Why We Worship Stuff

Timeless archetypes and perennial truths in ‘The Crown.’

I think every major pop culture mag has run a piece about historical inaccuracies in the hit Netflix show, The Crown. But honestly I don’t care. The show is not dealing in those kinds of facts. It’s an archeological approach to storytelling in the tradition of Michel Foucault, who said, “Archeology is about examining the discursive traces and orders left by the past in order to write a history of the present.”

There’s a scene in Season 2, Episode 4 that demonstrates the point of worship–– as functional and relevant today as it was back when it (may or may not have) happened.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip have returned to their quarters after a long night celebrating their 10th anniversary. Princess Margaret (the Queen’s little sister) has returned after a stimulating night with a new love interest, Anthony Armstrong-Jones, or ‘Tony’ as he prefers.

Cutting back and forth between the two bedrooms: The Princess is in a cocktail dress, slightly drunk, in complete ecstasy, having just been swept off her feet after years of emotional isolation. Down the hall, the Queen and Phillip are stone cold sober, being undressed by their respective servants before nightly prayers. Two competing narratives of royal life, perfectly juxtaposed under one palace roof.

A totemic family ordained by God to both rule and serve as an icon for a nation. A religion, a way of life and a philosophical framework developed over generations by the British Empire and cemented into the national character when it was at its peak. Globally respected, inextricably linked to pride in country, and worshiped unconditionally by the people of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries until the end of time.

A vivid, lurid princess standing at the summit of the modern age. An age defined by…

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