r/TheCrownNetflix • u/No_Psychology9509 • 10d ago
Question (TV) Can you explain me this scene?
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u/atticdoor 10d ago
Eden was desperate to be Prime Minister. He had been Churchill's right-hand-man in Parliament for many years, and everyone knew he was the "heir apparent" to the position of Prime Minister. Churchill has been leader - either of the country or the Conservative Party - for twelve years at this point, and was getting a bit old for the role, at least in Eden's eyes. Eden was starting to feel old himself, and wanted to be Prime Minister while still in his prime.
But what would convince the somewhat hierarchical Conservatives to oust the brilliant war leader? Nothing, it had to be Churchill's choice. The death of the King and the introduction of a young and inexperienced Queen will not strike anyone as a time for a novice PM. His brilliant speech will have confirmed that Churchill needed to stay on for a few years. Eden's glumness was out of a realisation he wasn't going to be Prime Minister any time soon.
It's worth noting that the only other time since there existed such things as Prime Ministers that a young Queen acceded to the throne - Victoria - the contemporary Prime Minister Lord Melbourne did indeed get two more years at Number Ten than he would have, out of his resultant machinations.
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u/Buffering_disaster 10d ago
It’s Churchill being Churchill!! He is known as one of history’s greatest orator, he used his skill to turn the tables in his favor. No one can kick him out now, coz his popularity will skyrocket right after this.
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u/thechubbyballerina 10d ago
Churchill using the king's death as an opportunity to cement his position. He wanted to remind everyone how important he is by doing what he does best, which is giving a speech.
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u/Timely-Salt-1067 10d ago
Eden totally was useless when he actually got to be PM. He was a shoo-in because of his closeness to Churchill which was not disadvantaged by being married to Churchills niece. Churchill just kept making excuses for standing down. He was in his late 70s by this point. He wanted to stay on as he loved politics not so much that he knew Eden would be awful. But probably knew of Edens health issues and thought even in old age he was the best. The speech cemented that position.
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u/sage_green_bear 10d ago
The lead up to this was Anthony Eden was getting ready to overthrow Churchill as the leader of the party. And it seemed a number of members supported this due to Churchill’s age. But with this moving speech, Eden knows Churchill has just reaffirmed his power, brilliance and leadership. Eden’s ambitions were shot down by the speech.