The Crown (TV Series) Hyde Park Corner (2016) User Reviews

This is where the plot begins.

[TouchTheGarlicProduction · 9/10 · 4 November 2016]

I admired the first episode for how it hooked me without much actually doing much. It was really just a prologue, driven solely by character. In this one, the plot felt more like an actual narrative, rather than a series of interconnected character moments. A major event about halfway through the episode sets the plot of the series in motion. Most of the episode focuses on that event and its effects.

Philip and Elizabeth spend most of the episode in Kenya, on their commonwealth tour. These scenes are light and whimsical, yet also show the arrogance of British colonialism and the tensions it creates in the modern world. On the topic of arrogance, Churchill displays quite a bit of that in this episode. I really enjoy John Lithgow's portrayal of him. I've been a big fan of John for a while now and I think that approaching Churchill from the perspective of an American actor is quite interesting.

This episode makes it quite clear that these first two have just been a prologue, that the real story begins next episode. It's a more eventful episode than the pilot, yet also a slightly more conventional one. I look forward to watching more.

Amazing

[arranmccreath-63821 · 10/10 · 26 December 2019]

What an episode brilliant Must watch Great drama Briliant acting All round amazing

queen Mary bows to her granddaughter

[vitariz · 8/10 · 8 November 2016]

as soon as newly proclaimed Queen Elizabeth II arrives to Sandringham house to see her fathers corpse and join back to her family, queen Mary of Teck -80+- meets her in a corridor of the palace and BOWS as deep as she can. right there her fragile stumbling body tells clearly how important this young person has become. standing ovation to that detailed moment.

several insights show juicy details about the royal family so one can perceive somewhat accurately what must have been like to be part of that time in history. most royals quite well portrayed. the resemblance of actors and real characters seems an issue for the first ten minutes. then you may go along into the plot pretty easily thanks to the good acting, directing and production.

Long Live Queen Elizabeth.

[pratyushkumar-08003 · 9/10 · 5 July 2020]

This episode title expression "Hyde Park Corner" is used as the code within the British government to announce secretly that the king, George VI, is dead. But there are so many little things to be noticed like the nature of Prince Phillips, respect is given by that little boy and people of those tribe.

This episode has to be the outstanding one. So well directed. At the beginning of the show, you can see Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth filling in the shoes of her father by taking the trip around the world. You can also see Prince Phillips adjusting in his new role. Back in Britain, you see His Majesty spending his last few days shooting and spending time with her daughter who is unaware of the coming future.

The day His Majesty passed away, you can see every single step involved through the process of revealing his majesty death. From informing his mother to bring the flag down and to inform the Prime Minister. All was so well directed and pictured. The moment Prime minister ask if Princess has been informed of not, the reply is "if you mean by the new queen" leaves you to think about the society which does not care about anything else than its ownagendas. I mean it has just been an hour when his majesty has passed away and you talk about new queen in front of His Majesty long old friend. The urge of communicating the message to her majesty. You can fill the chills when Her majesty writes the letter for her papa unaware of his death. When Prince Phillips informs Queen Elizabeth, the quiet moments tell you about all.

This episode shows the real inhumane nature of the world when just after the death of his majesty, Queen Elizabeth is asked to select her regal name. She beautifully states: "my name is Elizabeth!". The pause just after the advisor of Queen Elizabeth says "Then, Long Live Queen Elizabeth" makes you think what she would have felt. The looks given by Prince Phillips let you belive the bond he shares with his wife that he understands what she is going through and the worlds inhumane act towards her.

The letter from her grandmother gives us the reality check when she says that she needs to mourn two people her father and Elizabeth Montbatten (namely, the spouse of Philip) as she is going to be "Elizabeth Regina" (Queen Elizabeth) and the crown must win always. The duties as the queen await for her and she can't act like a normal person but need to act like a queen. You can also feel that this is just going to be a hard time for both the queen and the prince and their relationship too as the advisor says the Crown takes precedence. You can feel Prince male ego getting hit. The statement "the Crown takes precedence" can be felt when even her mother bows down in front of her showing how ranking does matter and leaves you with lots to think about.

"My Name is Elizabeth!"

[lavatch · 10/10 · 25 December 2017]

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.

Taking responsibility

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 8 September 2020]

The first episode "Wolferton Splash" made quite a big splash (not very good pun intended) and was a great start to 'The Crown', which to me was one of the jewels of the year when it started (it is not as good now as it used to be though). It was mainly setting things up for what was to come and was basically a set-up episode, which is what a first episode should do and be in my view, and did an excellent job at doing that. Not one of the best episodes of 'The Crown' but goodness wasn't the potential enormous.

"Hyde Park Corner" fares even better. It pretty much follows on from the events of "Wolferton Splash" and not just built upon them but also moved the story forward. It did brilliantly at all of those things. "Hyde Park Corner" has all of the great things that "Wolferton Splash" had and had improvements along the way. Namely that it had more tension (not just the growing relationship between Elizabeth and Phillip but also the whole Churchill subplot) and also the pacing was brisker than the more deliberately paced previous episode, primarily down to the story here being more eventful perhaps.

"Wolferton Splash's" classy and sumptuous production values still remain in "Hyde Park Corner". The photography and production and costume design are evocative and a sight to behold. The music for me wasn't too intrusive or low-key and was beautiful scoring on its own. The main theme is not easy to forget.

Moreover the writing probes a lot of thought and intrigue, it is much more than just soap-opera, has some understated humour and doesn't seem too modern. Loved the intimacy and subtle tension of the storytelling in "Hyde Park Corner" and the relationship between Elizabeth and Phillip grows emotionally. Both grow as characters as Elizabeth prepares for taking more responsibility and Phillip is not as cold in demeanour.

Claire Foy is dignity and class personified already, and those qualities would get stronger with each episode, absolutely agree with another reviewer about her having a very expressive face (one of her biggest appeals for me as an actress). Matt Smith has authority and doesn't look uncomfortable with playing Phillip. John Lithgow still has fun as Churchill.

Summing up, wonderful and superior second episode to a great series. 10/10

Claire Foy was impeccable

[nerotajan · 10/10 · 20 September 2022]

No one could give justice to the role except Claire Foy. Her portrayal as Elizabeth Mountbatten and Elizabeth Regina in this episode was spot on! Kudos to Peter Morgan for the amazing playwright-- from Sir Winston Churchill's storyline to the Queen Mother's nuances, nothing could be regarded as fillers to the plot.

I have seen this episode when it first aired, but seeing it once more after Queen Elizabeth's passing gave me chills all through out. I began to wonder what exact emotions and thoughts Elizabeth Mountbatten had at the moment it started to sink in that she had to fulfill her role as the Queen. Claire Foy's acting gave justice to that; I live for the spaces in between dialogues.

Such Dignity; Such Pomposity

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 10 November 2016]

This series moves into some really interesting territory. Part 1 concludes with Elizabeth and Philip off to parts everywhere, looking over the imperialist holdings of the British Empire. It is disgusting to watch the natives of these lands have to kowtow to these pompous representatives of an abusive government. Unfortunately, this is probably an accurate portrayal, and so we are privy to what wen on. George VI is dying of lung cancer and his children are not aware of the severity. We know he will die soon and it's just a matter of time before the new Queen is put in power. We get a look at the relationship between Elizabeth and Philip which started out cold but began to blossom. The great tension of Part 2 has to do with this young woman suddenly having to take the reins when she has been living the carefree life of a young adult. There are stunning scenes in the jungles near Nairobi, Kenya. Also, the interplay among the servants and the royals themselves is fascinating. Great camera shots and excellent acting. The actress playing Elizabeth has the most expressive face.

Nairobi and No Black Dress

[vivianla · 6 September 2020]

Elizabeth goes to Nairobi and makes a speech. Warning - females are topless.

Margaret tells Peter Townsend to kiss her and he gives a peck on the cheek.

Elizabeth seems fascinated by the elephants and safari. She looks at the view in the morning wearing a dress shirt with no pants. Philip is on the bed facing downward and he is nude.

Margaret and Peter make out alone outside.

The king is found dead in the morning. The castle rush to get the news to Nairobi but the newspapers already found out.

Philip is told first and then Elizabeth finds out last. She has no black dress and wears her teal coat leaving Nairobi.

In England she is given a black outfit and a woman shuts the curtain and helps her get dressed. She has on a long white under dress. The black dress goes on as well as black pantyhose. Curtains are pulled back and Elizabeth gets off the plane with tons of viewers.

At the castle Elizabeth goes to see her father in his bed, embalmed.

This is a great story episode

[Shantalecinematicexpresso · 10/10 · 4 January 2021]

Beyond of thinking this is actually a series, people got very concentrate in the plot. How can everything go down with a death and how can a young woman start her duty in life

Bob

[bevo-13678 · 10/10 · 20 November 2020]

I like the bit how the royals have about 20 names each