'The Crown' Season 5: Royal drama done right
The fifth season of the popular Netflix original, ''The Crown'' began streaming earlier in November. The show follows Queen Elizabeth's reign and how the throne's politics and her personal problems influenced her decisions. The highlight of this season, however, was the conflict between Charles and Diana--that ultimately resulted in their separation and divorce in the 90's.
The season begins with the gripping portrayal of a marital conflict, along with other significant incidents such as the fire outbreak at Windsor Castle, the Romanov execution, Queen Elizabeth bidding farewell to her beloved yacht Britannia, and her preferred Prime Minister being overthrown by the populace. It ends with a cliffhanger, and Charles attempts to revolutionise the royal institution.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. To begin with, season five portrayed a different side of Queen Elizabeth, by dissecting her role as a mother, and the Head of the Church of England. Amidst the tumultuous dynamics and a number of difficult relationships inside the Royal household, she must make a tough choice between her state responsibility and the wellbeing of her children. Faced with this conflict, this era witnesses the slow decline of the monarchy as Victorian values threaten the internal dynamics of the family.
A notable aspect of "The Crown's" storytelling lies in its use of symbolism; how it makes people view historical events in a new light. For instance, it compares the rule of the Queen to the royal yacht Britannia, as it is awaiting repairs and is subsequently decommissioned. The writers use this as a metaphor to showcase the timeline of the Queen's rule and how the monarch would be losing relevance to the younger population over time. The yacht is also a brilliant representation of Princess Diana as it stands for discovery, dominance, and disaster. Similarly, the fire at Windsor Castle is a metaphor in motion that shows the start of the British Monarchy's downfall.
In this season, the Princess of Wales is presented with amazing grace and vigour in contrast to the stiffness of the Royal Family, which is led by the wonderfully stern Imelda Staunton. Elizabeth Debicki does a great job in her part as Princess Diana and captures every subtle detail, expression and passion. Dominic West (Prince Charles) however, lacked the space to exhibit his part, and was overshadowed by the terrific performance of his counterpart. That being said, the cast tried its best to relive the dramatic era, and do it almost perfectly. The ease with which the makers incorporated facts within fiction is commendable and the show has to be praised for the way it portrayed the reality of relationships, breaking the facade of perfection.
Another character worth mentioning is Princess Margaret, and the story of her unrequited love for Peter Townsend. In light of all the marriages that failed, the way the show lingers on her despair, over time is heartbreaking. The series' most intriguing, self-assured, and sad character is Princess Margaret, but she consistently delivers the most humorous quips. The audience is left with no choice but to empathise with the Princess who would have met a different fate if the Crown had managed to adapt to a changing world in time.
A part of the show's popularity could be traced to the Queen's demise. It allows viewers to reflect on her role as a monarch over the years and how it was characterised by the postmodern age and its profound shift of attitudes, laws, politics, and cultural settings. While it does not glorify monarchy, it portrays how the Crown has survived several adversities and continues to shine bright at times when its relevance is meaningfully lost.
The next season of ''The Crown'', will be the last instalment, featuring several significant events, including the infamously anticipated mystery of Princess Diana's accident.
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