A few centuries ago, American colonizers made it very clear that they wanted nothing to do with British royalty. Today, things are a little different, as tabloids fawn over royal weddings and uncover racy scandals. Though some of us don't want to admit it, we are utterly fascinated by royal life, particularly the personal affairs of those in the spotlight. With this knowledge, Netflix has released their most expensive and expansive original show yet: "The Crown," which focuses on a youthful Elizabeth II navigating her new role as Queen after the untimely death of her father.
As Elizabeth's grandmother tells her, "The crown must win, must always win." This seems to be the overarching theme of "The Crown," as Elizabeth (Claire Foy) is forced to sacrifice her relationships for a job that she never asked for. What Netflix manages to accomplish is a fearless look into the gritty humanity of royal figures whom we've traditionally seen smiling and waving.
The script and cinematography surpass what you would already expect from a Netflix original, delivering a $150 million product, the highest price tag of any original to date. Clearly, they've put a lot of stock into "The Crown," and it has certainly paid off. Any show that has a title song composed by Hans Zimmer ("Inception," "Man of Steel," "Interstellar") must be doing something right.
At the center of "The Crown's" vast plot is the tense marriage between Elizabeth and Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (Matt Smith). Throughout the 10-episode series, these two exchange hair-raising verbal stabs that leave a sore spot on viewers' hearts. Elizabeth struggles to balance duty and marriage, challenging Philip's brutish insistence on upholding gender roles. Both parties make questionable decisions that damage the other, highlighting the reality of marriage's complications.
Truly, being royal is not as glamorous as we might think. Elizabeth further forfeits her relationship with her sister, Margaret (Vanessa Kirby, who steals nearly every scene she's in). Margaret's attempt to marry a divorced man many ages her senior threatens scandal and causes Elizabeth to take regrettable action. This conflict boils over into the issue of sibling rivalry and the pressure to be "daddy's favorite."
Most importantly, "The Crown" highlights the ever-present challenge of working toward a goal that no one expects you to accomplish. Elizabeth, being young and a woman, faces an alarming amount (though common for that time) of skepticism and sexism. Though the men around her are secretive about their prejudice, it is no less evident and draws parallels to the covert sexism seen in some areas of work today.
Some of us may not be keen on spending time with a BBC-style drama, but "The Crown" is certainly worthy of a watch. A glimpse into the lives of these royals reveals the captivating humanity behind the veil. Yet again, Netflix delivers a binge-worthy original that will leave you wanting more. Luckily, there are already plans for five more seasons.
You can view the trailer for "The Crown" here.
