The Crown Season 2 Premiere Plot Summary:
As an international crisis erupts at the Suez Canal, Queen Elizabeth (Claire Foy) also faces a deeply personal dilemma.
Some people were unhappy that The Crown won Best Drama over Stranger Things at last Golden Globes early this year. But as I said back then, it’s not based on a popular vote like the People’s Choice Awards. The Hollywood Foreign Press is entitled to its own opinion, regardless of whether or not you and I agree with it. I understand why the Hollywood Foreign Press went with The Crown.
Now, I could rave that this British period drama is vastly superior to what my fellow Yanks like. I could even say they’re all uncultured for ignoring it. But I don’t believe that. It’s a slow show. But as someone who is fascinated with history, there’s some different about. It combines the facts of a History Channel special with palpable human emotion.
Even though I consider myself a fan of history, I wouldn’t call myself a history buff. I might’ve vaguely known something about the Suez Canal, but The Crown is rather illuminating on the subject. The backroom politics are not unlike Games of Thrones, though without the dragons and epic battles. While I could always look up how it played out, a good storyteller knows to pace the plot points for maximum effect and I intend to stay along for the ride.
One of the premiere’s more surprising elements is possible infidelity by Philip (Matt Smith), Queen Elizabeth’s husband. The two recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in real life. This development comes soon after last season’s scandal, in which Parliament and the Queen forbade Princess Margaret (Vanessa Kirby) from marrying a divorced man. That was the most emotional plot point of last season and it’s still a wedge in the sisters’ relationship. Divorce is not an option for Elizabeth and Philip, so I’m curious to see how exactly Elizabeth and Philip resolve their differences.
I can’t recommend The Crown to everyone, in case you’re reading this and haven’t watched the first season. But if you enjoy history and well-acted drama, give The Crown a chance.
