The first season of The Crown was widely appreciated by critics and binge-watchers alike. Claire Foy's portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II of the time she was forced into taking the responsibility of the monarchy won her Golden Globes for best actress in 2017. The second season will once again put her in the race what with her restrained acting and 50 shades of poise and contemplation.

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The second season of the Peter Morgan show begins in 1956 when the Suez Canal issue shows that Anthony Eden (Jeremy Northam) is not Winston Churchill. It ends with Profumo scandal in 1963 which puts additional strain on Prince Philip (Matt Smith) and Queen's relationship. The season covers Princess Margaret's relationship and subsequent wedding with society photographer Anthony Armstrong Jones, Prince Charles' education, return of Prince Edward one last time tied with release of the Marburg files linking him to Adolf Hitler, effect of Lord Altrincham's criticism of Queen's dated approach towards  her pupil, and Britain's obsession with John F Kennedy and his wife Jackie.

Remove the privilege from the story and you will see that the second season is more about a woman who is balancing her life between work and home. She is ageing with time and maturing to understand the impotency, yet the need of Monarchy in the post-war Britain. Show creator Morgan shows that Lilibet has learned the importance of compromises to maintain the stature of the institution she is head of. Claire Foy not only has a different wardrobe, and makeup to advance her age onscreen; she has also changed her walk, her stance to match the Queen at the time.

A major part of the show focuses on Prince Philip. His petulance, fear of being marginalised gets an explanation. Season two dives into his backstory explaining how he justifies his unrest in the position which is always behind Elizabeth. Matt Smith finally gets the spotlight and he dazzles in that role. Some viewers may find it difficult to see the focus shifted to Philip, but in the grander scheme of things, this is where Elizabeth learns to negotiate.

Another underappreciated gem in the story is Venessa Kirby's portrayal of Princess Margaret. She is everything opposite of Elizabeth. If Elizabeth is trying to maintain the dignity of the institution, Margaret's pain of coming out of her shadow, finding love, and settling down, only highlights the disadvantage of being a royal in public eye. Kirby is phenomenal in that role. Margaret also puts a mirror in front of Elizabeth, telling her, "You've managed to disappear and become invisible while wearing the crown." It works for the Queen but maybe sucks for a mother, a wife behind that facade.

The sets, costumes, and the cinematography of the show make it a really grand affair as you would expect of a show about a queen. The only drawback is Michael C Hall's casting as John F Kennedy which sticks out like a sour thumb.

The second season of The Crown transitions from being a show about Queen Elizabeth to a show about the recent generations of the British monarchy. The third season will see a literal transition when Olivia Coleman will play the role of Queen of England. But if one to take a bow, Claire Foy uses this opportunity to go out with a bang.