It’s nice to see so much of the ensemble together in an episode that dealt simultaneously with two characters: Margaret Thatcher and Prince Charles. Gillian Anderson really is terrific as Thatcher, and I loved the way that she reacted to the notion of her husband’s bag being unpacked and them sleeping in separate beds. The royal family did not react well to her showing up over-dressed ahead of dinner and then her very deliberate attempt to play the game that they all knew considerably better than she did. While Princess Margaret, who I wish we’d see more of this season, was quite crass to the new prime minister, Elizabeth seemed to understand that her early departure was a sign that they hadn’t been at all welcoming or kind to someone with a completely different mentality and more important priorities. Their relationship is fascinating, and I look forward to seeing that featured more prominently over the course of the season. I was worried that Diana wouldn’t go over too well, but she impressed even Philip, who was not at all confident about her assessment of the wind but for some reason listened to her anyway. If only Charles seemed as excited about the idea of marrying her, and it was so interesting to hear him talk to his sister, who is most like her aunt in her direct bluntness, about his apparent disappointment that she fit so well when he wasn’t entirely sure that, despite her charms, she did for him.
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