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The Crown

 My spouse thought "Alma Mater" was a new low for "The Crown"; I did think it was tedious and self-indulgent, as usual, but still, I'd argue, it had its moments.


Prince William decides to study European art. The lecturer at St. Andrews makes an observation about Giotto; this particular painter helped to bring about the Renaissance, because he made use of three dimensions. Before Giotto, you'd encounter a great deal of "flatness." When you see a human in 3-D, you may discover that you're having an "emotional experience"; you become involved in the figure's interior life, because you can recognize bits of yourself in the portrait.

Meanwhile, Kate Middleton has an unusual encounter. She sees William in the flesh; he is suddenly 3-D; he is not the flat cut-out she has viewed on a TV screen. She becomes enchanted with him. She sees his frustration--how he resents always having to smile and sign autographs. Remarkably, she sees him snap; in a moment of vulnerability, he lashes out at a classmate who wants a personalized message for her cousin. William tries to defend himself against the judgmental Kate: "You don't know what it's like to be always on display, to be groomed, and groomed, and groomed." And Kate laughs. "You don't think that's similar to being a young woman in a world of men?"

This moment of discord seems to end the friendship between Kate and William--but, actually, it isn't what it seems. After some hours of reflection, Kate finds her way back to William, via text message.

The episode raises interesting questions about Kate's mother: It's possible to see her in 2-D, as a scheming, grasping climber. But--also--it's possible to see her with compassion: She may really believe that she is trying to do something nice for her daughter.

(I wonder if the writer had Hilary Mantel in mind; famously, Mantel observed that the English public sees members of the royal family as puppets. They are inanimate Barbie dolls; we hang clothing on them.)

Eve Best is a standout, here, working with bad, expository dialogue--adding some glamour, as Mrs. Middleton.
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