The Crown

Masterful political tension, a tug of war and a clash of two different ideologies and cultures of the top leaders of one of the oldest countries in the world versus the most powerful. Great portrayal of the influence of women and their ability to pull a crowd and individuals together. I do have some reservations about the style in which JFK was portrayed and especially acted, but that's secondary. (16.01.2023)

A memorable episode with Phillip, Charles and their fragile father-son bond. Flashbacks from Phillip's adolescence as a parallel to current events in Charles's world. Positive recollection of hardships during studies vs actual terror and bullying. The unique atmosphere of a secluded school in the Scottish Highlands as the best way to find yourself. It's strikingly reminiscent of the first half of Batman Begins in its bleak atmosphere and style of dramaturgy. Perhaps the only thing missing is a thoroughbred Hans Zimmer scroe and spectacular action scenes of the modern world of fiction. Charles Begins. (16.01.2023)

Reconciliation, understanding, saving the marriage. A crushing KO punch from Queen at the best possible moment. And to make matters worse, the resignation of the prime minister. The last episode of the second season doesn't have the conversational dynamics and fast-paced scenes of some of the previous episodes, but the emotional impact is considerable. (16.01.2023)

This season stumbles slightly behind the first two. It's not that the polished artistic value of the previous seasons was higher, but the change of the cast made an unpleasant crack at the beginning, which was later stabilized, but I can't help feeling that I would rather appreciate the original actors under the hands of make-up artists, but with the original acting appetite and style. (14.02.2023)

The first episode of the third season cannot be described as anything other than pure shock. The whole thing feels like a kind of "throwaway club" with weird individuals, thrown out of the reality of the contemporary world. Gone are the showcase dialogues, the clash of different philosophies, ideologies and interesting insights into the workings of 20th century society. This episode eviscerates the boring prattle, the absolute loss of elegance, innocent fragility, inner strength and heart of the original Elizabeth, played by Claire Foy. I want to believe that this season will catch its second wind, otherwise it will be a steep downhill slide. (17.01.2023)

Slightly better than the previous episode, primarily due to the mesmerizing Clancy Brown as President Johnson. Unfortunately, however, the main actresses are still trying in vain to connect to their previous "young" rivals, especially the lead playing Elizabeth. (18.01.2023)

Finally an episode of the third series where the creators have it firmly in their hands and the series doesn't feel inclined to deviate from its core. The mining disaster is presented in a quite minimalistic, cold, unspectacular way, yet with a strong testimonial value. With its sometimes dark retro-documentary style, it occasionally recalls some passages from Chernobyl. The special relationship between the Queen and the Prime Minister is also worth noting. (19.01.2023)

An episode about suffering, faith and reconciliation between mother and son. Unlike the other, purely personal episodes, this one is considerably less interesting, lacking proper drive and spice. It could be the lackluster actress playing Alice, or the not-so-interesting situation regarding a film about the royal family. (19.01.2023)

The great Charles Dance, who steals all the attention with his role as a die-hard patriot, and at the same time, quite deservedly, steals the whole episode for himself. His analysis of the mission's chances of success is the highlight of the entire forty-five minutes. (22.01.2023)

This episode with Charles has surprising depth and a compelling interaction between him and a pragmatic Welsh teacher. The casting did not disappoint and neither did the atmosphere with the final speech. Again, superbly crafted and Charles portrayed as a likeable adolescent with a huge weight on his shoulders. (24.01.2023)

An episode that seems to fill a period when nothing much of interest actually happened in the UK but did elsewhere in the world. Space lovers will be thoroughly satisfied, and so will the fans of the series and character psychology. Because although it is not a major reconstruction of an important event in the history of England, the conquest of the moon leaves a palette of emotions in Phillip, who, thanks to the character of an atypical priest, stirs up very interesting thoughts, reflections and philosophies on what direction to take in life. Sometimes a bit funny, sometimes bittersweet, but definitely a proper part of the series. (24.01.2023)

A farewell with one of the main characters that went by the book. Nostalgic, flamboyant, imposing. And if that wasn't enough, Camilla finally enters the story from the other side. (02.02.2023)

The fateful relationship of Charles and Camilla, the royal family spinning threads of phantoms around them, and the young prince having to face the uncompromising reality of the evil aristocratic world. It plays more on emotions and less on politics, but it's still something to watch. (02.02.2023)

A very well portrayed toxic relationship between Margaret and her husband. Psychologically well thought out and superbly acted by the leads. Helena Bonham Carter may not have the subtlety and expressiveness of Vanessa Kirby, but she still plays the harried lady with great dignity. (14.02.2023)

The fourth season is considerably better than the third. It is, of course, shot in an almost identical, i.e. functional, style and is therefore still the same balanced cocktail. But its set a decade later and it addresses stronger and more intense themes and issues. Namely the "reign" of the Iron Lady and, of course, the swelling problems surrounding Prince Charles and his controversial love life. (25.02.2023)

Few, if any, episodes had more going on than this one. The deadly IRA, an assassination attempt, Margaret Thatcher famously played by Gillian Anderson and finally the innocent Diana in the original opening. A very intense first episode that set forth the themes for the next few. (14.02.2023)

The clash of the working middle class in the leadership of the political establishment, versus a bunch of aristocrats with all their annoying traditions and customs. Gillian Anderson impersonates Thatcher fantastically, and the Queen does her traditional thing. I wouldn’t consider this to be the best episode of the season, but it’s still the usual high standard. (18.02.2023)

The beginning of the end. Diana under pressure from the press for the first time, strong hints of anorexia, loneliness and isolation at Buckingham Palace, relational tensions depicted early on in a seemingly idyllic marriage. (18.02.2023)

Parents vs their adult children. An interesting family relationship story and a great probe into the fragile bonds between older and younger generations, their different opinions and attitudes and often mutual misunderstanding. It's also probably the first episode that reveals all of the Queen's children. (18.02.2023)

Michael Fagan's troubles are portrayed with perhaps more veracity and urgency than he himself. Situations that an awful lot of people around the world have to deal with. The traditional inflexibility and inability of the authorities to change anything. Apathy, routine and the daily hell of the poor in a country with high unemployment. And as expected, the conversation between the Queen and the intruder has a very interesting dynamic and course. An unusually suspenseful and refreshing episode. (18.02.2023)