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Netflix The Crown series 4 starts tonight...who will be watching it?

(223 Posts)
mamaa Sun 15-Nov-20 16:49:30

I really enjoyed series 1-3 partly due to the historical aspect I think. From the trailers I've seen, series 4 is set in the 80's- so the Thatcher Years, Charles and Diana etc.

This is recent memory and I wonder how it'll be received by those whom it portrays, and their relatives, who are still with us...maybe they'll rise above it with no comment.

However some 'friends' of the Royals are already in the press criticising the portrayal of C and D, and Carol Thatcher has dismissed as nonsense the way her mother has been shown as favouring her brother (but even when he got lost in the Sahara I seem to remember Mrs T defending him so maybe the producers aren't too far away from the reality!).

Luckygirl Mon 16-Nov-20 10:12:48

pollyperkins - there is no suggestion in the Netflix version that Charles and Camilla were engaged in anything other than phone communications; as far as I could see.

I have enjoyed the episodes I have watched so far. I have got used to the characters and how they are portrayed and stopped finding any of them less than believable.

Anniebach Mon 16-Nov-20 10:13:47

I signed up for Netflix to see the episode of the Queen’s visit
to Aberfan, cancelled Netflix the same evening, don’t agree
with fictional drama about people still living.

MrsThreadgoode Mon 16-Nov-20 10:14:04

I’m uncomfortable with the fact that it’s portrayed as though everything actually happened, there must be such a lot of artistic licence in each scene and the family members of those on screen must be very unhappy with it.

But I enjoyed the interview between Mrs T and the Queen after the Cabinet reshuffle,( I doubt it ever happened).

I wonder how Harry is feeling now he has joined Netflix and they put this series out, his parents and Camilla haven’t come out of it so well, although I haven’t seen the whole series yet.

I also don’t think that the casting has been great, although I like HBC as Princess Margaret.

Rosina Mon 16-Nov-20 10:22:35

I've watched episodes 1 and 2 of the new series and thought that it was not an honest portrayal of events at the time - although how much of the truth do we know? The uncomfortable feeling is that conversations and events which were likely never to have taken place, attitudes and behaviour less than admirable, are being projected onto people who are living today, and can have no say in correcting this soap style drama that will be seen by millions.
Crucifying a person's character when they can't answer back but are not dead and past caring does seem cruel.

Jane10 Mon 16-Nov-20 10:25:14

I note that 'Balmoral' is 'Glenbogle'!

Sparklefizz Mon 16-Nov-20 10:29:18

In the US they will believe every word, I suspect.

pollyperkins Mon 16-Nov-20 10:42:04

Ok lucky girl- I haven’t seen it, it’s just what I read somewhere! Glad if it’s not true

mamaa Mon 16-Nov-20 11:16:17

Well, I watched episodes 1-3, turned off the TV but fell asleep in the chair, waking up at just before 2am shock. Feel quite tired this morning consequently...

I am finding it strange watching events through which I've lived, and yet their portrayal is not as I remembered- some poetic licence being used definitely I think, (unless its me using it, not the production!) wink

Episode 4 tonight, possibly 5 and hopefully no sleeping before I get to my bed!

Tweedle24 Mon 16-Nov-20 11:17:28

I saw the first three episodes last evening. I am not enjoying it as much as the previous series. As others have said, some of the characters are like caricatures.

A friend on the phone this morning reminded me that the writer is known to be anti- monarchy. Maybe that is why the royal family members are drawn so unsympathetically?

merlotgran Mon 16-Nov-20 11:50:02

I wonder if Charles' relationship with Dale 'Kanga' Tryon will be ignored?

He visited her regularly when out and about on engagements for 'comfort breaks.' grin

Poor woman had a tragic end.

Lucca Mon 16-Nov-20 14:10:14

“the writer is known to be anti- monarchy”

Do we have some evidence of this ?

rosecarmel Mon 16-Nov-20 14:48:26

Sparklefizz

In the US they will believe every word, I suspect.

That's an incredibly ignorant accusation-

rosecarmel Mon 16-Nov-20 15:10:24

I've enjoyed "the story" thus far and appreciate each actors portrayals, cartoonish as they may be- At the same time realize that the royals have been "studied" and scrutinized- As a result the production is presented as heavily, embellished facts by wooden, stiff upper lip-ish characters- Sometimes so obviously over the top and sometimes spot on-

avitorl Mon 16-Nov-20 15:20:23

I will probably watch it but do find it strange that the private lives of living people can be dramatised for entertainment.
I am thinking I would quite like to see the story of my life played back to me.I think I would find that very interesting but I'm not sure I'd like to share all the details with my neighbourshmm

Jane10 Mon 16-Nov-20 16:39:08

I'm now on episode 4. There are some clunking script horrors. I can only presume the writers were American.
Details wrong too. Just small things but we'll known so the wardrobe dept for example should know that the Queen always wears 3 strings of pearls.
Edward draping his knife off his plate ?!

ginny Mon 16-Nov-20 16:51:11

We are enjoying it. Nearly at the end of series 3. So , not got to Diana yet.

Surely people must realise that although based on the true story there is much poetic license It is a drama not a biography

Having said that I wouldn’t want any one of them as a friend. ?

Sparklefizz Mon 16-Nov-20 18:21:40

Most of the characters are portrayed as one-dimensional, thinking of Princess Anne in this new series, amongst many others.

And as Jane10 says, many details are wrong too..... in fact I am playing "spot the mistakes" with myself. And the media have already picked up on Olivia C's sloppy salute in episode 1.

Ladyleftfieldlover Mon 16-Nov-20 18:35:50

I watched the first three episodes yesterday. Not bad although we know a lot of the conversations are made up! Would HM have really spoken to the PofW the night before his wedding and told him to emulate Queen Mary and put up with a loveless marriage?

Jaberwok Mon 16-Nov-20 18:37:12

Trouble is a lot of people watching will believe it to be a true reflection of the RF when it in truth it isn't! I agree with Annie, and think that it is unethical to make programmes about people when they're still living. In fact I think it's awful, Bad enough when it's the Tudors, but at least they are all dead!
but then money rules ok!! poor P.C having to tolerate all that horrible time being dragged up, no doubt rekindling ignorant peoples hatred of him all over again! To me it's unnecessary drivel and I wouldn't dream of watching it! P.H must really hate his family for going along with this portrayal of them, thirty pieces of silver comes to mind! But there you go, money eclipses everyhing!

FannyCornforth Mon 16-Nov-20 18:49:09

Jane10

I'm now on episode 4. There are some clunking script horrors. I can only presume the writers were American.
Details wrong too. Just small things but we'll known so the wardrobe dept for example should know that the Queen always wears 3 strings of pearls.
Edward draping his knife off his plate ?!

It's written by Peter Morgan.
He is British.
However, interestingly, his partner is Gillian Anderson.

FannyCornforth Mon 16-Nov-20 18:51:32

I would be surprised if the costume department didn't pore over every detail.
I for one have seen HRH wearing two strands of pearls on many occasions.

Jaberwok Mon 16-Nov-20 19:17:34

The Queen has three sets of pearls all of them three strings. She always wears these and never one of two strings , she has done this since her grandfather George Vth gave her her first set of three string pearls when she was very young. They are now part of her "uniform".

Luckygirl Mon 16-Nov-20 22:45:08

Some fact checking: www.eonline.com/uk/news/1208511/fact-checking-the-crown-season-4-how-well-does-it-hold-up-to-reality

There are also other websites that have looked at tgis.

Luckygirl Mon 16-Nov-20 22:55:15

tgis? -this

SueDonim Tue 17-Nov-20 01:05:37

I’ve only managed to watch one episode of season 4 due to unreliable internet. Maybe I’ll catch up tomorrow.

First impressions are that it’s not a patch on previous seasons. Thatcher & Diana were totally unbelievable! Thatcher resembled Marie Antoinette and her voice was all over the place. I know an actress who played Diana in a TV movie and she was much more believable in the role than this actor is.

I always feel cold when I watch The Crown - all those draughty corridors!