“The Crown (season 6, episode 1)”
Creative: peter morgan
Address: Alex Gabassi and Christian Schwochow
Distribution: Imelda Staunton, Jonathan Pryce, Dominic West, Elizabeth Debicki
Country: United Kingdom / United States of America
Duration: Between 39 and 56 minutes. (4 episodes)
Year: 2023
Gender: Drama
Premiere: November 16, 2023 (Netflix)
★★★★
In a frustrating turn of events, Netflix did not allow the press (at least the Spanish press) to see this event. ‘ first four episodes of the final seasonCrown‘, one of his biggest hits. This could be seen as retaliation for the lukewarm reviews of its otherwise remarkable fifth season. It didn’t make sense that this was due to fear of possible ‘spoilers’: everyone knows how Diana’s romance ended (Elizabeth Debicki) and her new boyfriend Dodi Fayed (Khalid Abdullah), only beginning at the end of the previous episodes.
But a certain attempt can be made to preserve some surprises. Especially as the stock approaches the final decades Peter Morgan, creator and screenwriter of ‘The Crown’, has faced criticism for its liberties when it comes to depicting the British royal family. Last year, for the first time, an announcement reminded viewers (or, above all, potential plaintiffs) that they were merely watching a “fictional dramatization” that was “inspired by true events.” And in this handful of new episodes, Morgan is perhaps thinking more freely than ever about the conversations that take place behind closed doors.. The result may not be the most accurate history lesson, but it can be a thrilling melodrama with (some) historical basis.
In this sense, the most surprising dialogue may be the one that Diana and Dodi had at the Paris Ritz, shortly before the tragic accident that ended their lives. Morgan takes on some journalistic assumptions and goes further An extra layer of sadness for the outcome of the affair between the former princess and the Harrods heiress. He suggests they are about to survive.
Moments of lightness
The season begins on the night of August 30, 1997, in Paris near the Alma bridge. We know what will happen but perspective is unexpected and crash occurs off screen. The third episode of disturbing situations and increasing tension ends with the same grace; the show’s writers know how to involve you in what it means to be watched, photographed or filmed 24 hours a day. day.
But the first two episodes are another story. A not without lightness portrait of the vital paths of Diana and Charles (Dominican West) a year after the divorce. Morgan has fun comparing the colorful holidays of old, hosted by businessman Mohamed Al-Fayed (Salim Daw) Spending ten days in Saint-Tropez with the most traditional celebrations at the Balmoral of Camilla Parker Bowles’ 50th birthday (Olivia Williams), Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Elizabeth does not appear (Imelda Staunton), despite being invited.
‘The Crown’ is not a one-tone or one-genre series, and in this part of the story it almost resembles a sitcom. His son already has a fiancée, but Mohamed goes to the trouble of leaving him alone on a yacht with Diana and their child Harry (Flynn Edwards) and William (Rufus Kampa), whom Dodi tried to approach using his identity as a filmmaker and invited them to the filming of ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’ so they could meet Pierce Brosnan. Dodi’s future wife is model Kelly Fisher (Erin Richards) insists on going to the south of France, so he has to stay on a different yacht, not far from the other one.
Generosity towards characters
But if Morgan and his team can’t be accused of anything, it’s for discrediting, ridiculing, or belittling their actual credentials. As the fourth season was about to premiere, some people close to Carlos were quick to criticize a supposedly dark portrayal that turned out to be balanced, if not outright complimentary. Here we also empathize with all the characters, including Diana in her quest for emotional balance and a Prince of Wales who is able to bury the hatchet for the sake of his children and himself and his ex-wife. “Let’s do the divorce right”The latter is suitable.
In the fourth episode, a single shot of Carlos walking through the Balmoral countryside is worth a thousand words of grief. Perhaps more controversial will be the scene where he talks to what some describe as Diana’s ghost. Seeing it as a spectrum may be absurd and exaggerated. In fact, Morgan uses the same source acclaimed in Alan Ball’s script for ‘Six Feet Under’: dialogue with the dead as a representation of the thought process of those still alive..
Elizabeth also has the opportunity to reconcile with Diana, and Mohamed speaks to her son Dodi about his dismay at not seeing British society mourning her any further: “It’s as if only one person had died.” The series tells us that no, not only one person died, but even He gives his face and voice to Mercedes driver Henri Paul (Yoann Blanc) Where Diana and Dodi were traveling at the time of the accident.
Across four chapters well chosen songs It captures times and emotional states perfectly. HE George Michael Maturity adds a seductive rhythm to Diana’s luxurious adventures. radio head The more dystopian ‘Paranoid android’ is the music Guillermo chooses to overcome the loss. He’ll probably start listening to happier songs when we see him getting along with Kate Middleton in the remaining six episodes.