The Crown – Season 5 Episode 7 “No Woman’s Land” Recap & Review

No Woman’s Land

The Crown’s portrayal of Diana throughout episode 7 represents a pivotal moment. Elizabeth Debicki hasn’t had a great deal to do in the majority of the episodes up to this point besides casting a melancholic or shy glance, as she’s showcased only as the victim of the institution.

This chapter features two men who are on different extremes of the moral continuum. There’s Martin Bashir, who lured his way into Diana’s trust in order to gain the iconic Panorama interview. Then there’s Dr. Hasnat Khan, the cardiologist Diana ended up falling deeply in love with.

Martin Bashir was a presenter on the famous BBC news show, Panorama. The journalist was already researching Princess Diana as well as her sibling Charles Spencer, though his study isn’t just out of intrigue; he’s attempting to find out how their privacy has been breached over time. Bashir is attempting to develop a story that he’ll ultimately present to Charles Spencer, showing that there were numerous spies and corrupted workers involved who have disclosed sensitive information concerning them to the media.

Bashir is very eager to talk to Diana because it could be the news of a lifetime. Then in order to grab her interest, he fabricates a narrative claiming numerous important employees of both her and her brother’s staff had taken money in exchange for their cooperation with government security organizations like MI5 and MI6, backed by fabricated bank records.

All of these are phony, however they are persuasive enough to make a naïve Diana, who already suspects that she is being watched trust Bashir. Despite the fact that they are incorrect, they serve to support what she already is certain to be true.

Diana finds herself even more lonely and depressed now that Prince William has left the house and entered Eton. William is relieved to be free from the theatrics of his mother’s media frenzy because now he has moved out of his house. He had no idea that things will only worsen from here on.

Diana finds comfort in folks like her acupuncturist, a lady she is so attached to that she volunteers to go with her to the hospital when her spouse undergoes cardiac surgery. Diana only notices the attractive set of brown eyes when they first meet Dr. Hasnat Khan, a cardiac surgeon. Diana is enamoured right away, despite the fact that he is engaged in telling Diana’s companion about her husband’s condition. Diana admits her interest to her friend, who is visibly concerned by her husband’s fragile health condition. Diana’s obsession has disinterested and even irritated her friend.

After a terrible vehicle accident in which her brakes failed, Diana is certain that some people are ganging up on her. After her sibling Charles introduces her to the news presenter Bashir, he merely confirms her suspicions and suggests that an interview could be the best opportunity to air her concerns about the royal family.

Diana additionally intends to grab Dr. Khan’s interest by paying surprise trips to the hospital. The advancement of their passion is arguably the most charming thing about this episode. Hasnat asks Diana to accompany him for lunch during their first meeting inside the facility, where Diana discreetly meets patients. It appears that the vending machine offers an array of different crisp brands. “I like junk food”, he admits. “That’s unexpectedly sexy,” Diana remarks, which surprises him.

Diana interacts with Martin Bashir while displaying her interest in his culture. He had been born in England, but his folks are of Pakistani descent, and she takes a special interest in him because of this. Bashir is shrewd enough to understand that he can use this fascination to his advantage.

Dr. Khan isn’t as cunning as Bashir, and his attraction towards Diana is genuine, and he continues to pursue her irrespective of the reality that his profession tends to keep him so occupied that he doesn’t have time for anything else. She swayed him to go to a movie with her wherein she exhibits she is a genuine, regular person by donning a wig and disguising herself whilst watching Apollo 13. They return to Diana’s place after the movie, and after their heartfelt interaction with each other it appears that this cardiologist may be the perfect person Diana requires to fix her broken heart.

The Episode Review

This episode of The Crown might rank among the show’s boldest so far. With the eighth chapter, this series begins diving into some more sensitive issues, such as Diana’s simmering frustration with the family as well as her aspirations to live a free life while being observed by the Royals.

This entire episode has a strong political undertone. There are several which might certainly remain a mystery due to the strong accusations that the Royals would never acknowledge in real life.

The segment of Diana’s tale where she finds Hasnat Khan, the compassionate cardiac surgeon whom she began dating and cherished for two years, was eagerly waited for by the audience. It had been hoped that their meeting would be pleasant, warm, and a tonal contrast to the formality of the Royals. It included that undoubtedly. The modest doctor charms Diana right away, and there is a sincere, cosy warmth between them. However, a handful of awkward, cheesy dialogues left one unimpressed with the otherwise enjoyable moments.

Diana seems to be an intriguing character, and the show could have done much more with her. They could have made her more complex, more fascinating, and multifaceted based on the numerous stories we already know about her. Instead, the show decides to celebrate her misfortune by portraying Diana as a perpetual whiner. In real life, Diana showed flashes of being much braver and more adventurous. Unfortunately, the show doesn’t seem to be using the actress’ tremendous potential.

Additionally, The Crown should have given Diana’s character more complexity by illustrating some of the ways she might have erred too because they have the creative license to do so. Up until this point, it seems as though the show isn’t being fair in its portrayal of Charles and Diana, portraying them as either simply evil or the victims rather than more nuanced, compelling characters.