I watched Season 3 quite late after it's release. It gave me a good base for Season 4. S3 continues at the same pace as the previous seasons though the transformation for the next season took place somewhere from the middle episodes of S3. As we progress into the S4 we get to see some real challenges that the royal family deals with. From Thatcher's government to Charles's love affair and wedding, this season is by far the most riveting of all. The magnanimity of the royal family and their palaces have been done complete justice through stellar cinematography in both seasons. The reserved coldness and lack of emotion play out aggressively in the S4. Even though Princess Margaret has in store a riot of laughter in one episode, every member of the family sacrifices their passions and desires for the dignity of the sovereign. The queen herself being at the helm of it all. There is great power in not doing anything is what she says, and it's also the most difficult thing to do. But the suffering of each of the characters of the royal family can be felt strongly as if a volcano of emotions is being suppressed and killed. In Shawshank Redemption the character "Red" says that prison is all about routines that are done every day without purpose or meaning. To draw a royal parallel, the royalties are imprisoned in the riches of Buckingham Palace; however magnificent and grand this prison maybe. Large empty rooms with grandiose interiors and paintings look fabulous but do they make it home? Or is it a glorified prison with the sovereign keeping up the idea of the Windsor monarchy?
There has been a lot of hype about Princess Diana's life and story in media, but the story of Prince Charles has not been dealt with the same seriousness. His suffering and deprivation of the life he wanted have been shown brilliantly in the series. Josh O Connor playing Prince Charles, contains the whirlwind of his emotions so well, you will feel his suppression in all his scenes. Emma Corrin playing Princess Diana is this cute puppy that needs a whole lotta love; she doesn't even get a fraction of it. And caught between the devil (royalty) and the deep sea (marriage) her suffocation plays out harshly. Gillian Flynn plays Margaret Thatcher. Although she is really good she will always be compared to Meryll Streep in Iron Lady. Olivia Colman delivers what is expected of her, however, loses the limelight to Josh and Emma. There are some scenes that are pivotal and essential to the whole series. The chat between the Duke and Diana in the last episode, towards the end, conveys the essence of the whole story succinctly.
A must watch if you are a sucker for British movies and series. It is one of the most defining works in its's genre.
Rating - 3.8 / 5
