Scientia Potentia Est

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

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.

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.

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.

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.