WiC Watches: The Crown season 3

Image: The Crown/Netflix

Episode 305: “Coup”

In an episode that concerns itself largely with Game of Thrones-style political maneuvering, it’s a thrill to see a couple of Thrones veterans back in the saddle. “Coup” welcomes Charles Dance to the updated cast as Lord Louis Mountbatten, Prince Phillip’s uncle. The former Tywin Lannister exudes gravitas as a prominent military leader sacked as a scapegoat for the Prime Minister’s dwindling fortunes. In a pairing that never happened on Thrones, Dance shares scenes with Rupert Vansittart (who played Lord Yohn Royce of the Vale). It’s fun to watch these two ace performers plot and scheme together to overthrow the government.

One character who doesn’t come across in the best light here is Queen Elizabeth herself. While her PM, Harold Wilson, is delivering a humiliating message to the nation about the tanking economy, the Queen is abroad on a trip to learn about breeding racehorses. While this is a passion of Elizabeth’s that she would have liked to pursue full-time in another life, it’s a little painful to watch her stuck in a cocoon of privilege, oblivious to the suffering of her people while the pound sterling is devalued.

Some of Claire Foy’s most powerful scenes as Queen Elizabeth occurred when she had to deliver a scolding to a public official (even Winston Churchill himself at one point). Olivia Colman certainly doesn’t disappoint in this regard and brings the thunderous indignation when she confronts Lord Mountbatten about his attempted coup. In a season full of potential Emmy clips, this is definitely one for the highlight reel.