I am at Episode 8 🤣😳
For those of us who remember all of this particular chapter in royal life and British recent history i.e. we were there - this is bound to make more challenging viewing, storyline wise, than previous series. I find it rather uncomfortable to think the current royals are watching and I quite understand why the Palace and friends are in a furore. I get that this is fiction dressed meticulously as fact but then again the producers never set out to deliver a documentary. The difficulty of course, is that for scenes to be challenged as fiction, someone will have to come forth with a more accurate account of events, which is not the Royal way.
Despite criticisms, and cries of 'foul', the handling of the 'love triangle' is necessary and possibly more sympathetic than the actual fact. I guess the programme, along with Meghan and Harry's reputed Netflix deal, just continues the real-life circus. The script is certainly brave, and doesnt shy away from stuff - the Prince Andrew exchange with his mother about young women is absolutely wince-making, and Diana is dramatically portrayed as at first as markedly ingenue and then an increasingly difficult character.
But I am yet again blown away by the majesty (pun intended) and lavishness of the production, it is just incredible to watch.
And I am struggling to criticise any of the actors, it is an astonishing ensemble piece. I think that as real footage is still circulating, especially of Thatcher and Charles and Diana, it is inevitable that performances have a more obvious element of mimic/caricature.
I do recognise that Olivia Colman doesn't 'do' the frostiness of Foy and that her smile is tantamount to breaking character but I am enjoying watching her nonetheless, at a time when the Queen herself was resonating less with the public and the media spotlight was increasingly on her children.
Love the pp comments about the costumes - yep, thats how it was, for all of us brought up on shoulderpads, outfits, matching shoes and handbags 🤣. And agree the Fagan storyline was a clever emphasis, allowing the storytellers to juxtapose royal life with Thatchers Britain in a wholly relatable way. Looking back I realise this was absolutely the point that the Royals felt increasingly irrelevant to so many, how Diana catapulted their 'Brand' into uncharted media and public territory and thus how the cataclysmic events to follow would shake foundations and public perceptions forever.
Uncomfortable. Gripping. Enjoy!