Recap / The Crown S 1 E 8 Pride And Joy

I am aware that I am surrounded by people who feel that they could do the job better. Strong people with powerful characters, more natural leaders, perhaps better-suited to leading from the front, making a mark. But, for better or worse, the Crown has landed on my head.

With Elizabeth and Philip touring the Commonwealth, the Queen Mother travels to Scotland to reflect on her new position, and buys a castle. Left in charge, Margaret takes on more engagements and tries to liven things up. Philip grows frustrated with Elizabeth using him as a prop, resulting in a confrontation that is being filmed. While Elizabeth convinces the camera crew to surrender the tape, she and Philip are unable to resolve their argument. Churchill visits Margaret and refuses to let her continue taking on engagements, saying that the British people do not want someone with passion or personality. When she gets back, Elizabeth also emphasises this to Margaret.

This episodes contains examples of:

• 21-Gun Salute: From fifteen A-class destroyers of the Mediterranean fleet as the Britannia arrives at Gibralter. It's also a show of strength at a time when threats have been made to the Queen's person by those who would rather see Gibraltar ruled by Spain.
• Actually Pretty Funny:
  • Charteris may be horrified by Margaret's speech at the ambassadors' reception, but the guests are all laughing.
  • The former owner of the castle the Queen Mother buys is amused when she points out he'd have doubled the price if he'd known who she really was.
• Artistic Licence – History: The Queen is shown as setting off on a long tour of the Commonwealth after unveiling the statue of George VI. In actual fact, the Commonwealth tour ran from November 1953 to May 1954, and the statue of the late King was not unveiled until October 1955. Also, the Queen Mother is shown as purchasing the Castle of Mey in 1953, whereas she had actually purchased it the previous year.
• Being Personal Isn't Professional: Elizabeth has learned this. Margaret, less so.
• Beneath the Mask
  • Far away from the public eye in Scotland, the Queen Mother breaks down in tears while discussing how she no longer has a husband, home or purpose in life now she's no longer The Queen.
  • Elizabeth ends up throwing a tennis racket at her husband during a domestic spat which is filmed by a news crew. Fortunately, they're decent enough to hand over the film reel without asking for anything in return.
• Berserk Button: Philip really presses Elizabeth's when he mocks her late father's stutter and her insecurities regarding her sister, prompting her to start throwing things at him.
• Boring, but Practical: Exemplified by Elizabeth — she's staid, neutral, devoid of histrionics or flashy acts of individualism in order to remain dutiful, reliable and useful to the nation. And the Commonwealth.
• Comically Small Demand: The Queen Mother buys a Scottish castle for a mere hundred pounds, though it's pointed out she'd have to spend thousands more restoring it. The owner was even willing to give it away for free, but she refuses as she can't accept such gifts as a member of the Royal family (she doesn't tell him the reason though, so he won't double his price).
• Costume Porn: One hundred dresses are prepared for the Queen. While some of this is due to the different climates that she'll be traveling in even Elizabeth thinks this is a bit much, but the government is well aware of the propaganda value at a time when many countries are considering independence.
• The Determinator: Elizabeth is determined to do every part of the grueling Commonwealth tour, regardless of threats to her safety, health or marriage.
• Disappointed in You: Elizabeth takes this attitude to Margaret, who doesn't take it well.
  Elizabeth: Reparations will need to be made.
  Margaret: To whom?
  Elizabeth: To the people you offended. A general, to whom, when asked if you'd like to dance, you replied, "Yes, but not with you". I believe there was also a debutante you managed to make cry, and the dancers of Sadler's Wells, whom you refused to meet after arriving late for the performance. You showed individuality. And that made people panic. They don't want individuality. The last person who showed character almost took the ship down.
  Margaret: You are enjoying this.
  Elizabeth: Not a bit.
  Margaret: Yes, you are. Admonishing your unruly young sister.
• Foolish Sibling, Responsible Sibling: Exemplified by Margaret and Elizabeth; the former's time in charge while the latter is away causes all sorts of problems.
• The Glorious War of Sisterly Rivalry: Between Elizabeth and Margaret. Elizabeth envies Margaret her freedom, whereas Margaret wishes she had some purpose, as Elizabeth has. Alas, there's not much either of them can do about this situation, as both of them are aware.
• Insistent Terminology: At play when Philip's being fitted out for some ceremonial uniforms prior to the tour.
  Philip: Four hours we have been here already for a costume fitting.
  Tailor: Uniform, sir; not costume.
  Philip: You wear uniforms to battle. This is a costume fitting.
• Jerkass: Philip complains constantly during the tour while his wife is striving to do her utmost.
• Jerkass Has a Point: Philip, with his "rusty old banger" analogy.
  Philip: Twenty years ago, Britain had influence and control over one-fifth of the world's population. You look where we are now in India, Pakistan, South Africa, Iraq, Jordan, Burma, Ceylon: all independent. But nobody wants to face it or deal with it, so they send us out on the Commonwealth roadshow. Like giving a lick of paint to a rusty old banger to make everyone think it's all still fine. But it's not. The rust has eaten away at the engine and the structure. The banger is falling apart. But no one wants to see it. That's our job, that's who we are. The coat of paint. If the costumes are grand enough, if the tiara's sparkly enough, if the titles are preposterous enough, the mythology incomprehensible enough, then all must still be fine.
• Kicked Upstairs: Townsend is stuck in a literal do-nothing job in Brussels with a sergeant whose sole job is to keep an eye on him.
• Noodle Incident: We only hear about most of Margaret's antics while she was in charge.
• Not So Above It All: Elizabeth is not above envying her more glamourous sister, and even the Queen Mother accuses her of deliberately denying Margaret the limelight.
• Oh, Crap!: Elizabeth and Philip have this reaction when they realise that their bust-up is being filmed by an Australian newsreel crew.
• Open Mouth, Insert Foot: While touring a coal mine, Margaret complains about the conditions the mine workers endure and makes a jibe at her sister. The first rouses the fury of Churchill because she's getting involved in politics, while Townsend points out that they need to keep the favour of the Queen if they're ever going to get their marriage approved.
• Title Drop: The phrase "pride and joy" refers to what George VI called his daughters.
  Margaret: Pride and Joy. Remember? What Papa called us.
  Elizabeth: Yes. "Elizabeth is my pride and Margaret is my joy."
  Margaret: "But Margaret is my joy." I'm sorry. I have to claim the few victories I'm left with.
• The Un Favourite: Downplayed, as the above quotes shows that George VI approved of both his daughters, but the fact that he liked her sister more clearly bothers Elizabeth.
• Overshadowed by Awesome: Margeret knows that as long as Elizabeth is lauded as The High Queen and The Paragon, she will be cast in the role of the 'evil sister'.
• Stepford Smiler: Before her tour Churchill advises the Queen never to let the public see the strain of wearing the crown. Elizabeth smiles so much she strains a facial muscle. Rather than get much-needed rest as the doctor advises, she has a relaxant injected into her face instead.