You guys, Wikipedia barely even has an entry about Marburg Castle. I FEEL CHEATED. Especially because some cursory Googling indicated that the tower they called the White Tower -- I think the one to the far right -- is also called The Witches Tower. I NEED AN ENTIRE NETFLIX SERIES ABOUT THAT.
In case you ever wondered if this show's budget was truly has hefty as rumored: Yes, they paid Jon Lithgow for like two lines and created a whole Flashback Stache for Tommy Lascelles.
Sorry I got such an unflattering grab of you, Jared Harris; I love you and your kind face. And I spent like ten minutes in the car this week thinking about how pleased QE2 must have been that Wills and Kate named their son, the future king, after her father. (I mean, I know George was only his regnal name and he still went by Bertie but you feel me.)
But the whole reason I pulled this was because I saw that someone over at Previously asked if Kate had inherited the Queen Mum's ring (via Diana, of course), and I just wanted to clarify that she did not -- that ring was bought out of Garrard's store window, basically. It wasn't even designed for Diana specifically. That said, it's certainly true that this ring resembles Kate's, and they blocked this scene so that she could really wave it around, and frankly, I would not put it past The Crown to rewrite ring history for no good reason. NOT ON MY WATCH.
These newreels are a really convenient way to explain to us what's going on in the outside world. I also appreciate that the Queen Mum has a plate of chocolates in front of her. I had a British relative who was basically between the Queen and th Queen Mum in age, and she ate a pound of chocolate a day. PER DAY. EVERY DAY. All I can say is: RESPECT.
Meanwhile, in Paris, Edward and Wallis are having a very glamorous but EMPTY LIFE together, not talking about how they used to be Nazis. Yes, this is birthday party for a dog and I want to eavesdrop on their servants, who have to be complaiing about them ALL THE TIME.
Wallis really does look amazingly glam while she sits around and watches her husband shoot stuff.
This necklace is extraordinary; his teal dinner jacket gets a lot of play, and I guess if you have one, you should wear it.
The costume designer must have had a LOT of fun with this episode.
How would one sit with a starfish over one's crotch? I wonder.
And the costumes at this Nazi Enchantment Under the Sea Dance are AMAZING.
I feel like I last saw that guy at Mos Eisley Cantina.
These two seem fun.
It's LESS fun to sulk on your patio about how being a Nazi made it harder for you to be Queen.
Elizabeth wears A LOT of blue in this episode; I don't know if that means she's depressed or loyal.
Nothing but respect for MY National Treasure cast.
Last time I was in the UK, I took a train and it was NOT draped in velvet. I feel cheated.
This show gives good dressing gown.
HIDEOUS!
This yellow is fabulous on Claire Foy.
In which the Queen Mum wears a FULL-ON LOOFAH ON HER HEAD.
I have to compliment the set and productin designers; the state apartments at Windsor look STUNNING.
And I long for this wallpaper.
It appears that Edward is taking all of his meeting in Aunt Rosamund's drawing room from Downton. (AM I RIGHT OR WHAT? The mirrors are slightly different but the rest of the room is verly similar and I'd believe it if it were the same set. I LOVE THAT DRAWING ROOM and I recognize it like my own child. Rosamund, I miss your house SO MUCH and the doorframe in the pic I just linked to is totally the doorframe in this scene; it's absolutely the same set with bits and pieces moved around.)
I actually think Downton was more enjoyable than The Crown. Yeah, I said it. Did anyone have a giant interesting fight at this dinner? NO. Does anyone make out on this show? HARDLY EVER. Does ANYONE have a killer vagina? NO. Has anyone given their baby to a pig farm? NOPE. It's gorgeously well-acted and it's REALLY expensive but The Crown just isn't as good as it thinks it is and it would be so much better if it LEANED INTO being the soap it really could be. I think I figured out my main issue with it, in looking for proof about my Aunt Rosamund Set theory: Downton had TONS of plot issues but it also had FEELINGS. The Crown has tons of plot issues and hardly ANY feelings, other than about Philip, who doesn't deserve them, and Margaret, whose episodes are the best. BECAUSE OF THE FEELINGS. LEAN INTO FEELINGS, PETER MORGAN.
Okay, I guess Edward has some feelings, but they're mostly petulant and mean.
When you're about to talk about your Nazi relatives, it's wise to wear your most SENSIBLE cardigan.
Did I take this shot because I want to talk about Office Supplies of Yore? YES I DID.
I'm glad Elizabeth chose a dress that makes her eyes really pop for this awkward convo with her Nazi uncle.
Noteworthily, it is in the moment where Philip IS being sensible that HE gets to wear the Beige Sweater of Great Sensibility.
I am going to start a Tumblr called Fuck Yeah Tommy Lascelles.
Elizabeth will be a regular reader. I LOVED this little moment; this show so rarely lets itself be funny and it's always nice when it is.
This was a flashback to Edward's abdication, and this is a great shot. It's composed nearly like a painting.
Witness the casual Heil in action.
I feel like giving Billy Graham a brown suit is a low-key insult to Americans -- this show isn't really a fan of our people -- but he was also kind of a HOT Billy Graham and that's a low-key compliment, so we're equal.
I admit it: I laughed at Philip lying down to take off his shoe.
Even though this is usually the face I make at Philip.