And just like that, another season has come and gone! Did The Crown Season 3 meet the high expectations set by seasons 1 and 2? The short answer? Yes!
So we know the obvious positives: Olivia Colman was, as expected, excellent in the starring role of Elizabeth. The writing, costuming, and score were fantastic and make The Crown, in my opinion, one of the most visually stunning shows out there. But what about the things we didn’t expect?
Delightful Surprises:
Erin Doherty as Princess Anne
Where has Princess Anne been all our lives? Right where she likes to be: out of the spotlight. What a treasure. Any scene she appeared in improved from her sardonic stares and perfectly delivered lines. Here’s hoping they’re saving that attempted kidnapping for next season. And what about her marriage to Captain Mark Phillips in 1973?
Jason Watkins as Harold Wilson
The politics depicted in The Crown have never been as interesting to me as the personal and familial drama, but Jason Watkins was nothing less than endearing as Prime Minister Harold Wilson. Like Elizabeth, the more I knew him, the more I grew to love him, and my heart broke with hers when he shared the devastating news of his Alzheimers diagnosis.
Bit of a letdown:
Trailer Teases
There were several snippets from the trailer that made me excited to see the full scenes behind them, but most of those moments turned out to be just that- moments. Instead of finding out why Tony and Margaret are fighting so extremely, we simply see a flash of of them fighting with no further explanation.
Helena Bonham Carter and the Breakdown of Tony and Margaret’s Marriage
Helena is riveting to watch, but her performance felt the most disconnected from Vanessa Kirby’s first incarnation of Margaret; they really felt like two different characters. Part of the reason must be that Helena and Vanessa are both so strong in their own right; Helena is such a force that when I watch her, I feel as though I’m watching Helena Bonham Carter, not Margaret, if that makes sense.
Also, you could do an entire series just on Margaret’s life and marriage to Lord Snowden, so inevitably the storyline is going to feel cut short when it’s only given two episodes. I could have done without as much Roddy, particularly in the season finale. It seems disproportionate that he should have as many conversations and scenes with Margaret as Tony does.
Camilla and Charles
Again, there was nothing necessarily wrong with what we did get, we just didn’t get enough! Who is Camilla and what is it about her that drew Charles to her so strongly? And what did she see in Charles? Given the importance this relationship will have to the characters as the years go on, I would have liked to get to know Camilla a little better.
Season MVP
Josh O’Connor as Prince Charles
He was really only in three episodes (too few!), but I thought he was the most captivating to watch in his role. Perhaps it was just the freshness of a new character, or maybe it’s because we’re more visually familiar with the real life Prince Charles. Regardless, the way O’Connor spoke, moved, and even held his head were spot on. He made you truly feel for the Prince of Wales which I imagine was a new emotion for most of us!
What I’m Most Looking Forward to in Season 4:
Without a doubt, I’m most looking forward to the introduction of Princess Diana and her marriage with Charles. The show and its characters are due for a little shake up, and Diana is sure to deliver that.
More to come on Season 3’s top moments, but for now, what to watch next!
MGC 