This episode finally brought something I have been anticipating eagerly... corgis! That's right, the famous royal corgis make their first significant appearance in this episode. They have been visible in the background a couple times before, but they were not actively featured. Now, they get a scene with Churchill and are even referred to by name.
However, corgis notwithstanding, the performances are the real standout aspect of the episode. Claire Foy does a great job with her character arc in this episode, and it's a great arc she was given to work with. Elizabeth finds herself uncertain when she realizes that her education was extremely lacking and she is horribly ill-equipped to deal with the people she meets regularly. The episode is all about Elizabeth finding herself, learning how to be confident and in control. Near the end, she has a scene where she finally comes into her own and it is in equal parts exhilarating and terrifying.
John Lithgow also does marvellous work in this episode, showing a side of Churchill we have not seen thus far. He does a great job bouncing off Foy. It's a shame that neither of them will be on the show past season 2; Churchill will most likely be dead, and Foy will have been replaced with an older actor (the show-runners said that they will replace the main cast every second season, to keep up with the aging of the characters).
Overall, this episode is very strong. Elizabeth has a very well-defined arc and Churchill has much more screen time than he did in the last couple episodes. Philip is used sparingly but to great effect.
However, corgis notwithstanding, the performances are the real standout aspect of the episode. Claire Foy does a great job with her character arc in this episode, and it's a great arc she was given to work with. Elizabeth finds herself uncertain when she realizes that her education was extremely lacking and she is horribly ill-equipped to deal with the people she meets regularly. The episode is all about Elizabeth finding herself, learning how to be confident and in control. Near the end, she has a scene where she finally comes into her own and it is in equal parts exhilarating and terrifying.
John Lithgow also does marvellous work in this episode, showing a side of Churchill we have not seen thus far. He does a great job bouncing off Foy. It's a shame that neither of them will be on the show past season 2; Churchill will most likely be dead, and Foy will have been replaced with an older actor (the show-runners said that they will replace the main cast every second season, to keep up with the aging of the characters).
Overall, this episode is very strong. Elizabeth has a very well-defined arc and Churchill has much more screen time than he did in the last couple episodes. Philip is used sparingly but to great effect.