by Mike Hilty, Contributing Writer
2023 will go down as the year that prestige television passes the baton to a new generation. Several iconic shows are riding off into the sunset, and television will be looking for newer series to take on the prestige that comes with it. This year, Succession, Ted Lasso, Barry, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Reservation Dogs, and Archer all came to an end. This isn’t even including the scores of shows that were canceled too soon (or in some cases, not soon enough). The last of these shows to sail off into the sunset is The Crown, which is concluding after splitting its final season into two parts.
Part II picks up not long after the events of Part I, with Princess Diana’s (Elizabeth Debicki) death still weighing heavily on everyone. During this later half of Season Six, the focus shifts from the aftermath to the continued fallout from the royal family. The final stretch curiously centers William (Ed McVey), as he navigates stepping into the void that Diana’s death has left, while also trying to figure out his next steps. Queen Elizabeth (Imelda Staunton) in turn deals with the waning influence of the British crown, with politicians like Tony Blair (Bertie Carvel) getting much more attention and old age finally starting to catch up to her in unexpected ways.
It almost feels weirdly voyeuristic to watch this final season. I concede it’s a little unfair to judge it because I lived through a lot of these events, but there are numerous moments this season to which I would love to see the British monarchy’s reaction. For instance, all the personal interactions between William and Harry (Luther Ford) where they talk about very personal moments involving Diana or Charles (Dominic West). As well, the moments with Kate’s (Meg Bellamy) family almost feel like Kate was being pushed into a relationship with William. By no means would I say I’m an expert in all things about the royal family, but I wonder how much of this is based in fact and how much is fabricated for dramatic purposes.
I also wonder about the decisions that were made about which stories to include. The series stops with the marriage of Charles and Camilla (Olivia Williams), already a controversial chapter with the monarchy due to the strict guidelines surrounding divorce. But there’s nothing about the British monarchy’s treatment of Meghan Markle, the crown’s waning influence around the world, Prince Andrew’s legal issues and relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, and the whole Brexit fiasco. Though I do acknowledge that I should focus on what was on screen rather than what was left out, I found it an odd choice that the creative team would conveniently omit all of this.
Staunton does justice to Queen Elizabeth II in the final act of The Crown. Diana had been front and center for the last season and a half, putting Queen Elizabeth II sort of in the backseat of her show. Part II does have Staunton doing some incredible work as Elizabeth, though. The speech she gives during Charles’ wedding is outstanding, showcasing that even at an older age, she’s still sharp as a tack. In the same episode, she has to make plans for if she passes away, and she has a crisis about what her legacy will be moving forward. Elizabeth struggles with her leadership, but she’s more confident knowing she has the upper hand by understanding what it means to balance tradition with progress. Throughout the series, Elizabeth has been a sharp and staunch leader, and through the issues that have plagued the last season and a half, she still manages to navigate them with strength and humility. She looks out for her family, but also thinks about what’s best for her constituents.
The final three episodes of the series are outstanding. Episode Eight focuses on Princess Margaret (Lesley Manville) during the twilight of her life. She has always been a bit of a firecracker; however, that doesn’t mean she was any less important to Elizabeth. The episode showcases their strong bond, and how Elizabeth will never have another person in her life quite like Margaret. Manville is outstanding, and the episode is a true showcase of her talents. It’s devastating, and a great flashback to a specific instance in their life that encapsulates their sisterhood.
In the penultimate episode, we see the Queen’s jubilee celebration, and Elizabeth’s nerves about the perception of her rule around England in the wake of Diana’s death. The relationship between William and Elizabeth takes center stage, and shows how William eventually finds his footing with his role in the royal family. This is where William grows up, realizing what he needs to do to be an ambassador. It is also a gut-check moment for Elizabeth, as she fears about her declining influence around England.
I truly love the series finale of The Crown because it hits on so many of the series’ different themes. This is the episode that has the amazing speech Elizabeth gives about Charles and Camilla, and the crisis of whether or not she’s still fit to rule. Two characters have outstanding cameos that put such a great stamp on the series. The cinematography of the final moment is breathtaking and a great metaphor for how the legacy of the institution far surpasses the individuals who come across their floors. It is an amazing way to finish the series.
The Crown’s final season doesn’t come close to the heights of past seasons, but it is still a satisfying conclusion to one of Netflix’s most successful shows. This iteration of the cast is outstanding, but had a tall task ahead of them, as they were delving into recent history that will be more heavily scrutinized than other groups. I’ll remember The Crown for its amazing walkthrough of the history of Queen Elizabeth’s reign, even if it selectively chooses what gets left to the history books.
Rating: Liked It
The Crown is currently streaming on Netflix
You can read more from Mike Hilty, and follow him on Instagram, Letterboxd, and Serializd