WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD. THIS IS AN EVOLVING POST. My Dad is taking his sweet sweet time… or as he put it… “savoring the experience like a European.”
My Dad and I love The Crown. It’s one of my favorite subjects to talk to him about. He is watching one episode of Season 4 every night before bed. He accidentally fell asleep during episode two (long day) so he had to watch that episode over. What I’m trying to tell you is… It’s going to take me awhile to collect all 10 reviews from Pops…
This post began on 11/18/2020.
SEASON FOUR – EPISODE ONE – GOLD STICK
KINSEY’S REVIEW: Definitely some inaccuracies in The Crown between Charles and Diana but can we all agree that Sarah Spencer was probably that petty IRL?! This is my favorite episode of Season 4.
★★★★★
DAD’S REVIEW: Tonight I stop after episode 1… sad that Charles lost his grandfather and intrigued that he pursued Diana yet the plot had her pursuing him. I do think his Grandfather’s note influenced him to pursue Diana…
★★★★★ (Probably: Reminder that he doesn’t know I’m publishing this.)
SEASON FOUR – EPISODE TWO – THE BALMORAL TEST
KINSEY’S REVIEW:
★★★★★
DAD’S REVIEW: They have made Diana to be a person that you would want to know. Thatcher was serious about her role as Prime Minister and focused on getting the job done… she had little time to play royalty.
★★★★★ (Probably: Reminder that he doesn’t know I’m publishing this.)
MIDDAY UPDATE FROM MY DAD:
SEASON FOUR – EPISODE THREE – FAIRYTALE
KINSEY’S REVIEW: Highlight – Emma Corrin dancing to ‘Upside Down’ as Princess Diana made me SCREAMMMM. My favorite song in the world and my favorite human(s) in the world! This is such a great episode. I loved seeing Diana young and dancing with her friends and reaching that peak happy before reality – all too quickly – sets in. Lows – Great scenes but hurt my heart… lunch with Camilla and being torn to pieces for interrupting a shallow tale from Princess Margaret.
★★★★★
DAD’S REVIEW: Marriage gets off to a rocky start…there was definitely visual pain observed in the newly to become bride knowing you are marrying a man that loves someone else. There was also sadness observed in the prince who ultimately selected duty over his heart.
★★★★★ (Probably: Reminder that he doesn’t know I’m publishing this.)
SEASON FOUR – EPISODE FOUR – FAVOURITES
KINSEY’S REVIEW: The highlight of this episode for me was meeting a perfectly cast Prince Andrew. (When the Queen asks if that’s legal… cringe!) It was also a lot of fun to see Prince Philip poke fun at the Queen over her denial of having a favorite. There was a very nice human moment from Anne too. I really had no interest in Thatcher and her children though. I much prefer spending time with Margaret and Denis. Or Diana and Charles. Interested to see if my Dad admits that I am his favorite after watching this episode.
★★★★
DAD’S REVIEW: Via telephone – “I fell asleep, I’ll have to go back.” When I asked him who his favorite child was he pretended that the call dropped…
★★★★ (Probably: Reminder that he doesn’t know I’m publishing this.)
SEASON FOUR – EPISODE FIVE – FAGAN
KINSEY’S REVIEW: I thought we invested way too much time in Michael Fagan. Sorry if I prefer to watch Princess Margaret flip through a magazine than learn this guy’s backstory. I did read that in real life, he spent about five minutes with Queen Elizabeth and once police arrived, she insisted that they give Fagan a cigarette once he got outside. Gangster.
★★★
DAD’S REVIEW: Last 2 episodes I watched but was really tired… so I may have missed some of the story lines. Thatcher sees several benefits in winning the Falklands War… 1. Inspire and reintroduce pride and love of country to the populist that was struggling with it’s historical identity 2. Divert the focus on the economic conditions in the country 3. Embed a positive “can do” attitude in the people to step up and take responsibility for their own destiny. The royal castle break in was significant news and created concern for the Queen regarding her constituents struggling… but Thatcher responds with the value of individual responsibility and a philosophical position that the people must take responsibility to change their economic position through hard work and persistence.
★★★★ (Probably: Reminder that he doesn’t know I’m publishing this. Seems like Dad was really feeling this episode.)
SEASON FOUR – EPISODE SIX – TERRA NULLIUS
KINSEY’S REVIEW: One of my favorite episodes of Season 4. Although this is where Prince Charles’ cruelty seems to reveal itself, “It’s pathetic! She’s pathetic!” It’s also when he tells her that he loves her and I melt a little. It’s the first time that the couple communicates properly. I am also happy that the series documents how crazy she was about her babies. Prince William and Prince Harry should always be reminded of how much their mother loved them.
★★★★★
DAD’S REVIEW: Episode 6 reflected probably one of the most enjoyable times in Diana’s life… for a brief moment, she experienced joy and a feeling she was loved… briefly even Charles was confused by his emotions… but her rock star status among the citizens of Australia quickly took what looked like hope for the royal couple’s future and was shattered by jealousy and pettiness driving Charles back to the comfort of Camilla upon their return to England.
★★★★★ (Probably: Reminder that he doesn’t know I’m publishing this.)
CALL FROM MY MOM: Your Dad spent an hour this morning talking about how sorry he felt for Princess Diana.
TEXT FROM MY DAD:
SEASON FOUR – EPISODE SEVEN – THE HEREDITARY PRINCIPLE
KINSEY’S REVIEW: What a horrific and devastating discovery which just goes to solidify the cold narrative that defines the firm. Helena Bonham Carter is wonderful in this episode. I would like to keep her forever. Author Robert Lacey is a consultant on The Crown. In his recent book, Battle of Brothers, he explores the role (or lack thereof) of “the spare” and how unfair it is on that person. Princess Margaret’s lack of responsibility left her feeling lost and alone.
★★★★★
DAD’S REVIEW: The sad element is basically they were placed somewhere out of sight and forgotten…no real concern of their well being.
★★★★★ (Probably: Reminder that he doesn’t know I’m publishing this.)
SEASON FOUR – EPISODE EIGHT – 48:1
KINSEY’S REVIEW: At this point Dad’s reviews start reading more like a synopsis so I believe we’ve been discovered. This is not my favorite episode and it left me angry for Michael Shea.
★★★
DAD’S REVIEW: Queen Elizabeth’s opinions on a governmental matter become public which is not acceptable under the British constitution. Margaret Thatcher and the Queen’s disagreement on this high profile matter portrays two powerful women unwilling to concede their position with both pushing each other to the edge. The power plays surrounding this matter places significant stress on the possibility of an ongoing productive relationship.
★★★★★ (Probably: I think that he doesn’t know I’m publishing this, maybe.)
SEASON FOUR – EPISODE NINE – AVALANCHE
KINSEY’S REVIEW: I remember reading about this accident in Andrew Morton’s book. This accident really shook Princess Diana. I loved the way the episode began. With everyone waiting with bated breath. Unfortunately this episode is when Prince Charles’ character starts to unravel and it’s very disheartening. It’s probably the ugliest we’ll ever see him. Dad definitely knows we’re posting these now… see below.
★★★★★
DAD’S REVIEW: The Queen calls a meeting with Diana and Charles about their dysfunctional marriage. Diana advises the Queen that she wants the marriage between her and Charles to work. The Queen quickly asked if she is interested in her marriage…why she had committed adultery. Without hesitation, Diana promises to the Queen, Phillip and Charles that she will do whatever is required to make it work. Frustrated with the meeting outcome Charles distances himself from Diana by staying at another royal residence. The motive becomes clear after Charles terminated all communication with Diana that he wanted her to break her promise to the Queen. Loneliness or vindictiveness gets the best of Diana and she has a rendezvous with a prior lover. Charles has a team following Diana and now has evidence she is not committed as publicly promised.
★★★★★
SEASON FOUR – EPISODE TEN – WAR
KINSEY’S REVIEW: I love seeing the entire family together but the dynamic is much different for Diana this time around at Balmoral. I’ve seen some fans say that while Diana is walking down the stairs her head is placed under antlers to signify that she is now the one being hunted – maybe she’s the wounded stag from episode two? I don’t know. I don’t like the comparison. I do, however, agree that she was always a trophy… but when her star became brighter than Charles’ star, he was done.
★★★★★
DAD’S REVIEW: Dad can’t believe that the season is over and he has to wait until 2022. I’ve never heard the man so devastated.
★★★★★
Do you think Fergie is mad that she didn’t play a bigger role?
Kinsey Schofield is the Founder of To Di For Daily and you can follow her on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.