The Crown (TV Series) Scientia Potentia Est (2016) User Reviews

A strong arc for Elizabeth is accentuated by powerful performances from Foy and Lithgow.

[TouchTheGarlicProduction · 9/10 · 8 November 2016]

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.

Astonishing performances

[Psilio · 10/10 · 19 November 2016]

This episode had me in goosebumps most of the time.

None of us can really know what Queen Elizabeth II was like or what she said in private meetings back then, but I gained a deep respect for her in this episode. Here she emerged from an insecure young lady and into the woman she is now known as: a very intelligent and reflected woman who commands respect.

The performances of Claire Foy and John Lithgow are very convincing and breathtaking, and the latter's even had me in tears in the end. I had no idea Lithgow could act like this. Tremendous performance.

And if I ever met Claire Foy and she asked me to do anything using the character she plays here I would not hesitate to say 'at once, your majesty'. Very convincing performance also from her.

But seriously, this episode was gripping from start to finish. Magnificent.

Knowledge is power

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 22 December 2020]

The first five episodes of one of 2016's biggest gems 'The Crown' are absolutely fantastic and fine examples of why the series appeals so much to many viewers, with fabulous production values, writing and acting. "Smoke and Mirrors" especially was a season and show high point. To me, the previous episode "Gelignite" was a couple of steps down, many truly great things but would have fared a lot better if the Princess Margaret subplot and characterisation were handled better.

"Scientia Potentia Est" sees Season 1 and 'The Crown' in general back on peak form. One of the season's very best, on the same level as and perhaps even better than "Smoke and Mirrors", and one of the best episodes perhaps of 'The Crown'. It has all the brilliant things that the first five episodes have, while executing them to even better effect, and has a much more interesting story and much stronger character writing than those in "Gelignite".

Visually "Scientia Potentia Est" is faultless. 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 handles its tense conflict with aplomb but in a beautifully subtle way and Elizabeth's story arc is intelligently and poignantly written, allowing one to root for her every step of the way. Churchill makes his most interesting appearance of the series and really fascinates as a character with more dimension to usual.

Absolutely agree with everybody that has praised the performances. Claire Foy is class and dignity personified with a very expressive face and eyes that tell so much in a subtle way. John Lithgow is here tremendously powerful as Churchill. The chemistry is undeniable and really scintillates at its best.

Overall, brilliant and one of the season's and show's best. 10/10

Speechless!

[ramo140 · 10/10 · 9 January 2021]

What a show this is. I went into the show expecting a good family drama in Buckingham Palace not too different from Succession. But this show is exceeding my expectations more and more every episode. Not only is it entertaining and emotionally engaging, and not is the acting, direction and production design top notch but it is also educational.

The Education of Lilibet

[lavatch · 10/10 · 7 June 2019]

This brilliantly crafted episode weaves together two themes from the life of Lilibet. On the one hand, her education has been neglected in not providing her a breadth of knowledge about mathematics, science, and literature. On the other, her focus on a study of the constitution has steeped her in the principles of England's constitutional monarchy. By the end of episode, Lilibet's lack of confidence in superficial matters is balanced by the wisdom that has come from her training at Eton.

The time is 1953, the momentous occasion for the Soviets' testing of the hydrogen bomb in the Kazakh Desert. A major summit meeting is in the works with President Eisenhower to meet with Churchill. But both foreign secretary Antony Eden and Churchill suddenly become incapacitated. Eden will require gall bladder surgery in Boston. Churchill suffers a series of strokes, the details are kept away from the Queen.

The episode now moves into the crisis facing Lilibet when she realizes that vital information is being withheld from her, in violation of the trust at the heart of the British constitution. In a subplot, Lilibet is being pressured to accept the senior member of the royal household as her private secretary when Tommy Lascelles is stepping down. Lilibet believes she should be able to choose her own staff and prefers a junior member of royal bureaucracy.

The lesson that unfolds from the episode is how the young Queen is learning to use power. The character who steals the show is her tutor, Professor Hogg. The professor recognizes that Lilibet does not need to learn algebra or study nuclear fission. Rather, she needs to call her ministers before her "give them good dressing down from a nanny." He assures her that they will take their punishment with only a whimper because "they are British, male, and upper class."

And the professor is right! A contrite Lord Salisbury and Winston Churchill are taught the lesson of "scientia potentia est": "Knowledge is power"!

The duty as part of the Monarchy

[Shantalecinematicexpresso · 10/10 · 8 January 2021]

The strongest act that Elizabeth did was talking with a powerful voice to the men who thought they could destroy her attitude.

The most incredible episode by far, full of power and so intense.

She Comes of Age

[Hitchcoc · 10/10 · 1 December 2016]

The Queen is seen in a flashback, receiving instruction from a tutor who gives her information on how to be a young lady. There is no math or history or politics. She is informed of the protocols of royalty. When she sits down to eat, she learns that all others must wait for her to take her first bite. When she is at a state dinner, she is only to talk to one person at the table. She is also, for the most part, to keep quiet. This segues into the current world situation, which is accented by the H-bomb tests by the Soviets. Churchill and Eden are both quite ill, Churchill having had a mild stroke, and she not knowing enough about world politics to converse properly. She is also being led by the nose by her secretary, who is filled with his own importance, telling her what is "right." She engages a tutor who is going to give her basic instruction. Eisenhower agrees to come to Buckingham Palace and a state dinner is planned. She knows nothing of Eisenhower and his interests or much about him as a leader. The tutor is instructed to get her up to speed. She suddenly realizes that she can't lead with the cautiousness that she has exhibited to this point. She is in a crisis situation and realizes that somehow her power has been taken over. She wants it back....now.

Education

[vivianla · 25 September 2020]

Elizabeth requests for a tutor as she realizes she lacks the knowledge that others have. She wants to be informed to be able to continue to be queen. A professor is assigned to her and she wants to learn the basic schooling.

Elizabeth asks her mummy why she did receive an education and her mother says she did. Elizabeth says teaching how to be graceful and reading poems out loud is not an education.

Elizabeth asks the professor about things she can talk about with Eisenhower.

Elizabeth reads her books with care.

Elizabeth is told that Eisenhower cannot make it to Britain which is a lie. Elizabeth is relieved.

Elizabeth confronts Winston about his lies. She tells him not to speak to her with biases because of her age and gender.

Elizabeth peers into the room to see Philip and tells him the banquet has been cancelled. He is dressed beautifully. Elizabeth asks what should they do now and Philip takes off his jacket and places it on the bed frame. He says either he can get stilts to meet his wife's new height or she can get down on her knees. He is suggesting they blow off Adeane and have sex instead. He looks at her seductively.

The Crown, season 1 episode 7, has a glaring mistake

[d1494 · 9/10 · 29 December 2019]

This episode is fascinating but for the opening which shows 4 engine German bombers flying over Buckingham Palace. The Germans never developed 4 engine bombers, which contributed greatly to their losing the Battle of Britain, by failing to knock out the radar masts of the chain home stations and the RAF airfields. Claire Foy gives a fine performance, dressing down Winston Churchill and Lord Salisbury.

As though she didn't know . . .

[jknousak · 5/10 · 11 August 2020]

Episode opens in 1940 when Lilibet is 14 years old and finding out from her tutor that her education is different from her peers' and also obviously lacking. So, she knew even then and does nothing about it until . . . 1954-? With every episode I view, I have less and less respect for Elizabeth and, indeed, for "the crown", i.e., the anachronistic British monarchy. Those notions aside, the acting of the principals in this episode is very good as other commenters have stated.