Eventually the whole divorce situation has to be dealt with, and, in the end, the Royals are going to come out on top. Philip throws his friend to the wolves, but he really has no choice. The implications are too great. We get a look at the case of Anthony Eden as he faces his cabinet, which has been holding things together while he has been in the Bahamas. The first thing to face is Harold McMillan who pretty much betrays him to get the role of Prime Minister. While the Queen can do nothing about anything, she makes sure that McMillan knows he is a betrayer (of course, Anthony Eden needed to go). We now have the return of Philip into the jaws of the Monarchy. He and Elizabeth have a really intense heart to heart where Philip indicates that respect is all he is asking for, so he is given a new role.
5 Reviews
The Crown doing what it does best: scandal
TouchTheGarlicProduction8 December 2017
For me, the best episodes of The Crown have always been the ones in which the monarchy has to handle damage control on a scandal. On top of the fact that such situations are fantastic at generating tension and drama, they also expose the inner workings of the institution in a way that is endlessly fascinating to watch.
Another reason that I loved the first season's scandal episodes was the way they allowed the character of Tommy Lascelles to shine. Tommy was one of my favourite characters on the show, so I was very sad when he retired near the end of last season, and pleasantly surprised when he made a surprise return in this episode. I hope he pops up a few more times this season; Pip Torrens is fantastic in this role, and it would have been a shame to let that go to waste.
The scandal in this episode is the climax of the boys' club story-line from the first two episodes of the season. Everything dovetails neatly and comes back around to the opening flash-forward, which finally gets resolved. So much is concluded in this episode that I genuinely have no idea what the plot of the rest of the season will be.
Another reason that I loved the first season's scandal episodes was the way they allowed the character of Tommy Lascelles to shine. Tommy was one of my favourite characters on the show, so I was very sad when he retired near the end of last season, and pleasantly surprised when he made a surprise return in this episode. I hope he pops up a few more times this season; Pip Torrens is fantastic in this role, and it would have been a shame to let that go to waste.
The scandal in this episode is the climax of the boys' club story-line from the first two episodes of the season. Everything dovetails neatly and comes back around to the opening flash-forward, which finally gets resolved. So much is concluded in this episode that I genuinely have no idea what the plot of the rest of the season will be.
Tense scandal
TheLittleSongbird27 April 2021
Season 2 showed a huge amount of promise and very high quality in its previous two episodes. The first episode "Misadventure" was excellent, if not quite as good as the best of Season 1. "A Company of Men" wasn't as good and not as secure in pacing, but it was still very intriguing and it was great to see more development to Phillip (one of 'The Crown's' more successful attempts at developing a character other than Elizabeth). "Lisbon" is an episode that sounded great from the premise.
It proved to be every bit as mostly impressive in execution, but more good than great. It is not perfect, or one of the best episodes of 'The Crown' or up to the same level as the best of Season 1, but "Lisbon" is nearly as good and as interesting as the previous two Season 2 episodes and a good episode from a mostly very impressive season. Do agree that 'The Crown' was at its best when focusing on scandals, where the higher stakes often have a lot of tension and intrigue. Both of which can be found in "Lisbon".
There is not much wrong here, but the pace again is a little too deliberate in spots meaning that parts drag and it at times reiterates what we know already from the previous two episodes.
Also didn't like how Phillip is written at all, here the opposite of the complex, nuanced character writing he had in "A Company of Men". Actually found myself despising him pretty much in "Lisbon", which portrays him as too much of a manipulative, petulant and at times selfish snake. This is through no fault of Matt Smith who is fine, it's the way he's written that is the problem.
On the most part though, the story is very absorbing. The drama that comes with depicting the scandal has a lot of tension, both in a subtle and nail-biting way, and in a way that isn't soapy or melodramatic. It also does well with not taking sides or presenting most of the characters one-dimensionally (failing only with Phillip), even Eden isn't judged in too much of one way. Also really liked that we see how much Elizabeth has grown in her role as queen, her handling of Eden's resignation and MacMillan's arrival was done so admirably and in complete control.
It was also great seeing Tommy Lascelles again and "Lisbon" far from wastes him, in fact he is handled fantastically like with the newspaper headlines and he is immensely likeable. Eileen fascinates as well, like when she expresses her real thoughts regarding working for the Royal family. The flashforward at the beginning is done well.
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. It's mostly above par in the writing as well, it always intrigues and provokes a lot of thought. All the acting is without qualm.
Concluding, good but not great. 7/10.
It proved to be every bit as mostly impressive in execution, but more good than great. It is not perfect, or one of the best episodes of 'The Crown' or up to the same level as the best of Season 1, but "Lisbon" is nearly as good and as interesting as the previous two Season 2 episodes and a good episode from a mostly very impressive season. Do agree that 'The Crown' was at its best when focusing on scandals, where the higher stakes often have a lot of tension and intrigue. Both of which can be found in "Lisbon".
There is not much wrong here, but the pace again is a little too deliberate in spots meaning that parts drag and it at times reiterates what we know already from the previous two episodes.
Also didn't like how Phillip is written at all, here the opposite of the complex, nuanced character writing he had in "A Company of Men". Actually found myself despising him pretty much in "Lisbon", which portrays him as too much of a manipulative, petulant and at times selfish snake. This is through no fault of Matt Smith who is fine, it's the way he's written that is the problem.
On the most part though, the story is very absorbing. The drama that comes with depicting the scandal has a lot of tension, both in a subtle and nail-biting way, and in a way that isn't soapy or melodramatic. It also does well with not taking sides or presenting most of the characters one-dimensionally (failing only with Phillip), even Eden isn't judged in too much of one way. Also really liked that we see how much Elizabeth has grown in her role as queen, her handling of Eden's resignation and MacMillan's arrival was done so admirably and in complete control.
It was also great seeing Tommy Lascelles again and "Lisbon" far from wastes him, in fact he is handled fantastically like with the newspaper headlines and he is immensely likeable. Eileen fascinates as well, like when she expresses her real thoughts regarding working for the Royal family. The flashforward at the beginning is done well.
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. It's mostly above par in the writing as well, it always intrigues and provokes a lot of thought. All the acting is without qualm.
Concluding, good but not great. 7/10.
Prince Philip's Private Secretary's Scandal
vivianla16 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Philip sends a film to the palace and the royals watch it together. He is in Antarctica and he holds up a cute penguin.
The Queen is finally told about the rumours that the private secretary may be getting a divorce. She goes to see Eileen Parker who has the letter and shows it to her.
Eileen Parker's lawyer announces the divorce and it is the headlines of all newspapers. There are rumours circulating about the royal marriage.
Philip asks how did that letter get into the hands of Eileen - he thought they agreed no letters. Philip makes it clear that he can no longer work for him and Parker resigns. He steps out of the ship in the next stop.
The Queen meets Philip and the two have a reunion outside the ship. The Queen knows their marriage is bad and says divorce is never an option. She wants to know what to do to make this work. Philip says his own 8-year-old son is above him. He hates that the "moustaches" tell him what to do.
The Queen gives Philip the title of prince. There is a coronation.
Philip goes to Parker's and it looks miserable. Parker says he is going to Australia.
The Queen is finally told about the rumours that the private secretary may be getting a divorce. She goes to see Eileen Parker who has the letter and shows it to her.
Eileen Parker's lawyer announces the divorce and it is the headlines of all newspapers. There are rumours circulating about the royal marriage.
Philip asks how did that letter get into the hands of Eileen - he thought they agreed no letters. Philip makes it clear that he can no longer work for him and Parker resigns. He steps out of the ship in the next stop.
The Queen meets Philip and the two have a reunion outside the ship. The Queen knows their marriage is bad and says divorce is never an option. She wants to know what to do to make this work. Philip says his own 8-year-old son is above him. He hates that the "moustaches" tell him what to do.
The Queen gives Philip the title of prince. There is a coronation.
Philip goes to Parker's and it looks miserable. Parker says he is going to Australia.
Lisbon
bobcobb3019 December 2017
Warning: Spoilers
This episode focused a bit more on the political, and a bit more on the unusual dynamic between the Queen and her "husband" but this is still a far cry from other period dramas such as Victoria, The Tudors or Downton Abbey. The dialogue is simply not as sharp as it could be and Matt Smith and Claire Foy do not feel all that believable in their roles. That hurts the viewing experience.
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