Gillian Anderson's Thatcher might seem quite odd, slow and old in the beginning but the performance grows on you and in the end you she leaves you with a flabbergasting depth of emotion, offering a deeply humane portrayal of a really divisive character. Her moments with the Queen throughout the season were exquisite and written with wit, humor and authenticity that it makes you marvel at the writers. But kudos to Olivia Colman and Gillian Anderson too!
I have to point out the breath-taking cinematography, production values, score and costumes. A treat that you can literally devour. So finely and meticulously crafted with attention to great detail.
But....
This season, though very watchable and exceptional, is bogged down by the inconsistency in the writing of Diana and Charles's relationship. I do think the writers had a very difficult job and did their best to weave an intricate relationship but something was very off and soap-opera style histrionics couldn't save it either. Emma Corrin is absolutely astonishing as Diana, scintillating and regal, but weird in some scenes especially the engagement scene. Josh' O Connor wowed me in the finale. But again, the writing makes Charles seem so selfish and vain that it was quite jarring.
So, overall it is undoubtedly worth a watch but do keep in mind that its not a documentary to take everything at its face value!
28 Reviews
Fabulous season closer
allysonhathcock19 November 2020
First, the goodbye scene between the Queen and
Margaret Thatcher was so well acted. I found myself near tears. The respect both women grew to have fit one another was her won which made the award that much more poignant.
And I have grown to loathe Charles. I knew he was less than kind to Diana but I was getting so UPSET seeing his reaction to her performances she created just for the him, the taunting way he talked down to her, and how he browbeat her at every turn. No wonder Diana had an eating disorder!
The acting was top notch and the writing even better.
Another amazing season
tlarry-9688118 November 2020
We just finished Season 4 of "The Crown". Based on my research and knowledge of the Monarchy, a very accurate depiction of the Royal Family. Sadly, this accuracy paints many members in a very poor light. Charles, in particular, is an absolute cad. Although, with that in mind, children are a reflection of their parents and their upbringing. In this case, it speaks so very poorly of the Queen. However, it isn't all her fault, Charles has to own it as well. His treatment of Diana is absolutely awful. His insecurities with her popularity, along with his treatment of her is despicable. I actually hope he doesn't become King and passes the crown to Prince William. Camilla and Charles deserve one another- shallow, mean-spirited and arrogant humans.
Diana is such a tragic figure. Her death in 1997 is still such a sad event.
The acting by all was stellar. To speak only of one is to unintentionally slam another. They are all fantastic!
Can't wait for season 5 &6 !
Diana is such a tragic figure. Her death in 1997 is still such a sad event.
The acting by all was stellar. To speak only of one is to unintentionally slam another. They are all fantastic!
Can't wait for season 5 &6 !
A Haunting Depiction of Duty
rcuk-365106 April 2021
Without spoiling too much, this episode excellently portrays a haunting and depressing depiction of what it takes to serve. Gillian Anderson absolutely steals every scene she's in, whether silent or speaking. Anderson's portrayal of Margaret Thatcher is criminally under appreciated and should be seen as a crowning achievement of her career. Phenomenal acting and portrayal of the Iron Lady.
Strong season
Kingslaay26 November 2020
The Crown has come back with quite an eventful and gripping season. Diana has been an absolute standout, rarely have I seen someone so perfectly cast so round of applause for Emma Corrin who embodies Diana. Gillian Anderson was great as the Iron lady and Josh O'Connor really came into his own as Prince Charles. One really sees them as the historic figures they portray. This season was symbolic and had a number of themes coming through. It was about outsiders, it had echoes of a Greek tragedy for Maggie & Diana and some great historic events. Quite a nice touch to bring back the beloved Claire Foy for a little while too. Can't wait for the next season.
How could Charles ever be King after this?
phd_travel23 November 2020
A very dramatic conclusion to Season 4. Maggie is sacked and Charles and Diana fight. Charles comes across as selfish, jealous of her popularity and irrationally thinking only he can cheat but she can't. Their final fight in this episode shows him as a total monster. And Camilla how could she ever be Queen? Whether it happened that way or is just dramatic license, it is still devastating to watch. Even the Queen comes off as unhelpful and uncaring. This 4th season is better than the 3rd. It's mainly because of Gillian Anderson terrific as Maggie. And the total takedown of Charles and Camilla. They do deserve it.
Gillian is awesome
eric-shoe19 November 2020
That last shot from Diana... my god
luisfgoes20 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Great season... great final... and that last shot of Diana, with the flashes of camera on her face, crying... my God, I'm speechless. That's the way she died, that was the last thing she saw in her life: flashes of camera while she was dying. So sad... but necessary to know how things happened in royal family.
Best Season So Far
lucasgregorine17 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The last episode of the season is never the best one with this show (The 8 star is for the episode, the review is for the season), but the one that makes sense to review the 4th series in it's entirety, so...
The acting in this one is even better than all the others, and that was something very difficult to achieve. Gillian Anderson and Emma Corrin really delivered, not only by giving amazing and touching performances but also for elevating the performances of whoever they shared a scene with, Olivia Colman was at her best in the scenes with Anderson, and Josh O'Connor really had to step up his game in the neverending marriage arguments. The character that suffered the most with the new appearances was Margaret, but they still tried to secure her nominations with the Hereditary Principle, and I hope the plan works because Helena Boham Carter was superb in that one!
The standout episodes of this season for me were "Fagan" and "48:1", the former showed the unbelievable intrusion of the Buckingham Palace by a desperate citizen suffering with the unemployment crises brought by the reforms of the Thatcherism, and the latter focused on the conflict between The Queen's compassion and Thatcher's insensitivity towards the Commonwealth Sanctions (or should I say "signals") against Apartheid in South Africa. Both episodes were beautifully written and explored the most interesting history events in this season gap for me, even though we had the very entertaining Charles/Diana fiasco happening.
We were all disappointed about how little of the Wedding they showed, but with Peter Morgan every single shot is intentional, so I really thought it was interesting to focus on displaying how excited Diana was while Charles was completely heartbroken about the whole thing. Everyone's talking about how horrible Prince Charles was, but the marriage was cursed from the beginning, and I really believe that the Crown is the one to blame for everything that happened, but I would agree that Diana was the one that suffered the most with it. If only sexism wasn't a thing and Diana had a backstage soulmate also covered by the family...
In conclusion, I really loved this season and wish I didn't watched so fast. I was very skeptical about the Claire Foy-Olivia Colman switch, but after seasons 3 and 4 I could only be excited about Imelda Staunton's version of the Queen and specially about Elizabeth Debicki's Diana!!
The acting in this one is even better than all the others, and that was something very difficult to achieve. Gillian Anderson and Emma Corrin really delivered, not only by giving amazing and touching performances but also for elevating the performances of whoever they shared a scene with, Olivia Colman was at her best in the scenes with Anderson, and Josh O'Connor really had to step up his game in the neverending marriage arguments. The character that suffered the most with the new appearances was Margaret, but they still tried to secure her nominations with the Hereditary Principle, and I hope the plan works because Helena Boham Carter was superb in that one!
The standout episodes of this season for me were "Fagan" and "48:1", the former showed the unbelievable intrusion of the Buckingham Palace by a desperate citizen suffering with the unemployment crises brought by the reforms of the Thatcherism, and the latter focused on the conflict between The Queen's compassion and Thatcher's insensitivity towards the Commonwealth Sanctions (or should I say "signals") against Apartheid in South Africa. Both episodes were beautifully written and explored the most interesting history events in this season gap for me, even though we had the very entertaining Charles/Diana fiasco happening.
We were all disappointed about how little of the Wedding they showed, but with Peter Morgan every single shot is intentional, so I really thought it was interesting to focus on displaying how excited Diana was while Charles was completely heartbroken about the whole thing. Everyone's talking about how horrible Prince Charles was, but the marriage was cursed from the beginning, and I really believe that the Crown is the one to blame for everything that happened, but I would agree that Diana was the one that suffered the most with it. If only sexism wasn't a thing and Diana had a backstage soulmate also covered by the family...
In conclusion, I really loved this season and wish I didn't watched so fast. I was very skeptical about the Claire Foy-Olivia Colman switch, but after seasons 3 and 4 I could only be excited about Imelda Staunton's version of the Queen and specially about Elizabeth Debicki's Diana!!
A tragic war
TheLittleSongbird3 March 2024
'The Crown' "War" (2020)
Opening thoughts: Seasons 1 and 2 were quite excellent on the whole, with even the weakest episodes still being good. Season 3 started off rather slow and finished underwhelmingly, but it did have high points with "Aberfan" for example being one of the best episodes of 'The Crown' in my view. Still liked the show well enough to watch Season 4 and because Emma Corrin impressed me hugely as Diana (less so Gillian Anderson as Thatcher). Not to mention Josh O'Connor has been consistently excellent ever since he was introduced.
"War", the Season 4 finale, continues the character development of Charles and Diana and also their marriage. Regardless of whether it's true to the facts or not, which was never going to be an issue actually as somebody who always judges something on their own merits (always have and always will do), "War" is a wonderful episode on its own in pretty much almost every area and an ideal end for the season.. Season 4 started off a little uncertain, but did get better and better and this is an example of how much it grew in quality.
Bad things: There is not much wrong here actually, but to me occasionally the pace could have been a little tighter, as well as more intensity considering the subject.
Good things: Everything else was so good. Emma Corrin is an emotional powerhouse as Diana, very poignant performance. Josh O'Connor continues to shine as Charles, bringing out Charles' conflict of choosing royal duty or following his heart with a lot of nuance and in a way where his point of view is understood. Their chemistry is sheer magic and they succeed brilliantly at showing Diana and Charles as complicated, damaged people and that their marriage is likewise. Was not a fan mostly of Anderson's interpretation of Thatcher (too much of a caricature), but she gives by far her best performance here with it being the first time where Thatcher felt like a real person.
Furthermore, as ever the production values are superb. The production and costume design are both classy and sumptuous, but it's the photography that stands out in this regard. The music is not overbearing or low key. The scripting is thought provoking and intriguing, uncompromising yet sensitive in its handling of this subject without descending into melodrama.
Also doing well in showing more than one point of view and in a way where all are understandable. The story gripped me on the whole, and had a lot of poignancy and insight while not taking too much of one side.
Closing thoughts: Overall, wonderful final episode to a mostly pretty strong fourth season once it got going.
9/10.
Opening thoughts: Seasons 1 and 2 were quite excellent on the whole, with even the weakest episodes still being good. Season 3 started off rather slow and finished underwhelmingly, but it did have high points with "Aberfan" for example being one of the best episodes of 'The Crown' in my view. Still liked the show well enough to watch Season 4 and because Emma Corrin impressed me hugely as Diana (less so Gillian Anderson as Thatcher). Not to mention Josh O'Connor has been consistently excellent ever since he was introduced.
"War", the Season 4 finale, continues the character development of Charles and Diana and also their marriage. Regardless of whether it's true to the facts or not, which was never going to be an issue actually as somebody who always judges something on their own merits (always have and always will do), "War" is a wonderful episode on its own in pretty much almost every area and an ideal end for the season.. Season 4 started off a little uncertain, but did get better and better and this is an example of how much it grew in quality.
Bad things: There is not much wrong here actually, but to me occasionally the pace could have been a little tighter, as well as more intensity considering the subject.
Good things: Everything else was so good. Emma Corrin is an emotional powerhouse as Diana, very poignant performance. Josh O'Connor continues to shine as Charles, bringing out Charles' conflict of choosing royal duty or following his heart with a lot of nuance and in a way where his point of view is understood. Their chemistry is sheer magic and they succeed brilliantly at showing Diana and Charles as complicated, damaged people and that their marriage is likewise. Was not a fan mostly of Anderson's interpretation of Thatcher (too much of a caricature), but she gives by far her best performance here with it being the first time where Thatcher felt like a real person.
Furthermore, as ever the production values are superb. The production and costume design are both classy and sumptuous, but it's the photography that stands out in this regard. The music is not overbearing or low key. The scripting is thought provoking and intriguing, uncompromising yet sensitive in its handling of this subject without descending into melodrama.
Also doing well in showing more than one point of view and in a way where all are understandable. The story gripped me on the whole, and had a lot of poignancy and insight while not taking too much of one side.
Closing thoughts: Overall, wonderful final episode to a mostly pretty strong fourth season once it got going.
9/10.
Great end to a fantastic season
dalefl30 November 2020
Say what you want about Gillian Anderson but I don't think I've seen it done any better than that. Pull up some clips of Thatcher and compare the two then you tell me. The Diana/Charles story line was truly heartbreaking, especially considering the fact that it really happened that way. Charles is and always has been a stone cold, arrogant, pompous ass. Diana was no angel but the difference is that she didn't start out that way.
This show must have touched a nerve in Buckingham Palace. Today the UK Culture Minister issued a request today that Netflix provide a disclaimer before each episode that this is a work of fiction. It's curious that he would wait until the end of season four and the stories contained within to do that.
This show must have touched a nerve in Buckingham Palace. Today the UK Culture Minister issued a request today that Netflix provide a disclaimer before each episode that this is a work of fiction. It's curious that he would wait until the end of season four and the stories contained within to do that.
That's it?
W011y4m528 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I understand director Jessica Hobbs' episodes were cut short by a few scenes with each due to the Covid pandemic - which brought filming of the series to a close 2 weeks earlier than expected (leaving some sequences still left to be shot - that subsequently never were) but I'm also not sure that could fully provide a reasonable explanation as to why this finale just abruptly stops - providing absolutely no sense of closure to the season whatsoever - cutting to black mid-scene before rolling the end credits? It's so jarring & unexpected.
What's more, the show's insistence on rushing through the 80s means that by this point in the timeline, they didn't include:
Princess Anne's kidnapping attempt, Diana's actual wedding ceremony & honeymoon with Charles, Diana also at the White House during 1985 in the US - dancing with John Travolta, miner's strikes & frequent protests, other IRA attacks; the attempted assassination of Thatcher with the Brighton hotel bombing, the assassination of Airey Neave - sitting MP - who was bombed in his car in 1979 outside the houses of parliament, recessions, the battle of Orgreave, gay rights & Section 28, the Hillsborough disaster, pits closing, Dennis Nilsen, Pan Am Flight 103 (Lockerbie bombing), the Belgrano being sunk, Yorkshire Ripper, the infamous "lady's not for turning" speech - even Chernobyl, the Challenger Disaster, Iran Hostage Crisis - the list goes on etc. For such a pivotal decade in our nation's history (& the world's), S4 could never have managed to represent the eventful-ness of it in just 10 episodes. It needed at least 2 for the 80s so the lack of development is wholly underwhelming.
To barely feature the IRA, AIDS crisis / HIV epidemic & the Falklands was totally inexcusable.
What's more, the show's insistence on rushing through the 80s means that by this point in the timeline, they didn't include:
Princess Anne's kidnapping attempt, Diana's actual wedding ceremony & honeymoon with Charles, Diana also at the White House during 1985 in the US - dancing with John Travolta, miner's strikes & frequent protests, other IRA attacks; the attempted assassination of Thatcher with the Brighton hotel bombing, the assassination of Airey Neave - sitting MP - who was bombed in his car in 1979 outside the houses of parliament, recessions, the battle of Orgreave, gay rights & Section 28, the Hillsborough disaster, pits closing, Dennis Nilsen, Pan Am Flight 103 (Lockerbie bombing), the Belgrano being sunk, Yorkshire Ripper, the infamous "lady's not for turning" speech - even Chernobyl, the Challenger Disaster, Iran Hostage Crisis - the list goes on etc. For such a pivotal decade in our nation's history (& the world's), S4 could never have managed to represent the eventful-ness of it in just 10 episodes. It needed at least 2 for the 80s so the lack of development is wholly underwhelming.
To barely feature the IRA, AIDS crisis / HIV epidemic & the Falklands was totally inexcusable.
Disappointing
cathyandrews-5697730 January 2021
Very disappointing after the previous excellent seasons. In particular, Gillian Anderson's take on Margaret Thatcher. She plays her as a woman at least 20 years older than she was and apparently recovering from a stroke! Such caricatures devalue the excellent job done by other actors. I shall look forward to the next season in the hope that it will be better.
The View From Here on Season 4
schappe125 November 2020
I've just completed watching Season 4 and enjoyed it just as much as previous seasons, actually moreso than Season 3. I felt the second cast really grew into their roles in Season 4. Olivia Coleman was much more relaxed than in S3. Her characterization, which was rather stone-faced in S3, seemed much more natural with various shadings and very human reactions. She seemed much more an older version of Claire Foy's young sovereign in S1-2. Tobias Menzies also scored big, giving us a much more agreeable Prince Phillip than in S1-3 or "The Queen". Josh O'Connor is the best physical match for his character and has Prince Charles' posture down perfectly. Emma Corrin looks more like the teenage Lady Di than the adult Princess Di. her face is rounder and her jaw line different. She seems not to mature. It's probably best that we shall have another actress in the next series. But she's very good as the naïve young Di. Helena Bonham-Carter is given the opportunity to dig deeply into Princess Margaret and scores strongly enough to make me almost forget the excellent but inappropriately taller Vanessa Kirby in S1-2. Marion Bailey as the Queen Mother, Erin Doherty as Princess Anne, Tom Byrne at Prince Andrew and Angus Irmie as Prince Edward appear briefly and their characterizations thus lack depth but they do well with what they are given.
Early on i thought Gillian Anderson's performance as Maggie Thatcher belonged on Splitting Image or SNL. But like Olivia Coleman, she improved as the performance developed from episode to episode and I thought she was quite good at the end, although I wasn't able to see her character in a sympathetic light, even n the finals scene where she graciously accepted the Order of Merit in private from the Queen. I wonder what she really thought of getting an award from someone she had clashed with?
The storytelling is great, especially in the editing which is brisk and telling. The production values and photography are first-class. It made me want to watch the previous seasons, especially 1 and 2 again and look forward to Season 5, when we'll have a whole new cast and even bigger events to deal with.
How true was it all? I have no idea. You'd have to be a fly on the wall to confirm most of what we see here. Was Prince Charles really that myopic and selfish? Was Diana really that childish? Was Prince Phillip really that knowing and sympathetic? I have no idea. But it's a great show.
Early on i thought Gillian Anderson's performance as Maggie Thatcher belonged on Splitting Image or SNL. But like Olivia Coleman, she improved as the performance developed from episode to episode and I thought she was quite good at the end, although I wasn't able to see her character in a sympathetic light, even n the finals scene where she graciously accepted the Order of Merit in private from the Queen. I wonder what she really thought of getting an award from someone she had clashed with?
The storytelling is great, especially in the editing which is brisk and telling. The production values and photography are first-class. It made me want to watch the previous seasons, especially 1 and 2 again and look forward to Season 5, when we'll have a whole new cast and even bigger events to deal with.
How true was it all? I have no idea. You'd have to be a fly on the wall to confirm most of what we see here. Was Prince Charles really that myopic and selfish? Was Diana really that childish? Was Prince Phillip really that knowing and sympathetic? I have no idea. But it's a great show.
The Crown must always Win...
essentialmedia-4654721 November 2020
This season finale is evidence that while the stability of the Monarchy was paramount the associated costs are tremendous...
An age of cinematic TV is with us!
Featurettes of Maggie Thatcher's moment of disloyalty coupled with the once again abandonment of a little boy destined to be in the public service set's us up for a monumental subplot, which serves Princess Dianna both of the same.
The writers of this episode of WAR are part of a very skilled production which is the new standard for biopics. The royals won't be happy but society will be all the better for this sophisticated moral tale.
The shy sheepish countenance of the Princess is played perfectly and puts us right in the moment. The cultural junctures that spanned the globe like those in NYC hospital's turned her into an icon without malicious premeditation. It's a crying shame those plethora of advisors in Buckingham palace or Highgrove couldn't convince Charles to leverage it for his own good and the nation's.
I've been scathing of the Prince of Wales in other reviews but I guess the metaphor with William at the top of the episode forces us to be slightly more introspective, he did in fact inherit traits like a lack of warmth. It's ironic that where Dianna seemed to fill the void and remedy the problem, the burden of the Crown was too heavy...
Elizabeth on the inspiration of past Monarchs made sacrifices in earlier seasons that were made clear to the uninitiated to ensure stability and that is the price handed down and the inheritance received. The British peoples should be thankful that European style revolutions didn't come to pass. A small price to pay in comparison.
No matter how good a Republic, people need an idea to aspire to, quite often encapsulated in a leader. The people sure did love Di. The world tours and anecdotes came to life. Most people live uncomplicated lives, having this system embodied seems to have worked for over 1000 years - What would Alfred the Great think today? Would he pity the pending future of the Anglosphere with a figure head that is on the nose?
I'm disappointed, where we are left, this could have turned into 2 episodes. The plot points during the coup against Thatcher did not advance clearly enough. Such an interesting historical figure had much more to offer this series & a crescendo of emotion could have filled a sequence of Dianna pushing herself down a flight of stairs while pregnant, after finding out Camilla was still on the scene.
The veiled threat by Prince Phillip could be argued as a step too far but there is no clear rendering that can be made, it is cleverly left up to the audience to decide.
We waited all season for the Queen to give her son a dressing down and it was satisfying but alas, despite how merciful one can be in their overall judgements, anyone with affection in their heart for what's left of Great Britain hopes that succession jumps to William. Someone with the warmth of the Queen Consort that should of been, but never was.
As we speak, commentators and journalists are not shutting up about this season of the Crown, even at the far ends of the commonwealth. Season five must come quickly for the golden age of subscription TV.
Thanks for a great ride x
An age of cinematic TV is with us!
Featurettes of Maggie Thatcher's moment of disloyalty coupled with the once again abandonment of a little boy destined to be in the public service set's us up for a monumental subplot, which serves Princess Dianna both of the same.
The writers of this episode of WAR are part of a very skilled production which is the new standard for biopics. The royals won't be happy but society will be all the better for this sophisticated moral tale.
The shy sheepish countenance of the Princess is played perfectly and puts us right in the moment. The cultural junctures that spanned the globe like those in NYC hospital's turned her into an icon without malicious premeditation. It's a crying shame those plethora of advisors in Buckingham palace or Highgrove couldn't convince Charles to leverage it for his own good and the nation's.
I've been scathing of the Prince of Wales in other reviews but I guess the metaphor with William at the top of the episode forces us to be slightly more introspective, he did in fact inherit traits like a lack of warmth. It's ironic that where Dianna seemed to fill the void and remedy the problem, the burden of the Crown was too heavy...
Elizabeth on the inspiration of past Monarchs made sacrifices in earlier seasons that were made clear to the uninitiated to ensure stability and that is the price handed down and the inheritance received. The British peoples should be thankful that European style revolutions didn't come to pass. A small price to pay in comparison.
No matter how good a Republic, people need an idea to aspire to, quite often encapsulated in a leader. The people sure did love Di. The world tours and anecdotes came to life. Most people live uncomplicated lives, having this system embodied seems to have worked for over 1000 years - What would Alfred the Great think today? Would he pity the pending future of the Anglosphere with a figure head that is on the nose?
I'm disappointed, where we are left, this could have turned into 2 episodes. The plot points during the coup against Thatcher did not advance clearly enough. Such an interesting historical figure had much more to offer this series & a crescendo of emotion could have filled a sequence of Dianna pushing herself down a flight of stairs while pregnant, after finding out Camilla was still on the scene.
The veiled threat by Prince Phillip could be argued as a step too far but there is no clear rendering that can be made, it is cleverly left up to the audience to decide.
We waited all season for the Queen to give her son a dressing down and it was satisfying but alas, despite how merciful one can be in their overall judgements, anyone with affection in their heart for what's left of Great Britain hopes that succession jumps to William. Someone with the warmth of the Queen Consort that should of been, but never was.
As we speak, commentators and journalists are not shutting up about this season of the Crown, even at the far ends of the commonwealth. Season five must come quickly for the golden age of subscription TV.
Thanks for a great ride x
This family has rules and you have to follow them regardless your opinion
AleksandrBelenko19 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The speech that the Queen gives to Charles and the one that is given by Prince Phillip to Diana are two of the best monologues in this series. One is returning Charles back on earth, another one explains to Diana what this family is about.
Charles this episode at absolute worse. He says that Diana is self-centred yet he is the one who always has been that way.
What this TV series show is that this family has the most stupid rules that everyone has to abide. And this fact leads to all the problems each member of the family has.
Few episodes earlier the Queen finds out that her children are unhappy each in their own way. Is there any solution to their problems? No. Why bother?
If Charles could marry Camilla back then, noone would suffer in his marriage with Diana. And surely she wouldn't die. I am curious how will they portray her death, by the way.
And also the problems go dipper and darker, like the royals being treated in mental asylum but publically stated dead.
And so on....
Charles this episode at absolute worse. He says that Diana is self-centred yet he is the one who always has been that way.
What this TV series show is that this family has the most stupid rules that everyone has to abide. And this fact leads to all the problems each member of the family has.
Few episodes earlier the Queen finds out that her children are unhappy each in their own way. Is there any solution to their problems? No. Why bother?
If Charles could marry Camilla back then, noone would suffer in his marriage with Diana. And surely she wouldn't die. I am curious how will they portray her death, by the way.
And also the problems go dipper and darker, like the royals being treated in mental asylum but publically stated dead.
And so on....
Felt like something was missing
otherjobstodo12 December 2021
As an ending of a season the final episode should've been bit more intense and stronger. A bit more open insight into their Charles and Diana's relationship from both perspective. Elizabeth the second is a horrible person to treat Charles, her OWN SON and Diana like that. She truly is a monster.
Human
Hitchcoc29 January 2021
I'm sure that Margaret Thatcher was going to get hers at some point. Her tyrannical hold on power was going to go down. People mention respect. She attempt to use the same tactics that our former president tried using. Dissolve the Parliament so you stay in power, even though there is no real crisis. The Queen follows her own beliefs. The ongoing saga of Charles and Di is striking. Charles has a huge double standard. When he talks with "Mummy," she lays it out in detail. And she says it about both of them. Privilege, jealousy, cheating, distrust, and on and on. I thought that scene was one of the best of the entire series. Very good season. I do understand that so many issues of British government were overlooked, but to touch on many of them would have forced about ten more episodes.
Emma Corrin.
erinoogunsnroses12 December 2020
Many great performances this season but Emma Corrin definitely stands out her vulnerable, kind of restrained and very nuanced potrayal of Diana is a joy to watch, better than Gillian Anderson imitation of Thatcher, her neck forever hanging and looking almost senile in every scene and her hairstyle was so exaggerated lol Thatcher was supposed to be on her 50's in the first episodes not 80 like Anderson potrayed her.
Wonderful Prince Philip
toprako-8252018 March 2021
Another great season
Calicodreamin28 November 2020
Poorly written hysterical soap opera
mailes2225 November 2020
Loved the first 3 seasons of The Crown. It was clearly understood that the private conversations were all fiction by the scriptwriters, and they seemed fairly sensitive to those involved. Script and acting was understated.
Season 4 seems to be hunting season on Charles and Camilla, largely based on Diana's side of the story, taken from the secret taped interviews she gave for the Andrew Morton biography. If you were to accept Prince Charles' side of the story that the affair with Camilla stopped for the first 5 years of his marriage to Diana, then it puts a completely different complexion on Season 4. And that's the problem. There are only 2 people alive who know the truth of what went on in that relationship. It seems cruel for the writers and producers of The Crown to be representing one side of the story, and throwing the weight of blame in the other direction, when they have no idea of what really happened behind closed doors. In previous seasons, the speculation of what went on behind closed doors was treated sensitively. Gloves are off for this season and it seems a one sided fight when you realise that the other side is never going to be able to publicly fight back.
It's not just the histrionic scenes between Charles and Diana that really grate in this whole season. Many times I found myself viewing scenes between other characters (especially the Queen and her 4 adult children, particularly the picnic scene with Princess Anne) and thinking "this doesn't seem very plausible". It all seemed very soap opera-ish.
Over wrought. Over written. Over acted.
But the Diana costumes were great.
Season 4 seems to be hunting season on Charles and Camilla, largely based on Diana's side of the story, taken from the secret taped interviews she gave for the Andrew Morton biography. If you were to accept Prince Charles' side of the story that the affair with Camilla stopped for the first 5 years of his marriage to Diana, then it puts a completely different complexion on Season 4. And that's the problem. There are only 2 people alive who know the truth of what went on in that relationship. It seems cruel for the writers and producers of The Crown to be representing one side of the story, and throwing the weight of blame in the other direction, when they have no idea of what really happened behind closed doors. In previous seasons, the speculation of what went on behind closed doors was treated sensitively. Gloves are off for this season and it seems a one sided fight when you realise that the other side is never going to be able to publicly fight back.
It's not just the histrionic scenes between Charles and Diana that really grate in this whole season. Many times I found myself viewing scenes between other characters (especially the Queen and her 4 adult children, particularly the picnic scene with Princess Anne) and thinking "this doesn't seem very plausible". It all seemed very soap opera-ish.
Over wrought. Over written. Over acted.
But the Diana costumes were great.
Very hood
bevo-1367823 November 2020
Great season
Eriyaoz17 November 2020
I love queen Elizabeth II
if its true how he handled her son
Then she is a great queen and a great mother
Maby if they'd gone to Marital counselor or lived in the same home
The prince should had cut camilla
There is a lot of things could be said about this matter
And Thatcher with the men game she lost , I'm glad that the queen
Give her her dignity in the end
But the series is great
And i loved alan colman in it i think she did better than the favourite
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