A New Era with a New Cast - oh how we've missed them!...Unless you hate/have no opinion on the monarchy, fair enough...👀

★★★★★



2019 Image via © Netflix/Left Bank Pictures & Sony Pictures Television

Pictured left to right: Anthony Armstrong Jones played by Ben Daniels, Queen Elizabeth Queen Mother played by Marion Bailey, Princess Margeret played by Helena Bonham-Carter, Queen Elizabeth II played by Olivia Colman, Prince Philip played by Tobias Menzies, Princess Anne played Erin Doherty and Lord Louis Mountbatten played by Charles Dance





It's been two years since we saw the lavish Royals appear on our screens and a lot has changed with the show. Obviously, of course, a BRAND NEW cast to reflect the ages of each character and keeping the story afloat.





Peter Morgan's extravagant Netflix Original drama is back with Oscar-winning actress Olivia Colman in the main role of Queen Elizabeth II. With Tobias Menzies as Prince Philip and Helena Bonham-Carter as Princess Margeret in supporting roles. The third season is set during the years of 1964-1977, particularly during Harold Wilson's premiership. Other issues include the Aberfan mining disaster, the Apollo team mission to the moon and Prince Philip being inspired, the downfall of Tony and Margeret's toxic marriage, and Charles discovering love and Anne having a bit of fun.





2019 Image via Netflix/Left Bank Pictures and Sony Pictures Television

Pictured left to right: Queen Elizabeth II played by Olivia Colman and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh played by Tobias Menzies







Content Warning: MAJOR SPOILERS ahead, if they bother you do not read on if they don't, then, of course, read away!





Episode Highlights/Thoughts:





Olding - Episode 1





The opening episode covers the rise of Harold Wilson (played by Jason Watkins) and the instant death of Winston Churchill (played by John Lithgow) affecting Elizabeth. With a new Labour government potentially threatening the monarchy, there are rumours flying high about Harold Wilson's past with Russian relations. I mean who did the Queen really believe a democratically elected Prime Minister was a KGB spy, I laughed at this snorting my cup of tea. I had exactly 5 cups of tea during the first episode. A tradition. - Anyway, it turns out Elizabeth's art historian who has educated her on some fine artefacts, who she formed a rather close bond within the opening scenes of the episode, is, in fact, a KGB spy. INSIDE Buckingham Palace, now that is a very strange revelation in itself. He essentially was exonerated and immune from prosecution because of course, it would stain the monarchy in the public eye, continuing to be her Surveyor until his 1972 retirement. She never spoke to him again, too right!





Margeretlogy - Episode 2





The second episode, by far one of my favourites of the season because we indulge in around 47 minutes of pure bliss, Princess Margeret I'm talking about, played by my god Helena Bonham-Carter. Now if you know me you know that I am the biggest Helena fan ever, as I just admire her weirdness as a human the energy she brings to her roles. I was a bit worried about what her portrayal of Margeret would be, but I needn't have worried! We learn more about her toxic marriage to Tony Armstrong, Lord Snowdon (played by Ben Daniels), and their on and off again antics. When Margeret and Tony embark on a tour of the US, her fan base shot up and was funnily referred to as Margeretologists! With an impending political crisis back home where Harold Wilson informs the Queen of the £800m bailout needed from the Americans, during Lyndon Johnson's presidency. All eyes were on Margeret to impress the US president and evidently, it was a success. There was however the outstanding jealousy from Elizabeth, but was she really that envious of Margeret? Perhaps because of her care-free life, Margeret was allowed to have, not being the heir apparent.





Aberfan - Episode 3





Essentially one of the saddest episodes from the season, episode three covers the Aberfan colliery spoil tip disaster in South Wales in 1966, which cost the deaths of 144 people, 116 of them children. Devastating images, with emergency rescue workers scouring the scene for bodies to be returned to families. Queen Elizabeth II didn't have an immediate response and delayed her visit which is picked up on in the British press. This lack of empathy as some press officials called it and rumours that Harold Wilson and Labour administration officials leaked this, caused Elizabeth to confront Wilson who flatly denied his involvement. Eventually, the Queen visits the site a mere week after the disaster. Elizabeth heavily regrets not responding appropriately. Apparently, it is one of her biggest regrets being Queen and has visited Aberfan often ever since.





Bubbikins - Episode 4



Quite a humourous episode title, to say the least, Princess Alice's nickname for Philip. The fourth episode focuses on the Duke of Edinburgh and his mother Princess Alice of Greece and Denmark born in Windsor Castle, whose Great Uncle was the Tsar of Russia and Great Grandmother was Queen Victoria. The opening scenes showed Princess Alice living as a nun in Athens, Greece, after having a series of mental health and health issues all of her life. Not always being there for Prince Philip when growing up. The Duke of Edinburgh appears on Meet the Press in the United States and causes a mass media frenzy about financial difficulties and the fears of moving into perhaps smaller palaces. Further ramped up by an article in The Guardian by John Armstrong, who slates the Royals on a regular basis. Back in Greece, Alice faces closure to the homeless order that she devoted her life to, with the collapse of the Greek government she is forced to return to London to reside at Buckingham Palace.





In the midst of a BBC documentary attempting to shine a light on the Royals and what they supposedly do on a daily basis, Princess Anne is chosen for a PR move to do an interview with The Manchester Guardian journalist John Armstrong after the disastrous response of the documentary. Scheming, of course, Anne attempts for Alice to be interviewed instead. Evidently appealing to the Royal Family's image, which was bizarre. Princess Alice and her interview apparently didn't exist and John Armstrong was a fictional character created by Morgan, which explains a lot of the strangeness of this episode.





Coup - Episode 5





Don't we just love political coups? During Harold Wilson's premiership in 1968, there was apparently a coup de'tat involving a Royal family member, Lord Mountbatten (Elizabeth's second cousin and Philip's uncle), initiated from Bank of England director Cecil King. Attempting to overthrow Wilson's Labour administration, and being a second cousin gives Mountbatten some leverage to dissolve Parliament under constitutional powers with the Queen, or so he thinks. Once Wilson is informed of this he informs Elizabeth during her trips to France and the US with Porchey (her supposed first love?). Elizabeth has to stand her ground with Mountbatten to protect the constitution and thereby the democratically elected Labour government.





It was interesting to see how coups are well thought out and played especially in this case of the UK government being threatened by a high ranking Royal. But, it kind of explains how coups don't tend to work in British politics because of our constitution and how the monarchy doesn't tend to have excessive powers, only in extreme cases. Questions regarding the monarchy and its relevance are discussed on a regular basis particularly recently with the negative press the Duchess of Sussex (Meghan Markle) gets from the never-changing right-wing British press. Anyway, the moral of this episode is don't go against your country's constitution and plan a stupid coup that won't get far.





Twysog Cymru - Episode 6





Ah, Waaaales! The year is 1969 and we're introduced to a very young Prince Charles (played by Josh O'Connor) who is summoned by the PM and his mother Elizabeth, to head to Aberystwyth to learn Welsh for a term at the University of Wales. Since he is going to be Prince of Wales and all its only sensible for him to learn the language. However, the President of Plaid Cymru, Edward Millward, who is a Welsh nationalist is selected to tutor Charles to learn Welsh. There is fierce opposition to Charles' arrival concerning his enrolment at the University with protests left, right and centre. There is a sense of pity for Charles when he has dinner with Millward and his family as he doesn't see what normal working families are like in the country.



Further, into the episode, Charles learns a lot of the Welsh language and the culture of course and is pretty confident in delivering an empowering speech to the people of Wales. The key talking points were identity within Wales and respecting this which caused widespread controversy and anger once Elizabeth got at translator on it, how awkward. Here we understand what is expected of a future monarch and Charles coming to terms with the fact he must not have an opinion at all or state any nationalist behaviour in order to protect the Union. Neutrality is where the monarchy lies, which clearly Charles wants to challenge.



Moondust - Episode 7



Following the extensive coverage of the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon during the Summer of 1969, we see how the Royals must have experienced it as well as so many viewers did across the world. Notable moments involved Prince Philip and his change of outlook on life in general, having been inspired by the men from Apollo 11 mission. With the change of the Dean and the Queen's local church, Philip seems to have no interest whatsoever. During a flying session, he reluctantly tries to see the Moon up close, I mean how insane can you get for "just a minute"! Predictably, the Apollo 11 team embark on a victory tour and of course, Buckingham Palace would be one of their stops. Philip is excited to meet the men and requests private meeting to ask questions, but he didn't seem to be impressed with them as human beings but delivering as astronauts, their job.



This episode clearly outlines how lost Philip seemed to be at the time, who knows if this actually happened but it was intriguing to see how something monumental as the Apollo 11 mission changes perspectives of life.



Dangling Man - Episode 8



And we move to Paris in 1970, where the abdicated Duke of Windsor resided for most of his exiled life with his wife Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor, I mean was she even a Duchess? Anyway, The Duke is gravely ill and is coming to his final days and still met prominent people in the world like the Japanese Emperor Hirohito who visited both the Duke and Duchess of Windsor at the private estate in Paris. This was quite funny since the Emperor made a snide remark about visiting an exiled King, awkward. The Duke of Windsor ends up doing an interview with the BBC about living in exile with Wallis, shocking some of the Royals. Funny how Charles seems to be the only one in contact with the Duke via letters and various visits.



Elizabeth's visit to the Duke was quite moving, showing her humanity despite what has happened with the Duke of Windsor in the past and him abdicating. Having toured France at the request of the Tory PM Edward Heath, she learns of his illness and probably has no choice but to see him for the final time. When the Duke offers her Charles' letters it was remarkable how she didn't want to invade his privacy but obviously concerning the future of the Crown.



Elsewhere, we're finally introduced to Camilla Shand and Parker-Bowles and their on and off-again relationship, the two that let's face it play Charles and Anne. Nothing like a bit of a royal triangle back in the day! I mean I was shocked Parker-Bowles and Anne even had relations. Camilla pursues a relationship with Charles we understand more about Charles falling in love and Parker-Bowles continuing to pursue her, and Charles is clearly naive about it all.



Imbroglio - Episode 9



Opening scenes involve the funeral of the Duke of Windsor where many of the Royals are in attendance which I found very surprising. Despite their reservations about him they seemed to move that to one side and come together to lay the Duke to rest. Charles seeing Camilla Shand causes strife within the Royal Family, with key members saying they are not a suitable match. Quickly hatching a plan, Queen Mother is on the case to rush Camilla and Parker-Bowles' marriage. I mean obviously, Charles would resent them all, and be heartbroken about this. Not even being able to choose who he loves, it will be interesting to see his early days with Lady Diana Spencer who has been cast for the fourth season.



Politically, there seems to be mineworkers resistance which launched the unions for miners to strike for their worker rights. There is also the crazy idea of allowing powercuts across Britain to save money somehow which I found bizarre, something to perhaps do with what went down with the miners. I am guessing we will learn more about this during Thatcher's premiership, which will be depicted also in the next season.



Cri de Coeur - Episode 10



Ah! So I've eventually reached the finale! Lots happening in this episode, more specifically the downfall of Margeret's toxic marriage with Tony, and his extra-marital relationship with "the thing" (Margeret's nickname for the other woman, truly iconic). And of course her very public romance with a young landscape gardener, Martin Charteris, which is based on Margeret's actual romance with Roddy Llewellyn who was 17 years younger than her. Of course, the paparazzi get a sniff of where she was on holiday in the Caribbean with shots of her and Martin, causing a mass media frenzy. This, however, shows the contrast between how Margaret is treated not just in the media, but by her own family who seems to praise Tony's strengths despite seeing another woman. A sad watch, since Margeret is clearly depressed here and doesn't seem to have the support from anyone, yikes!



In politics, Edward Heath fails to form a government leading to Harold Wilson returning with a minority government, although he resigns due to ill health, Alzeheimer's. Elizabeth allows him to invite her and Philip to Downing Street for his last dinner there, bewildering him since this was only previously offered to Winston. The rush of political events just expresses how fast British politics can be in the public eye. At this point, the Queen has had seven prime ministers which seemed to be an overwhelming number on her part. Also, Elizabeth prepares for the Silver Jubilee, celebrating 25 years of her being Queen. I expect to see more jubilees in the upcoming seasons, *Queen's accent* Oh how very exciting!



Margaret's impending suicide attempt, with lots of pills, was clearly foreshadowed with the the failure of support from family and her marriage deteriorating gradually. Here, Elizabeth's emotion was very poignant and scary. Just showing how raw Olivia Colman is a serious actress, she does serious and comedy so well, no wonder she has won an Oscar!



There is no doubt Colman and Bonham-Carter will be making the awards circuit in the next year's TV awards season!



The Crown Season 3 is now streaming on Netflix, with a fourth season already filming covering Margaret Thatcher's premiership (played by Gillian Anderson) and the introduction to Lady Diana Spencer (played by Emma Corrin), formerly the Princess of Wales.





A fifth and sixth season has been confirmed and according to reports, Oscar-nominee Imelda Staunton will succeed Colman after season four as Queen Elizabeth II. (Netflix is yet to confirm)



