The Crown (TV Series) Gelignite (2016) User Reviews

A prominent subplot comes to the forefront.

[TouchTheGarlicProduction · 7/10 · 7 November 2016]

The "secret" romance between Queen Margaret and Peter Townsend has been depicted throughout the series, but it has not played a significant role in the central story... until now. A newspaper gets wind of the relationship and warns the royal family that they plan to expose all. From here, things develop into a full-on scandal. This puts Elizabeth in something of a dilemma.

In my opinion, this subplot has been one of the weaker, more one-dimensional elements of this series, so I was less than thrilled to learn that it would be the central focus of this instalment. However, as bland as I find the story of Margaret and Peter, the dilemma which it puts Elizabeth in is quite fascinating, and the real focus of the episode. She is forced to choose between love for her sister and her duty as sovereign.

The episode may have some weaker elements, I would not say that it is weak. It's just a tad less nuanced than some of the previous episodes this season. Overall, I still enjoyed it and I still think it fits in well with the rest.

Doesn't quite explode enough

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 1 December 2020]

If anybody, like me, loved all the previous episodes of 'The Crown's' first season, it is totally understandable if expectations are very high for "Gelignite". My expectations certainly were high, especially after such a fantastic previous episode. That is a great title for an episode with a fascinating unexpected meaning, and it did interest me to see Princess Margaret playing a big role in the storytelling which she had not done so before in the previous episodes.

"Gelignite" was a bit of a disappointment from personal opinion though. There is a huge amount to love about it and most of the things that made the previous episodes of the season so brilliant are here. It just felt like something was missing, the plot doesn't grab the attention as much here and whether one enjoys "Gelignite" or not does depend on whether they like how Margaret is written here and in 'The Crown' overall.

Enough compels in the story but the Margaret and Peter subplot really isn't one of the best subplots of 'The Crown'. Personally found it rather bland and one-sided and that never really was addressed. If the episode was trying to make one not like Margaret, it did succeed in that and came close to going too far on that.

Vanessa Kirby was on the annoying side as Margaret and the pacing drags on occasions.

Once again however, "Gelignite" is exceptionally well made. 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 intrigue, it is much more than soap-opera and doesn't feel too modern. The story is far from perfect, but it does intrigue at least and is at its strongest in addressing the moral dilemma Elizabeth faces and the conflict that comes with the situation, done with subtlety yet tact. When it comes to the acting, Claire Foy comes off best in a dignified and very expressive turn that never resorted to histrionics or over-seriousness.

In conclusion, good but disappointing after such greatness before. 7/10

"You Reap What You Sow, Sister"

[lavatch · 8/10 · 27 February 2018]

This episode brings together the young Queen Elizabeth and her younger sister Margaret. In time, Margaret would develop the reputation of "the black sheep" of the royal family. It this program, the sisters have a royal falling out.

The year is 1953, and the times appear to be changing, due to the recent televised coronation of the Queen. We also learn that Tony Longdon has returned from Cairo, reporting that King Farouk had abdicated in Egypt. A new and ambitious leader Nassar would appear to have the power to unite the Arab world. But are they really changing for the English monarchy? According Philip, "nothing changes in the court of St. James."

Philip would appear to be correct when it comes to the puritanical morality of the court. The princess Margaret is enthralled with the dashing group captain Peter Townsend. Having recently divorced his wife, Margaret works through channels to receive Elizabeth's permission to marry him.

After first endorsing the marriage, Elizabeth is persuaded by her prudish advisory staff to renege on her promise. An obscure 1782 royal marriage act passed during the reign of George III allows members the freedom of choice to marry after their 25th birthday. As Margaret is 23, Elizabeth determines that she must wait for Peter for two long years, so that Elizabeth will be able to wash her hands of the arrangement.

It is clear that the filmmakers come down on the side Margaret and Peter. The cruelty to insisting that Peter take a minor post in Brussels immediately will ensure that he is separated from his fiancée. The news is delivered to Peter by the loyal servant Tommy, who seems to have ice water running in his veins. This is too much for Margaret, who phones Elizabeth from Rhodesia, where she has just made a speech on the "civilizing" forces of Britain's racist rule over the African nation. Margaret's chilling communication is, "You reap what you sow, sister."

The last laugh is given to Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, when they read the tawdry details of the Margaret-Peter story from their place of exile in Paris. The actress playing Wallis delivers what must be considered one of juiciest laughs in film history, as the couple gloat over the misery of the British monarchy that appears to be mired in the Victorian age.

Every Move They Make

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 29 November 2016]

This focus on the affair of Princess Margaret further brings to light how everyone in the royal circle is affected by every nuance that takes place. Centuries of tradition and manipulation by pompous rulers and their ilk is dredged up. The word "scandal" is constantly applied. Other than for their own titillation, the great unwashed of England seem to think that the monarchy matters. They do, certainly, but to themselves. Margaret and her paramour are victims because they are caught under an umbrella of shame for being human. The young Queen shows relative spinelessness, being constantly intimidated by the Queen Mother and Thomas, her lackey. Every time I look at him, I think of G. Gordon Liddy, part of the Watergate affair, with that black mustache and piercing eyes. He is filled with self righteousness and mean spiritedness. I had never heard the word "gelignite" before. Apparently, it is an explosive substance that must be kept under wraps. Certainly, a very appropriate title.

Car, Townsend ... Waiting ... Tick, tick ... Tick. Bon Voyage.

[yskwong-255-848245 · 10/10 · 7 November 2022]

Instant classic.

"Car, Townsend ... Waiting ... Tick, tick ... Tick. Bon Voyage." - Alan "Tommy" Lascelles

Tommy is perfectly portrayed, and probably my favourite character from the whole series.

One could only imagine, if Tommy was the Private Secretary to the Queen during the Camilla times, he'd definitely have sent her far far away.

Whoever wrote the script and dialogue for this series truly deserve a standing ovation from the public.

One of the most shocking scene was when Peter Townsend addressed the Queen as Lilibet during the flight, and the Queen didn't react to it, but later, gave permission to Tommy to do the necessary. I somehow think that Elizabeth felt disrespect.

Princess Margaret's Secret Engagement To Divorced Townsend

[vivianla · 13 September 2020]

Margaret's blue eyes are stunning.

Philip and Elizabeth get dressed with help of assistants.

At the dinner Margaret announces her relationship with Peter Townsend.

Elizabeth is advised to have Margaret wait until her twenty-fifth birthday so she can marry on her own will in Scotland in a church. She is 23 and would have to receive Elizabeth's permission which would put the monarchy at stake.

Elizabeth wears a stunning crown, white fur shawl, blue sash and white dress.

Elizabeth and Philip undress in the same room with help of assistants. Elizabeth goes behind a small divider to have her female assistant take off her dress and put on her white nightgown.

Margaret wears a beautiful dress and accessories and she is expecting Peter later that day. She goes through a long wait to reach by phone for her sister.

Margaret angrily says Elizabeth never liked to be outshone by her sister. She says you reap what you sow.

We see Margaret stepping out of a plane in a black headscarf, sunglasses, and belted shirtdress.

No heart or imagination

[GGofLongIsland · 6/10 · 1 September 2022]

This episode shows the complete lack of imagination or knowledge of the human heart. The only remedy the Royal Family can find with an inconvenient romance is to separate the two - they will do the same with Prince Charles and Camilla. They rather woodenheadly believe that 'out of sight to out of mind' and boom, problem solved without imagining that if two people love each other, time will not break their resolve. If anything, it can make them feel victimized and may hold on just on principle. This may be the reason why, as Princess Anne observed, that Prince Charles had a 'Romeo &Juliet' scenario for him and Camilla, that may not really have been there.

Also, I think that The Queen and her mother, particularly were so traumatized by the Abdication, that it colored almost all their decisions, to the point, as Princess Margaret observes in another episode, that if someone breaks a teacup, it's because of the Abdication.

In the end, the heartbreak of Princess Margaret & Peter Townsend and Prince Charles and Camilla, is that if wiser and more sensible heads prevailed, a kinder, more reasonable compromise could have been made.