The Crown Finalé: The Best, the Worst, & Most Subversive

Let’s face it: the best parts were the burning empire

In for a penny, in for a pound — 2023’s guilty holiday binge is a final spin with “The Crown,” Netflix’s soapiest monarch opera, in its sixth season— and a last turn of the royal screw.

The series started six years ago with 19-year-old Elizabeth coming into the throne. It ends: Post-Diana. Prince Charles marries Camilla, Will and Harry grow up (sort of), and the Queen reluctantly plans her own funeral, with imperial ghosts whispering in her ear.   

Was it worth it? For its producers, yes — they spent millions per episode, garnered 100s of awards, and upturned the Hollywood hegemony in the process — streaming started snatching the prizes. Culture watchers say there will never be a prestige investment like this again on streaming TV— “the chalice from the palace held the brew that is through.”¹