Scientia Potentia Est
- Episode aired Nov 4, 2016
- TV-MA
- 58m
As the Soviets test the H-bomb, both Churchill and Eden have major health crises. Angry about her inadequate education, Elizabeth hires a tutor.As the Soviets test the H-bomb, both Churchill and Eden have major health crises. Angry about her inadequate education, Elizabeth hires a tutor.As the Soviets test the H-bomb, both Churchill and Eden have major health crises. Angry about her inadequate education, Elizabeth hires a tutor.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe phrase "scientia potentia est" is a Latin aphorism meaning "knowledge is power". It is commonly attributed to Sir Francis Bacon.
- GoofsThe opening scene states it is 1940 with a large number of bombers flying over Windsor Castle. They are, unmistakably, Lancasters but in actual fact the Lancaster was not introduced until 1942.
- Quotes
Queen Elizabeth II: Shall we make a start?
Winston Churchill: One item overshadows every other on the agenda this week, Ma'am. The Soviets and their H-bomb. We now have confirmation that they have been testing in the Kazakh Desert. It is vital that we act swiftly to secure peace and vital that we British spearhead the effort. I have always been the person everyone wants in a room with the Russians because Stalin would only talk to me. With him gone, there is a great danger that Eisenhower will take it upon himself to run the show.
Queen Elizabeth II: And that would be bad?
Winston Churchill: Oh, a disaster, Ma'am. For all the obvious reasons.
[coughs]
Queen Elizabeth II: Of course. Remind me. Of the obvious reasons.
Winston Churchill: Russia... is a great old empire which demands and deserves respect. Americans like to wave the big stick and speak with a loud voice. In the matter of world governance, they are not yet ready. They need an experienced and elder power to guide them, school them.
Queen Elizabeth II: Yes, we could all do with some school.
None of us can really know what Queen Elizabeth II was like or what she said in private meetings back then, but I gained a deep respect for her in this episode. Here she emerged from an insecure young lady and into the woman she is now known as: a very intelligent and reflected woman who commands respect.
The performances of Claire Foy and John Lithgow are very convincing and breathtaking, and the latter's even had me in tears in the end. I had no idea Lithgow could act like this. Tremendous performance.
And if I ever met Claire Foy and she asked me to do anything using the character she plays here I would not hesitate to say 'at once, your majesty'. Very convincing performance also from her.
But seriously, this episode was gripping from start to finish. Magnificent.
- Psilio
- Nov 18, 2016
Details
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- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime58 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.00 : 1