Season 2 of The Crown picks up where Season 1 left off — with tensions high between Britain and Egypt as well as between Queen Elizabeth (Claire Foy) and her husband, Prince Philip (Matt Smith).

Let’s start with global politics. Prime Minister Anthony Eden’s (Jeremy Northam) dispute with Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser (Amir Boutrous) is just an inkling of what becomes 1956’s Suez Crisis. In response to Nasser’s nationalization of the Suez Canal Company — effectively taking over the canal from Western powers — Eden’s government colludes with France and Israel to invade Egyptian territory. The move is met with widespread international disapproval, and British forces withdraw from Egypt. In the aftermath, Eden also withdraws, from his position as PM — at first temporarily for his health, and then permanently in disgrace. Harold Macmillan (Anton Lesser) succeeds him.

Unlike Eden, Elizabeth and Philip don’t have the option to resign — nor to divorce. At the beginning of the season, Philip embarks on a five-month tour, during which he will open the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, with private secretary/best friend/chief enabler Mike Parker (Daniel Ings) by his side. The trip is largely a debaucherous lads’ holiday, but it comes to an abrupt end when Parker’s wife, Eileen (Chloe Pirrie), files for divorce back in England, attracting attention from the press. The Parkers’ marital discord throws the royal couple’s relationship into sharp relief; as a concession to Philip, who feels emasculated in his role, Elizabeth makes him a prince.

Having been denied her wish to marry Peter Townsend (Ben Miles) in Season 1, Princess Margaret (Vanessa Kirby) copes with her disappointment through excessive partying. She begins a romance with photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones (Matthew Goode), whose subversive ideas thrill her; upon learning that Peter plans to marry, Margaret suggests to Tony that they do the same. Though driven by questionable motives, the glamorous, impetuous couple weds.

The impact of Suez doesn’t end with Eden’s departure. Internationally, the crisis signifies Britain’s declining status as a global power, and the country’s economy and sense of identity take major hits. The vibes, as they say, are off in the United Kingdom, and never more so than when Secretary of State for War John Profumo (Tim Steed) is discovered to have had an affair with a young model who may have had a simultaneous relationship with a Soviet military attaché. The 1963 scandal rocks the country, and an exhausted Macmillan resigns.

Through Macmillan’s resignation, the discovery of troubling family history, an embarrassing critical op-ed and an illuminating brush with Jacqueline Kennedy (Jodi Balfour), Elizabeth evolves with changing times and grows into her role as sovereign. At the end of the season (when she also gives birth to Princes Andrew and Edward), she finally receives the confirmation that she doesn’t have to navigate her seemingly impossible path alone: When confronted with every rumor she’s heard about him since his infamous tour, Philip reaffirms his devotion and commitment to his wife.

QUEEN ELIZABETH RULES: When she tells her uncle David where he can put his ambassadorial ambitions — so to speak — because she’ll never forgive him (Episode 6, “Vergangenheit”)

 BEST ONE-LINER: “He hasn’t found happiness; he’s found marriage” — Tony soothing Margaret’s anxieties over Peter Townsend’s engagement (Episode 7, “Matrimonium”)

 PRIME PRIME-MINISTER MOMENT: This is, uh, not the most impressive season for Downing Street. So let’s give this to Elizabeth herself, for great responses to both PMs’ resignations. (Episode 3, “Lisbon,” and Episode 10, “Mystery Man”)

 QUEEN OF THE DANCE FLOOR: Elizabeth joins Ghanaian President Kwame Nkrumah (Danny Sapani) for a foxtrot with global implications. (Episode 8, “Dear Mrs. Kennedy”)

 KEY NEEDLE DROP: The Flamingos’ “I Only Have Eyes for You” following Margaret’s portrait session with Tony (Episode 4, “Beryl”)

 DOUBLE HEARTBREAK: Philip’s and Charles’ decades-apart experiences — both perfectly hellish — at Gordonstoun School in Scotland (Episode 9, “Paterfamilias”)

 POWER PLAYER OF THE SEASON: Lord Altrincham (John Heffernan), with his list of suggestions to modernize the monarchy (Episode 5, “Marionettes”)