Review: The Crown Season Five
“How did it come to this?” A fundamental question with deep meaning opens the new fifth season of Netflix’s hit Emmy award-winning television series The Crown. Detailing a fictionalized version of the turbulent years of 1991-1997 in the history of the British royal family, the long-awaited new installment in the series delivers new drama. Every two years, a changing of the guard occurs as the characters age. Imelda Staunton, known for portraying Professor Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter films, takes over the role of Queen Elizabeth II from Olivia Colman, who portrayed the former Queen in seasons three and four. For two years, I eagerly awaited the arrival of the new season, because I wanted to see how Staunton would challenge herself when portraying such a sophisticated and powerful woman on screen. It is truly amazing to see her hard work and dedication shine on television.
Like many across the world, I have watched The Crown since day one in 2016, and I have to say, with all the trials and tribulations that the royal family has been through, this season may be the most turbulent yet. From Queen Elizabeth II’s reflection on herself and her reign, to the Prince and Princess of Wales’s marriage failure, to the loss of confidence in the health and relevance of the monarchy, season five tackles one of the most problematic eras of royal history. The stellar lineup of actors in this season accentuates the eventful storylines, with some of Britain’s best actors portraying influential individuals. Jonathan Pryce, Dominic West, Lesley Manville, Elizabeth Debicki, Claudia Harrison, Olivia Williams, Marcia Warren, and Jonny Lee Miller all astonish audiences as Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Princess Margaret, Princess Diana, Princess Anne, Camilla Parker-Bowles, the Queen Mother, and Prime Minister John Major, respectively. Staunton portrays the Queen at a point in her life when she began to question the legacy and achievements of her reign, and at a time when she felt she had lost control of her family. Not an easy role to play by any standards, the Queen is especially more difficult to impersonate during the 1990s.
When viewing season five, I looked forward to seeing how the writers would depict the unraveling of the Wales’ marriage and the Queen’s “annus horribilis” of 1992. The writer of The Crown, Peter Morgan, always finds the perfect way to flesh out the necessary parts of the story, and season five continues that tradition of telling a compelling tale. My favorite episode of the season, titled “Annus Horribilis” accordingly, beautifully depicts a not-so-beautiful year in royal history where Princess Anne’s, Prince Andrew’s, and Prince Charles’ marriages all crumble, and as, an added sadness, Windsor Castle, one of the royal family’s main residences, catches on fire and burns. The episode shows the true helplessness and sorrows the Queen felt as she watched her family crack in a way that makes the viewer feel the sorrow as well. The music, composed by Martin Phipps, underscores the pivotal moment in royal history as well, heightening the importance of this point in the Queen’s life.
Additionally, I found episode six, “Ipatiev House,” quite compelling. This episode depicts the horrific slaughter of the Romanov family after the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia during World War I and the subsequent discovery of their mass grave. Tsar Nicholas II and his entire family were assassinated at Ipatiev House in Yekaterinburg, Russia, and The Crown covers this tragic event because Queen Elizabeth’s grandfather, George V, and Tsar Nicholas were cousins. President Boris Yeltsin of Russia championed the excavation of the site where the Romanovs were believed to have been buried, and scientists eventually found the remains in 1994, prompting the Queen to visit Russia on a state visit to celebrate the discovery. I love British royal history, and the depiction of George V and Queen Mary’s involvement in the Romanov family’s demise was extremely cool to see on screen. Once again, The Crown’s set designers and historical consultants skillfully recreated historical events in a perfect manner that is unparalleled by anything I have seen in recent years.
I highly commend Elizabeth Debicki’s portrayal of the late Princess Diana. Debicki, like Emma Corrin before her, mastered the Princess’s pouty expression, where she tucked her chin down and looked up through her eyelashes. Debicki’s grasp of Diana’s distinct voice and mannerisms was astounding because of how spot-on her character was. The Crown truly understands what it takes to accurately portray real figures and real events. The cast and crew take painstaking care to make sure every last detail is accounted for and displayed. While season five was not my favorite in the series, it represents an enormous tone shift, meant to tell the audience that change is on the horizon in the upcoming sixth and final season. Season five is a beautifully-filmed and masterfully-acted exposition to the stunning climax expected to come, and the season answers in great detail "how it came to this" - "this" being the turmoil experienced by the royals in such a short period of time.