In episode two of "The Crown," the expression "Hyde Park Corner" is used as the code within the British government to announce secretly that the king, George VI, is dead. The narrative develops the shock and grief at the news of the king's death and the reaction of the young princess as she makes the transition to becoming Queen Elizabeth II.
Elizabeth and her consort Phillip were on tour in Kenya in the fist leg of an international tour of the Commonwealth when she received the news of the death of her beloved father. The film shows the resolve of the princess when she firmly selects the name of Elizabeth II, avoiding the convoluted name changes from Albert to Edward to George in the previous generation of the Windsor dynasty. With great composure, she informs her advisors that "my name is Elizabeth!"
The program is also successful in portraying Philip as the maladroit consort with the boorish manners that come from a centuries of snobbish British aristocratic tradition. While entering the Sagana Lodge in Nairobi, Philip makes a gauche remark to the king about his hat. Elizabeth has to correct Philip, saying that "it's not a hat; it's a crown!"
The pacing of the program is superb with the drama of the king's death at Sandringham followed by the desperate attempt to get the news to Elizabeth in Kenya, prior to its broadcast to the general public. When the communication is finally made to the new queen, it unfolds with great simplicity in the look of compassion delivered by Philip to Elizabeth. This was the most moving moments the program.
Another powerful moment occurs in a brief exchange between Elizabeth's grandmother Mary, who informs the young woman to recognize the reality of "the two Elizabeths": Elizabeth Montbatten (namely, the spouse of Philip) must give way to "Elizabeth Regina" (Queen Elizabeth). Eileen Atkins is superb as the dowager, who succinctly advises the new queen that in the battle between the two Elizabeths, "the crown must always win."
The big winner in this program is the exemplary scripting with dialogue that often has a sly, understated humor. Anthony Eden, Churchill's protégé, tries to unseat his mentor as prime minister. But Anthony's hopes are dashed when Churchill delivers another one of hist stentorian speeches in a public eulogy of George VI The look on Eden's face is priceless, as he recognizes that Churchill has once again drawn upon his oratory to win the hearts and minds of his audience, including the viewers of this program.
Elizabeth and her consort Phillip were on tour in Kenya in the fist leg of an international tour of the Commonwealth when she received the news of the death of her beloved father. The film shows the resolve of the princess when she firmly selects the name of Elizabeth II, avoiding the convoluted name changes from Albert to Edward to George in the previous generation of the Windsor dynasty. With great composure, she informs her advisors that "my name is Elizabeth!"
The program is also successful in portraying Philip as the maladroit consort with the boorish manners that come from a centuries of snobbish British aristocratic tradition. While entering the Sagana Lodge in Nairobi, Philip makes a gauche remark to the king about his hat. Elizabeth has to correct Philip, saying that "it's not a hat; it's a crown!"
The pacing of the program is superb with the drama of the king's death at Sandringham followed by the desperate attempt to get the news to Elizabeth in Kenya, prior to its broadcast to the general public. When the communication is finally made to the new queen, it unfolds with great simplicity in the look of compassion delivered by Philip to Elizabeth. This was the most moving moments the program.
Another powerful moment occurs in a brief exchange between Elizabeth's grandmother Mary, who informs the young woman to recognize the reality of "the two Elizabeths": Elizabeth Montbatten (namely, the spouse of Philip) must give way to "Elizabeth Regina" (Queen Elizabeth). Eileen Atkins is superb as the dowager, who succinctly advises the new queen that in the battle between the two Elizabeths, "the crown must always win."
The big winner in this program is the exemplary scripting with dialogue that often has a sly, understated humor. Anthony Eden, Churchill's protégé, tries to unseat his mentor as prime minister. But Anthony's hopes are dashed when Churchill delivers another one of hist stentorian speeches in a public eulogy of George VI The look on Eden's face is priceless, as he recognizes that Churchill has once again drawn upon his oratory to win the hearts and minds of his audience, including the viewers of this program.