Top 10 The Crown Episodes to Rewatch

If there’s any one truth depicted in “The Crown,” it’s that the expectations placed on the royal family can be insurmountably high. Perhaps it was fitting, then, for the season four finale to shine a light on those who defied those expectations in every way. On one hand, Margaret Thatcher is granted a surprisingly graceful exit after resigning as Prime Minister and resolving her differences with the Queen. On the other hand, Princess Diana’s woeful marriage to Prince Charles reaches an explosive crescendo. As the couple are both given stern talking-tos, things are made all the more intriguing. The episode gives fans enough to hold onto, while leaving them curious to see the final stages of this relationship play out moving forward.

Elizabeth becomes one of the most influential people in the world upon assuming the throne. But this episode from the show’s first season demonstrates that even a Queen can struggle in a world primarily governed by men. Recognizing that her lack of a formal education has left her at a disadvantage, the monarch begins lessons with a tutor. It’s one of Claire Foy’s finest outings as the younger Elizabeth, which is saying something. The character embraces knowledge, and stands up to her mother, Lord Salisbury, and even Prime Minister Winston Churchill. It’s oh-so satisfying to see the Queen finally set the tone for her reign.

The series’ central focus has always been Elizabeth’s duties as Queen. But this enlightening and, at times, amusing season four episode, spotlights her role as a mother. Feeling inspired by her husband Prince Philip and Margaret Thatcher, Elizabeth meets one-on-one with each of her four children to determine if she has a favorite. She’s surprised by how little she actually knows about them, and it’s both humorous and a little sad watching as she struggles to connect with her kids. The conclusion she reaches may leave you feeling a bit bewildered! In a world where “the Crown must win,” it’s clear that Elizabeth’s adherence to tradition has affected all of her children in different ways.

The season two episode “Paterfamilias” gave viewers a taste of a young Charles coming-of-age at a cruel boarding school. But Elizabeth’s heir apparent really came into his own after Josh O’Connor stepped into the role in season three. The show has never shied away from exploring the complexity of this mother-son relationship. This episode in which Charles heads to Wales to prepare for his investiture as the country’s Prince is proof of that. Learning a new language and embracing a new culture opens the young royal’s eyes to how dissatisfied the Welsh are with the monarchy. Despite everything, Charles is humanized here, especially after making a defiant speech that results in a crushing response from his mother.

In more ways than one, the members of the royal family aren’t exactly like everyone else. This notion is explored to great effect at the season two midpoint. After Elizabeth delivers a patronizing speech at a car factory, her lavish, out-of-touch lifestyle becomes the subject of criticism by the passionate Lord Altrincham. This episode shows just how at odds the Windsors’ old-fashioned sense of governing is with England’s modernizing post-war landscape. Through Altrincham we see an examination of the Queen’s reign through a much wider lens than the series sometimes offers. It acts as a true turning point for a family that still has much to learn about the subjects they rule over.

“The Crown” opened its inaugural season with Elizabeth and Philip’s wedding. So it was only a matter of time before the series would shine a light on the pair’s complicated romance. As Philip begins to distance himself, Elizabeth seeks comfort in Lord “Porchey” Porchester, a confidant who also happens to be her racehorse adviser. It makes for a tumultuous storyline to say the least. But what truly sells this episode as one of the show’s finest is its portrayal of Winston Churchill’s last days as Prime Minister. John Lithgow gives it his all as Churchill reckons with his mortality during his 80th birthday celebration. Thankfully, he’s given a moving send-off courtesy of the Queen in one of the show’s most bittersweet moments.

Viewers would ultimately have to wait to see Elizabeth’s coronation in “Smoke and Mirrors,” the series’ fifth episode. But “Hyde Park Corner” is where her path to the throne truly begins. As she and Philip tour the Commonwealth, her father King George VI passes away after struggling with his health for a long while. In a flash, the 25-year-old Elizabeth’s life as she knew it is forever changed, and her fear of the unknown is palpable. This episode gives viewers a chance to learn about her earliest days as Queen. It was a time when no one knew what lay ahead for the monarchy, least of all Elizabeth herself.

The truth is often stranger than fiction, and few episodes of “The Crown” prove that better than this one. We wouldn’t blame you for not knowing Michael Fagan’s break-in at Buckingham Palace actually happened. This episode envisions a fascinating scenario of what the Queen could have discussed with the unwelcome intruder after he entered her bedroom. Their fictionalized conversation alters one of Great Britain’s biggest security scandals into a thought-provoking and meaningful exchange regarding the government’s refusal to help its people. Olivia Colman does some of her best work here, for Elizabeth is nothing if not a Queen who wants to do right by her country.

In 1966, a rain-induced landslide struck the Welsh mining town of Aberfan, claiming the lives of many people, children included. This chapter in British history serves as the basis for one of “The Crown’s” most heart-stopping episodes. The show’s depiction of the incident is absolutely devastating, but we largely deal with Elizabeth’s delayed response to the disaster. Public outcry abounds when the Queen waits to visit the town and offer support to the victims’ families. Here, she’s forced to question when she must stop acting like a steadfast ruler and start acting like a person with feelings she’s not often allowed to express. Needless to say, it makes for a truly compelling viewing experience.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Fairytale”
The Story Behind the “Wedding of the Century” Is Sordid

“Bubbikins”
Princess Alice’s Arrival Sheds New Light on the Royal Family

“Dear Mrs. Kennedy”
It’s Always a Treat for American Viewers to See Portrayals of US Historical Figures

“Olding”
Olivia Colman Left an Instant Impression on Fans During the Season Three Premiere

“Gloriana”
The Captivating Season One Finale Features a Shocking Betrayal

Elizabeth’s uncle David’s appearances on “The Crown” typically carry elements of the scandals that engulfed his life. The season one episode “Windsor,” for instance, details his controversial decision to abdicate the throne in order to tie the knot with an American divorcee. This season two outing provided viewers with a much more shocking revelation. The former King Edward VIII returns to the country after a lengthy absence, and seems poised to re-enter Elizabeth’s good graces. That changes when documents are unearthed revealing his ties to the Nazi Party. It’s the kind of information that completely reshapes our understanding of the royal family. David gets his comeuppance, and while it’s undeniably tense, it also makes for one of the show’s best moments.