During the sixth and final season the Netflix series about the life of Queen Elizabeth II, “The Crown,” there’s been much hubbub in the media about the creative liberties it takes and the show’s imaginings about private moments within the royal family. Yes, historical accuracy matters … in the historical record. But we should keep this in mind: it’s a TV show.
“The Crown” has been the most regal soap opera ever on TV, evening division. It follows the broad strokes of the story around Britain’s longest reigning monarch. But it also makes the usual dramatic adjustments the medium can call for to succeed as entertainment. And it is cracking good television done excellently.
If I were English, I might have a more wry view of the UK monarchy. An even greater critical view would be apt for my Scots-Irish paternal lineage. But being an American who believes that monarchies are among the many governmental, cultural, social and further aspects of the human order today that mankind should evolve beyond to foster a better and fairer world, I nonetheless confess to some fondness for the late monarch.
At the core of that is a family connection. And at its heart, “The Crown” is a family story. My beloved late mother, who died in early 2021, was also named Elizabeth, and was the same age as the Queen.
Even without that commonality, it’s hard not to come away from “The Crown” with an affection and admiration for Elizabeth of the House of Windsor as portrayed in the series, as a TV show like this must for its central character. She ascended to her throne at 24 years old, and for all the cynicism, pot shots and even cheap shots one might take at someone of not just massive inherited privilege and wealth but also a certain power, both in the monarchial and political senses, I do feel that in her seven decades on the throne she seems to have largely lived her life and duties with a certain aplomb, common sense, dedication and dignity – and in doing so, did win the hearts of a large swath of her subjects.
On the other hand, I get an eternal jolt of frisson every time I hear the anti-royal rant of “God Save The Queen” by The Sex Pistols.
“The Queen” succeeds as a rather majestic work of entertainment, one that woos you into its rarified realm, is that. It feels real for reasons that have only something to do with Elizabeth II and her legacy.
First, contextually, the show must have spent a small king’s ransom on its sets and settings. It’s shot beautifully, wonderfully written, and every character feels full-blooded. The acting by both the stars and lesser knowns is uniformly superb, and it pulls off changing those playing its major roles from season to season to season rather smoothly. It gives sympathy to most all of the main characters, especially Charles and Diana within what became the mess of their marriage and divorce.
It should not be mistaken for what was; maybe better thought of in a good-hearted manner as what we – or at least some of us – might have imagined an maybe even wish the story and the royal family to be. If one can set aside concerns about how the show and reality might differ plus feelings about monarchy and Elizabeth II and her family and simply assess it on dramatic and entertainment terms, it’s a masterful series. If you haven’t yet seen it, it’s ready to be binged and enjoyed.
TV Series: “Reacher” – This show based on the Lee Child book series won me over in its first season about a good-hearted but tough-as-nails Army vet who’s a wandering loner. Season two reunites him with his elite Army unit’s members in an even more winning adventure.
TV Documentary: “Gatsby in Connecticut: The Untold Story” – Although F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel was set on Long Island, its origins and character were likely across the sound, where the author lived with a millionaire’s mansion next door, as this film persuasively makes a case for.
Rob Patterson is a music and entertainment writer in Austin, Texas. Email orca@prismnet.com.
From The Progressive Populist, April 1, 2024
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