Razzberry

Elizabeth appears to have slept throughout the delivery of Andrew. I don't think this is possible, but could explain why he's her favorite. Loved the conga line, and Tommy and Michael dishing the dirt on Anthony.

I'll definitely check those out, thanks. She's very impressive, natural and unselfconscious.

I've just started this and it has my attention, though I'm confused as to why this is season 2 already? Creepy kids with creepy dolls and a haunted mansion! The lead actress is new to me and she's especially good, imo. I knew this when she fell asleep in the car with her mouth agape. Most actors are too vain - you'll never see Meryl Streep like this.

The rat in this episode (other than Charles) reminded me of the ones in the very first episode of season 1, in the kitchen of Buckingham Palace I believe.

The 2020 season as a whole has been disappointing and largely forgettable for me. This could be because I still remember the tsunami of media coverage surrounding Diana even here in the States, and the more current the show gets the less I'm interested. From rewatching the older episodes which are quite cinematic It seems there have been budget cuts, the long lag-time is an issue, and the automatic cast changes are off-putting, but I'll see y'all back here for season 5.

I've been rewatching some episodes and this is still one of my favorites. It has it all - a dog's birthday party, Tommy and his toy soldiers, Billy Graham, Nazis, a drunk and horny Philip, and best of all David getting buzzed out. I want a buzzer too.

I don't think they like assassination attempts, it interrupts the flow of the personal drama fairy-tales. Or perhaps since it was the bloody IRA again, they figured Mountbatten was enough realism for the season. I was listening to a podcast with the male writers of the Fagan fantasy - Peter Morgan, Jonathan Wilson, and director Paul Whittington. Since Fagan has changed his story several times they invented his motives out of whole cloth and were slavering over how brilliant they are. One of them actually said "And there's something nice about these two people who feel a bit alone and they're coming together." Maybe my strong urge to vomit was due to cultural differences. In the States a home invader's intentions have become so clear that one is legally justified in killing them by the so-called "Castle Laws". In Britain even a real castle has no such protection - the only thing they could charge him with was drinking some wine. Moreover, breaking into a famous person's home without robbery as a motive is almost always by a stalker driven by desire for fame-by-proxy. Queen Victoria had a long list of would-be assassins that would fit the bill. These are typically losers with entitlement and mental issues, but they want us to believe in Britain they're considered 'normal'? Really, gentlemen? I only hope that if British women are confronted some night by a demented angry man they'll remember that according to Peter Morgan he probably just wants to chat, rummage through your things, and needs a sympathetic ear for his man-pain. Heck, she's probably a bit lonely as well and would appreciate the company! Serve tea. It's almost heartwarming.

Self-deprecating humor is something Charles should practice. It's always endearing and really a sign of self-confidence. Of course for someone like JFK who had enormous charisma and was wildly popular in his own right it's easier, but anyone can benefit from it, especially when they don't have much else going for them. I don't know if the RF allows for it, but they should.

Perhaps her health scare provoked a paranoia of being shut away out of sight - otherwise comparing her life of glamour and privilege to that of the presumed dead relatives seems a bridge too far even for the self-absorbed Margaret.

The actual facility didn't seem that bad to me, other than the co-ed sleeping arrangements which was ridiculous. They appeared to be well cared for, but no one visiting them for years was sad. I didn't buy Margaret's sudden concern for a minute.

Aah. Perhaps this explains the Thatcher-heavy season. Every scene seemed to go on twice as long as necessary by her slooooow manner of speaking. Every bow was agonizing - I worried that she couldn't get up.

To be honest I prefer the sordid ones ;), so I transcribed part of their convo for anyone who may not be able to access YouTube for some reason. Camilla: Mmmm, you're awfully good feeling your way along. Charles: Oh stop! I want to feel my way along you, all over you, and up and down you, and in and out... Camilla: Oh! Charles: Particularly in and out. Camilla: Oh, that's just what I need at the moment. Charles: Is it? Camilla: I know it would revive me. I can't bear a Sunday night without you. Charles: Oh God. Camilla: It's like that program 'Start The Week'. I can't start the week without you. Charles: I fill up your tank! Camilla: Yes, you do! Charles: Then you can cope. Camilla: Then I'm alright. Charles: What about me? I need you several times a week! Camilla: Mmm, so do I. I need you all the week, all the time. Charles: Oh God. I'll just live inside your trousers, it would be much easier. Camilla: What are you going to turn into, a pair of knickers? (laughs) Charles: Or God forbid, a Tampax. Just my luck! (both laugh) Camilla: Oh, what a wonderful idea! Charles: With my luck, I'd be chucked down the lavatory and go on and on, swirling round the top, never going down. Camilla: (laughing) Oh darling! Until the next one comes through.. or perhaps you could come back as a box! Charles: What sort of box? Camilla: A box of Tampax, you could just keep going. Charles: That's true. Camilla: Repeating yourself. Oh darling, I just want you now. Charles: You do? Camilla: Mmmm, desperately, desperately. Then it just goes on and on and on...

Sorry, that's a US expression used for secret recordings ever since the Watergate scandal back when Nixon was president. I'm assuming you've heard Charles and Camilla's bugged phone sex call where he expressed his desire to be her tampon? Unfortunately you can't unhear it, though I'm sure the RF wishes it would just go away.

I'll be very disappointed if Tampongate is swept under the royal rug.

Murphy's hubris in co-opting a beloved classic like Cuckoo's Nest by calling it a "prequel" is mind boggling. Since other than the name "Ratched" there's no similarity he should have made it a prequel to his own work, Asylum, which was likely inspired by Kesey. That said, I'm enjoying it so far on its own merits. The budget, the California scenery and interior shots are all top notch, but agree with many others that Murphy needs to branch out of his comfort zone.

This was probably due to Mounbatten's influence, filling Charles' head with his own ideas of marriage and what a young girl should be willing to tolerate. It's interesting that the show is criticized for undoing the acceptance of Camilla when it seems they've tried to do the opposite. She comes across as likable, level headed, and a better fit. Even the actress' hair and facial features are much softer and arguably more pleasing than the real Camilla's, though I've heard it said she's adored by their set - everyone wants to sit by her because she's actually funny and interesting. This didn't really answer his question, but he seemed satisfied.

I'm not a fan of disclaimers and doubt they would make a difference, but Netflix knows all too well how easy it is to influence people. Even their so-called documentaries should probably carry a disclaimer. It's interesting that they twice put up "warnings" about seeing an actress cough into a toilet. "Television is altering the meaning of 'being informed' by creating a species of information that might properly be called disinformation. Disinformation does not mean false information. It means misleading information - misplaced, irrelevant, fragmented or superficial information - information that creates the illusion of knowing something, but which in fact leads one away from knowing. TV serves us most usefully when presenting junk-entertainment; it serves us most ill when it co-opts serious modes of discourse - news, politics, science, education, commerce, religion." Neil Postman “Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business”

How long, Margaret, will you go on abusing our patience? We get it. I'm all choked up about your plight of being born rich, royal and beautiful. scarf, hat, and hoodie? Not anymore...😄 https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-monster-of-glamis-92015626/

I suspect it wasn't the first time Jonathan had to Spray n' Wash his laundry for various body fluids. He could always say it was a patient and Grace would have bought it.

I've heard those rumors as well but any evidence has probably been covered up. I did read a letter he wrote to his daughter that read more like a love letter to a paramour, which was pretty creepy. Apparently they had an open marriage and various lovers living all together like one big happy family

I actually felt a little sorry for Philip in this episode, for the way Dickie basically took his place with Charles. It's always easier to talk with someone who isn't so close or judgmental, but Dickie's views on marriage and women were unconventional and outdated at the same time.

Season 2 - You Should've Known It's Gonna Happen Jonathan's trial continues after a brief confinement in a mental facility where he charms everyone. The courtroom turns into a virtual muck-fest. Everybody gets thrown under the bus including the kids. After the acquittal Grace starts questioning her belief in his guilt, much to the disgust of her father who finally cuts her off and changes his will, leaving most of his estate to the art gallery and Henry. Ultimately the bench seat is named after him. Grace ends up homeless, forever wandering the streets with a shopping cart and wearing ratty-looking coats.

His stalking the ex-wife and belligerent behavior is all too common for abusers. He's all about power and control and it's disturbing that the show tries to make him some kind of folk hero whose behavior is really the result of the economy, when in fact these are entirely different issues.

Thank you! I thought maybe I was seeing things. WTF

It would perhaps be different if the activities were something the PM could enjoy, but mucking about stalking stags while her work piles up would be extremely stressful to a workaholic. They do have some things in common though.