THE CROWN Reviews: Season 4, Episode 6: TERRA NULLIUS

 

Talk about history repeating itself. If the previous show was a reimagining of a Season 2 story, this one, TERRA NULLIUS, has its similarities go even further back, this time to Season 1’s Pride and Joy. In both tales, a royal couple travels to Australia to strengthen the British Commonwealth, has the significant other be miserable, and end up in a huge martial spat to the seeming point of no return.

The situation though seems even more volatile in this story because the two major players, CHARLES & DIANA, gain and then utterly lose audience sympathy due to their attitudes. Oh sure things seem fine when the two kiss and make up after admitting their shared insecurities of being overlooked, unappreciated and unwanted, but it steadily is shattered when, as history played out, Diana became the darling of everybody, consuming all the attention and unintentionally making Charles look bad.

Emma Corrin’s performance is taken to the next level as we see more of the complete Diana, where motherhood and the limelight causes the character to become more confident and outspoken, yet all the while showing her doubts and insecurities in private. I believe this is key because of how the episode frames the Wales Couple as sympathetic yet unsympathetic. You can understand why Charles feels undervalued, yet shake your head at his tantrum & continuing pining towards CAMILLA PARKER-BOWLES. You can understand why Diana wants the glamor and splendor, yet question her judgement as she is unable or unwilling to mediate or compromise with the Royal Family.

This episode provides yet another powerful epilogue, as a desperate Diana tries and fails to appeal to ELIZABETH. Diana’s hug towards the Queen that is met with confusion from her & disgust from the rest of the family is telling at how they are out of touch with the people and country they look over. You frankly can’t blame the people for latching onto Diana as “their” princess.

All in all I’m inclined to put this one in the win pile for this season, filled with great performances and is again another challenge for the audience in their feelings towards the monarchy. Regardless of how one feels about Diana because of media martyrdom, I do hope that other viewers are equally challenged like how I myself am feeling.