What I should have included on my Summer Bingo Card is “Finish watching X Shows,” because I have been watching more TV than I initially thought I would be watching. That X should probably be a number, but I think it would’ve also worked if I named a few shows in place of X.
Most recently, my fiancé and I finished watching Peter Morgan’s The Crown. It isn’t often that we have a show that we both enjoy, so it was sad for us to have this show come to an end. While I thought I would do a roundup of shows I finished this summer, today is a notable day for the British Royal Family.
On this day in 1981, the now-King Charles married Diana Spencer. Instead of theorizing and sharing my thoughts on that, I thought it would be more fitting to share a review of The Crown since the series ends with him marrying Camilla. Since it is inspired by history, I am going to claim that I don’t need to give any spoilers, so you cannot be mad about that.
My Rating of The Crown: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Out of all of the shows Netflix has produced, I believe The Crown is a masterpiece. It is possibly the best piece of content that Netflix has ever released. As an American, I appreciated the look I got into British history, politics, and culture. It has also made more more curious about the culture.
Those things drew me in, but so many details made the show rich and satisfying to consume. You can tell that the show was lavishly produced with the rich scenery and setting throughout. As the decades changed, they also changed the actors and actresses that played the parts as the series evolved with the times they were presenting.
Since I started at the end of 2019, I don’t think they have missed the mark, except when they changed the actor who played Harry in the middle of this last season. That was a little confusing since it seemed to happen in the middle of an episode, but maybe the argument being made is that grief significantly changes people. That confusion would probably be my only real note in all of the seasons of The Crown.
What Is The Crown?
If you are unfamiliar with it, The Crown is a Netflix historical drama series created by Peter Morgan. It started when Queen Elizabeth unexpectedly had to ascend the throne. The time covered extended from her ascension into the modern era. Each season of the show covers key events and milestones in her reign, interweaving political intrigue with personal drama related to the Royal Family.
While The Crown takes some creative liberties for dramatic effect, it largely remains faithful to historical events. Learning that made me feel better about the time I spent consuming it, knowing that I was learning something as I enjoyed this work of art. As someone who enjoys discussing history, my fiancé and I enjoyed the conversations about the show as it played out before our eyes.
Why Do I Love The Crown?
I would say that The Crown led me to understand the appeal that the Royal Family had for some people. I know I am an American who was able to witness Meghan Markle get married to Prince Harry, but I wasn’t quite a fan of hers yet. Sure, it was probably a dream for some, to be an American marrying into the Royal Family, but I didn’t see the appeal at the time. The Crown was able to endear the Royal Family to me because of the themes of duty, sacrifice, and the conflicting demands of public service and private life.
My fiancé says that I am always looking for the story, and that is what Peter Morgan’s writing gave me. Compelling dialogue with a consistent tone and pace kept me engaged, but the intricate plotlines and character development are what made me always want more. Seeing the weight of the crown’s responsibility as it weighs down the decisions of the family was what would pull an emotional reaction out of me.
Honestly, if you have any appreciation for history and are looking for something to watch on Netflix, I highly recommend The Crown.
What shows do you find yourself drawn to at this time? How do you feel about the British Royal Family? Are you doing something this summer you weren’t expecting? Tell me in the comments below!
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Love Always,
Kristi My
Kristi My Dao 