The Crown is officially over. No, not the monarchy. The Netflix show. After 6 seasons, the series has come to an end.
The first part of the season focused on the chaos surrounding Princess Diana’s death and the aftermath. With Princess Diana out of the picture, The Crown returns to its comfort zone with The Royal Family and their internal politicking with one another as they navigate death, growing pains, and an ever-changing country.
Performances aren’t a problem with this show. Every actor comes with their best, making this dialogue-heavy show a must-watch. Each actor tackles the complexities that come with being a part of the Royal Family while trying to be a person in it.
Finding and Questioning Autonomy
The Crown’s final season focuses on legacies and the future.
Elizabeth struggles with herself, acknowledging that she has put duty to her country over everything- at the cost of her and her family’s happiness. At multiple points in the season, she questions herself. She has her regrets and ponders what could’ve been if she had more freedom to be a person. It’s a sobering moment, as it reminds the viewers despite the title of Queen, there is a person underneath it.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Prince William struggles with the limelight and living his own private life. Dating, school, and friends are all points of contention for him as he navigates the frustrations that come with figuring out who to trust and trying to live his life.
The one constant has been Prince Charles and his tumultuous relationship with Camilla. After multiple seasons of back and forth between Charles and The Crown, Charles finally wed the woman of his dreams. While Princess Margaret wasn’t allowed to wed Peter Townsend, Charles being allowed to wed Camilla is a testament to the changing times. It also demonstrates the gravity of the royal succession as Queen Elizabeth thinks about her death and the potential heir to the throne. In the end, she grants Charles permission with multiple asterisks. This leaves him a clean slate to embark on his reign when it comes in 2022.
How Do You End a Show Like The Crown?
Before Queen Elizabeth died in 2022, I wondered how the show would end. Then she died, and I figured they’d end with her death. However, after reading Peter Morgan wanted the show to remain historical in some aspects, I was even more curious to see how they’d end the series.
Ending with a wedding is a troupe used to celebrate the ups and downs of the cast with a giant party. As The Crown ends with this event, it signifies more is to come, yet it also marks the end of a journey.
Leading up to the wedding, Elizabeth has a lengthy back-and-forth with herself. She contemplates leaving, staying, and living for herself. She laments what she sacrificed to be Queen, and after struggling within herself, she endures- headstrong into the rest of her reign.
While the series ends about 20 years before the present day, the final scene pays homage to the rest of Queen Elizabeth’s reign and her death without outright acknowledging it. As someone who watched from season 1, it’s a fitting send-off for a Queen.
Curtain Call
The Crown is a solid watch from start to finish. Every generation of actors brings something fresh but consistent to the table. If you’re a fan of historical dramas, it’s a definite must-watch.
The Crown is streaming on Netflix.
