The Crown (TV Series)

Scientia Potentia Est (2016)

Alan Williams: Professor Hogg

Quotes 

• Professor Hogg : No.

  Queen Elizabeth II : Yes.

  Professor Hogg : The slippery old so-and-so's.

  Queen Elizabeth II : It's rather worse than slippery, wouldn't you say? Somewhat unconstitutional.

  Professor Hogg : What are you going to do?

  Queen Elizabeth II : Nothing, of course. That's my job. Do nothing and stay silent at all times.

  Professor Hogg : Is it? From memory, and forgive me, Ma'am, it's a while since I read Bagehot, but in circumstances such as these, is it not also your duty to act?

  Queen Elizabeth II : I doubt it. I'd have to check.

  Professor Hogg : I think you know precisely.

  Queen Elizabeth II : Yes, it is. But I can't just summon the brightest, most formidable men in the country and give them a dressing down, like children.

  Professor Hogg : Why? You are in the right, they in the wrong.

  Queen Elizabeth II : Yes, but they're far more intelligent than I am. Any confrontation, they'd out-debate me, out-think me and out-maneuver me.

  Professor Hogg : But this isn't about education or intelligence. This is about integrity and principle. Ma'am, you say you don't have what it takes to do battle with these people. You do. You were drilled for years in the finer points of our Constitution. You know it better than me, better than all of us. You have the only education that matters.

  Queen Elizabeth II : So what would you have me do?

  Professor Hogg : Summon them and give them a good dressing down like children.

  Queen Elizabeth II : Why would they stand for that?

  Professor Hogg : Because they're English, male and upper class. A good dressing down from Nanny is what they most want in life.

  Queen Elizabeth II : Unconventional to the end, Professor.

  [bell rings] 

  Queen Elizabeth II : Thank you, Professor.