The Crown - Netflix

[thegirlscout]

I think the two ladies who have played Diana in this series really knocked it out the park with her mannerisms. I thought that changing Emma was going to be a terrible idea because she was really good but Elizabeth has shown the glamorous mid 90s Diana really well.
I like Diana and a big part of me wishes there has been a proper TV show or film focusing on her because I find her an interesting character. But the films I’ve seen haven’t been that great and whilst I like Emma and Elizabeth it only shows part of her life and story. I think the reason I like Diana is because I was only 5 when she died and I can’t really remember that time frame. Family members who were older have said that before she died people were fed up with her behaviour.
I do find that this series and the previous one has put the Queen in the background. Even though Diana, Charles and Camilla became the main story for the public in the 80s and 90s the Crown still very much revolved around the Queen. I feel like the pacing from S 1 and 2 which I thought was good has been lost because it’s a bit all over the place. Andrew and Fergie were hardly mentioned, Sophie Wessex wasn’t introduced, and I’m sure there are several other things that have been missed.
I’m only on episode 2 of the new series but looking forward to seeing more of Salim Dau - he looks so much like Al Fayed. His scenes in the last series were some of my favourite.

 

[Boredofgrey]

I was working a very early shift that day as a teenager somewhere that sold newspapers. I was awake getting ready when when it was announced she had died. Then went into work where there were a lot of first edition newspapers not one of them had a good word to say about Diana & Dodi - they were full of pictures slagging then off on that yacht. One even had a supplement dedicated to the pics. In hindsight I wish I had bought them.
I think they are being too kind to Charles in these episodes. Personally I can’t imagine him crying so much for her. Maybe for the impact in the short term for him and possibly the boys. But in the long term it probably helped his ‘situation’.

I had a similar teenage job. We had second edition newspapers in at 11an - all black. No colour - news of the world header was black too with two words - Diana dead. Was a weird weird time.

 

[Betty-xoxox]

Just watched the 4 episodes all this afternoon. I do like the actress Elizabeth who plays Diana. I enjoyed the first set of episodes. Wasn’t keen on the whole ghost of Diana/Dodi I felt like it sort of cheapened the show if that makes sense. Does anyone know if the other episodes that come out in December do they follow straight on after Diana’s death or is there a gap?

 

[catlady29]

I just finished the 4 episodes, sorry to say I've found it all excruciatingly bad, I found myself skipping through chunks of it. Sad because I've loved all other series of the crown.

 

[Mr Krabs]

Just watched the 4 episodes all this afternoon. I do like the actress Elizabeth who plays Diana. I enjoyed the first set of episodes. Wasn’t keen on the whole ghost of Diana/Dodi I felt like it sort of cheapened the show if that makes sense. Does anyone know if the other episodes that come out in December do they follow straight on after Diana’s death or is there a gap?

I think there’s a gap because

Spoiler: Spoiler

the trailers show William kissing Kate. I think it’d be quite dull if they just continued with the Dianamania for the rest of the show.

Did anyone else cringe at all the mentions of California? I don’t mind Harry, but it felt like Netflix giving themselves a big pat on the back.

 

[Nopatience]

Imelda Staunton has the same expression on her face in every episode no matter the scene.

 

[Whatsallthis]

I’m on episode 3 and had to pause. The driving thru Paris bit is really uncomfortable to watch 🥲. Actually feel a bit sick.

 

[Salacious]

Ghost Diana has been done before (more hilariously I might add)

 

[TigerTim]

I’ve finished the new episodes today and given the reviews in a lot of the press, it’s actually a lot neuter than I was expecting!! None of the ghost stuff actually feels too jarring in my opinion.

 

[GossWhore]

I’m on episode 3 and had to pause. The driving thru Paris bit is really uncomfortable to watch 🥲. Actually feel a bit sick.

I can FEEL the paparazzi

 

[Goldilocks3108]

I’m on episode 3 and had to pause. The driving thru Paris bit is really uncomfortable to watch 🥲. Actually feel a bit sick.

Agree, I remember that day so vividly and of course we’ve all seen the photos and CCTV footage of them at the Ritz a million times since then. It was horribly realistic. Have to say, they got all of Diana’s outfits in these 3 episodes absolutely spot on - even all the swimming costumes are identical to ones she wore

 

[I'veloveditforyears]

She did seem to court married men, but I think myself that the man she really wanted was a Pakistani heart specialist that she had been seeing,but he didn't want to commit as he didn't like publicity and his parents were strict Muslims who would want him to marry a similar woman.
---

Yes I heard about the first edition papers they had to pull them in really fast and print Saint Diana is dead ones instead.

I had stayed over at a friend's house. I popped into a newsagents late morning on the way home and the tabloids had photos of Diana & Dodi and their romance. The papers hadn't been removed from sale.

 

[Rainbow Blossom]

So was Diana only interested in men who were married or engaged??

I think that actually yes, Diana did seem attracted to married or unavailable men. We all know at least one woman who likes to think of herself as so desirable, she could tempt even a married man. I know several women like this, they get a kick out of it.

 

[Eirawen]

I had stayed over at a friend's house. I popped into a newsagents late morning on the way home and the tabloids had photos of Diana & Dodi and their romance. The papers hadn't been removed from sale.

Ah right they had got rid of them pretty sharpish where I was living.

 

[Flibbertigibbet]

I think that actually yes, Diana did seem attracted to married or unavailable men. We all know at least one woman who likes to think of herself as so desirable, she could tempt even a married man. I know several women like this, they get a kick out of it.

The Queen of Hearts innit.

 

[FenellaTheWitch]

I think that actually yes, Diana did seem attracted to married or unavailable men. We all know at least one woman who likes to think of herself as so desirable, she could tempt even a married man. I know several women like this, they get a kick out of it.

It is odd that given how she felt so betrayed and unhappy with the Camilla and Charles situation that she would even contemplate going near a married man or one that was in a relationship. Even Dodi was apparently engaged.

 

[Rosie glow]

I have to say I enjoyed the first 4 episodes a lot,
I was 18 when Diana died so remember that time very well it certainly was a strange time

Thought Salim Dau was brilliant playing Mohammad Al fyad he definitely deserves an award and some recognition for his work

When I first heard about the "the ghosts" I did roll my eyes but actually it was ok and did fit in ok

I thought the final scenes with the coffin were very moving and I liked the fact they mixed the scenes with real footage too looking forward to to the rest of the series next month

 

[Mr Krabs]

It is odd that given how she felt so betrayed and unhappy with the Camilla and Charles situation that she would even contemplate going near a married man or one that was in a relationship. Even Dodi was apparently engaged.

By all accounts Diana cheated a few times herself. I don’t think you can play the wounded party if you’re both at it.

 

[Restless Native]

Lucy Mangans review in the Guardian was quite funny. And I usually don't like her

 

[VanterreDuPont]

I cried a great deal, admittedly.

I think Elizabeth portrays Princess Diana very well as a well rounded human - charming, egoistic, motherly, irritable, manipulative, insightful and vulnerable.

I was particularly moved by the scene where the spirit of Dodi (or his Father's internal grieving dialogue) challenges his Father putting so much emphasis on exalting the Western world over his own. It felt very layered and poignant for this show.

I did wonder if the show leant more into the idea of Prince Charles being in Diana's corner in her last few days and weeks as he is now King...

William and Harry's restrained grief and rage felt very suffocating. I like how consistently the program has emphasised that the royal family are generationally quite emotionally stunted and lacking in the tools to offer each other real space to process their turmoil. The idea the show presents is that they lean on outdoor activities to distract, as a rule.

I also liked that rather than deciding Mohammed Al Fayed altogether fabricated the idea that Dodi and Diana were star crossed lovers, the show portrayed it as a blend of deep grief, guilt and misunderstanding given the consistent time spent by the duo up until their deaths.

The conversation between Dodi and Diana in the Ritz felt like the first time they really understood each other. It may not be how it really played out, but I think it was a beautiful way to honour their passing and respect the pressures of their time on earth.

What The Crown has been good at, ultimately, is reminding viewers that no person has a stay on earth that is free of humiliation, loss, pain and deception along with joy.