The Crown

Technically, and in fact in terms of overall formal stylisation, it is certainly the most daringly shot episode to date. It's full of frenetic editing and interesting camera work, with plenty of boldly spectacular shots. Similarly, Diana's transformation from a shy little girl to a refined lady is portrayed with equal skill and confidence. Her natural charisma and vivaciousness brings the people to a boil and easily draws the attention of the crowd to herself, which is not at all to the Crown's liking. (21.02.2023)

Helena Bonham Carter's performance as the eccentric princess in this episode matches Vanessa Kirby's commanding performance from the first and second seasons. So, for fans of this bittersweet character full of love, sadness, anger and big emotions, this episode will be the right choice. Of course, once again, family ties and associated ancient wrongs and key decisions that influenced much of the sequence of events that followed are brought to the fore. (21.02.2023)

A battle of the Queen and the Iron Lady. The sharpest, most direct, but also quite humorously filmed exchange between two strong women and distinctive stateswomen. The twist about the newspaper article appears to be secondary. (23.02.2023)

The climactic tension of Charles, Diana and Camilla's relationship, a triangle of death that caused enormous problems for the royal family and, as Elizabeth aptly notes in one of her dialogues when she discusses a certain situation, the discord within the royal family threatens its very existence. Praise for the comprehensive portrayal of both Diana and Charles as we remember them from the 1990s when they were often on the evening news around the world. (25.02.2023)

A fast-paced, dynamic and focused final episode that maximises the impact of the denouement of the two key events that series four is exclusively about, namely Diana and Charles's toxic relationship and the Iron Lady Margaret Thatcher's reign. (25.02.2023)

It's probably the weakest series so far, but it's not far behind the previous ones. Technically, it's still the polished, refined ride we're used to. Also, casting-wise, I didn't find the transition as dramatic as from the second to third series. The biggest weakness will probably be the themes that were addressed in the 1990s and which The Crown is again reconstructing with great precision. Unfortunately it is those themes around royal family relations, love affairs and similar other scandals that become repetitive and rather tiresome after a while. However, for how variably it could have been handled and what a soap opera it could have been under any less rigid directorial baton, I think the creators of the fifth series came out of it with a clean slate and quite classy. (13.03.2023)

The fifth season is facing the same problems as the third, i.e. the change of cast. This time, however, I feel that the shock is a little less, especially as far as the lead actress is concerned, and the transition from Olivia Colman to Imelda Staunton doesn't hurt nearly as much as it did when the incomparable Claire Foy, with all her feminine fragility, strength and elegance, left us. The affairs of the Crown in the 1990s are more comparable to a tabloid, so it will be quite a challenge for the creators. It can end interestingly, or it can end in disaster; what matters is how some of the key junctures of the story are grasped. (02.03.2023)

A bit weaker than the first episode. While the first episode was all about getting to know the new cast and outlining the supporting themes for season five, the second sort of dabbles in the uninteresting subject of Diana's memoir writing and the process of recording interviews. (04.03.2023)

Subjectively, the best episode of the whole series so far, which is almost entirely dedicated to the tireless visionary Mohammed Al Fayed. In one episode there is a great summary of the key moments of his life, the most important transactions that he managed, for example, the brilliantly staged scene with the purchase of the Ritz hotel and the Harrods shopping mall. At the same time, the episode focuses on his complicated relationship with his son and interestingly portrays his special bond with his butler. A slumlord billionaire who managed to build himself up and influence the movements on the chessboard of the English elite of the time. The dating scene with Diana is fantastically acted, light-hearted and fun. Cherry on top. (04.03.2023)

An episode that focuses solely on the issue of royal family relationships, this time completely away from Diana. On a reminiscent and pleasantly nostalgic note, the final reconciliation of the two sisters seems to bring a sense of closure. Of course, after the previous episode, they stepped on the brakes, but it had to be done. (04.03.2023)

A wild phone call and a transformation, or rather the discovery that a weak Charles can easily become a strong Charles, politically sophisticated, charismatic and revolutionary in his ideas. (06.03.2023)

An entertaining Russian interlude, with a brilliantly impersonated Boris Yeltsin with unique one-lines, and brimming with wit and good humour. Plus the most daring/awesome scene of the entire series so far, right at the beginning of this episode. (06.03.2023)

Another episode focused on Diana, but the song remains the same: flocks of journalists, wiretaps, paparazzi and one rather strange, almost laughable romance. I have the feeling that the fifth season is losing its breath, pace and, most importantly, “construction material”. (06.03.2023)

And there's finally a trigger in the form of Diana's interview with the BBC. Again, I would only be repeating myself if I dissected how closely the filmmakers stick to the facts and various historical details. A superbly done procedural. (10.03.2023)

The most intense dinner table conversation in a long time. Excellent work by the creators and the actors, again. (10.03.2023)

The finale of the whole series, which actually seems to be only a transition station to the next, probably last series, which will chart the late 1990s, thus probably the fateful event of Princess Diana, which perhaps every other viewer expected as an imaginary dramatic climax. Here, apart from a few get-togethers with old friends, nothing much actually happens. The events surrounding the Queen are rather conciliatory, almost melancholic, and Diana forges plots and plans to free herself from the clutches of the aristocratic system. (13.03.2023)

The breezy mix of documentary, art and pop continues in its final season. The first couple of episodes with Diana have an engaging pace and a traditionally well-drawn setting. There is no shortage of controversial moments, or iconic shots that went around the world in the tabloids of their day. All masterfully matched by a top-of-the-range production ensemble and superb direction. The pace falters a bit in the second half, when you actually realise that the most gripping story of Diana won't cover the whole season, but other, sometimes less interesting personalities are given space. But, as is often the case with The Crown, even the less interesting parts are still top-notch, and film enthusiasts big and small will find their appetites whetted. (16.01.2024)