The Crown (TV Series) Pride & Joy (2016) User Reviews

Margaret receives some much needed development.

[TouchTheGarlicProduction · 8/10 · 8 November 2016]

If I had to name the one weak link in the story so far, it would be Margaret. The writing and acting surrounding her and her romance with Peter have been adequate, but a little one- dimensional. Until now, her character has not measured up with the standard for subtlety and depth set by the other characters in my opinion. But in this episode, she gets a chance to shine. Elizabeth is out of the country on the commonwealth tour, meaning Margaret is left in charge. She immediately stirs up quite a lot of trouble when she tries to liven things up a bit, forcing her administration to intervene. It's fascinating to watch Margaret in this new position, suddenly interacting with characters whom the viewer is familiar with but she is not. Yet the episode does not just develop Margaret alone; it also takes leaps and bounds in revealing the relationship between her and her sister. The episode's final scene stands out as being particularly magnificent in this regard.

As a proud citizen of Canada, a (former?) member of the Commonwealth, it is fascinating to see the Commonwealth tour depicted in the episode. Not only do we get to see a historical recreation of the tour, but we also get a peek behind the scenes, into the inner workings of it.

One subplot in this episode that I think will be commonly overlooked is the Queen Mother buying a house in Scotland. It's a touching little story which highlights her character very well, though it is ultimately completely irrelevant to the episode's main plot.

Joyous pride

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 12 January 2021]

'The Crown' was absolutely brilliant at its best, one of the best of Netflix's jewels (not enough of them). The latest season isn't as good to me, but it was still better than many shows at their worst or past prime, but Seasons 1 and 2 are must watches. Love most episodes from Season 1, of which "Pride and Joy" is one, with the only disappointment being the still often impressive "Gelignite" as neither Margaret or her subplot did much for me in that episode. Seeing that she had a big role here there were doubts.

Luckily those doubts very quickly subsided. While "Pride and Joy" is not one of the best episodes of Season 1, of 'The Crown' overall and a step down from the masterful previous episode, it is still great. It was great to see some insight into Margaret and her relationship to Elizabeth, to see a far more interesting story for her and to see her infinitely more interesting and better written after "Gelignite". Those that disliked her in that episode should find her better here.

Will agree that while poignant the Queen Mother subplot is irrelevant and wasn't delved into enough.

However, everything else is done wonderfully. "Pride and Joy" doesn't at all go overboard on making Margaret unlikeable, one doesn't care for her at first but as for me by the end of the episode she became relatable in a difficult situation. Vanessa Kirby is a lot less annoying and more subtle here. Her development unfolds realistically, not rushed or dragged out, and did feel for her without it feeling too much of a 180 in writing compared to "Gelignite". Her relationship with Elizabeth is insightful and agreed has advanced significantly.

Once again 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 on point in the writing as well, it always intrigues and provokes a lot of thought. The story is deliberately paced but not dull, capped off by a powerful final scene. The acting is without fault, Kirby being a big surprise.

Concluding, great episode. 9/10

A New Elizabethan Age!

[lavatch · 8/10 · 8 June 2019]

As spoken by Prime Minister Churchill in this episode, Elizabeth II has become "a woman of destiny" after her 50,000-mile globe-trotting 1954 Royal Tour of the remnants of the British empire. With her courage in visiting the hot spot of Gibraltar, Churchill proclaims the dawning of a new Elizabethan age from the prestige the young Queen has brought from her travels.

Back home, however, the younger sister Margaret has made gaffes in public by asserting an individuality that is too much to bear for the honor of the Crown. The program's title of "Pride and Joy" comes from the catchall words used the girls' father, George VII, when he asserted that little Elizabeth was his "pride," but Margaret was his "joy." The two adult sisters now debate the meaning of their father's use of the word "but" to try to understand whether or not Margaret was his favorite.

During the long tour, Philip becomes fed up with the routine and his role as the trophy husband. When Elizabeth throws a tennis racket at her husband after a row in Australia, she discovers much to her horror that the racket launch was captured on film by a camera crew. She talks the journalist into surrendering the incriminating evidence.

Tired of her own role in the shadow of her daughter, the Queen Mum leaves for Scotland, where she decides to purchase the dilapidated Castle of Mey for the tidy sum of 100 pounds. The restoration will cost 10,000.

This episode shows how, behind the scenes, Elizabeth is not only adjusting to her new role as monarch. She must as well cope with a prissy younger sister, a nagging husband, and a mother who feels slighted. The challenges she faces are, of course, all in the line of duty, wherein personal needs are superseded by the importance placed on: The Crown!

Margaret, the Queen Mum, and Jealousy

[Hitchcoc · 10/10 · 2 December 2016]

The Queen is slowly turning into what she is supposed to be. Poised and stuffy. She and Philip embark on a world-wide tour to shore up relationships with colonies and former colonies. Their schedule is grueling and at times it takes its toll. Elizabeth feels that they cannot skip one dinner or give one less speech or the people will be disappointed. The episode, however, has more to do with the flamboyant Margret. She is to go in her sister's stead to a series of events. She decides to go off script and this incenses Elizabeth. She has also done a couple embarrassing things (an insult or two) that rile up the stuffy Brits.The competitiveness comes to the fore. Elizabeth is no shrinking violet now and she decides all major issues. We also have a subplot, designed for us to get to know the Queen Mum a bit more. She travels to Scotland to visit friends and has an encounter with a delightful old man who has property to sell. He doesn't recognize her and they have a wonderful time together. She has become sad because she has lost her home, her daughters (they are adults), the monarchy, and her purpose. There is an interesting final scene where the stiff Elizabeth shows what she is and will become.

The Mother and Her Daughters

[Oktay_Tuna · 10/10 · 2 September 2020]

I really loved this episode, because it develops Queen Mum, Elizabeth and Margaret's characters a lot and we understand how their relationships work. The thing which I found really interesting was the fact that the relationships develop not by flashbacks or them chatting about the past, we the audience learn these relationships by watching how they act when they are separate from each other. Margaret is joyful and makes a lot of jokes and later in the episode we learn that she is that way because she is trying to hide her jealousy for not being in her sister's shoes. Queen Elizabeth's story is totally different, we see her being jealous of her sister because she doesn't have much responsibilities and is free to do what she wants and she deep down knows that Margaret was the joy of the family and envies her because of that . What surprised me the most was how Queen Mum feels about all these things. We see a side we hadn't seen before, she feels like her rights have been taken by her daughter and even after she accepts the fact that she is not a queen anymore and decided to live in the castle in Scotland, then the messenger arrives telling her that she is needed in the palace.

Two Sisters Who Envy Each Other

[vivianla · 8 November 2020]

Elizabeth and Phillip are to set off on their tour. Elizabeth is shown the 100 dresses and outfits she is to wear. The designer has a mini fashion show with models wearing each dress walking on a catwalk in front of them.

Phillip is annoyed at the four-hours costume fitting - the tailor corrects him saying it is a uniform.

The Queen's Mother goes by car to Scotland. It is beautiful and an empty place. Beautiful natural scenery and water with mini castles.

Margaret is given tasks to do in place of the Queen. Margaret wears the most beautiful, perfect outfit (look back for inspiration) while laying sideways. She is given her speeches and asks for a pencil and to see the person the next day. She wears a little scarf, cigarette pants, a high-neck white top.

On the day of her first duty she wears a beautiful dress and asks her attendant to fetch the queen's crowns instead. She dazzles the crowd and makes everyone laugh with her personality and individuality - she jokes about each country.

Elizabeth sees the papers with her sister in the spotlight and tells her husband her sister might outshine her. During the tour it is non-stop and Phillip is frustrated. Phillip enrages Elizabeth and she throws something at him as they run outside. Cameras capture the ordeal but the tape is given to Elizabeth.

The Queen is offered a 100 pounds for the next-door castle. The man recognizes her but cannot identify her. A rep for Churchill comes and asks the Queen to come back. She looks back at the man saying he now knows who she is. He asks why did she not say anything? She says because ppl treat her differently. She looks back longingly at the man and the castle.

Elizabeth and Phillip come home and Phillip plays with their kids.

Margaret is led to the room where Elizabeth waits for her. Elizabeth asks Margaret to give apologies for her behaviour. She showed individuality and the monarchy is to the shine, not the monarch. Elizabeth says they are two sisters who envy each other - they would not be the first. Margaret really likes her sister's queen position. Elizabeth likes Margaret's freedom.

Sisters! There Were Never Such Devoted Sisters!

[Deej551 · 9/10 · 20 August 2022]

I write this review 6 years later, but I found that watching the last scene in this episode between Margaret and Elizabeth just broke my heart. I know that they were both close and envious of each other, but that scene- al Elizabeth would have had to do was cross the room and show her compassion/love , but she became the "Queen" in that moment - it hurt to see. This may be fiction, but there is probably some base in fact. Watching this episode for psychological nuance was fascinating.

Intense

[Shantalecinematicexpresso · 7/10 · 10 January 2021]

This episode represented how could a princess be forgotten and having pain in her, Margaret wanted to be caught for some attention in the way that she always wanted to be, sarcastic, full of grace and joyful but the monarchy won't permitted her to be like she wanted.

In other part of the world, Elizabeth tries her best to leave her marriage with the Duke and put all her sense in the trama.