The Crown season 1

This is amazing. Also, some are really different. Especially Churchill and Queen Mum More on reddit.com

I think all the casts are great and think the criticism of this latest cast is particularly unfair, but agree entirely that the writing was much sharper in seasons one and two (and three, tbh). The show had a clear sense of what it was -- an exploration of Elizabeth II as both a person and a public figure as she moves through a rapidly changing world despite being the figurehead for a badly outdated institution. A shift begins in season four -- though I think season four is still excellent -- as it starts to become more of a show about the royal family generally rather than the woman at the head of the family. With this shift, it starts to become less historical drama and more soap opera. By season five, it is fully a soap opera and I think this is a big part of why season five has let so many people down. Political events were the backdrop of the show through the earlier seasons, often metaphors for the queen's own personal conflict in a particular episode, or the driver of the plot itself. This season, we're just told these events are happening off screen. In episode one, Charles tells us that John Major is "full of fascinating contradictions" and then, in episode ten, he lavishes new PM Tony Blair with praise for kicking off the rust of old-school socialism and making Labour a viable political party again. In past seasons, we might have seen Elizabeth struggling with her own "fascinating contradictions" while getting to know Major personally, or watching Blair on television dragging his party into the 90s while she was confronted with some challenge to bring the monarchy in the 90s. Now, all that is brushed aside for marriage drama, marriage drama, marriage drama! Philip might be cheating! Anne is kissing her lover in front of the help! Fergie is on the front page sucking toes! Charles! Diana! Charles! Diana! Charles! Diana! John Major literally has more to do as a couples counselor than he does as the prime minister. The writers appear to have really struggled with this change, with the pacing of this season being very badly off. The first three episodes don't move any of the characters forward in a meaningful way and then the fourth dumps a ton of plot onto the audience without hardly any explanation or build-up. It's very weak and not at all what I've come to expect from this show. It's a shame, too, because as I said at the start, I do think this cast is quite excellent. More on reddit.com

tiptoes around conspicuously like a creepy ghost, and proceeds to start a conversation Diana: "Sorry, I'm not here. I was given strict instructions to remain out of sight." Diana: "Please don't tell her you saw me. I'll get into terrible trouble." [...] Charles: "Yes. I just met your younger sister." Nobody does as they're told! More on reddit.com

THE CURTSY - the prolonged, stunning curtsy by Queen Mary communicated so much. It was incredible. My compliments to whoever directed that scene. #Superb More on reddit.com