Ellaria

What a lovely semi-final! This is the reason that I watch this show. Gill departed in the best way ever: kind, complementary, funny. I’m glad that she took the lilac bowl. i truly don’t care who wins. Love them all!

Lots of thoughts about this finale. The use of the unreliable narrator was central to the story itself as well as how we viewed this show. Nancy’s book was what she chose to believe about the last days of her son’s life. We know that she was in deep denial. Her book was a coping mechanism - a dangerous one - but Stephen seemingly accepts most of it as truth despite knowing that Nancy never truly processed her grief. Robert accepts the book as truth along with the word of a stranger (Stephen).He chooses not to accept what Catherine is trying to explain. Clearly, the scene at the end where both men ask each other “why didn’t you question it” is the central point of this show. One man doesn’t question his wife’s story and then tries to destroy another family. Another man questions everything about his wife and destroys his own family.

A few other things on my mind before the finale: Why did Nancy lie when telling Catherine that her husband was dead? She reached out to her presumably because she was dying but why not sooner? Stephen assumes that Nancy found Jonathan’s camera but - as far as I can tell - we don’t see it. We know that Nancy grabbed 3 (?) rolls of film. Did she develop all of them? Have we seen all of them? I assume that Nancy didn’t intend for her novel to be published. It was hidden in a locked drawer. Perhaps it was intended to be a release from grief for her. Stephen says that she changed some things when writing the novel. It’s all fiction; she wasn’t there. Rather, I think that Stephen changed things I hope that there is enough time in the finale to address all of the questions.

Just wanted to add something that I noticed… The postcard that we see Jonathan writing says “Dear Mum.” The one that Stephen reads at their home says “Dear Mum and Dad.” The content of the rest of the postcard is different as well. The postcard that comes to their home doesn’t mention Sasha. Based on what we saw and heard between Nancy and Emma, we know that Sasha didn’t leave Jonathan because of her aunt’s death. The truth is more troubling and something (else) that Nancy changed. It is telling that Jonathan made no mention of her in his actual postcard.

If I am watching an episode and wondering if anything that I’m seeing is real, then the use of unreliable narrator(s) has gone too far. The hospital scene with Stephen and the events that followed are ridiculous. None of the hospital staff question Stephen’s presence in ICU when the patient’s mother says he shouldn’t be there. Robert is a complete moron that accepts this weird stranger into his life without any second thoughts. Catherine shows up at his house in the middle of the night with a large knife - obviously aware that Stephen is some sort of threat - but decides to accept tea from him. And through all of this madness, Catherine still has not explained “her side of the story” to anyone. At this point, I am questioning everything and I’m not sure that I should be.

My thoughts exactly! There is rarely a moment when Charles isn’t making it all about himself. Ack! I’m sad to see this show come to an end. However, the last two seasons often felt like a different show with a different purpose. I really didn’t enjoy the focus on Charles, Diana and William. Regardless, Imelda Staunton and Jonathan Pryce were wonderful despite being pushed aside in the narrative. Their last scene together was perfect.

Yes. I’m not enjoying the focus on William and Kate. It feels as if they are trying to make the story more interesting than it actually was. This approach plays into the heavy-handed writing for Carole Middleton. I suppose that I’m just more intrigued by the Queen and Philip. The last two seasons have bored me. Imelda Staunton was great in this episode.

Agree. What a mess of an episode! I’m just not interested in the many different ways that William and Kate crossed paths in college. It feels like Peter Morgan and the other creatives are trying too hard to make it relatable. And William has turned into a bore. Also, I’m not wild about the portrayal of Carole Middleton. It’s a little heavy-handed. We get it…she wants her daughters to marry well.

Jonathan Pryce saved this episode for me. Such a brilliantly nuanced performance. I’ve actually loved the 3 actors who have played Philip throughout this series. This sounds mean but Charles’ emotional journey is exhausting. Frankly, I just don’t care. Why do I like everyone else - including Camilla - better than him? Maybe Dominic West has something to do with it. He is a good actor but I find him completely charmless.

Not surprising. They have been a strong team throughout. And so enjoyable to watch. Congratulations!

I don’t think so. Not during the challenge.

Always remember to take notes after each leg of the race.

This is intense

So now we get to see the Beards on the trapeze.

Rob on the trapeze is making me sad.