Even though there won't be any new episodes until November 2022, it's no surprise that The Crown is trending on Netflix this week. The passing of Queen Elizabeth II has all eyes on the British Monarchy once again, both the real family and their fictional equivalents. The Crown is a brilliant study of the life of the former monarch, though its historical accuracy has come into question many times.
With twenty-three Emmy nominations and ten Emmy wins, no one can deny the series' entertainment value. Part of what makes The Crown so engaging is its dialog. So many exchanges in the series served to peel back these characters' many layers and examine their relationships with each other. The writing is sometimes nuanced and sometimes painfully blunt. Either way, the cast delivers each line with conviction that still resonates with fans.
10 "There Was A Young Lady From Dallas..." Margaret's Limericks (Season 3, Episode 2)
When England needed a bailout from the United States, Princess Margaret and her husband went to the White House in hope of charming President Lyndon B Johnson. She succeeded because of her force of personality and sense of fun that she conveys through her limericks.
While it's a comical scene, it also reminds viewers about Margaret's relationship with her late father, King George VI. In the pilot episode, the King and his senior attendant tell each other a series of lewd limericks. I's obvious that Margaret adapted their habit. Margaret's delivery of her own limericks shows not only her sense of humor but also her connection to her beloved father.
9 "A Strong Man Would Be Able To Kneel To Both" Elizabeth And Philip's Argument (Season 1, Episode 5)
Elizabeth and Philip's relationship quickly went from romantic to rocky after her accession to the throne. Elizabeth did her best to make Philip happy in the sixteen months leading to up her coronation, given the enormous changes in their lives. In one scene she asks Philip to chair her coronation committee.
She reluctantly accepts Philip's idea to televise the coronation but when he hesitates to publicly kneel before Elizabeth it leads to an argument. Philip's pride is on full display here but the Queen remains firm. She reminds Philip, in no uncertain terms, that she is the sovereign and that their marriage doesn't change that, especially in public.
8 "As Opposed To What? The Hysterical And Neurotic Way I Normally Behave?" Anne's Sassiness (Season 3, Episode 9)
No character in The Crown is as delightfully and hilariously deadpan as Princess Anne. Her sharp tongue and dry wit make her one of the show's most entertaining characters. This also helps her provide an excellent foil to Prince Charles' more dramatic tendencies.
So when Anne is warned to be "clearheaded, unemotional, rational and calm," she immediately snips back with "As opposed to what? The hysterical and neurotic way I normally behave?" Her delivery of the line is both sarcastic and monotone, and even makes Prince Philip chuckle.
7 "A Confederacy Of Elected Quitters" The Queen Expresses Disappointment (Season 2, Episode 10)
Over the course of the first two seasons, covering approximately ten years, Queen Elizabeth goes through three Prime Ministers. When Harold Macmillan, the last of the three, informs her that he'll be stepping down, the Queen responds with a scathing rebuke while maintaining her steady and calm demeanor.
She reminds the audience that Winston Churchill's career came to an end because he was "too old," while Anthony Eden's resignation came as a result of being "too ill." Macmillan, on the other hand, is called out by the Queen for being "too weak." She walks away, leaving the scene with what feels like a royal mic drop.
6 "Camilla Is Who I Want" Charles and Diana's Fight (Season 4, Episode 10)
Fans waited eagerly for Princess Diana to join The Crown and were not disappointed by Emma Corrin's portrayal of her. The Diana storyline easily outshone the simultaneous Margaret Thatcher plot, to no one's surprise. The decline of Charles and Diana's relationship came to a head in the season four finale.
Charles and Diana ended up in a screaming match, and Charles made it absolutely clear that he loved his mistress Camilla, not Diana. The audio from the scene even started trending on TikTok, garnering hundreds of thousands of views and likes across the platform.
5 "You Will Not Separate Or Divorce" The Queen Scolds Charles (Season 4, Episode 10)
Diana's unhappiness in their marriage is paralleled by Charles' own discontent. Even as he continues his affair with Camilla, he wants nothing more than a divorce. Camilla expresses concern over the public scorn she'd receive if her affair with Charles was revealed since the people love Diana so much.
Charles goes to the Queen for her permission to divorce Diana but gets a lecture from his mother instead. She criticized his attitude and complaints and warned him to get his act together if he wants to be King one day.
4 "Everyone In This System Is A Lost, Lonely, Irrelevant Outsider" Philip's Advice To Diana (Season 4, Episode 10)
In a surprisingly bittersweet scene, Prince Philip tried to offer some comfort and advice to Diana. As another outsider in the Royal Family, Philip is able to sympathize with Diana's struggle to find her place. He promised that her marriage to Charles will improve, but Diana felt like divorce was her only option.
As soon as the d-word leaves Diana's mouth, Philip becomes firm and warns her to not make that mistake. Of course, audiences already know how this particular story ends, which makes Diana's desperation and resignation in the scene that much more tragic.
3
"How On Earth Can You Forgive Yourself?" The Queen Dismisses Her Uncle (Season 2, Episode 6)
Queen Elizabeth II was not expected to become England's queen. It wasn't until her uncle, Prince Edward, abdicated the throne that her life was forever changed, as she became the heir to the British throne. When he wanted to return to England and be part of the Royal Family in a public capacity once more, Elizabeth struggled with her decision.
However, when she found out that Edward visited Hitler after his abdication and betrayed his country by working with the Nazis to return to the British throne, she lost all respect and sympathy for him. The Queen told Edward that he would not be permitted to re-enter the country and that she would never forgive him, asking him how he can forgive himself before dismissing him.
2 "For Better Or Worse, The Crown Has Landed On My Head" The Queen Lays Down The Law (Season 1, Episode 8)
Elizabeth's position as Queen is constantly questioned by everyone around her in the first season. The Queen herself frequently questions her own decisions and actions. She acknowledges that there are other individuals with stronger and more charismatic personalities who could probably do a better job than her.
However, she reminds Philip that, through no machinations of her own, she is the Queen. The crown is hers, so when she makes a decision, it's final. In this moment she brings a swift end to her disagreement with her husband, though it by no means is the end of their issues.
1 "The Crown Must Always Win" Queen Mary's Letter (Season 1, Episode 2)
The end of the series' second episode shows the beginning of Queen Elizabeth II's reign. When the Queen returns to England after her father's death, she receives a letter from her grandmother, Queen Mary. Looking back, viewers can see how the contents of that letter framed Elizabeth's approach to her monarchy.
Queen Mary's letter tells Elizabeth that she must "separate personal indulgences from duty." It's a warning that Elizabeth the Woman will want things that she can no longer have as Elizabeth the Queen. It's a declaration that her sole duty is not to her husband or her children or her family but to the Crown.