Summary
The finale of season 5 is slightly underwhelming, but it is clearly a transitory chapter to the next season.
We give a royal recap of the Netflix series The Crown season 5, episode 10, “Decommissioned,” which will contain spoilers and the ending, so be warned!
Considering this is the season finale, this is one of the most straightforward chapters, leaving the audience on a lukewarm cliffhanger. It feels like the writers have purposefully left the next phase of this saga for the next season, which we expect to be equally as divisive as seasons 4 and 5. Queen Elizabeth II (Imelda Staunton) and Prince Charles (Dominic West) take center stage in the finale as their power struggle continues.
The Crown season 5, episode 10 recap
The finale of The Crown season 5 opens with Dodi Al-Fayed ringing his father, Mohamed Al-Fayed, and telling him how he’s met the perfect girl. Meanwhile, on TV, there’s a debate on the monarchy, with the public deciding whether there’s a use for it. Princess Diana continuously rings in and votes “no.” The next day, Prince Charles agrees with the Royal Family that he should forge an alliance with Hong Kong. There are also murmurs that Tony Blair is the favorite to be the next Prime Minister.
Dodi introduces his father, Mohamed, to his new partner, and he wants reassurance from his father that he likes her. His new partner is irked that they are speaking Arabic, so she cannot understand them.
John Major loses to Tony Blair in the General Election; Queen Elizabeth II praises Major for his dependable presence and lists him among her top Prime Ministers. Elizabeth breaks rank and asks John his views on Tony Blair; he provides a genuine, honest assessment, and he is fair to the new incoming Prime Minister.
And then Elizabeth makes a big step; she decommissions the Royal Yacht. Charles sees this as pivotal, believing The Crown has taken a toll on his mother in recent years. Afterward, Charles takes a trip to Hong Kong to be there for the facilitated handover to China, and he has to take business class rather than private. Camilla reassures him that he will survive.
Charles delivers a speech on Hong Kong, wishing the people a peaceful transition and a prosperous future.
Diana meets up with Mohamed and his partner for a meal. She admits that she still is not happy, despite the divorce. She’s still feeling in a depressive state. Noticeably, the press keeps following her, constantly flashing her with cameras. Mohamed offers her a trip, so she has company.
Charles meets Prime Minister Tony Blair. Despite rooting for the decommissioning of the Royal Yacht, Blair feels for Elizabeth for getting rid of a symbolic tradition. Charles tells Blair that he thinks the Royal Family needs refurbishment to live up to the standards of the modern day. Afterward, Tony Blair tells his wife that he is surprised that Charles is rebelling against his mother. Meanwhile, Elizabeth learns that Charles had a private audience with the Prime Minister, discussing the future of Britain. Elizabeth demands that Charles speaks to her as soon as possible.
The Crown season 5, episode 10 ending – why does Charles meet Tony Blair in private?
And so, Elizabeth and Charles talk, and they immediately bicker over his divorce and Camilla. The conversation turns to the Prime Minister. The Queen tells Charles that the only member of the Royal Family with a direct relationship with the Prime Minister is her. Charles raises his concern that the monarch will be no more if their values do not change. He doesn’t want the world to move on from them. Elizabeth does not respond to Charles, and the conversation ends abruptly. It’s not apparent why Charles decides to meet Tony Blair in private without his mother’s knowledge, but it’s transparent that he has ulterior motives. He wants the throne.
Before the decommissioning, Elizabeth visits the Royal Yacht one last time. She is proud of it and is sad to let it go.
As The Crown season 5, episode 10 ends, Dodi continues to enjoy his new relationship, Princess Diana prepares for her trip as proposed by Mohamed, and the Queen looks lost, almost as if she has an existential crisis.
The finale of season 5 is slightly underwhelming, but it is clearly a transitory chapter to the next season.
What did you think of The Crown season 5, episode 10, and the ending? Comment below.
