The avalanche has two effects. For Charles he begins to see life passing him by and a sign that at any time he could be gone. For Diana, a reason to try to get their marriage on track. Charles is his usual sullen, depressed self. Diana gives him a unique birthday present and he dismisses it as deplorable and embarrassing. They are both childish, but at least Diana has an excuse (she is a child). I thought it was well done.
16 Reviews
Troubled avalanche
TheLittleSongbird19 November 2023
'The Crown' "Avalanche" (2020)
Opening thoughts: Avalanche" continues the character development of Charles and Diana and also their marriage. Regardless of whether it's true to the facts or not, which was never going to be an issue actually as somebody who always judges something on their own merits (always have and always will do), "Avalanche" is a wonderful episode on its own in pretty much almost every area. Season 4 started off a little uncertain, but did get better and better and this is an example of how much it grew in quality.
Bad things: There is not much wrong here actually, but to me occasionally the pace could have been a little tighter, but that was not a major issue for me.
Good things: Not when everything else was so good. Emma Corrin is an emotional powerhouse as Diana, very poignant performance. Josh O'Connor continues to shine as Charles, bringing out Charles' conflict of choosing royal duty or following his heart with a lot of nuance and in a way where his point of view is understood. Their chemistry is sheer magic and they succeed brilliantly at showing Diana and Charles as complicated, damaged people and that their marriage is likewise.
Furthermore, as ever the production values are superb. The production and costume design are both classy and sumptuous, but it's the photography that stands out in this regard. The music is not overbearing or low key. The scripting is thought provoking and intriguing, uncompromising yet sensitive in its handling of this subject without descending into melodrama.
Also doing well in showing more than one point of view and in a way where all are understandable. The storytelling continues to advance and while deliberate it is also very absorbing and emotional. The second half did break my heart emotionally and it was hard not to sympathise with Diana, without feeling like you had to do so.
Concluding thoughts: In conclusion, wonderful.
9/10.
Opening thoughts: Avalanche" continues the character development of Charles and Diana and also their marriage. Regardless of whether it's true to the facts or not, which was never going to be an issue actually as somebody who always judges something on their own merits (always have and always will do), "Avalanche" is a wonderful episode on its own in pretty much almost every area. Season 4 started off a little uncertain, but did get better and better and this is an example of how much it grew in quality.
Bad things: There is not much wrong here actually, but to me occasionally the pace could have been a little tighter, but that was not a major issue for me.
Good things: Not when everything else was so good. Emma Corrin is an emotional powerhouse as Diana, very poignant performance. Josh O'Connor continues to shine as Charles, bringing out Charles' conflict of choosing royal duty or following his heart with a lot of nuance and in a way where his point of view is understood. Their chemistry is sheer magic and they succeed brilliantly at showing Diana and Charles as complicated, damaged people and that their marriage is likewise.
Furthermore, as ever the production values are superb. The production and costume design are both classy and sumptuous, but it's the photography that stands out in this regard. The music is not overbearing or low key. The scripting is thought provoking and intriguing, uncompromising yet sensitive in its handling of this subject without descending into melodrama.
Also doing well in showing more than one point of view and in a way where all are understandable. The storytelling continues to advance and while deliberate it is also very absorbing and emotional. The second half did break my heart emotionally and it was hard not to sympathise with Diana, without feeling like you had to do so.
Concluding thoughts: In conclusion, wonderful.
9/10.
Television drama at the top of its game
stephen-0121619 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Gripping drama that is enhanced rather than diluted by our perceived familiarity with the main characters.
This episode is a particularly thought-provoking take on Charles & Diana's failing marriage within the context of 'The Firm' and the expectations placed on the individuals by The Crown.
I hope the real life was different
AleksandrBelenko19 December 2021
Hateful. Everything is hateful. During Season 3 and 4 the Royal Family is portrayed as dark and twisted family that breaks everything and everyone.
I hate Charles for what he us doing to Diana. But if only he would be allowed to marry the woman he loves at that point he planned to, nothing of this would happen.
I don't know what exactly happened at that time, I haven't seen any documentary, might be everything was different. But if we take the episode as an artistic fantasy, a viewer has every right to be disgusted by Charles.
I hate Charles for what he us doing to Diana. But if only he would be allowed to marry the woman he loves at that point he planned to, nothing of this would happen.
I don't know what exactly happened at that time, I haven't seen any documentary, might be everything was different. But if we take the episode as an artistic fantasy, a viewer has every right to be disgusted by Charles.
A much darker tone with high production values.
rod-duncan20 November 2020
This season has been plagued by excessive dramatization and a much darker tone, turning just about every character shown as dislikeable and the portrayal of the royal family as a bad group, including the Princess of Wales, with the over-the-top characterization as a defenseless victim (the tilted head and puppy eyes are a bit too much!).
Nonetheless, aside from some historical inaccuracies, with several years being compressed in to one episode, production values remain high, with beautiful sets and location filming, and the tension level is maintained throughout the episodes by a talented cast.
Nonetheless, aside from some historical inaccuracies, with several years being compressed in to one episode, production values remain high, with beautiful sets and location filming, and the tension level is maintained throughout the episodes by a talented cast.
Engaging outstanding episode
aaamm-6894629 March 2021
Better than james bond
bevo-1367823 November 2020
Avalanche of Hate
sallykeller-5114220 November 2020
Instead of leveraging off the popular Princess, Charles becomes jealous. Just how stupid can one be? A cesspool off missed opportunities. He wasn't born like this, it was learned behaviour and the season eludes to this sorry mess.
Possibly the weakest episode of the season and blatantly less inspiring because after all, infidelity is just so common these days and we don't expect it of future Monarchs that are meant to be anointed and above it. A lifetime of preparation is still not enough to beat human nature and that's what we find out here. In the rest of the commonwealth you would wonder how anecdotes like this brought to the screen hasn't spurred new republics. Many are hearing these facts for the first time, those outside England didn't really care to know unless one was a royal watcher.
The photography is again stunning.
The set pieces have so much care and effort, this production is a pure joy. Those working on these sets are extraordinarily fortunate.
Princess Dianne has a character arc that moves far too quickly here. How much more can we hate Prince Charles? The plot has advanced nicely otherwise through at least one sides emotional betrayal.
So happy that the uptown girl sequence is true to life. I hope that the series continues with true to life writing, God knows there is enough interesting things in the royals life not to have to fabricate much.
In order to shift this story from biopic to art it would be nice to dwell on the human fall-out of marriage breakdowns with a crescendo of drama.
Possibly the weakest episode of the season and blatantly less inspiring because after all, infidelity is just so common these days and we don't expect it of future Monarchs that are meant to be anointed and above it. A lifetime of preparation is still not enough to beat human nature and that's what we find out here. In the rest of the commonwealth you would wonder how anecdotes like this brought to the screen hasn't spurred new republics. Many are hearing these facts for the first time, those outside England didn't really care to know unless one was a royal watcher.
The photography is again stunning.
The set pieces have so much care and effort, this production is a pure joy. Those working on these sets are extraordinarily fortunate.
Princess Dianne has a character arc that moves far too quickly here. How much more can we hate Prince Charles? The plot has advanced nicely otherwise through at least one sides emotional betrayal.
So happy that the uptown girl sequence is true to life. I hope that the series continues with true to life writing, God knows there is enough interesting things in the royals life not to have to fabricate much.
In order to shift this story from biopic to art it would be nice to dwell on the human fall-out of marriage breakdowns with a crescendo of drama.
Episode 409
bobcobb30128 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This was certainly not very royal in subject matter covered, it was edgy and borderline inappropriate at times, but this tense issue made for good TV surely, especially someone who didn't grow up with this in the news.
Not enough depth
chunkylefunga21 November 2020
Just bizarre that they would mention all of Diana'as lover but not really go into any details of how her affairs started or if she truly had feelings for them.
I mean the rumour about Harry's real dad should have been delved into.
This is a very sugar coated version of events, which is a real shame as this could really have been an amazing episode.
I mean the rumour about Harry's real dad should have been delved into.
This is a very sugar coated version of events, which is a real shame as this could really have been an amazing episode.
The Diana and Charles show is boring.
teiixeiral6 December 2020
I don't know if it's because we all know how their story ended, or if it's because The Crown has focused SO much on their relationship this season, but this episode was trying to be serious and coming off as boring to me. The dramatics are cheapened with how the writers pick and choose what to show and the story just feels like it's dragging. Thank god there's only one episode left.
Enough about Camilla already
bythesea-9381024 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Really getting fed up with Camilla , she seems to think she can have her cake and eat it to as does Charles , even more ridiculous as some of it was true . Really makes the upper classes look incredibly self indulgent and out of touch with reality septic what Anne tries to tell Charles about it being the way most marriages are .
Plummeting quality.
W011y4m523 November 2020
The first boring Crown episode
dsmoore13 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Too many montage sequences with great music. Their should have been more dialogue sequences explaining the changing relationships in more depth. When Diana begins to see her lover again, we see Major Hewitt covertly get in a waiting car and leave the grounds. The camera tracks with the car to reveal in the foreground two informants who will get word of Diana's infidelity back to Charles. The two look at each other, nod their heads, one says something, and the other leaves frame. That little piece of business could have been tightened up and telegraphed in a shorter amount of time. Bad blocking and bad direction. Also, the dialogue between Charles, Diana, and the Queen could have been better written.
With the exception of this one episode, the Crown is still the best thing on TV.
With the exception of this one episode, the Crown is still the best thing on TV.
Not getting it.
rrtiverton17 November 2020
When the propaganda drifted into misogyny
exmach24 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This show has long betrayed its noxious political biases vis-a-vis its caricatures of certain prime ministers' characters - whilst leaving others untouched. The season adds to that, spending an inordinate amount of time on Thatcher, rather than the royals. The aim here is clearly post hoc denigration.
This episode takes the cake in that regard. Here, consider the time it spends showing the PM go home, go to her bedroom, and then cry on her bed. It is simply impossible to believe that the directors and writers would have done this to a male character/male prime minister (let alone one from their preferred political party). Pure misogyny.
The people responsible for The Crown owe female viewers around the world an immediate apology.
This episode takes the cake in that regard. Here, consider the time it spends showing the PM go home, go to her bedroom, and then cry on her bed. It is simply impossible to believe that the directors and writers would have done this to a male character/male prime minister (let alone one from their preferred political party). Pure misogyny.
The people responsible for The Crown owe female viewers around the world an immediate apology.
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