Summary
Episode 5 is the most uncanny so far, foreshadowing events we have witnessed in 2022 as Prince Charles prepares himself for the head of the monarchy.
We give a royal recap of the Netflix series The Crown season 5, episode 5, “The Way Ahead,” which will contain spoilers, so be warned!
2022 signifies the year that Prince Charles became King Charles. This episode is the most uncanny so far as The Crown shows Prince Charles (Dominic West) creating a legacy of his own, and one that goes against the usual methodology of Elizabeth’s Royal Family.
The Crown season 5, episode 5 recap – how did Prince Charles prepare to be King?
The Crown season 5, episode 5 opens with Prince Charles telling an audience at a dinner that being the prince is a wasted life. He wishes he had more purpose and that his potential is not being used. Afterward, Charles calls Camilla— it’s Christmas time, and he tells her he misses her. He wants her opinion on a speech he has written. Charles does not know that his telephone call with Camilla has been bugged by an amateur radio host in a caravan. The man records the phone call and puts it on tape.
The next day, the man takes the tape to the press. However, the editor of a paper is worried about destroying a Royal Marriage, so they keep the tape safe and locked away.
Following this, Princess Diana and Charles tell Queen Elizabeth II they want to divorce. It’s an eery silence as Elizabeth wants pure confirmation that they want to go ahead. The silence says it all. The Crown releases a statement stating their positions are maintained despite the separation. Another tarnish to the Royal Family.
Following the breaking news, The Crown has an emergency meeting and form a task force to safeguard the monarchy in the changing world. The task force is called “The Way Ahead.” It’s clear that Charles disagrees with the plans and wants The Crown to be more in touch, including radical ideas like “the monarchy funding itself.” Afterward, Elizabeth admits that Charles looks energized and full of ideas and that he may have a point.
But Charles has a problem to deal with; he learns of the recorded tape of his phone call with Camille. Due to his separation from Diana, the newspaper with the tape feels free to release it. Charles is shocked, but he’s made aware that the person who intercepted his phone call with Camilla did not mean to do so.
The transcript, full of intimate details, is released in the papers. It’s graphic, describing how much Camilla and Charles longed for each other sexually. Another scandal in the Royal Family.
Princess Anne supports Charles and brings him aid the next day as he wallows in his bed. The Crown has another emergency meeting, and Prince Philip scolds him.
The Crown season 5, episode 5 ending
Prince Charles agrees to a personal interview to improve his profile so the public can get to know him better. He’s asked if the monarchy can still survive. Charles agrees that the monarchy needs to reform and be more radical. He also states that Camilla was a friend and that he tried to be faithful in his marriage to Diana until it was apparent it could not be saved. Diana watches the interview with tears in her eyes. Elizabeth watches the interview, knowing this is another bad brush on the Royal Family.
Following this interview, Diana continues to make public appearances. One appearance, in particular, caught the eye of every journalist when she donned a black dress — dubbed the “revenge dress.”
As we reach the end of The Crown season 5, episode 5, Princess Anne is appalled at Charles for criticizing their mother, Elizabeth. She thinks he must protect Sovereignty, not create opposing Royal Courts. Anne meets up with Margaret, Elizabeth, and Philip — she calls Charles “confident” and says that he’s been slowly setting up his own Royal Court, forming a team of his own, and building his own trusts, with one helping to provide support for younger people. She raises her concern as Charles begins to evolve, preparing himself to be King.
Episode 5 is the most uncanny so far, foreshadowing events we have witnessed in 2022 as Prince Charles prepares himself for the head of the monarchy.
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