 10. I enjoyed every moment
His delivery and performance in this episode was a perfect 10. I enjoyed every moment
Great one.
isidorija20 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I love the way that the Duke's character goes trough a few different stages that every man (and woman) goes trough in life. Have I done enough? Is there any excitement and adventure left in my life? How do you, as an individual, top an accomplishment like landing on the Moon? I don't think this is something that only happens at this age, but at any point one feels insecure or sad, or even bored. The way he accepted his feelings and sought out support provided a sense of catharsis for the viewer.
Brilliant writing!
ryanporter46723 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I can understand the reviews of "boring" or "disappointing", but I think they fail to grasp the message of the episode. Set aside the individuals and you have a wonderful message/lesson for all to learn from. The Duke of Edinburgh demonstrates that regardless of who we are, we all find ourselves in a rut and that by realising what truly defines us as individuals, is what helps to overcome it. For me this was really epitomised when upon meeting Neil Armstrong etc. the Duke realises they're somewhat mundane and self reflection is perhaps not something acquired until later in life. Overall superb writing for those who want something a little different from The Crowns usual theme.
The underlying issue...
raccles25 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I wasn't sure initially as i was trying to work out what his issue you, then he went to where his mother was staying and it all made sense.
He used the moon landing to distract his mind from his grief and then seems to realise that he can't escape it.
It's acted so well and it shows the distance between him and everyone in his life, left a sense of loneliness.
Beautiful episode
rairaiyan16 December 2019
Hands down the best episode of this season. The episode touches so many topics, faith, science , philosophy, sense of accomplishment, and does it with ease. I was amazed at how much the director was able to convey with just so little dialogue. The acting was extraordinary, the scenes were beautifully shot, the music blended so well, everything was just right.
Beautiful and Emotional
anniec6229 November 2019
By far, the best episode in the series. Beautifully shot. Impeccably acted by Tobias Menzies. Storytelling was excellent in placing me in 1969 to experience a touch of what everyone felt then. Emmy winning performance by Menzies IMHO.
Interesting, but horrible portrayal of the astronauts
spaulagain23 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I really appreciated the deep look inside Philip and the desire or need for meaning in life. His obsession over the moon landing was honest and humbling. And understandable given is more sidelined role in life.
But when he met the astronauts, I found their portrayal to be completely amateur and simply there to make a point for Philip's character. They acted like children and spoke about only being pragmatic, operational during the mission. Which while true in some aspects, the idea that they didn't have any bigger picture moments or understanding of meaning in the mission, is grossly wrong and dishonest. It's a betrayal of who they were.
But when he met the astronauts, I found their portrayal to be completely amateur and simply there to make a point for Philip's character. They acted like children and spoke about only being pragmatic, operational during the mission. Which while true in some aspects, the idea that they didn't have any bigger picture moments or understanding of meaning in the mission, is grossly wrong and dishonest. It's a betrayal of who they were.
Without a doubt the best episode of the season
larosaj-2666628 November 2019
So far and one of the best in the series. Anybody calling this boring needs an enema of the brain. Menzies gives a subtle award winning performance as a man facing a midlife crisis. The direction, cinematography and especially the acting are flawless. How this could be the lowest rated episode here is disappointing of it's supposed fans. Stellar work and reaffirmation of this show's quality after a somewhat lackluster season.
Disappointing and biased
lewis-5126 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
It was very good in some ways. The portrayal of a man (Prince Philip) facing a mid-life crisis was very good and well-acted. I liked the scene in the jet as he takes control and soars above the clouds -- very reminiscent of a scene in "The Right Stuff."
However, the portrayal of the US astronauts was an abomination. They were shown as childish technicians, if that. This is utterly unrealistic. The writers of this episode set them up as straw men. They were portrayed as if they were about 25 years old. In reality they were 39. Prince Philip was only 9 years older!
Even worse, the strong implication was that there was really no point in going to the moon, since all we found was a bleak dry barren terrain. What utter nonsense! Of course that is what the moon is like! That had been well understood for at least 100 years, maybe 150.
So having met these "immature" astronauts, Philip decides the cure to his disenchantment is to be found "inside" rather than "outside." This is an incredibly simplistic duality. Let me assure him and everyone else, the people who are motivated by scientific exploration are every bit as inspired and deeply internally motivated as anyone.
However, the portrayal of the US astronauts was an abomination. They were shown as childish technicians, if that. This is utterly unrealistic. The writers of this episode set them up as straw men. They were portrayed as if they were about 25 years old. In reality they were 39. Prince Philip was only 9 years older!
Even worse, the strong implication was that there was really no point in going to the moon, since all we found was a bleak dry barren terrain. What utter nonsense! Of course that is what the moon is like! That had been well understood for at least 100 years, maybe 150.
So having met these "immature" astronauts, Philip decides the cure to his disenchantment is to be found "inside" rather than "outside." This is an incredibly simplistic duality. Let me assure him and everyone else, the people who are motivated by scientific exploration are every bit as inspired and deeply internally motivated as anyone.
Powerful
csteinmayer-2514111 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Help. Help me. These words spoken by The Duke of Edinburgh brought me to tears. Very powerful moment skillfully acted by Tobias Menzies. Yes the obsession with the moon landings was made up, but it all fit in so brilliantly to build to that moment. Awesome all around.
Breathtaking and great story telling
Dropofwater22 November 2019
A jewel in an average season
shaun-35219 December 2019
Season 3 has been pretty uneventful but this episode was outstanding from start to finish - impeccably portrayed and so poignant that I turned to my girlfriend at the end and said - that's why I feel the way I feel - and I'm sure I wasn't alone.
Flying to the moon
TheLittleSongbird5 April 2022
Season 3 was something of a slow starter, where a lot of change happened and change that took a while to get used to and accept. The first episode "Olding" had a feel of too much change too soon. This was disappointing seeing how good Seasons 1 and 2 were, where the best episodes were absolutely outstanding. But there was hope, as there are examples of shows that have seasons that start off slow but get better when given a chance.
Am so glad at sticking with Season 3, because despite not being too enthralled by "Olding" and "Margaretology" it does get a lot better. Like Seasons 1 and 2 the best episodes are also outstanding. While not quite as amazing as "Aberfan" and the previous two episodes, "Moondust" is yet another episode to show this big improvement in quality. It is not one of the best episodes of 'The Crown' and has one thing that doesn't quite work, but when "Moondust" is at its best it is absolutely brilliant.
"Moondust", expectedly for 'The Crown' which was always high in the production values, is very well made visually. The very meaning of elegant and sumptuous in the settings and costumes that are true to period and atmospherically 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 different viewpoints were really insightful, sensitive and thought-probing. The story is very absorbing, although it is not fast paced it's also never dull and makes one interested in learning more about this part of history. Emotionally it's powerful and touching and Tobias Menzies' superbly understated performance really does help.
Only the simplistic portrayal of the astronauts disappoints, but while a flaw for me it is not that drastically bad to bring the episode down significantly, be fixated upon it and ignore the many fine qualities of everything else. This happened too with "Bubbikins" with the Greek accents and it's not right.
In conclusion, fine episode. 9/10.
Am so glad at sticking with Season 3, because despite not being too enthralled by "Olding" and "Margaretology" it does get a lot better. Like Seasons 1 and 2 the best episodes are also outstanding. While not quite as amazing as "Aberfan" and the previous two episodes, "Moondust" is yet another episode to show this big improvement in quality. It is not one of the best episodes of 'The Crown' and has one thing that doesn't quite work, but when "Moondust" is at its best it is absolutely brilliant.
"Moondust", expectedly for 'The Crown' which was always high in the production values, is very well made visually. The very meaning of elegant and sumptuous in the settings and costumes that are true to period and atmospherically 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 different viewpoints were really insightful, sensitive and thought-probing. The story is very absorbing, although it is not fast paced it's also never dull and makes one interested in learning more about this part of history. Emotionally it's powerful and touching and Tobias Menzies' superbly understated performance really does help.
Only the simplistic portrayal of the astronauts disappoints, but while a flaw for me it is not that drastically bad to bring the episode down significantly, be fixated upon it and ignore the many fine qualities of everything else. This happened too with "Bubbikins" with the Greek accents and it's not right.
In conclusion, fine episode. 9/10.
Excellent...Tobias Menzies Carries the Day
BobCanter713 April 2020
One of my favorite episodes of the series. Whether or not it is factually accurate to me is less important than the message it conveys. Tobias Menzies is superb as Prince Phillip, wrestling with the "what if" of how his life might have turned out if...
Would he indeed have been Britain's first Man in Space, or a test pilot or adventurer, maybe scaling Mt. Everest? Menzies hits all the right notes, and perfectly.
The somewhat ironic and vaguely comic sequence comes in the scene where Menzies, as Prince Phillip, has the sit-down with the three Apollo 11 astronauts. They eagerly ask him questions about what appears to be a life of great wealth and luxury: Living in a 100+ room palace with servants to take care of every whim, etc. A classic case of "the grass is always greener..."
EVERY episode of The Crown is excellent; none are bad; just some better than others. This one, in my opinion, is outstanding.
Would he indeed have been Britain's first Man in Space, or a test pilot or adventurer, maybe scaling Mt. Everest? Menzies hits all the right notes, and perfectly.
The somewhat ironic and vaguely comic sequence comes in the scene where Menzies, as Prince Phillip, has the sit-down with the three Apollo 11 astronauts. They eagerly ask him questions about what appears to be a life of great wealth and luxury: Living in a 100+ room palace with servants to take care of every whim, etc. A classic case of "the grass is always greener..."
EVERY episode of The Crown is excellent; none are bad; just some better than others. This one, in my opinion, is outstanding.
Regrets
dierregi19 November 2020
Definitely my favourite episode of this disappointing series, perhaps better relatable for people of a "certain age". Philip is facing a mid-life crisis, enhanced by the moon landing and young astronauts having it better than himself.
Or so he thinks, until the day the astronauts land in Buckingham Palace during their triumphal tour of the world. Are they the supermen Philip figures them to be?
Or so he thinks, until the day the astronauts land in Buckingham Palace during their triumphal tour of the world. Are they the supermen Philip figures them to be?
Tears..
jeshreel-sales17 March 2021
Good Episode in Horrid Season
TheFearmakers17 November 2022
First off, I agree with the reviews saying this is the best episode of season 3, which is not only lackluster but horribly miscast... that is, except the new Prince Phillip actor here who's quite good...
And I disagree that they ended up making the astronauts, led by first-man Neil Armstrong, look like immature idiots...
Astronauts are like when you meet a cop... or a war veteran... They don't have much to say about what they do... They're not Han Solo or Rambo... Astronauts in general, along with cops and soldiers, are actually very patient and mechanical, and underwhelming for the most part... I think the ending was to show that Prince Phillip finally got over his hero worship...
This episode has a great beginning, middle and end, like the previous two seasons where each episode lets the story play out despite the fact it's also serialized... Many episodes of this season (where the most miscast is Helena B. Carter) seem very pointless; almost like they're trying to bring House of Cards back to Britain where it began, but with the Royals, but dull...
Anyhow, this episode had a great amount of character development... for Philip, in this case, during Phase 2, is the best thing going.
And I disagree that they ended up making the astronauts, led by first-man Neil Armstrong, look like immature idiots...
Astronauts are like when you meet a cop... or a war veteran... They don't have much to say about what they do... They're not Han Solo or Rambo... Astronauts in general, along with cops and soldiers, are actually very patient and mechanical, and underwhelming for the most part... I think the ending was to show that Prince Phillip finally got over his hero worship...
This episode has a great beginning, middle and end, like the previous two seasons where each episode lets the story play out despite the fact it's also serialized... Many episodes of this season (where the most miscast is Helena B. Carter) seem very pointless; almost like they're trying to bring House of Cards back to Britain where it began, but with the Royals, but dull...
Anyhow, this episode had a great amount of character development... for Philip, in this case, during Phase 2, is the best thing going.
Disrespectful
Kathumane4 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
As others have said the simplification and misrepresentation of the astronauts characters in this episode to suit the narrative was in poor taste by the writers. Philip's unconvincing switch from awestruck of their achievement to sudden submission to the healings of faith was a bit convoluted and explicitly inaccurate. Think there's a saying: history doesn't lie..
Deep and interesting insight
tom-0703325 November 2019
Prince Philip Gets Another Round
Hitchcoc27 November 2020
I think this is a decent episode. Prince Philip often finds his life to be so dull, making speeches at excrutiating events, and having no opportunity to explore his adventurous side. He has reached a place where his depression takes over. The common complaint is the portrayal of the astronauts. But remember, they have been carted around the world from on place to another. They are tired and have no training in diplomacy. I remember that Neil Armstrong was quite a dull, inward sort of guy. They all were scientists and military guys and had a kind of tunnel vision. To say that they were portrayed as childish, remember they were totally under government rule.
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