The Crown Season 6 is a mixed bag. While Elizabeth Debicki's stellar performance as Princess Diana is a standout, the overall portrayal falls short in doing justice to her life as the "Queen of Hearts."
Dividing Season 6 into two parts seems arbitrary and, as a dedicated viewer of The Crown, I found this installment less captivating than its predecessors. Nevertheless, it's commendable that the show, despite revolving around a monarchy, doesn't shy away from depicting the inner dynamics, including the intimate relationship between King Charles III and Queen Camilla, even when Charles was married to Diana. This choice underscores the resilience of democracy, where the influence of the media remains unbridled.
However, a notable drawback lies in the soft justification provided for Charles's actions and the failure of his marriage to Diana. While Diana is unequivocally regarded as the people's queen, the narrative seemingly downplays the injustice inflicted upon her by the British Royal family. The portrayal of Charles's enduring relationship with Camilla, despite being married to Diana, raises questions about the sincerity of his commitment to his marriage and the impact on Diana's life. The show's treatment of this aspect leaves much to be desired, as it fails to fully address the complexities of Princess Diana's experiences within the royal family.
The Crown downplayed Charles's extramarital affair, portraying it as somewhat acceptable and suggesting that his liberation followed the separation from Diana. The show emphasized Charles as a forward-thinking individual who had the courage to challenge the queen, painting him as popular among the youth in the UK. However, this narrative overlooked the fact that Diana endured the pain of her husband's infidelity without attempting to control him. The portrayal attempted to present Charles in a positive light, highlighting his progressive stance and popularity, but it may have overlooked the emotional toll on Diana.
Yet, the most unsettling revelation unfolds: following Princess Diana's demise, her spectral presence manifests to Prince Charles and later to the Queen, resembling a benevolent guide. She serves as an illuminating force, shedding light on the best approach to connect with the people's sentiments, a connection she always maintained through a direct hotline to every individual heart. Expressing gratitude to Charles for his vulnerability and handsomeness during the hospital encounter with her lifeless body, Ghost Diana cryptically mentions, "I'll take that with me."
As "Ghost Diana" takes the Queen's hand and softly imparts, "You've always shown us what it meant to be British. Maybe it's time to learn, too," urging her to succumb to the headline's plea to "Show us you care, Ma'am," the experience becomes surreal, akin to an out-of-body sensation.
The emotional impact it does evoke primarily stems from the potency of understated moments, wisely allowed to transition into silence. Instances like Charles informing the boys of their mother's demise or Harry composing the poignant "Mummy" card placed atop the coffin are the instances that resonate.
