Netflix released on December 8th the second season of The Crown. The drama tells the story of English monarchy, focusing on Queen Elizabeth II (Claire Foy) – who has been on the British throne since 1952, when she took office at the age of 25.
Although Queen Elizabeth is the main element of The Crown, she is not the only character in the story. The first season opened ample space to explore the family and professional relationships that happened around her, and Season 2 continues in this line – highlighting her own insecurities and the troubled moments of her marriage with Philip (Matt Smith).
In the new episodes of Season 2, there are no unexpected twists – or those script details that go almost unnoticed, but will be essential later. On the other hand, the conduction of the episodes is so organic, and the rhythm fits so well for the kind of story being told – essentially British – that you can easily watch an hour-episode after another like you are turning the page of a book.
Coco Van Oppens/Netflix
At the second year of the series, we watch the royal family growing up, Charles at his school age and the Queen expanding her offspring. Personal issues do not come to take the center of the plot inexorably, and the balance between the Queen’s influence on politics and everyday family life remains well-dosed. However, there are interesting and questionable ramifications in approaching the marriage relationship. The marriage of Elizabeth and Philip finds some mishaps en route to the first decade – aggravated by Philip’s rumors of adultery, which puts him permanently at the center of the season.
The ‘excess’ of Philip, however, does not reduce the season. There is an honest attempt to redeem him with episode 9, which shows Charles’s experience at school and parallels his own troubled childhood. In addition, the story flows better when it puts the spotlight on Elizabeth, her mother and sister Margaret (Vanessa Kirby), who is one of the brilliant highlights of the season.
Alex Bailey/Netflix
Season 2 is as captivating as the first one, and what is not missing are characters to take Elizabeth out of her comfort zone and moments in which she sees herself as responsible for questioning the position of her Prime Ministers. The most symbolic of these moments is brought by the visit of John F. and Jacqueline Kennedy (Michael C Hall and Jodi Balfour), that cleverly serves to give a closure to a political issue that was being cooked throughout the entire season.
The importance of the Kennedy’s visit goes beyond the political realm and mirrors the life of Elizabeth and Philip as a couple. Not only because the two marriages are intrinsically linked to public life and to their respective countries (US and UK), but because there is the counterpoint between the idealization of the perfect marriage and the reality that nobody sees. It is cautiously obvious when it comes to reflection after the episode, an easy mirroring to be done and from some angles even lazy, but nevertheless fulfills its purpose.
The Crown Season 2 is brilliant and captivating, besides showing the audience a little bit more about the real curiosities of the royal family. In addition, photography and design production continues being marvelous.