The Crown – Season Four – Episode 8 – 48:1
Plot: As many nations condemn apartheid in South Africa, tension mounts between Thatcher and Elizabeth over their clashing opinions on applying sanctions.
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: 48:1 starts as the apartheid authorities are causing civil unrest in South Africa which the world is appalled by, ready to make a move, but Great Britain and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (Gillian Anderson) hasn’t supported, leading to Queen Elizabeth II (Olivia Colman) needs to address to the rest of the United Nations. After Thatcher reluctantly agrees to the terms from the United Nations, the public rivalry between the Queen and Margaret Thatcher is taken center stage, stealing the headlines from Prince Andrew’s wedding, with the nations wanting to know the truth and the Queen needing to sacrifice a member of her own team to make the story disappear.
Thoughts on The Crown – Season Four – Episode 48:1
Thoughts – 48:1 shows us how that the Queen and Prime Minister would clash on something, but for the first time, this would make headline news, leading to the uncertainty coming from the people of the nation that want to know the truth about what is happening. This is one of the more serious episodes, showing us how the royal family and the political family would often go head to head, but usually resolve the issues away from the spotlight. The episode is carried by Olivia Colman and Gillian Anderson’s stunning performances throughout, giving them the best outing to date, along with a welcome return from a familiar face.
Final Thoughts –48:1 is the most political episode of the season, giving the spotlight to the biggest names in the season Olivia Colman and Gillian Anderson. 4/5
