Smoke and Mirrors
- Episode aired Nov 4, 2016
- TV-MA
- 55m
Elizabeth rejects protocol by appointing Phillip to coordinate her coronation, but his ideas create conflict. The Duke of Windsor returns to London.Elizabeth rejects protocol by appointing Phillip to coordinate her coronation, but his ideas create conflict. The Duke of Windsor returns to London.Elizabeth rejects protocol by appointing Phillip to coordinate her coronation, but his ideas create conflict. The Duke of Windsor returns to London.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe Duke of Windsor's nasty comments about his family are profusely documented in his letters to Wallis Simpson, which have been researched by historians.
- GoofsDuring the coronation scene, the bishop pours oil out from a container onto a spoon even though there is already oil on the spoon. Also, when he makes the pouring motion, nothing comes out of the container.
- Quotes
Duke of Windsor: Oils and oaths. Orbs and sceptres. Symbol upon symbol. An unfathomable web of arcane mystery and liturgy, blurring so many lines no clergyman or historian or lawyer could ever untangle any of it.
Party Guest: It's crazy.
Duke of Windsor: On the contrary. It's perfectly sane. Who wants transparency when you can have magic? Who wants prose when you can have poetry? Pull away the veil and what are you left with? An ordinary young woman of modest ability and little imagination. But wrap her up like this, anoint her with oil, and hey, presto, what do you have? A goddess.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Ringer's 100 Best TV Episodes of the Century (2018)
And not to be forgotten is Alex Jennings's performance as the Duke of Windsor, whose abdication years earlier and "scandalous" marriage had led to his virtual banishment from the royal family. He adds unexpected depth to our perception of the ceremony.
"Smoke and Mirrors" might be seen as the first climactic episode of the series. While many great moments have preceded it, this one can stand alone as a fine achievement of writing, production and acting.
- mackjay2
- Jan 20, 2017
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Language
- Filming locations
- Ely Cathedral, Chapter House, The College, Ely, Cambridgeshire, England, UK(Palace of Westminster)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime55 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.00 : 1