For me, the weakest link in The Crown's first season was without a doubt Margaret. The actress was really good, but the writing made her come across as naive and superficial, with little understanding or care for the impossible situations she was putting her sister in. And while I found her far more enjoyable in the premiere of this season, I was still a little nervous about getting into an episode focused on her. It turns out I need not have feared, as this was actually my favourite episode of the season so far.
The Margaret depicted in the start of this episode is deeply cynical and depressed about her whole situation. She has an extremely relatable sense of purposelessness and loneliness, which comes to a climax when she drunkenly rampages and smashes her stuff. This sort of scene is overused in movies and TV shows, but I found it very effective here because it felt real and emotionally honest.
The episode explores two potential romantic endeavours for Margaret. The first is a hollow and short-lived engagement with a platonic family friend, made more out of obligation than interest. The second is an exciting and dangerous flirtation with a photographer at a party for "interesting people". The latter leads Margaret to do something that will have negative consequences for the family. Unlike her actions in the first season, this felt like an informed, concerted decision to break free from her sister's control. As a result, I find it far easier to get behind.
In short, this episode shows Margaret's less naive, more cynical side, and made her more sympathetic as a result.
The Margaret depicted in the start of this episode is deeply cynical and depressed about her whole situation. She has an extremely relatable sense of purposelessness and loneliness, which comes to a climax when she drunkenly rampages and smashes her stuff. This sort of scene is overused in movies and TV shows, but I found it very effective here because it felt real and emotionally honest.
The episode explores two potential romantic endeavours for Margaret. The first is a hollow and short-lived engagement with a platonic family friend, made more out of obligation than interest. The second is an exciting and dangerous flirtation with a photographer at a party for "interesting people". The latter leads Margaret to do something that will have negative consequences for the family. Unlike her actions in the first season, this felt like an informed, concerted decision to break free from her sister's control. As a result, I find it far easier to get behind.
In short, this episode shows Margaret's less naive, more cynical side, and made her more sympathetic as a result.