I have some sympathy for Peter and trying to tie this series up into a bow. Totally agree th series best work was when it really did center around the “crown” even when the plot isn’t about Elizabeth. I also think what made previous seasons work was the fact that there was far less of a collective memory or experience of what had happened from the audience. The 90’s and beyond still feel very present day and the topics he is attempting to cover will never leave us satisfied because of the MANY ways we could talk about these events. Previous seasons had the benefit of history that gave the story its gravitas. While I think some aspects of season six have deviated from its original narrative of the “burden of the institution” (in some ways) I also think it would have been difficult NOT to center around Diana in the way that it did for several episodes. In a way, her presence in real life did represent a hijacking of the crown and the Windsor family’s way of life. Even if I haven’t enjoyed everything, there have been a number of beautiful/powerful scenes that should be acknowledged (the first 6 minutes of episode four as an example).
That’s fair and you’re right, the way we see the news being delivered and the confusion was compelling. I also liked how they did that when different family members read the C and C transcript from Season 5.
Such great observations! I do wonder if part of the reason the focus was on Diana for 4 full episodes is because there was a chance at the time that her death and her star power could have eclipsed the steadiness of the Crown. It also seemed that there were some Easter eggs that flashed backwards to the way the Duke and Duchess of Windsor left a lot for the RF to deal with, and then flash forward to future situations with Harry/Meghan that history was repeating itself.
My guess is that they wanted to cash in on the Diana of it all by maximizing her screen time and mayyyybeeee avoid treading too similar ground to the Helen Mirren movie The Queen (although maybe focusing less on the crash and the funeral would’ve avoided that?). I hate that the crash was included at all, albeit barely offscreen
It seems to me that season 6 should’ve been tasked with the admittedly Herculean task of closing out The Crown’s run and really focusing on Elizabeth. Even though there was a good 26 more years of her reign, this is purportedly the end of the line for the series (yes, the conspiracy theory portion of my mind posits that Morgan might want to come back after a decade or so to reboot up a continuation, but that’s neither here nor there). Because of these ill-conceived 4 episodes on Diana, that leaves only 4 episodes to land this thing and that seems very tight, at best. I fully agree with you that a focus on Elizabeth’s perspective for 1, maybe 2 tops episodes that sets up how the RF’s treatment of Charles/Camilla and William/Kate in ensuring years would’ve been the way to go.
I have some sympathy for Peter and trying to tie this series up into a bow. Totally agree th series best work was when it really did center around the “crown” even when the plot isn’t about Elizabeth. I also think what made previous seasons work was the fact that there was far less of a collective memory or experience of what had happened from the audience. The 90’s and beyond still feel very present day and the topics he is attempting to cover will never leave us satisfied because of the MANY ways we could talk about these events. Previous seasons had the benefit of history that gave the story its gravitas. While I think some aspects of season six have deviated from its original narrative of the “burden of the institution” (in some ways) I also think it would have been difficult NOT to center around Diana in the way that it did for several episodes. In a way, her presence in real life did represent a hijacking of the crown and the Windsor family’s way of life. Even if I haven’t enjoyed everything, there have been a number of beautiful/powerful scenes that should be acknowledged (the first 6 minutes of episode four as an example).
That’s fair and you’re right, the way we see the news being delivered and the confusion was compelling. I also liked how they did that when different family members read the C and C transcript from Season 5.
Such great observations! I do wonder if part of the reason the focus was on Diana for 4 full episodes is because there was a chance at the time that her death and her star power could have eclipsed the steadiness of the Crown. It also seemed that there were some Easter eggs that flashed backwards to the way the Duke and Duchess of Windsor left a lot for the RF to deal with, and then flash forward to future situations with Harry/Meghan that history was repeating itself.
I haven’t watched season 6, and to be honest, I’m not sure I will... I love this show and don’t want to ruin that!
My guess is that they wanted to cash in on the Diana of it all by maximizing her screen time and mayyyybeeee avoid treading too similar ground to the Helen Mirren movie The Queen (although maybe focusing less on the crash and the funeral would’ve avoided that?). I hate that the crash was included at all, albeit barely offscreen
It seems to me that season 6 should’ve been tasked with the admittedly Herculean task of closing out The Crown’s run and really focusing on Elizabeth. Even though there was a good 26 more years of her reign, this is purportedly the end of the line for the series (yes, the conspiracy theory portion of my mind posits that Morgan might want to come back after a decade or so to reboot up a continuation, but that’s neither here nor there). Because of these ill-conceived 4 episodes on Diana, that leaves only 4 episodes to land this thing and that seems very tight, at best. I fully agree with you that a focus on Elizabeth’s perspective for 1, maybe 2 tops episodes that sets up how the RF’s treatment of Charles/Camilla and William/Kate in ensuring years would’ve been the way to go.