Jason Watkins was the highlight of the season along with Josh O’Connor. At the end of the season when the Queen tells him she’s coming to dinner, his wonder at being selected for the same honor as Churchill is so touching.
I was in politics here in the United States for over 20 years. What Wilson said is true. All of the people can never be pleased or appeased. One makes decisions on what would be best for most or would do the greatest good for the area that you represent as a whole.
@@retroguy9494 You dont appease people... thats liberalism... Do whats right.. people will be pleased... the very foundation of government and the banking system ...and tax system is corrupt...and creates debt .. no matter how much the people work, greed created this... If you were in politics for 20 years... then you are part of the problem. If you had a brain in your head ... well you dont... a politician doesnt have answers... you make laws because you have no answers ... and cant solve anything because you dont have the mental capability to do so. Science... engineers... technicians make solutions to problems. You dont.. thats why this system wont work. and is doomed to fail and soon... debt will kill everything. Think on that !
oh no they do understand it perfectly well. the point is that there are so many variables to consider and so many things can go wrong. and besides, those who are incapable of ruling usually are not there thanks to their skills, they're puppets for the real politicians, moving threads from out back.
Yes and also helps to keep your head and your job intact I suppose. Who cares if it's all a lie anyway, there is NO NEED FOR HUMANITY AT ALL AS THE MAN SAID! 🙄 All we have are droids 👑 🤖 👑 doing droid things without any care in the world for humanity now.
The actor as PM actually did a great job in portraying an experienced, cool headed, learned yet openhearted diplomat . He took time to choose his words carefully to not contradict with the queen. When the queen is actually sharing her shortcomings, agreeing with her or even staying silent in response would invite queen's wrath. Especially when she is angry with her own self.
Agreed. It’s as if the director told him to act as if his neck is on the line. It’s much more subtle of course. Obviously this queen would and could never do that but I imagine in the Victorian era and prior, servants of the monarch had to be careful with their language as to not offend the frustrated monarch any further. What’s interesting here is the queen is having a rather human moment despite herself not feeling human and the PM is both telling there is nothing wrong with her and that her lack of emotion is exactly what is needed when being queen. Despite his criticism towards the monarchy, he understands the importance in having a head of state that is not frustrated with trivial matters like these.
@@zen4men We have one over the fireplace in the living room. It chimes and everything. It's been there so long that I don't even notice it anymore. However, it's been known to make people who have been in the house for various reasons jump when it chimes! 😂
@@retroguy9494 We face a growing tyranny. One that most do not know how to face. And systems going all-out to destroy our way of life, and deliver us into bondage. /
At one stage in his first term as PM Wilson's whole cabinet appear to be leaking against him. He coined two phrases - a week is a long time in politics. He also stated that the only conversation he knew would never be leaked was the one he had each week with the Queen.
We will never know because the monarch's views are never publicly reported merely speculated. Although I do believe the speculation that the Queen and Thatcher didn't get along
In the series this is the first PM who spoke to her as an equal. He was blunt but took care to choose his words when the situation called for it, he didn't put on any airs, he didn't patronize her. I think she appreciated it. Despite them being polar opposites politically. I think she developed compassion through him as well--her growing frustrations with Margaret Thatcher's whole "pull themselves up by the bootstraps" Social Darwinist attitude towards the disadvantaged, working class public, really got to her.
When we meet people like this in our lives, those who we may not agree with entirely, but appreciate for their honest, unbiased opinion - you must respect them. I can see why the Queen liked PM Wilson so much
I've been waiting for ages for this conversation to be uploaded. Someone famously said "I can't figure Harold Wilson out" and the other guy said to him "that's because there isn't anything to figure out, what you see is who he is nothing more nothing less"
In US, we say - there is no there, there. She had such patience and was such a phenomenal source of institutional wisdom. To advise, caution, admonish and inquire. You are my PM, but I have had 179 starting at the top of the deck, Churchill. What do you plan, how will it help? Have you seen when X,Y,Z did it and their results? You should speak to B, he can help you.
@@michaelplunkett8059 The problem is, this kind of authenticity is the exact opposite of "there's no there there." The latter is the sign of someone who simply is carried away by the tide of events, their own feelings, or desires. The remark about Wilson - "what you see is who he is " - is about someone who possesses bone-deep integrity that doesn't pose for his own purposes. Even when Wilson is describing how he tries to fit in - he's doing that as part of the burden of leadership, not b/c he wants to lie, but b/c he is trying not to offend. Giving up your own preferences the better to serve - to have the opportunity to serve - is a million miles away from manipulation.
Bloody hell!! Now that is acting. It's the silences as much as the dialog. Time to take in the facial expressions and for the viewer to consider the words. Lovely to watch.
When my Father died. I sorted all the proceedings, the house, car, goods selling, etc. 6 months later once it was all done. I left his house, to an unwelcome callout at work, and cried all the way. Theres a time and place for emotion.
She guarded her emotions after seeing her loony Uncle run amuck. She was trained by her granny - Queen Mary. Eileen Atkins gave great inside into that role. Fiancé died, husband dead, buried her children, endured a World War and the global depression. Mary knew how varied and hard the Queen would face and trained her well. To be resolute and enduring for the nation and still cope with the changing demands of history.
@@michaelplunkett8059 I agree and Queen Mary was one tough lady just imagine what she lived through in her life time, she was around for Queen Victoria's reign, then Edward VII, her husband George V then her son and granddaughter, WWI & II, the depression, losing her children, husband and finance as you said, she also saw three old monarchies deposed and managed to help prevent the same in Britain her and George V worked hard to win the people and visited everyone and anyone. I bet she was a minefield of wisdom when Elizabeth II ascended the throne and like you pointed out she did her bit to prepare her Queen Mary was all about duty
I wonder. I've lost pretty much my entire family including the 2 people I loved most in the world and who were the only two people who ever loved me unconditionally. I couldn't cry then, or for any of them. And it's been 25 years or more. However, I still grieve for them daily. It's as if a big piece of me went with them. I heard it said that tears are a way of melting a heart that is frozen in grief. Perhaps it is that my grief is just too much.
@@retroguy9494My beloved father died in 1999, I have never grieved for him dying, I grieved for nearly two years watching and waiting for him to die,and it was such a relief to see him pain free. He is always in my thoughts and I can have a chat with him when times are tough. He has three daughters, two of us laugh and talk about him frequently and the third can barely mention his name without crying. After 55 years of nursing I advise never to judge how people react to death, the people you think/expect to be strong can crumble and the fragile stand tall. Death is inevitable but until the moment arrives no one knows how they will react.
This is one of my favorite moments from The Crown. The Wilson character, with blunt eloquence, reminds QE II of just who she is and what her position requires. I sensed a quiet respect, almost a slight affection, between the two characters in the writing and in the actor's exceptional performances. All history should be this humane and compelling.
This was really Olivia Colman's greatest scene in this series, and I'm sorry she did not get the Emmy for this episode (though she did the next season). Her visible suffering both when she opens up to Wilson about her inadequacies and then when he gives her advice is so real.
It’s said of jazz that the most important notes are the ones you DON’T play. In the same way, sometimes in acting the most important things are the things you DON’T say, or show. This scene is a masterclass in understatement. The Queen’s anger at the perceived betrayal, Wilson’s embarrassment at his colleagues’ excesses, and later his shame at being what we would call being a “phony”. And at the end, his paternal wisdom and her gratitude for his empathy. Every second is perfect.
It is an open secret that she grew to like Wilson, her first labour pm, and they to an extent became friends on a private level. She found out that he was loyal to her, despite many people wanting him not to be - and he learned her a lot about the everyday-life for people outside of the upper class circles..
I’ve always gotten the impression that there was a uniqueness to each relationship she had with each Prime Minister. With Churchhill it was a father figure. With Mrs. Thatcher it was Something of an adversary. With Mr. Major It was a friend who provided consistency at an inconsistent time.But with Mr. Winslow I think it’s something particularly extraordinary. With him I think it was a A confidant. Somebody who was able to empathize with her burdens in a way the others hadn’t, and I think that’s probably why they’re working relationship was so harmonious. He had a unique insight as to what it was like to separate duty from feeling and how lonely it could be at times. It was probably nice do I have a Head of government with whom she could be so candid in that regard.
The predecessor of Willson, who was merely mention in The Crown was actually a friend of the Royal Family before he became a PM. Regarding Thatcher I think their relationship was like the one she has with her sister Margaret, both were females (so no chilvary here unlike the rest of PM) and had the same age, so they eventually will collide when they disagree, but somehow they deeply respect each other.
There is a later episode of the series in which Prince Charles is having a conversation with Tony Blair around the time that Blair became Prime Minister in the 1990s. The Prince described the relationship between the Queen and successive PMs as follows. Winston Churchill was like a grandfather to her. Anthony Eden and Harold Macmilllan were like father figures. Harold Wilson and Edward Heath were like brothers. Margaret Thatcher could have been her twin sister. And finally, Tony Blair would be like a son to her. Indeed, part of the reason that Prince Charles and Tony Blair had such a good rapport with each other is that they were of the same generation.
In a slightly different key, but yes. Regarding the pipe-cigar incident, John Kennedy liked cigars but he was, to be best of my knowledge never photographed smoking one. Did not fit the image. Remember the portrait with Kennedy posed with a cigar in his mouth, looking all the world like someone from Boston Irish politics. It projected all the qualities that made him successful. But the look was too close to that of his maternal grandfather. Too much like an Irish Catholic with all his vices and virtues. Jackie was pushing the patrician look. One thing I liked about Bobby. He was a mug and he looked it.
I saw her eyes "well up" just after her sister died, and a worker/resident at a group home asked her how she was doing. it caught her off guard, and must have been hard to take when a strangers genuine care for her at such a time hit home.
This episode, featuring the Aberfan disaster, was my favourite: Jason Watkins (who'd lost a young daughter himself) clearly played-out the grief that engulfed the nation.
Thanks for sharing that about Jason. My family knows that loss too. My brother passed away at 34 a little over a year ago. He was healthy and it happened just like that.
My favorite part about this scene is how Wilson wanted to confirm that that the meetings are confidential, which he had not done in any other serious meeting with the Queen.
Setting aside the political consequences if his remarks got leaked, he is also exposing something very private here. Things he has likely never shared before and never will again.
I think the question was rhetorical. He's not seeking confirmation of the confidentiality, but rather signalling to the Queen that what he is about to say is personal, private, and sincere.
@@galadinwow And he also reiterated to her that what she shared with him was confidential and would never leave the room. Comforting her in her moment of vulnerability.
I guess it was more important for him to know that the people would never find out that he liked the finer things in life whilst championing for the common man.
Personally, I think she lost the will to go on when old Phil died. She REALLY went downhill after that. This is not uncommon with people who were married as long as they were and counted on each other for support most of their lives.
I was hoping Peter Morgan would delve into just how much these two liked one another. He invented some wonderful little things they bonded over in his play, "The Audience," like his little OCD tendencies which she could relate to.
Our queen, god rest her soul, met and talked with many PMs. I have no doubt at all that this is what may have taken place. Loved watching the crown. Gave me an insight into a world I will never experience. It made me feel like I was a witness to history. Two great actors here, bravo Crown.
Harold Wilson was a good Prime Minister. His greatest action was to continually refuse to send troops to Vietnam. President Johnson pleaded over and over again to Wilson for troops even offering to cancel the payments the UK were sending to pay off debts from WII.
@@hachwarwickshire292 Andrew Gilchrist's name was used to facilitate the deaths of over 3 million people. That's what most of the people here do not know
I took me a two weeks before I cried when my mother died. I went to full on crisis mode. When she died in the hospital and I had to arrange everything for her wake. Everything just became a checklist until the funeral. It didn't hit me that I lost my mother until days later.
I always knew this scene was a powerful one, but watching it here in isolation - just wow, bravo! Peter Morgan.... his words, just wow. Olivia Coleman, (my favorite actress though not my fav QEII) is just brilliant, so is the actor she's paired with here. I know the series wasn't factual but I sure do hope a conversation like this did in fact play out. What a powerful scene, powerful words shared between these two. Just brilliant.
Great scene, even if I simply cannot imagine Elizabeth holding a frank conversation about her lack of emotional responses with any PM, especially Wilson.
I’ll bet this was one of those scenes where they were broadcasting shipping forecasts into Olivia Coleman’s ear so she’d appear serious in the scene (she did say that was a thing they’d do so rather than listening to the other actors, she was paying attention to the shipping forecasts because she otherwise had trouble keeping a serious face)
I’m not sure this conversation ever happened but these conversations show the growth in the relationship between Wilson and the Queen. They grew to genuinely like one another. A little tear formed when he invited her and philip to dinner with his wife at the end of his premiership. They became friends.
"we barely need humanity", he said. what was left unspoken and hung in the air was, "of which you show no more than needed". it sounds like an indictment. but E2R did have humanity, the whole series shows us exactly that, her humanity beating there under the concrete outer lawyer of protocol, weighed down by the crown, yet still alive.
The Queen wanted to go to Aberfan straight away. She was asked to stay away as her visit would attract sightseers and even more journalists and photographers. It took quite a while to retrieve all the bodies and the rescuers didn't need crowds of gawkers. The Duke of Edinburgh was on an official visit in the area and wanted to join in the digging, but was asked not to for the same reason. This was the basis of a scene in the drama "To Play the King", sequel to the original British "House of Cards". Anyone who saw coverage of the 50th anniversary of the disaster will know of the close bond between the people of Aberfan and the Queen.
@@ClaudeS39 WRONG! She wanted to go but was advised not to, was persuaded that if she went she would be the centre of attention and her presence would hinder the recovery operation.
@@OnLifeandLove Well in its own words '... It is not a documentary, but based upon known facts and hypothetical discussions ...'. Draw your own conclusions.
Definitely an important scene. And it must be said, it's a reality about the requirements of the monarchy that Diana didn't quite grasp (as much as the whole world loved her). A ceremonial head of state (whether a constitutional monarch like in the UK or Denmark... or a ceremonial president like in Ireland or Germany) is not there to show human emotional connection, but to be a staid symbol of the nation. In a monarchy, the rest of the royal family is there purely to support the Crown, not to be their own voice bleating about their emotional responses to the world and to life (something Harry and Meghan don't quite grasp).
A lot of better people despised Princess Die-ana for her self-indulgence and mawkish simpiness, which was exactly the attraction for the worshipful failure classes. A lack of self-discipline and foresight is remarkably uniform amongst the lower orders throughout the animal kingdom.
Superb performances and great television indeed.😊❤ First 4 seasons are all good in my view, no matter if is a lot of fiction and writers' imagination in those dialogues.
A superb piece of acting made possible by a superb script. In this series the script was always superb, but this scene is a little out of the ordinary because of the guy playing Wilson.
Brits are really Great Artists... When I saw him as PM, I was like OMG it's Cabbage Patterson from Candleford! He did such a Fantastic Job as PM Wilson.. I loved all the scenes involving Queen n PM ❤
PM Wilson is often referred to as the queens second favorite PM behind only Churchill. They had by all accounts a very stable, respectful, honest, and thoroughly understanding relationship. This scene shows how good government can work when leaders can be respect of each other. It also shows the truth as to why Wilson was among her favorite PM. Colman is a legend without question and Watkins is impeccable.
I've read several books about Winston Churchill lately and was surprised to learn that Churchill was famous for his crying at the drop of a hat- especially in public. Even music could trigger it. Some people just cry easier than others- it doesn't mean anything at all. And The Crown is a great show- especially the first 2-4 seasons.
@@donaldcake1 Possibly, but I doubt it. He seemed to have been happiest when doing one of two things: painting and being in physical danger. The only thing that kept him from participating in the D Day invasion was an order from the King. He was just a person who would become emotional very easily and it often would bring him to tears. It happened to help him politically. Different time and place.
Once you get beyond the fact that this is pure fantasy, and is pretty much a parallel universe version of events where people simply discuss historical narratives, it really gets quite entertaining.
Jason Watkins, brilliant as Wilson. I spent some time in England as a child at my grandparents home and remember seeing him speak on television a few times...I grew up mostly in the United States, but the way he is portrayed here is exactly how I remember him
The actor who portrayed Harold Wilson never seemed to have gotten the credit he deserved. Each scene that he has been in is a great performance.
I don't think so. This is not Harold Wilson I knew! Harold Wilson was a don at Oxford. I doubt he would behave as timid as that
I was thinking the same thing. Natural yet idiosyncratic. Brilliant.
Ya id always look forward for their audience. Their relationship is so interesting and real. ❤
Jason Watkins was the highlight of the season along with Josh O’Connor. At the end of the season when the Queen tells him she’s coming to dinner, his wonder at being selected for the same honor as Churchill is so touching.
Jason Watkins is a very well respected actor. I think he got his due.
“We can’t be everything to everyone and still be true to ourselves.”
Hits different.
A lot of vloggers and streamers need to remember that
All of Humanity needs to remember that!
You cannot be everything to everyone otherwise you will be nothing to no-one.
I was in politics here in the United States for over 20 years. What Wilson said is true. All of the people can never be pleased or appeased. One makes decisions on what would be best for most or would do the greatest good for the area that you represent as a whole.
@@retroguy9494 You dont appease people... thats liberalism... Do whats right.. people will be pleased... the very foundation of government and the banking system ...and tax system is corrupt...and creates debt .. no matter how much the people work, greed created this... If you were in politics for 20 years... then you are part of the problem. If you had a brain in your head ... well you dont... a politician doesnt have answers... you make laws because you have no answers ... and cant solve anything because you dont have the mental capability to do so.
Science... engineers... technicians make solutions to problems. You dont.. thats why this system wont work. and is doomed to fail and soon... debt will kill everything. Think on that !
One of the best scenes in the entire series. The actor who played Wilson was phenomenal and criminally underpraised.
Indeed.
@@johnschuh8616 The brilliant Jason Watkins.
Ironically, far better known for his exquisite comedy roles!
He'll always be Herrick from 'Being Human' to me :)
Indeed, an astonishing performance.
"Our job is to calm more crises than we create" It's a pity that more politicians don't understand this.
Agreed.
oh no they do understand it perfectly well. the point is that there are so many variables to consider and so many things can go wrong. and besides, those who are incapable of ruling usually are not there thanks to their skills, they're puppets for the real politicians, moving threads from out back.
Those who don't understand this are the common variety of politicians. Those who understand are what we call statesmen.
A greater pity is the population do not understand it
it's deliberate. if there was no crisis going on (fabricated or natural), people would have too much time to think for themselves.
His 'Wilson voice' is spot on, even down to the way the PM pronounced certain letters in words. Must have taken a lot of hard work to get it so right.
Assuring someone that they are not nearly as weird or awful as they have always thought they were, is about as kind a thing that one can do.
Yes and also helps to keep your head and your job intact I suppose. Who cares if it's all a lie anyway, there is NO NEED FOR HUMANITY AT ALL AS THE MAN SAID! 🙄 All we have are droids 👑 🤖 👑 doing droid things without any care in the world for humanity now.
The actor as PM actually did a great job in portraying an experienced, cool headed, learned yet openhearted diplomat . He took time to choose his words carefully to not contradict with the queen. When the queen is actually sharing her shortcomings, agreeing with her or even staying silent in response would invite queen's wrath. Especially when she is angry with her own self.
@@facta-non-verbathank you
The Queen and Harold Wilson got on very well.
@@kevinallen9414He was her favourite
@@falconeshield Churchill was her favourite
Agreed. It’s as if the director told him to act as if his neck is on the line. It’s much more subtle of course. Obviously this queen would and could never do that but I imagine in the Victorian era and prior, servants of the monarch had to be careful with their language as to not offend the frustrated monarch any further. What’s interesting here is the queen is having a rather human moment despite herself not feeling human and the PM is both telling there is nothing wrong with her and that her lack of emotion is exactly what is needed when being queen. Despite his criticism towards the monarchy, he understands the importance in having a head of state that is not frustrated with trivial matters like these.
Love the sound engineering. That ticking clock is sublime.
We had a brass-faced 8 day clock
in our front hall,
and it's tick-tock
was so restful and constant.
/
@@zen4men We have one over the fireplace in the living room. It chimes and everything. It's been there so long that I don't even notice it anymore. However, it's been known to make people who have been in the house for various reasons jump when it chimes! 😂
@@retroguy9494
Nothing like a chime!
Old clocks are human,
human-scale.
New clocks are mass-output factories -
humanless.
/
@@zen4men I agree with you! 👍
@@retroguy9494
We face a growing tyranny.
One that most
do not know how to face.
And systems
going all-out to destroy our way of life,
and deliver us into bondage.
/
I love this scene so much. What Harold said about leaders is so profound. Doesn’t matter if these conversations never took place.
Ha ha ha ha
At one stage in his first term as PM Wilson's whole cabinet appear to be leaking against him. He coined two phrases - a week is a long time in politics. He also stated that the only conversation he knew would never be leaked was the one he had each week with the Queen.
Which they most certainly did not 😅
Well then, the screenwriters did a good job
Why doesn't it matter?
one of the best scenes from this whole series
This was by far her most important PM. They learned so much together.
We will never know because the monarch's views are never publicly reported merely speculated. Although I do believe the speculation that the Queen and Thatcher didn't get along
In the series this is the first PM who spoke to her as an equal. He was blunt but took care to choose his words when the situation called for it, he didn't put on any airs, he didn't patronize her. I think she appreciated it. Despite them being polar opposites politically.
I think she developed compassion through him as well--her growing frustrations with Margaret Thatcher's whole "pull themselves up by the bootstraps" Social Darwinist attitude towards the disadvantaged, working class public, really got to her.
Wilson was a complete disaster.
harold wilson and winston churchill were the queens favorite prime ministers. that’s a fact
This dude destryed Britain...
When we meet people like this in our lives, those who we may not agree with entirely, but appreciate for their honest, unbiased opinion - you must respect them. I can see why the Queen liked PM Wilson so much
I've been waiting for ages for this conversation to be uploaded.
Someone famously said "I can't figure Harold Wilson out" and the other guy said to him "that's because there isn't anything to figure out, what you see is who he is nothing more nothing less"
Why your words sounded soo british to me
@@scharnhorstkaisarbeethoven because I am soo british lol
@@branflakes12341 🤣🤣🤣
In US, we say - there is no there, there.
She had such patience and was such a phenomenal source of institutional wisdom. To advise, caution, admonish and inquire.
You are my PM, but I have had 179 starting at the top of the deck, Churchill.
What do you plan, how will it help?
Have you seen when X,Y,Z did it and their results?
You should speak to B, he can help you.
@@michaelplunkett8059 The problem is, this kind of authenticity is the exact opposite of "there's no there there." The latter is the sign of someone who simply is carried away by the tide of events, their own feelings, or desires. The remark about Wilson - "what you see is who he is " - is about someone who possesses bone-deep integrity that doesn't pose for his own purposes. Even when Wilson is describing how he tries to fit in - he's doing that as part of the burden of leadership, not b/c he wants to lie, but b/c he is trying not to offend. Giving up your own preferences the better to serve - to have the opportunity to serve - is a million miles away from manipulation.
They are both so great. This whole series is like a masterclass of acting but I think the scenes with the Queen and Wilson might be the best.
Both liers though, typical politician and royal
@@gailhancocks5207 These are only actors mate, Hence why he's complimenting the acting.
Bloody hell!! Now that is acting. It's the silences as much as the dialog. Time to take in the facial expressions and for the viewer to consider the words.
Lovely to watch.
"We barely need humanity." Damn that's cold, and immensely telling. 🫥
Jason Watkins played Wilson perfectly; he brougt so much character and presence to the role. And a pretty accurate portrayal as well.
When my Father died. I sorted all the proceedings, the house, car, goods selling, etc. 6 months later once it was all done. I left his house, to an unwelcome callout at work, and cried all the way. Theres a time and place for emotion.
She guarded her emotions after seeing her loony Uncle run amuck.
She was trained by her granny - Queen Mary.
Eileen Atkins gave great inside into that role. Fiancé died, husband dead, buried her children, endured a World War and the global depression.
Mary knew how varied and hard the Queen would face and trained her well. To be resolute and enduring for the nation and still cope with the changing demands of history.
@@michaelplunkett8059 I agree and Queen Mary was one tough lady just imagine what she lived through in her life time, she was around for Queen Victoria's reign, then Edward VII, her husband George V then her son and granddaughter, WWI & II, the depression, losing her children, husband and finance as you said, she also saw three old monarchies deposed and managed to help prevent the same in Britain her and George V worked hard to win the people and visited everyone and anyone. I bet she was a minefield of wisdom when Elizabeth II ascended the throne and like you pointed out she did her bit to prepare her Queen Mary was all about duty
Very true but "time and place" is relative to the individual.
I wonder. I've lost pretty much my entire family including the 2 people I loved most in the world and who were the only two people who ever loved me unconditionally. I couldn't cry then, or for any of them. And it's been 25 years or more. However, I still grieve for them daily. It's as if a big piece of me went with them. I heard it said that tears are a way of melting a heart that is frozen in grief. Perhaps it is that my grief is just too much.
@@retroguy9494My beloved father died in 1999, I have never grieved for him dying, I grieved for nearly two years watching and waiting for him to die,and it was such a relief to see him pain free.
He is always in my thoughts and I can have a chat with him when times are tough.
He has three daughters, two of us laugh and talk about him frequently and the third can barely mention his name without crying.
After 55 years of nursing I advise never to judge how people react to death, the people you think/expect to be strong can crumble and the fragile stand tall.
Death is inevitable but until the moment arrives no one knows how they will react.
As I understand it, Wilson was the only Prime Minister she actually liked. They socialised outside of their professional relationship
Ha ha ha ha
Also John major
She adored Churchill, She liked Wilson, was fond of Callaghan and fought and respected Thatcher. She was close to Major and found him loyal to her.
@@patsimpson7834 ha ha ha what?
@@johnmh1000 I don't always produce words when I laugh but if you insist I had a mental picture of them down the pub.
This is one of my favorite moments from The Crown. The Wilson character, with blunt eloquence, reminds QE II of just who she is and what her position requires. I sensed a quiet respect, almost a slight affection, between the two characters in the writing and in the actor's exceptional performances. All history should be this humane and compelling.
I really like this scene. He makes great points.
She truly is a magnificent actor, just facial expressions to make a scene, at that she is almost peerless
no. this is not Harold Wilson I knew!
@@tomwang3510 "she" refers to Olivia Colman
@@TheFlowerofSpades I know, she is also not the Queen I knew.
@@tomwang3510 Oh my apology, I don’t know you knew Her Majesty personally
She was told not to? She’s the sovereign.
“I must? Your must or my must? I tell! I’m not told. I’m the Verb, not the Subject!” - George III
This was really Olivia Colman's greatest scene in this series, and I'm sorry she did not get the Emmy for this episode (though she did the next season). Her visible suffering both when she opens up to Wilson about her inadequacies and then when he gives her advice is so real.
She’s overrated and not pleasing on the eye
ironically, the best moments of his tenure as queen in the show are in season 3 where the fans are so divided in the change in cast.
Award shows aren't important and there were better actors at that year
It’s said of jazz that the most important notes are the ones you DON’T play. In the same way, sometimes in acting the most important things are the things you DON’T say, or show. This scene is a masterclass in understatement. The Queen’s anger at the perceived betrayal, Wilson’s embarrassment at his colleagues’ excesses, and later his shame at being what we would call being a “phony”. And at the end, his paternal wisdom and her gratitude for his empathy. Every second is perfect.
I actually met and chatted to Harold Wilson outside his house in the early 1980s. He was a nice, well-spoken and sensitive man.
'They got nothing. I dabbed a bone-dry eye and, by some miracle, no one noticed'. 😅😅😅
They were probably too wrapped up in themselves to notice the Queen bone dry eyes!
Both actors were phenomenal. Bravo!
She first tore into him with words as sharp as claws... but ended up getting advice and reassurance in exchange.
It is an open secret that she grew to like Wilson, her first labour pm, and they to an extent became friends on a private level. She found out that he was loyal to her, despite many people wanting him not to be - and he learned her a lot about the everyday-life for people outside of the upper class circles..
the power of reflection and pausing in conversations is powerful.
I’ve always gotten the impression that there was a uniqueness to each relationship she had with each Prime Minister. With Churchhill it was a father figure. With Mrs. Thatcher it was Something of an adversary. With Mr. Major It was a friend who provided consistency at an inconsistent time.But with Mr. Winslow I think it’s something particularly extraordinary. With him I think it was a A confidant. Somebody who was able to empathize with her burdens in a way the others hadn’t, and I think that’s probably why they’re working relationship was so harmonious. He had a unique insight as to what it was like to separate duty from feeling and how lonely it could be at times. It was probably nice do I have a Head of government with whom she could be so candid in that regard.
The predecessor of Willson, who was merely mention in The Crown was actually a friend of the Royal Family before he became a PM. Regarding Thatcher I think their relationship was like the one she has with her sister Margaret, both were females (so no chilvary here unlike the rest of PM) and had the same age, so they eventually will collide when they disagree, but somehow they deeply respect each other.
There is a later episode of the series in which Prince Charles is having a conversation with Tony Blair around the time that Blair became Prime Minister in the 1990s. The Prince described the relationship between the Queen and successive PMs as follows. Winston Churchill was like a grandfather to her. Anthony Eden and Harold Macmilllan were like father figures. Harold Wilson and Edward Heath were like brothers. Margaret Thatcher could have been her twin sister. And finally, Tony Blair would be like a son to her. Indeed, part of the reason that Prince Charles and Tony Blair had such a good rapport with each other is that they were of the same generation.
The damn clock ticking in the background creates the perfect amount of tension necessary in this scene. Magnificent film making.
He got Harold Wilsons voice dead on
In a slightly different key, but yes. Regarding the pipe-cigar incident, John Kennedy liked cigars but he was, to be best of my knowledge never photographed smoking one. Did not fit the image. Remember the portrait with Kennedy posed with a cigar in his mouth, looking all the world like someone from Boston Irish politics. It projected all the qualities that made him successful. But the look was too close to that of his maternal grandfather. Too much like an Irish Catholic with all his vices and virtues. Jackie was pushing the patrician look. One thing I liked about Bobby. He was a mug and he looked it.
No dramatic music just two great actors in this powerful scene.
The Crown is a great show.
Scene perfection. A head who knew her population well, both at home and abroad. Calm more crises than, we create. Brilliant.
It is great that the crown gives Harold wilson the credit he deserves
Only a liberal writer would give a liberal PM faux credit. He almost destroyed the country.
I saw her eyes "well up" just after her sister died, and a worker/resident at a group home asked her how she was doing. it caught her off guard, and must have been hard to take when a strangers genuine care for her at such a time hit home.
Brilliant perfirmance by both!!👏👏👏
This scene is by far and away the best in The Crown and I'd argue one of the best scenes in any Netfix original show.
I've watched just this scene probably 5 or 6 times now, if for no other reason, because of the superb acting of both actors. Bravo.
He's absolutely spot on. Everything he said was true. Great advice
Deep words. The Queen, as a symbol, was a visible... constant in the people's eyes. An anchor, a guardian of normality.
This episode, featuring the Aberfan disaster, was my favourite: Jason Watkins (who'd lost a young daughter himself) clearly played-out the grief that engulfed the nation.
Thanks for sharing that about Jason. My family knows that loss too. My brother passed away at 34 a little over a year ago. He was healthy and it happened just like that.
My favorite part about this scene is how Wilson wanted to confirm that that the meetings are confidential, which he had not done in any other serious meeting with the Queen.
Setting aside the political consequences if his remarks got leaked, he is also exposing something very private here. Things he has likely never shared before and never will again.
I think the question was rhetorical. He's not seeking confirmation of the confidentiality, but rather signalling to the Queen that what he is about to say is personal, private, and sincere.
@@galadinwow And he also reiterated to her that what she shared with him was confidential and would never leave the room. Comforting her in her moment of vulnerability.
🎉❤❤@@ajvanmarle😂😂😂😂😂😂
I guess it was more important for him to know that the people would never find out that he liked the finer things in life whilst championing for the common man.
She is one formidable actor.
This scene, is pure class..
PS. While other actresses played the late ER II with aplomb, Clair Foye's return to kerp the role, I feel, has somehow improved the show.
There were teary eyes during GSTQ at the Jubilee. her last appearance near enough in public. I saw that as a thank you I can go now.
Personally, I think she lost the will to go on when old Phil died. She REALLY went downhill after that. This is not uncommon with people who were married as long as they were and counted on each other for support most of their lives.
At most occasions the Crown makes you feel that you are a single person peaking into reality not as an observer but a part of the play
That was absolutely and profoundly wonderful and wonderfully done!
I was hoping Peter Morgan would delve into just how much these two liked one another. He invented some wonderful little things they bonded over in his play, "The Audience," like his little OCD tendencies which she could relate to.
You can have sentiments or feelibgs without being overwhelmed by emotions.
A joy to watch these actors are work.
Our queen, god rest her soul, met and talked with many PMs. I have no doubt at all that this is what may have taken place. Loved watching the crown. Gave me an insight into a world I will never experience. It made me feel like I was a witness to history. Two great actors here, bravo Crown.
Harold Wilson was a good Prime Minister. His greatest action was to continually refuse to send troops to Vietnam. President Johnson pleaded over and over again to Wilson for troops even offering to cancel the payments the UK were sending to pay off debts from WII.
We were fighting two or three other wars at the time. Oman, Indonesia ect. Most were successful.
@@hachwarwickshire292 Andrew Gilchrist's name was used to facilitate the deaths of over 3 million people. That's what most of the people here do not know
"Uncle" Harold passing on some personal advice - great performances from both actors.
this is such a touching exchange
The actor playing wilson does an amazing job in this series.
Jason Watkins is a phenomenal actor, alongside our brilliant Olivia Coleman they made brilliant TV
A master class in acting. Jason Watkins was superb. Their scenes together were a delight.
Watch the British TV series McDonald and Dodds
That was epic! I think i am going to watch the whole series now.
He was right. No one wants a leader bawling their eyes out. They want a strong figure they can look up to when they feel weak.
I took me a two weeks before I cried when my mother died. I went to full on crisis mode. When she died in the hospital and I had to arrange everything for her wake. Everything just became a checklist until the funeral. It didn't hit me that I lost my mother until days later.
I always knew this scene was a powerful one, but watching it here in isolation - just wow, bravo! Peter Morgan.... his words, just wow. Olivia Coleman, (my favorite actress though not my fav QEII) is just brilliant, so is the actor she's paired with here. I know the series wasn't factual but I sure do hope a conversation like this did in fact play out. What a powerful scene, powerful words shared between these two. Just brilliant.
Great scene, even if I simply cannot imagine Elizabeth holding a frank conversation about her lack of emotional responses with any PM, especially Wilson.
I’ll bet this was one of those scenes where they were broadcasting shipping forecasts into Olivia Coleman’s ear so she’d appear serious in the scene (she did say that was a thing they’d do so rather than listening to the other actors, she was paying attention to the shipping forecasts because she otherwise had trouble keeping a serious face)
One of rare moment, the Queen didn't use the "goodbye bell" when the meeting is over.
Wasn't an official audience so no bell , just the Queen asking advice from her P.M.
There is a bell she rang when she wanted a meeting to be over?
@@retroguy9494 yes.
@@zinussan50 Wow I just learned something! Thanks!
@@retroguy9494 if you follow the series, from season 1 until 5, most every single meeting, the queen rang the bell when it's ended.
This scene alone is better than the entirety of Season 5
Why?
Completely agree. Imelda Staunton was totally wrong for The Queen - and no actor in the world could ever make John Major interesting.
Exactly
True
The silences are powerful and eloquent.
my favorite scene of the whole series so much insight into leadership.
I’m not sure this conversation ever happened but these conversations show the growth in the relationship between Wilson and the Queen. They grew to genuinely like one another. A little tear formed when he invited her and philip to dinner with his wife at the end of his premiership. They became friends.
Not everyone is a crier. Doesn't mean we don't feel. Some of us like to stay in control.
"we barely need humanity", he said. what was left unspoken and hung in the air was, "of which you show no more than needed". it sounds like an indictment. but E2R did have humanity, the whole series shows us exactly that, her humanity beating there under the concrete outer lawyer of protocol, weighed down by the crown, yet still alive.
This is one of my most favorite scenes from The Crown. Brilliantly acted.
They cast superb actresses for Queen!
Excellent series. Every school should have it as part of the curriculum.
The absence of background noice enhances this scene so much
The Queen wanted to go to Aberfan straight away. She was asked to stay away as her visit would attract sightseers and even more journalists and photographers. It took quite a while to retrieve all the bodies and the rescuers didn't need crowds of gawkers.
The Duke of Edinburgh was on an official visit in the area and wanted to join in the digging, but was asked not to for the same reason. This was the basis of a scene in the drama "To Play the King", sequel to the original British "House of Cards".
Anyone who saw coverage of the 50th anniversary of the disaster will know of the close bond between the people of Aberfan and the Queen.
She visited Aberfan several times very very quietly and the media only found out when she was there
She actually didn’t want to go. She was told to go.
@@ClaudeS39 WRONG! She wanted to go but was advised not to, was persuaded that if she went she would be the centre of attention and her presence would hinder the recovery operation.
so the show twisted the facts again🤣
@@OnLifeandLove Well in its own words '... It is not a documentary, but based upon known facts and hypothetical discussions ...'. Draw your own conclusions.
Definitely an important scene. And it must be said, it's a reality about the requirements of the monarchy that Diana didn't quite grasp (as much as the whole world loved her). A ceremonial head of state (whether a constitutional monarch like in the UK or Denmark... or a ceremonial president like in Ireland or Germany) is not there to show human emotional connection, but to be a staid symbol of the nation. In a monarchy, the rest of the royal family is there purely to support the Crown, not to be their own voice bleating about their emotional responses to the world and to life (something Harry and Meghan don't quite grasp).
A lot of better people despised Princess Die-ana for her self-indulgence and mawkish simpiness, which was exactly the attraction for the worshipful failure classes. A lack of self-discipline and foresight is remarkably uniform amongst the lower orders throughout the animal kingdom.
Superb performances and great television indeed.😊❤ First 4 seasons are all good in my view, no matter if is a lot of fiction and writers' imagination in those dialogues.
These two were extraordinary.
A superb piece of acting made possible by a superb script. In this series the script was always superb, but this scene is a little out of the ordinary because of the guy playing Wilson.
Best scene in The Crown IMO.
This is one of my favourite Harold Wilson scenes
Brits are really Great Artists... When I saw him as PM, I was like OMG it's Cabbage Patterson from Candleford! He did such a Fantastic Job as PM Wilson.. I loved all the scenes involving Queen n PM ❤
Sometimes, you can be taught to be so stoic that you find it hard to be anything else.
I love the clock ticking in the background
"Noone needs hysteria from a head of state"
Cuts to king charles losing it over a pen.
No one needs hysteria till they lose the head of state and then become the head of state
Love this scene!
He basically told the queen to give ‘em the ole razzle dazzle, razzle dazzle em.
Whether or not this interaction ever took place, I find it quaint that the Queen still believed that honesty counts for anything…
Olivia the great. That's what I call her. ❤❤❤I love the way she acts with so much humor
Jason Watkins is the actor who plays Harold Wilson and was born on October 28, 1966 that was a week after the Aberfan disaster.
Absence of emotions keeps coolness of head and self-control. For a leader, this is crucial. Emotions can be showed later.
I disagree. Exterior emotion can be hidden but the worst leader cuts themselves off from any internal feeling
She was my favorite as the queen. Like her alot.
PM Wilson is often referred to as the queens second favorite PM behind only Churchill. They had by all accounts a very stable, respectful, honest, and thoroughly understanding relationship. This scene shows how good government can work when leaders can be respect of each other. It also shows the truth as to why Wilson was among her favorite PM. Colman is a legend without question and Watkins is impeccable.
I've read several books about Winston Churchill lately and was surprised to learn that Churchill was famous for his crying at the drop of a hat- especially in public. Even music could trigger it. Some people just cry easier than others- it doesn't mean anything at all. And The Crown is a great show- especially the first 2-4 seasons.
dependng on where his military service was, and when that happened could be ptsd
@@donaldcake1 Possibly, but I doubt it. He seemed to have been happiest when doing one of two things: painting and being in physical danger. The only thing that kept him from participating in the D Day invasion was an order from the King. He was just a person who would become emotional very easily and it often would bring him to tears. It happened to help him politically. Different time and place.
Possibly because he was drunk.
@@billcook4768 According to those nearest him Churchill was drunk exactly once during WW Two.
Once you get beyond the fact that this is pure fantasy, and is pretty much a parallel universe version of events where people simply discuss historical narratives, it really gets quite entertaining.
Fine acting
0:47 Harold Wilson looked like he was a boy about to cry after being scolded so hard by his mommy. LOL
She was the rock the nation needed in the changing times of the 20th century
Jason Watkins, brilliant as Wilson. I spent some time in England as a child at my grandparents home and remember seeing him speak on television a few times...I grew up mostly in the United States, but the way he is portrayed here is exactly how I remember him