The Crown

I enjoyed the first season as it concerns my favorite subject. I have always been intrigued by the history of Great Britain, both ancient and modern. Unlike all the romantic-populist films about Lady Diana, this series offers both points of view and makes the reign seem like quite a schizoid affair. The best actor of this season was clearly John Lithgow, his Winston Churchill was brilliant. (01/25/2017)

The first episode brought very high-quality drama with solid acting performances. The biggest surprise for me was John Lithgow, I couldn't imagine him as Winston Churchill before watching this episode, and he plays his character absolutely brilliantly. (01/24/2017)

The second episode was great, the drama even better than in the previous one, but I took off one star for the overly idealized Africa, indigenous tribes spontaneously lining the roads as the procession with the new queen passes by, it seemed a bit too straightforward to me. (01/24/2017)

I was satisfied with the third episode, I don't envy the creators of the series for the necessity to stick to the appearances of the depicted individuals, as they are naturally well-known. Edward VIII, aka David, turned out exceptionally well - here you can see how much easier creators of shows like Vikings have it. (01/24/2017)

The fourth episode was dramatic with a horror atmosphere. In such fog, even Jack the Ripper would be missed. John Lithgow seems to me better from episode to episode, his Winston Churchill is absolutely perfect and in the series he strongly outshines (or obscures) the other characters for me. (01/24/2017)

The plot of the ninth episode is quite calm, but it has an excellent atmosphere and unexpected depth. I know that I have praised John Lithgow's performance as Winston Churchill several times, but I have to do it again, because in this episode, he showcased his best. The ninth episode of the series was completely stolen by him. (01/25/2017)

I have to admit that I was expecting a drop in quality compared to Season 1, but I was wrong. The creators did make some changes by focusing more on interpersonal relationships this time around but it was done in a way that deserves nothing but praise. Which is not to say that I'm not interested in British politics. I'm very pleased so far and I'm looking forward to Season 3. (03/28/2018)

The second season smoothly picks up where the first one left off, skillfully blending Cold War politics with the dynamics of a rather unconventional family. Just like in the previous season, the show manages to capture the era's atmosphere perfectly, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. (03/25/2018)

The second episode was even better than the first, focusing more on the royal couple's relationship while pushing the main political events into the background. Maybe that's why it felt stronger — the creators did a great job portraying the complexities of their relationship. (03/25/2018)

The plot of the first and third episodes fit together nicely. It’s noticeable that political events have taken a back seat, with a much greater focus on relationships. This might be a good move, as it's clear that the royal family has two major tasks: politics and managing the indiscretions of its members. (03/25/2018)

I was pleasantly surprised by this episode focused on Princess Margaret. It beautifully illustrated that even a gilded cage is still a cage, highlighting the depressing reality of having no control over one’s life because poor decisions could have massive repercussions. Like a lifetime sentence. (03/25/2018)

A bit weaker than the last episode, but still quite good. This time, the focus shifted from the personal to the institutional. I genuinely enjoy the intricate system of secretaries and undersecretaries — it always reminds me of the show "Yes, Minister!" (03/26/2018)

It seems that while Brits aren't particularly troubled by Munich 1938, the most painful chapter in their history is the former monarch's ties to the Nazi regime. This episode leaned more towards the political side, yet the impact of Edward/David's past decisions on his family was unmistakably evident. (03/26/2018)

This episode focused mainly on Princess Margaret and her relationship with Anthony Armstrong-Jones. While it was a bit weaker compared to the similarly themed fifth episode, it was still quite good. It just didn't have the same punch, though the vetting process was spot on. (03/27/2018)

The episode shifted focus back to foreign policy as the major players divided up Africa. The creators scored points with me twice: first, by casting Dexter as JFK, which pleasantly surprised me, and second, by wisely avoiding the overused footage of the assassination. (03/27/2018)

The episode had a wonderfully gloomy vibe that I absolutely loved. The comparison of conditions at Gordonstoun School across two generations was fascinating, and the evolving dynamics within the royal family added another layer of intrigue. Plus, learning more about Philip’s background was a nice touch. Overall, a deeply engaging and atmospheric episode. (03/28/2018)

The final episode was decent, but it lacked the atmosphere of the previous one. The creators did a great job intertwining the political and personal storylines once again. I found myself digging into the historical details online, which is always a good sign. It’s proof that making series like this is worthwhile. (03/28/2018)

I didn't follow any updates about the series, so the first moments of the third season completely threw me off. The massive changes in the cast forced me to get used to the already known characters all over again. Anyway, the recasting was clearly a good move, the writers also did an excellent job, so even the third season was a satisfaction on my part. (01/30/2020)

The start of the third season caught me off guard as I had to reintroduce myself to all the characters from scratch. It was quite a challenge! The sudden shift in the main cast took me by surprise, but I get it — it was a necessary move. Trying to artificially age the actors would've been a tough sell. (01/29/2020)

Once more, we delve into the intricate dynamics between the two sisters, which I'm all for. I've noticed that both episodes have heavily leaned into politics, sidelining personal relationships a bit. Margaret's dinner at the White House was a highlight, and Clancy Brown's portrayal of Lyndon Johnson was spot-on. (01/29/2020)