Lisbon
- Episode aired Dec 8, 2017
- TV-MA
- 56m
IMDb RATING
8.3/10
4.4K
YOUR RATING
Palace insiders try to prevent a scandal that could reflect poorly on Philip. Eden faces censure from his cabinet and the press.Palace insiders try to prevent a scandal that could reflect poorly on Philip. Eden faces censure from his cabinet and the press.Palace insiders try to prevent a scandal that could reflect poorly on Philip. Eden faces censure from his cabinet and the press.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaMichael Parker's (Daniel Ings) divorce was portrayed by the press as a scandal and eventually he resigned. He later said that the Duke was supportive and "the Queen was wonderful throughout. She regarded divorce as a sadness, not a hanging offence." In a public show of support, the Queen created Parker a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO).
- GoofsThe Queen refers to the South Shetland Islands, the Falkland Islands and Ascension Island as "British Overseas Territories". However, in 1957 they were still Crown Colonies. They only became British Overseas Territories in 2002.
- Quotes
Mike Parker: To our wives and sweethearts.
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh: May they never meet.
Featured review
Tense scandal
Season 2 showed a huge amount of promise and very high quality in its previous two episodes. The first episode "Misadventure" was excellent, if not quite as good as the best of Season 1. "A Company of Men" wasn't as good and not as secure in pacing, but it was still very intriguing and it was great to see more development to Phillip (one of 'The Crown's' more successful attempts at developing a character other than Elizabeth). "Lisbon" is an episode that sounded great from the premise.
It proved to be every bit as mostly impressive in execution, but more good than great. It is not perfect, or one of the best episodes of 'The Crown' or up to the same level as the best of Season 1, but "Lisbon" is nearly as good and as interesting as the previous two Season 2 episodes and a good episode from a mostly very impressive season. Do agree that 'The Crown' was at its best when focusing on scandals, where the higher stakes often have a lot of tension and intrigue. Both of which can be found in "Lisbon".
There is not much wrong here, but the pace again is a little too deliberate in spots meaning that parts drag and it at times reiterates what we know already from the previous two episodes.
Also didn't like how Phillip is written at all, here the opposite of the complex, nuanced character writing he had in "A Company of Men". Actually found myself despising him pretty much in "Lisbon", which portrays him as too much of a manipulative, petulant and at times selfish snake. This is through no fault of Matt Smith who is fine, it's the way he's written that is the problem.
On the most part though, the story is very absorbing. The drama that comes with depicting the scandal has a lot of tension, both in a subtle and nail-biting way, and in a way that isn't soapy or melodramatic. It also does well with not taking sides or presenting most of the characters one-dimensionally (failing only with Phillip), even Eden isn't judged in too much of one way. Also really liked that we see how much Elizabeth has grown in her role as queen, her handling of Eden's resignation and MacMillan's arrival was done so admirably and in complete control.
It was also great seeing Tommy Lascelles again and "Lisbon" far from wastes him, in fact he is handled fantastically like with the newspaper headlines and he is immensely likeable. Eileen fascinates as well, like when she expresses her real thoughts regarding working for the Royal family. The flashforward at the beginning is done well.
Furthermore, as ever 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 mostly above par in the writing as well, it always intrigues and provokes a lot of thought. All the acting is without qualm.
Concluding, good but not great. 7/10.
It proved to be every bit as mostly impressive in execution, but more good than great. It is not perfect, or one of the best episodes of 'The Crown' or up to the same level as the best of Season 1, but "Lisbon" is nearly as good and as interesting as the previous two Season 2 episodes and a good episode from a mostly very impressive season. Do agree that 'The Crown' was at its best when focusing on scandals, where the higher stakes often have a lot of tension and intrigue. Both of which can be found in "Lisbon".
There is not much wrong here, but the pace again is a little too deliberate in spots meaning that parts drag and it at times reiterates what we know already from the previous two episodes.
Also didn't like how Phillip is written at all, here the opposite of the complex, nuanced character writing he had in "A Company of Men". Actually found myself despising him pretty much in "Lisbon", which portrays him as too much of a manipulative, petulant and at times selfish snake. This is through no fault of Matt Smith who is fine, it's the way he's written that is the problem.
On the most part though, the story is very absorbing. The drama that comes with depicting the scandal has a lot of tension, both in a subtle and nail-biting way, and in a way that isn't soapy or melodramatic. It also does well with not taking sides or presenting most of the characters one-dimensionally (failing only with Phillip), even Eden isn't judged in too much of one way. Also really liked that we see how much Elizabeth has grown in her role as queen, her handling of Eden's resignation and MacMillan's arrival was done so admirably and in complete control.
It was also great seeing Tommy Lascelles again and "Lisbon" far from wastes him, in fact he is handled fantastically like with the newspaper headlines and he is immensely likeable. Eileen fascinates as well, like when she expresses her real thoughts regarding working for the Royal family. The flashforward at the beginning is done well.
Furthermore, as ever 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 mostly above par in the writing as well, it always intrigues and provokes a lot of thought. All the acting is without qualm.
Concluding, good but not great. 7/10.
helpful•52
- TheLittleSongbird
- Apr 27, 2021
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Filming locations
- Belvoir Castle, Belvoir, Leicestershire, England, UK(Windsor Castle)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime56 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.00 : 1
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