The Crown: Season 3

Seasons 1 & 2 Review

With the premiere of season 4 just around the corner I thought it was time I wrote this very overdue review! Season 3 was good, but not...great. The luster and beauty of the first two seasons that took place in post-war 40s and into the 50s is most definitely lacking in this season. We've now entered 1960's Great Britain, an era of absolute change, a desiring of what's new and the disregarding of what's old. With rebellion in the air and on the streets, the Royal Family have become an outdated tourist attraction. And members themselves are desperate to movie out of the Crown's heavy shadow.

Despite the hardships that are presented in this season, you really want to throttle almost every member of the family. It seems like the Windsor's have forgotten their dutiful roles to Crown and country, and instead are fighting for the bottom position of the oppression pole. Princess Margaret whines about how no one understands her role as 'the Queen's sister.' Princess Anne bitches about how Mummy never notices her. Dickie Mountbatten is angry that England is no longer what it once was. Prince Charles, bless him, is really the only person that doesn't complain about his role in the family, only that he's not allowed to be the Prince of Wales he desires to be. 

Elizabeth herself begins to use 'the Crown' as a constant excuse to get out of difficult circumstances. To be honest, the only person who really presented themselves as the perfect example of duty was Prince Philip. For years, Philip who railed and rebelled against 'the Crown' has now become its most ardent defender; however his duty to his family has blindsided him to the needs of others who can benefit from his strength of character.

That all being said, season 3 of The Crown is probably the darkest, due to the crisis and calamities of the 1960's. As Queen Elizabeth prepares to celebrate her 25th year on the throne, now more than ever she must take into account every decision she makes as a wife, mother, sister and queen. 

With her Silver Jubilee as the Queen of England approaching, Queen Elizabeth II has proven to be the absolute prime example of what a monarch should be. In spite of a difficult marriage, a rebellious sister, inept Prime Ministers, family scandals and remaining faithful to centuries of family duty and legacy. Time has brought wisdom and understanding to her role. Yet, the changing the times have brought many doubts and questions. No longer does the monarchy hold mystery and intrigue. Rather, the Royal Family are seen as closed off aristocrats, unable to understand the real world. And Elizabeth is too well aware of this fact.

However, her duty to uphold tradition can also be her undoing. When situations get too difficult, Elizabeth has used 'the Crown' as a shield to get out of what makes her uncomfortable. Remarking that "it's not what we do," or "that's not how things are done." Elizabeth's abuse of her role of sovereign has harsh consequences. Not to mention her inability to stand up to mother who bullies her around unmercifully, while also willfully neglecting her younger daughter. 

Queen Elizabeth is not a perfect queen and that is made quite clear in this season. Were it not for the quiet guidance and counsel from her husband, she may not have been able to weather the tumultuous 1960's or be the queen that she was mean to be. 

The prince who once despised honor, tradition and duty has now matured into a noble prince consort whose sole purpose is to protect the Queen, his family and 'the Crown.' Philip's role next to the Queen is to support her, seek out lies and deceit that could ruin her and raise his family in these modern and uncertain times. Philip sees his family as the most vital asset to 'the Crown' and he wants the world to love and embrace them; he wants the people to see that they are also a regular family. Yet, even Philip still has his own pain from both his past and his uncertain future.

When his mother is brought back from Greece, Philip sees her as an irritant, but her remarkable life story of sacrifice, abuse and unwavering faith becomes the Royal Family's salvation. In time, Philip is able to mend his relationship with his mother. Despite his contentment with being 'the Queen's husband,' Philip still desires to be someone more that just a royal. After meeting two very different groups of men--one group considered heroes to the world, while the other group ignored and set aside due to their occupation--Philip is able to grasp the true meaning of what it is to make a difference in your life and the lives of others around you. 

I seriously can't with these two!

Beautiful and wild Princess Margaret Rose still knows how to raise eyebrows and try the patience of her sister. Unlike Philip who has accepted his role as 'the Queen's husband,' and has made good use of it, Margaret still refuses to be put in box and be told what to do. However, when it comes time for her to put her charms to good use, then she will, but only if it's done her way.

Margaret's marriage to Tony Armstrong-Jones has become her greatest regret. Margaret is desperate for a divorce, but her family essentially side with Tony due to his charitable efforts and once again, Margaret is left alone. After a much publicized affair with a younger man that almost ruins her, Margaret gives up. Abandoned by her husband and by her own mother, Margaret tries to give up on life. Yet,  Elizabeth is there and this time bringing comfort instead of her usual judgement. Something both sisters need in their lives as the Queen and the Queen's Sister. 

Intelligent, but painfully shy and awkward Prince Charles prepares for his investiture as the Prince of Wales, therefore cementing his role as the heir presumptive to the throne. Yet, like his aunt Margaret, Charles wants more from life than pageantry and rules. However, also like Margaret, Charles never gets what he wants. And he wants to change that. Elizabeth reminds Charles that as a royal, he has no opinion, no voice and no expectation but to do as protocol dictates. Charles thinks otherwise. Of all the people in Elizabeth's life, no one has been able to confront her the way her son does. He informs her that his voice can matter and that at least he has a heart to understand others.

If there is one way a royal can be controlled it is in the way of love. When Charles falls hard for lively Camilla Shand, he finds himself in a twisted web of relationships, which include his younger sister Anne. While Charles and Elizabeth both see Camilla's energy and honesty as a good match for Charles lack of confidence, other members of the royal family think otherwise. Once again, Elizabeth must decide between the happiness of her family or her duty to 'the Crown.' Only this decision will create most devastating of future consequences the family will ever face. 

Times might change, but 'the Crown' remains. Season 3 really unearthed a great deal of unknown knowledge of the Royal Family. Elizabeth dealt with more incompetency than she deserved. To be the Queen of England and a wife, mother, daughter and sister to an ever growing family is more than anyone should be allowed to handle. Her duty to 'the Crown,' has defined her. And while it may blindside her from that harshness of the world, Elizabeth remains unwavering in her role. 

The episodes about Prince Philip--Bubbikins and Moondust--were especially excellent and I have such an admiration and appreciation of this man and all he has done for his family and his country. Margaret's story seems to have no light at the end of the tunnel. When she tries to do the right thing, she's ignored, but is demeaned when she acts out because of her family's neglect. Prince Charles' story is only beginning and I'm so excited to see what season 4 has in store for him, Camilla and Princess Diana!

Season 3, although gloomy at times, really saw the Royal Family as a family. A rich, public family with centuries of tradition to carry. Throughout the hardships and trials that Elizabeth and her family go through, they do what is best for one another. Yet, to live by the rules of 'the Crown,' all people have their place and must live within that set place. At least those are the rules for now.