The Crown turns the “dry slog” of history into a “compulsively watchable narrative about history, celebrity, and the inescapable difficulties of being a person”
-
“Set piece after set piece in The Crown is worked to perfection, even — especially — just when it seems the show might be getting a little too self-important about the heavy weight of the crown,” says Sonia Saraiya in reviewing Season 2 of the Netflix series. “Best of all, The Crown shows versatility; it adapts to reflect the episode’s concerns, making for individually beautiful chapters. The first season showcased some of that. The second season does it even better… There are few shows currently on air that convince you of how carefully considered its vision is, but The Crown does it constantly — whether that is the way the light streams through the window onto Philip’s shoulders, or the set of Elizabeth’s jaw as she addresses her prime minister. For that alone it is remarkable.”
ALSO:
- The drama has been dialed up to 11: “If the first season was reminiscent of The Queen, then the second season is more like The Other Boleyn Girl”
- The Crown loosens up a bit in Season 2, giving Queen Elizabeth II a warmer pulse
- Season 2 is hindered by a “mystifying fascination” with Prince Philip
- It’s disappointing that Queen Elizabeth II becomes almost a secondary character this season
- Royal biographers separate fact from fiction in Season 2
- What The Crown got wrong about royal protocols
