Ep 5. Fagan

In The Crown season 4 episode 5, titled "Fagan," the series explores the story of Michael Fagan, the man who broke into Buckingham Palace and entered the Queen's bedroom in 1982.

The episode begins with Fagan, played by Tom Brooke, struggling with mental health issues and feeling lost in his life. He lives in a state of poverty and his situation is not helped by the political climate of the time in the UK, with high unemployment and social upheaval. Fagan is depicted as someone who has fallen through the cracks of society and is struggling to make sense of his own existence.

The narrative then shifts to the Royal Family, with the Queen, played by Olivia Colman, preparing for her upcoming visit to Australia. She is grappling with the pressures of royal life and feeling distant from her children, who are growing up and becoming more independent. This sets the stage for the intrusion that Fagan will make into her life.

The balance of power between the monarchy and the people is also a key theme in this episode. The episode explores how Fagan's actions were a symbolic gesture of defiance against the establishment and the power structures that maintain social inequality. The Queen and her advisors are shown to be out of touch and lacking in empathy for the struggles of the working-class people in the UK. The show uses this event to critique the royal family's perceived attitude of superiority towards the rest of the population.

As the episode progresses, we see Fagan's descent into mental instability and desperation. We are given insights into his past and how his life led him to this moment. The show also attempts to humanize this troubled individual, showing the audience a man who is ultimately a victim of societal and political forces beyond his control.

The tension builds as Fagan makes his way to Buckingham Palace and eventually enters the Queen's bedroom. The episode handles this scene with great care, showing the terror and confusion experienced by both Fagan and the Queen. The event has far-reaching consequences and brings attention to the inadequacies of palace security.

The fallout from Fagan's break-in is also explored, with the episode going into detail about the reaction of the public and the media. The Queen herself is shown to be deeply affected by the event and questions her own ability to lead and protect her people.

Overall, "Fagan" is a thoughtful episode that delves into themes of power, inequality, and mental health. The show does an excellent job exploring the perspectives of both Fagan and the Queen, and the consequences of their interaction. The episode serves as a reminder of the ever-present tension between monarchs and their subjects, and how the actions of one person can impact an entire nation.