Unveiling the Truth: A Review of The Crown Season 6 Part 1

The moment that many have deemed unsuitable for television adaptation has now arrived, and for the most part, Netflix deserves credit for their work on The Crown Season 6 Part 1.

Debating the necessity of the sixth installment is almost irrelevant. As The Crown approaches the present timeline, questions arise regarding the appropriate extent of historical exploration and its potential to be deemed disrespectful. Season 6 Part 1 may not cater to everyone's tastes, but it is now available for the world to consume.

Season 6 of The Crown opens with the anticipated tonal shift. After focusing on the Queen in Season 4 and Charles and Diana in Season 5, Season 6 now firmly centers around Diana. The portrayal stays true to real life, depicting Diana's discomfort and lack of solace.

Interestingly, this mirrors our own position as viewers. While The Crown Season 6 Part 1 may not be groundbreaking television, our fascination with Princess Diana remains. We feel a strong connection to her, yet also feel the distance created by the unique treatment she endured. The Crown serves as a mirror, exposing uncomfortable truths, even if it occasionally stirs up criticism.

Diana’s story is laid bare

Netflix

The focus of The Crown Season 6 Part 1 is centered around Diana, a topic that has resulted in disagreement. Even before the series entered the planning stage, writer and close friend Jemima Khan publicly severed ties with the production due to differing opinions on the direction of Diana’s story. However, upon viewing the finished product, it is hard to imagine anyone else doing a better job of presenting a blend of facts and fictionalized turmoil.

These four new episodes potentially mark a significant moment where multiple parties share an equal amount of responsibility, making it the closest we have come to achieving accountability from all sides. Reliving such a recent historical event is emotionally challenging, and Debicki’s portrayal blurs the line between fiction and reality. It requires a deliberate effort to remember that it is not actually Diana on the screen, as the production pays careful attention to maintaining accuracy. The success of the entire show hinges on the dedication to portraying the Princess of Wales, which is truly remarkable across the entire cast and crew.

The rest of the Royals aren’t as solid

The play-by-play fallout and aftermath are presented without any sugar-coating, avoiding fictionalized scenes that would over-dramatize for the sake of sensationalism. While it may not be necessary to scrutinize Diana's final weeks, they are portrayed here anyway. By watching this, viewers will likely have their perspectives reshaped and challenged, as a tremendous amount of empathy is conveyed through the script, scenes, and performances.

Netflix

While Diana and Dodi Fayed (played by Khalid Abdalla) succeed in their roles, the same cannot be said for the rest of the Royals. Imelda Staunton's portrayal of the Queen lacks a factual resemblance and instead appears as a rendition of Dolores Umbridge in a wig. On the other hand, Dominic West's depiction of Prince Charles is almost too charming to be recognizable. Consequently, the dynamics among the Royal family surrounding Diana feel disjointed, unintentionally illustrating an astute observation.

Though these gripes are evident, they could arguably not be attributed to Season 6 Part 1. Rather, Season 5 shoulders the blame for these concerns, as criticisms regarding performance remain well-known. Moreover, there is a lingering uncertainty about the future direction of The Crown. With only 6 episodes remaining, the pivotal moments of British history in the 1990s have already been depicted, leaving subsequent events pale in comparison, especially when considering the ongoing global mourning. It is possible that Season 6 will endeavor to rectify these issues and explore the uncomfortable emotions that the real world has failed to address.

The Crown Season 6 Part 1 review score: 4/5

The Crown Season 6 Part 1 presents the Royal family's massive turmoil in a concise and impactful manner, regardless of personal preferences. Elizabeth Debicki's portrayal of fictional Diana ensures that she remains cherished by viewers, and the production expertly navigates the line between being respectful and thought-provoking. In line with the saying, the truth is revealed through The Crown, allowing audiences to view the events with a new perspective.

The Crown Season 6 Part 1 is available on Netflix from November 16th. Catch up with more of our Netflix content below:

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Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I have mixed feelings about The Crown Season 6 Part 1. On the one hand, I appreciate the show's willingness to tackle difficult subjects, such as Princess Diana's eating disorder and her unhappy marriage to Prince Charles. I also think the acting is superb, especially Elizabeth Debicki's portrayal of Diana. On the other hand, I'm not sure if the show is always accurate in its depiction of events.

I'm also concerned that the show may be exploiting Diana's death for ratings. Overall, I think The Crown Season 6 Part 1 is a well-made and thought-provoking show, but I have some reservations about its accuracy and its exploitation of Diana's death. I think it's important for viewers to be aware of these concerns before watching the show.