The Crown (TV Series) Aftermath (2023) User Reviews

"It was a love for the ages"

[Jonnyboi2420 · 9/10 · 16 November 2023]

A very hard subject to cover and a historical event that devastated so many people around the world when a woman and royal member so loved and cherished was taken too soon in an accident that should never have happened back in 1997.

The Crown has been known to exaggerate or string together events for dramatic purposes, however, in my opinion, I feel that this episode was directed with respect and admiration for a woman that the world loved so much. There have been many versions of Princess Diana in media and film, however, what struck a cord with me in this series, was how refreshing it was to see conspiracy theories, political accusations and arguable rumours put aside and the main focus of this story was how Diana was not only a Princess, but also a valued friend, wife and mother, just like any other.

This historical event has always been the subject of controversy and like so many controversial topics, they are left to be debated, disagreed with and argued, however, I feel that this episode focused on the right issues at hand. Not only was Diana's death covered tactfully, but her personality was captured perfectly. Her warmth and generosity were demonstrated through the fantastic acting of the actress who played her. The emotions displayed by the other actors who played the rest of the royal family conveyed exactly how a family would react after a sudden loss. Anger, sadness, and frustration were shown and as much as people might disagree with me on this, I genuinely believe that when Diana passed away, each royal member was left feeling saddened as Diana's death took place so suddenly and during a time when they all had mixed feelings about her, which had been mentioned in the newspapers and news articles at that time.

This episode was respectful, gentle and heart warming as its proven that no matter who it is, death comes for us all and no matter the issues we have during our lives, it's best to put that aside and remember that every life is valued and this episode touched down on the subject of death and loss, but also, how in time, the person is never forgotten and Diana was certainly someone we will never forget.

A companion piece to THE QUEEN

[Njs2016 · 8/10 · 17 November 2023]

There have been many reviews making light of this season, or making barbed comments about Peter Morgan's work especially the 'ghost' section. I made the mistake of reading those reviews, so to my surprise the first four episodes of the season are actually very good indeed. It is in many ways a companion piece to Morgan's 'The Queen' and stands alone as a four episode tranche that deals with one of the most seismic events of recent Royal History.

The ghost of Diana appearing is quite well judged. Maybe, and it's just a maybe, it might have been more interesting to see The Queen reach back to King George?

All of that aside and the vicious critics in the daily papers (UK), The crown is an engrossing drama with stand out performances from Dominic West, Imelda Staunton and Elizabeth Dibecki as always.

Top Notch Acting, But Feels Very Unbalanced

[raeldor-96879 · 9/10 · 28 November 2023]

Imelda Staunton's ability to portray the repressed emotions of the Queen is again absolutely astounding. It had me on the verge of tears. She is without a doubt one of the top actors of her generation. I have also warmed significantly to Dominic West's portrayal of Charles. It didn't click with me to start, but now feels very natural without being a caricature.

With the positives out the way, the thing I didn't like was the unbalanced feeling between the Al-Fayed side of the story and the royal family's side of the story. It felt like the royal family had been made to feel more like the victims and the Al-Fayeds (especially the father) portrayed as some kind of manipulating monsters. This REALLY didn't sit well with me. I can understand the series not wanting to be overly critical of the royal family, but to do it at the expense of what amounts to character defamation of the Al-Fayeds was completely unnecessary. In fact, I would say unforgiveable.

Tears Running Down Throughout

[markmandell23 · 10/10 · 17 November 2023]

The production and performances were outstanding. These 4 episodes could have been made into an Oscar nominated fim. Elizabeth Debicki is outstanding playing Diana. She draws you in as if you are actually present in the conversation. I understand about being harassed by the paparazzi but they were cameras not guns. They should have just dealt with it and she may still be alive today. The reactions by the family members were perfectly executed but Philip's was probably not that cold-hearted in reality. I've never been a huge Dominic West fan but the emotions he showed as Charles have changed my mind. I'm looking forward to the rest of the season but I will miss Debicki as much as the character she portrayed.

Stunning as always.

[Julie-C-Sherwood · 10/10 · 17 November 2023]

The Crown continues to be extraordinarily superior in its writing, directing, cinematography, and editing. Every shot and line and decision feels uniquely thoughtful in its planning and execution, and I'm just in awe. I had high expectations from this episode, and it didn't disappoint. The drama was less than I expected, but it worked better, and it maintained a degree of respect to Princes Harry and William by not heavily focusing on portrayals of their grief. It was represented in a meaningful way, but not exploited.

The acting is stellar, and the actor portraying Muhammad Al Fayed and Dominic West, who portrays King Charles, were the highlight performances. When reading about Charles's actual reaction to Diana's death, I believe they did reality justice here.

They aren't ghosts, they are incarnations of grief

[nomisgnal · 9/10 · 19 January 2024]

They aren't ghosts, they are incarnations of grief.

And The Crown had never been utterly historically accurate. As its a Drama after all and not a documentary series. This dramatized series had always interpreted and somewhat fictionalised the actual real events and people, drew its own conclusion and portrayed one possible reality. And the series (nor the people behind it) never said that this was actually how things had played out (especially when it comes to the private life of the Royals)..

And I cant believe that anybody is thinking that Charles, the Queen and Mohammad Al-Fayed are being haunted by the ghosts of Diana and Dodi, as its clearly portraying the imagination of the living and the solidification of their grief.

And that, in my opinion, is a great way to depict an inner monologue in a drama series (if you want a completely accurate, realistic and non-fictional series, watch a documentary series for god sake).

Actors portray a myriad of feelings in a compelling manner

[anagalilea · 10/10 · 19 November 2023]

I was overwhelmed by Dominic West' display of feelings. His registry, the ability to open up and express different emotions. Before that, I had thought he was a genuinely bad actor, at times mediocre. But, here it shows he is a fine actor. In general, they are all magnificent, even when the narrative is tedious. Somehow they all must have received extra lessons or a coach to help them portray them, it is not normal. Even the actress who interprets the queen feels like the queen herself, voice and accent. It is perfect, you couldn't have wished for a better performance. The story is know and it doesn't go far, it's all silent and we don't get to see the most controversial moments, which is respectful and the honourable thing here.

To Be Stunned

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 26 November 2023]

For my generation, it was the Kennedy assassination. As a high school kid who had no experience with the death of a loved one, I mourned for a guy had never met or knew very well. The empty feeling must have been there for people when the Princess was killed. The portrayal of the reactions of the Royal family was quite interesting. Prince Philip comes off as a consummate jerk. Play by the rules. She had her chance; she doesn't need any attention from the people she deserted! A theatrical method is used as Charles, Dodi's father, and the Queen, expose themselves by having conversations with the dead. It's not real in most ways, but is a clever way of delving into the subconscious. We get a glimpse of the feelings of the population. The Queen eventually addresses the nation from a teleprompter in her cold, emotionless, obligatory way. She never really gets it--at least that's how the actress portrays her.

Those episode should have been a movie

[florian-44837 · 10/10 · 26 April 2024]

One of the biggest problems in season six was, that it feels very rushed, yet lots of important historical background is missing. Those first 4 episodes were amazing, but it kinda feela like a diana show and not like a show about the queen herself. In my opinion, the best solution would have been to bring the last summer of the queen of the hearts directly to cinema as an 4 hour movie. This would have not only been a money maker, but it would have also given other characters like phillip or the queen mother more space to tell their story.

Besides that, elisabeth debecki is a blast - and dominic west did his best performance since he reprised his role as prince of wales.

Disappointing and repetitive

[cam-88268 · 6/10 · 3 December 2023]

This was such a great show, I've loved watching the previous episodes, but they really put too much emphasis and time on Diana, and it really wasn't too "new", in fact, just watch "The Queen" and you've seen most of the same scenes. It was an interesting twist to take the blame off the Royal family, as most documentaries tend to do (at best that they drove her into that position due to their treatment, at worst, they actually arranged it), and put it mainly onto the shoulders of Muhammad Al Fahid.. either way though, Diana is always the "perfect" victim, a narrative that really only came about after her death. They had the chance to explore the story in a different way, show a more realistic viewpoint, all divorces have several interpretations of whose "at fault" but the world needs to see famous people as "good" or "bad", I realise this is an unpopular opinion, but they were both to blame for the divorce, we only heard her side of the story (as always, the royal family maintained their dignity by not responding). The media, I believe, in an attempt to allay their guilt in how they contributed to Diana's death have made out Charles to be pure villainous, never a balanced view of how it all went down, and this show just contributed to that once more.

Fictional account

[beverleylbailey · 4/10 · 22 November 2023]

Whilst the episode covering Diana's passing and indeed the preceding episodes of this series contain factual events, the artistic licence for these are more fictional than I'd expect.

Being in two minds as to whether to continue watching the Crown as it ebbs ever closer to current affairs, I think maybe it's not now a show for me.

Some characters such as Charles appear to have undergone a personality change and given the fact he is now King Charles of Great Britain seems a respectful approach to take, noting he has picked up the mantle of the Crown remarkably.

Recent historical events do however have a tendency to be re written with the 'my truth' mantra and I can't help but feel this modern day approach has rubbed off here also.

Diana's backstory and death was tragic and did indeed cause shockwaves across the world stage. However, the impact and subsequent maturity those concerned were forced into was not immediate and a period of mourning and growth took place (though accepting some are yet to reach that level acceptance as yet).

This episode is a personal view built up of an assertive, independent and outwardly loving Prince Charles and a one track view of the Fayad's. Royal fan or not, I would like to have seen less assumptions but then we should remind ourselves it is drama and not a documentary.

It was so great - then they did the 'ghost thing'

[nvinterberg · 3/10 · 8 December 2023]

Such a powerful episode brought down by one of the most hated tropes: 'Talking to the ghost of the recently deceased'.

There are so many other ways to show Charles' grief that having him talk to a 'ghost' of Diana. It is so cheap. The mortuary scene was powerful, the waking of the princes was so tender, the foreshadowing done in the first episode of the season was great - then it was all ruined by this hack job of a scene.

Not only did they do it once; they HAD to do it a second time with Mohamed and Dodi. Then, of course the had to do it a third time with princess Diana and the queen - come on.

COME ON that is so lazy.

I may be harsh, but that scene ruined the episode for me - completely threw out the drama and substance.

Propaganda for Charles

[indiana1981 · 3/10 · 19 November 2023]

I don't understand why the writers have portrayed Charles as caring for Diana, these last few episodes. We know he loathed her, disrespected and cheated on her, their entire marriage. They even lie in this show and make it out, that he cried beside her dead body in Paris. He did not. They do not state, that the Queen flew him there, as well as her sisters.

The acting by Debicki and Abdall as Diana and Dodi, is perfect and amazing!! I loved watching them together, but the writers have literally chosen a storyline and tone of voice, which was not reflective at the time.

I don't know why they have tried to make Charles out to be some kind of angel. And we all know the Royal Family hated Diana was dating Dodi. On top of that, stating that Mohammed Al Fayed forced Dodi to date Diana, is also a lie. This was not even rumoured at the time in the media. In fact, I clearly remember rumours of an engagement and pregnancy. (There is no smoke without fire). So this story is not factual, almost feels like a lie, purely to discredit Mohammed Al Fayed and I am baffled as to why the shows creators have taken this narrative. (Fayed was even kicked out of the country).

The ghosts scene was also odd. Writing has lost its way. And West sounds and acts NOTHING like Charles.

Sympathy for the D - I mean Prince

[annikajylland · 1/10 · 27 November 2023]

Upon learning of the death of of his former wife, Diana, with a huff Charles exclaimed "God, they're going to blame me of this, too, aren't they?"

So far, this season is a transparent and tame attempt at painting Charles as sympathetic, when he was never anything but cruel and cold toward a woman he promised to love and protect. A woman who was just a girl when they met, and he one of the most powerful men in the world. There were a myriad of ways to go about these difficult concluding episodes of the series, but portraying a man-child who mistreated his wife horrifically for all the world to see, as a grieving and broken soul was definitely not the way to go. It also incredibly convenient how this episode has the royal family refer to Diana as The Princess when they stripped her of the title.

Of all the footage of the real al Fayed I have seen, I have also never seen a man who anything but loved his son deeply. Before he passed, as well. He spent the last years of his life in deep mourning.

Death by carelessness

[ordtilthomas · 3/10 · 24 November 2023]

As a series that from the very outset has been so strenuously strung out between the Royal institution it seeks to portray and the inner workings of the individuals within it THE CROWN has gained its deserved popularity from a (mostly) striking a fine balance between historical facts and entertaining dramatization.

Audiences has long since accepted that this examination of one of the world's most private families will always be almost entirely guesswork. But in the best episodes of the show the private emotional storylines strike as being both humanly recognizable and plausible.

In this regard this episode's choice to resurrect Diana in a series of post mortem epilogues with the main characters is a sad catastrophe. Even the overly dramatic focus on the Diana tragedy is fully understandable in a primarily entertainment series given the actual impact it had on a global scale as it happened - but the directional and writing decisions of this storyline will forever taint one of the greatest series of the golden streaming age. I makes me sad.

Shame on you, Peter Morgan

[joancjx · 2/10 · 19 November 2023]

Having seen the first batch of episodes of the last season of #TheCrown and I must say what a shame that Peter Morgan has sold out to the Royal Family and has whitewashed them so much, especially Charles. I suppose they have not been able to withstand so much pressure from the Government and the monarchy.

The last two seasons of #TheCrown working at full speed to clean up Carlos's image. The Queen had nothing against Camilla. Diana and Dodi were friends. They did not get engaged and above all the white vehicle that caused the accident did NOT EXIST. Charles BITTERLY CRIED for her death. The image they want to sell of Carlos and Camila and the monarchy...

Great acting tho.

Flawless acting, very different reality though

[thelionline100-159-992623 · 1/10 · 18 November 2023]

The acting deserves 10/10 but the moment you start to polish certains figures at the expense of the dead you are a media platform and not a tv show.

I don't get why this hideous Image of dodi and his father, someone with such mentality and successful business courrier created from nothing needs the admiration that it deserves, you know like the polishing others who are actually living are getting Ghosts idea was literally the worst in this context, non one could ever know how the dead felt, forgiveness for the living who are actually real people was granted without mentioning the fictional point of view for the respect of the families and the people feelings Acting is spotless.

Soulless, flat and still very boring

[Zaffy-1 · 1/10 · 18 November 2023]

The specific episode (and the ones before it this season) offered us absolutely nothing.

It seems that the showrunner's interpretation of the events was that Diana basically died because of daddy-Fayed's obsession to get accepted by the English Royals.

In any case, the whole thing felt flat. I remember well the period after Diana's death and I can reassure you that the show failed to give us any of the sentiments people were feeling those days.

There was no strong writing, no tension, not exciting directing or editing, nothing. Maybe it did not help that Dodi 's casting was really bad.

Not that the rest of the acting and casting was any good, especially West as Charles was a very unfortunate selection. I kept having the impression the actors looked like never really got any proper direction on how to play their roles.

The show is about very boring people, maybe they are supposed to be like this, but being so boring is not a plus for making good TV. And when the rest of the elements, like writing, directing and acting lack so much.. you end up with a very boring result.

Game over

[dierregi · 4/10 · 2 December 2023]

In this episode, we're shown how "the people" are fickle and not to be trusted to let you mourn in your own way. Mourning must be public and excessive, with copious sobbing and tearful messages, maybe because people project their fears and frustrations onto celebrities and I guess Diana was a mega-magnet for that since she managed to cause mass hysteria with her untimely demise after having made her life a perpetual show for the benefit of her many followers.

Succumbing to the melodramatic mood, we also see Diana's and Dodi's ghosts talking to their relatives, and Dodi saying he was hailed as a "hero" in the Muslim world, which I found weird and not clarified by the circumstances of his life and death. Diana's ghost was more balanced, forgiving both Charles and the Queen for whatever they had to be forgiven. How kind of her. Towards the end of the episode during Diana's funeral, William asks his grandfather why the "people" cry for a stranger and Philip answers "They cry for you". I think they cry for themselves, for their boring lives and their frustrations, and for the chance to feel part of something bigger, dramatic, and even exciting in a morbid way.

Beware of the "people", they beheaded kings in France and England, and in France, they did not even apologize properly for it.

However, the events of this episode were narrated with fairness in the movie The Queen, so it was difficult to succeed in giving a better spin to such a worn tale. What is surprising is that 26 years later, some people still feel so hot about it, they're even indignant because Charles is shown to have felt deep sorrow. Do they know him personally and can testify to the contrary?

PS Never having had a special interest in the British royal family, monarchy, or Diana in particular, I find the frenzied interest they still manage to provoke a huge mystery. This show was a good show until now, but this episode is definitely on the soppy side.