Summary
We are not saying this is one of the most controversial chapters of The Crown, but I’d be surprised if it weren’t.
We give a royal recap of the Netflix series The Crown season 5, episode 7, “No Woman’s Land,” which will contain spoilers, so be warned!
There were many reasons why the Royal Family and their supporters did not want season 5 to be released. Releasing it causes more questions than answers, and it’s not good for public relations. Episode 7 of season 5 of The Crown begins to delve further into Princess Diana (Elizabeth Debicki) and her relationship with Martin Bashir from the BBC. This is where the story starts to get sticky.
The Crown season 5, episode 7 recap – how was Princess Diana spied on?
The Crown season 5, episode 7 opens up with Princess Diana talking about the pains of separation and being the center of attention in the Royal Family. Life is flying past her as she sees her sons grow up quickly. And then scenes show William, her son, starting at Eton School, which has brought on a lot of press. Tensions are still high between Diana and Prince Charles.
And then episode 7 moves to Martin Bashir from the BBC suggesting to his boss that he speaks to Diana to highlight “the fall of the institution.” Martin Bashir then meets Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer. He raises how he believes Diana and those close to her are being spied on by the secret services, funded by Diana’s secretary.
Diana is spending a lot of time and warmth in a London hospital. In the evening, she rings William to catch up with him about school. While on the phone, she hears a click and tells William to be careful as there are bugs everywhere. She tries raising the bugs with the palace staff, but her conspiracy is put down to paranoia.
Diana’s suspicions increase as her car does not work correctly with the brakes as she makes her way to meet her brother. They haven’t talked to each other for two years. Charles talks to her about Martin Bashir. He reveals the findings of the bank transactions to the secret services to spy on her and that her secretary is in on it. Diana is barely surprised that she is being spied on but is shocked that her secretary is allegedly in on the scheme.
At the hospital, one of the male doctors, Khan, thanks Diana for all her help. Earlier in the episode, it’s revealed that Diana has a crush on this man. They have an unspoken little date near the vending machines, eating snacks. Diana invites Khan to the cinema. Khan calls her the most recognizable woman in the world and questions how they can go without being seen. Episode 7 shows a more rebellious side of Diana.
Diana and her brother meet Martin Bashir — he tells her that The Crown and the security services see her as a threat, and they want to silence her. Martin tells her that even her driver, Steve Davies, is part of the scheme. He believes they are trying to force Diana to live abroad. Martin wants Diana to go public with her story, thinking it will help her out. Charles is hesitant about this idea, but Diana lists the other networks interested in her story; Martin tells her the BBC has the best journalistic integrity.
And then, Diana and Khan enjoy the cinema, and the Princess is disguised. Diana and Khan become closer as the night progresses.
The Crown season 5, episode 7 ending
As The Crown season 5, episode 7 nears its ending, Diana and Khan kiss. Meanwhile, Elizabeth speaks to Margaret about Diana and how William is worried about his mother. Margaret has sympathy for Diana, which is why Elizabeth is questioning her. Margaret tells her that she and Diana do not talk.
Diana meets Martin Bashir secretly. He tells her she has been followed twice that week by the security services. He also confirms that Prince Charles’ private secretary has been funding the spying too. And then Martin tries to relate to her, explaining how he knows what it is like to be disparaged and persecuted. He gives her confidence that they can stop all of this. Diana feels she finally has someone on her side. Martin promises to protect her “every step of the way.”
The episode ends with Diana leaving her Royal home with the car roof down, with a smile on her face. We are not saying this is one of the most controversial chapters of The Crown, but I’d be surprised if it weren’t. Episode 7 opens up Diana’s story.
What did you think of The Crown season 5, episode 7? Comment below.
