Season Analysis

The Crown

Season 2 Analysis

Season Woke Score

3.4

out of 10

Season Overview

As a new era begins, Queen Elizabeth struggles to navigate a world that's changing around her while preserving both the monarchy and her marriage.

Season Review

Season 2 explores the British monarchy's struggle to remain relevant during the decline of the Empire and the rise of the 1960s. The narrative focuses on the personal and political challenges facing Queen Elizabeth, including the Suez Crisis and marital friction with Prince Philip. While the show highlights the flaws of the British establishment and portrays several male figures as incompetent, it remains grounded in historical context. The Queen’s personal faith and the importance of institutional stability are treated with a level of respect rarely seen in modern dramas, though the introduction of bohemian lifestyles signals a shift toward more modern sensibilities.

Categorical Breakdown

Identity Politics2/10

The show adheres to historical casting and focuses on the British class system rather than modern racial theory. Diversity is presented through a historical lens, such as the Queen's diplomatic visit to Ghana and her interaction with Kwame Nkrumah.

Oikophobia4/10

The narrative frequently critiques the British Empire and the 'men in grey suits' who run the government. It depicts the Suez Crisis as a humiliating failure of British leadership and suggests the monarchy must abandon its traditional aloofness to survive.

Feminism5/10

Elizabeth is portrayed as the only stable and competent leader, often outperforming the men in her cabinet and her husband. Prince Philip is frequently shown as petulant or directionless, while the Queen manages the burdens of leadership and motherhood simultaneously.

LGBTQ+4/10

The introduction of Lord Snowdon features depictions of sexual fluidity and bohemian polyamory. These elements are used to contrast the rigid morality of the palace with the shifting social norms of the 1960s.

Anti-Theism2/10

The Queen’s Christian faith is depicted as a genuine source of moral guidance. The episode featuring Billy Graham treats her spiritual curiosity and the concept of forgiveness with sincerity rather than cynical mockery.