The important question that reverberates throughout the entirety of this much awaited sequel is this-

“How is a sixteen-year-old going to fix the damage caused by his over conservative monarchy, to stand beside the person he loves?”

From close quarters, it’s obvious that Young Royals is a rustic crossover between a regal drama & queer romance. While the first season was widely focused on developing the budding romance between our resident Prince (Edvin Ryding) and Simon (Omar Rudberg), the second season is intense, raw and heart wrenching. Wilhelm & Simon have an immense amount of baggage, both literally & figuratively. Wilhelm returns to Hillerska with a strong sense of betrayal and hurt; Simon’s self-esteem takes a beating as he starts questioning his feelings for Wilhelm. The entire season turns into a merry-go-round circus with copious amounts of hurt & suffering. Relationships are never easy; queer ones even more complicated because of the supposed stigma and taboo attached to it. Although same-sex marriages are legalized in Sweden and the show is set in a fictional universe; the fact remains that monarchies are mostly steeped in their conservatism. So, what happens when the heir apparent is gay? Ironically, the storyline bears semblance to popular author Casey Mcquiston’s gay romance novel “Red, White & Royal Blue”. However, the stark contrast lies in the fact, that unlike his British counterpart Henry, Wilhelm isn’t the spare. With this undue upgrade comes a new set of restrictions/stipulations that drive the narrative forward. Join us as we talk about “Oh-So-Fine” and “Duh” moments in this highly anticipated continuation!

The Crown Prince and His Agenda

Wilhelm returns to Hillerska with a strong sense of retribution & cataclysm. Following his elder brother Erik’s (Ivar Forsling) death, he is suddenly forced into situation he is sorely unprepared for. His world tilts on the axis and leaves him rather jaded. He blames his mother Queen Kristina (Pernilla August) and their regal institution for the mess they have landed him in. While Season One was all about Wille exploring his sexuality and regaling in it; Season Two’s Wille is more subdued, morose and understated. His countenance is elegant and toned down; Wille is no longer the spare Prince, prone to public hysterics (he has his mental breakdowns behind closed doors). He is mostly angry at the world; but more than that, at himself. Season Two serves as a learning curve where Wille learns to discern his own feelings, differentiate between the good & bad; while accepting other’s perspective. There is a long way to go; but Wille walks a tightrope while handling his complicated emotions for Simon and performing his regal duties.

What I Liked

Wilhelm’s new haircut?

You don’t notice it until he returns to Hillerska or even mentions the same to Simon. Why? Because you are too busy trying to figure out the brooding Prince’ mental state. Wilhelm does display a feistier attitude as soon as he lands in Hillerska, making August (Malte Gårdinger) bow down in submission. August’s meek attitude is a stark contrast to Wilhelm’s vehement appeal. Wille is out for blood and he won’t stop until he makes August bleed. He plots, schemes and seeks vengeance. It was refreshing watching Wilhelm seek revenge while tearing down the outdated rules and socialist ideals at his elitist school. Edvin Ryding lives and breathes Wilhelm; from his new sophisticated styling to daring misdemeanours, Edvin’s Wilhelm’s is intriguing and mystifying. From defying his Mother to publicly accepting his sexuality, Wilhelm does everything that is uncharacteristic of him. We love an avenging Crown Prince, breaking out of the shackles that bind him and hinder his freedom. Ultimately, Wilhelm redeems himself and I think that’s important; because you can’t love someone else until you learn to love yourself. Put your needs before anyone else’s and live your dream.

What I didn’t Like

While I did feel empathetic about Wilhelm’s situation, there were quite a few moments where I questioned his intentions. Wille returns to Hillerska, hoping for a reconciliation with Simon. Things don’t pan out as expected and Wille has a hard time adjusting to their new dynamics. He does find solace in his new friendship with Felice (Nikita Uggla), who becomes his sounding board. Frankly, Wille can be pretty oblivious or even obnoxious at times. So, the unexpected kiss with Felice will either leave you reeling from shock or make you feel disoriented. His actions, though regrettable, stem from his inability to connect with other people. Wille has a hard time letting people in and Simon was most probably the only exception. With him gone, Wille is left teetering on the edge, lonely and upset at his situation. While I understand his predicament, Wille fails to grasp that he might be misleading others. Like when he casually accepts that he kissed Felice because he was testing his own feelings. Or when he is plain oblivious to the fact that Simon’s revised Hillis song is about their heartbreak (I mean, pretty much everyone from Jan Olaf to the Principal knows the song is about Wille, how can anyone be so dumb). Edwin does a good job toeing the line between Wilhelm’s daring attitude and vulnerability. It is difficult to be both at the same time; but Edwin does it effortlessly!

Simon & His Confused Feelings

Simon’s actions in this season are very, very questionable. He spends a lot of time oscillating between denial & acceptance. The first season ends with Wilhelm’s subdued confession and Simon doesn’t return the favor. He is quite confused about his own feelings; and although the confusion is understandable, his actions aren’t. Unfortunately, Marcus’s (Tommy Wättring) introduction only makes the situation much worse than it is. Simon turns Marcus into an escape plan, to sidetrack or fervently hide his true emotions. It’s pretty obvious that he is still not over Wilhelm, and yet he falls prey to his friend’s advice. Dude, you do not go on a rebound just to forget your ex-boyfriend. It’s a world of pain and you end up hurting the other person unintentionally. While the sequel allows breathing space for Wille’s character development; it downplays Simon’s confusion with unwarranted temper tantrums. Frankly, it was agonizing watching him hide his own emotions, inevitably setting the stage for future heartbreak.

What I Liked

Simon stands his ground when he refuses to be in a secret relationship with Wilhelm (as suggested by the Queen). They are just teenagers, closed off from civilization in the middle of nowhere. So, Wilhelm’s offer sounds pretty tempting, and yet, Simon doesn’t intend to walk back into the closet. Not for Wilhelm or even the monarchy. I feel sorry for Wilhelm when Simon decides on a clean break because he doesn’t deserve to be kept as a secret. If Wilhelm doesn’t have the freedom to stand by him publicly, he won’t force his hands. But Simon won’t be anyone’s dirty secret.

What I Didn’t Like

YOU DO NOT LISTEN TO YOUR FRIENDS WHEN THEY ASK YOU TO GO ON A REBOUND!

I was literally screaming at Simon to not take this advice. Although they have their friend’s best interest in mind, Ayub & Rosh are also teenagers and have no idea about how relationships work. It’s like pushing Simon down a rabbit hole with a “No Return” sign. So, when he starts his “On-Off” relationship with Marcus, it’s regrettable. Granted, Simon isn’t an adult yet, but that doesn’t give him the leeway to hurt both Marcus and Wilhelm. Omar portrays Simon’s delicate sensibilities with abject honesty; it’s obvious that Simon isn’t at an age to make intelligible decisions. He is bound to make mistakes, regret his actions and make recompense. Simon’s story arc slowly develops from a morose sophomore to an understanding love interest. It takes several episodes of rash decisions and tears to do so, but ultimately Simon cleans his act!

The Undeniable Romance

“They say all wounds heal with time. You know it hurt. I gave up on myself. So fucking lost till I found my way.”

These lines pretty much explain Wilhelm & Simon’s state of mind in this season. The sequel relegates too much importance on their self development; so the romance takes a backseat. But that doesn’t stop Simon from staring at Wilhelm like he holds the world’s secrets in his hands; even though he clearly wants to maintain the distance. Wilhelm’s situation is even more hopeless. He is constantly on a warpath with his dictatorial mother and the Royal Court, whose persistent efforts to hush future scandals are upsetting. But then, Young Royals Season Two isn’t about their romance; it’s more about their growing up phase. Because both Simon & Wilhelm have a lot of growing up to do. Wilhelm tries to put himself in Simon’s shoes to understand his pain & suffering. It makes him realise that Simon yearns for a stable relationship, where he doesn’t need to hide their feelings for each other. And he wants to do it with Wilhelm, the person he loves; not the Crown Prince of Sweden. He doesn’t want the Royal Court censoring their actions, watching their every move. As Wilhelm comes to accept Simon’s trepidation, he takes actual steps to lessen his security; even going to the extent of reassuring Simon that he would step down from his position to stand beside him. Obviously, this proclamation spells the change in Simon’s attitude, as he realizes the extent of Wilhelm’s feelings for him. Simon does some soul searching of his own and ultimately decides to reconcile with Wilhelm while keeping their relationship under wrap. Simon’s heartfelt acceptance makes it easier for Wilhelm to address the press when he solemnly confirms his involvement in the sex tape scandal.

“It was a moment I didn’t want to share with anyone else, so I lied about it, but it was me,”

Edvin & Omar nail their act; their chemistry is still impressionable, but it is more seasoned and nuanced. Their silent interactions leave you deeply wounded and you can’t help but hope that these two idiots would just reconcile; because obviously they can’t stay away from each other (no matter how hard they try). While the storyline doesn’t place much importance on their love story, it is their individual journey that matters. Because in the end, it leads them back to each other!

The Terrible Two’s & Others

August is such a complicated character that watching him act like a lovesick puppy was pretty interesting. While Sara (Frida Argento) doesn’t seem like the best choice to tame the beast, she somehow manages the impossible. August spends most of his time high tailing between redeeming himself in Wilhelm’s eyes and playing hookie with Sara. But of course, he is the antagonist and he pretty much skips back to his old ways, when he is informed about the Royal Court’s decision to appoint him as Wilhelm’s back up. At times, August reminds me of the chameleon; his desire to make amends for his past mistakes vanishes as soon as he realizes that he could be crowned the King in the future. Forget the fact that Wilhelm would never willingly step down as long as August is next in line. Imagine living in a country ruled by someone as unstable as August. I had rather preferred that Wilhelm never abdicates. August’s romance with Sara (though unwarranted) is sweet & endearing. It seems genuine and they do look good together; but August’s desire to outplay Wilhelm ultimately dooms their relationship. If the show is renewed for a third season, I’m dying to see if Sara would ever forgive August for his transgressions.

There was a lot of wiggle room for character development when it comes to Sara & Felice. I have never been a huge fan of either, but this season, Felice does a better job of redeeming herself. She does her level best to act as a good friend (to both Sara & Wilhelm), expecting nothing in return. Sara’s insistence on understanding the resident bad boy might seem perfunctory; she is still hungry for fame and status (something’s never change). Her actions are mostly questionable; especially when she sells Felice to get into August’s good books or when she spills the beans about Simon’s decision (to report August for releasing the sex tape). She is like most teenagers, self-centered and lost in her own world. I wasn’t enamored with Marcus either; newbie Tommy Wättring does a good job portraying Marcus’s insecurities. I understand the attraction, but trying to force your feelings on an unwilling partner doesn’t scream “Healthy Relationship”. Granted, Simon does lead him on and he is as much at fault; but I wasn’t a huge fan of Marcus’s clinginess because it’s obvious that Simon is still in love with Wilhelm. Shouldn’t you be giving him some breathing space and not force your opinion on him?

My Opinion

If you haven’t streamed this yet, then what are you doing with your life?

Lisa Ambjörn and Lars Beckung have created this wonderful universe with a remarkable story and an excellent casting. The tone is more somber as compared to the prequel; but that doesn’t take away the intrigue from the storyline. The show doesn’t focus much on the romance (which is relegated to the finale episodes); the sequel is more about Wilmon’s individual journey. Wilhelm and Simon essentially belong to two different worlds- one is a royalty while the other is a commoner. But the fact remains that they are both teenagers; they will make bad decisions, regret them and learn from their mistakes. What I loved the most about the sequel was the unhindered focus on mental health; Wilhelm chooses to meet with his school counselor and seek help. He questions the happenings in his life, makes amends, and stops blaming others. By the end of the season, Wilhelm is a new person and so is Simon. That’s the beauty of this script- it helps them grow, both emotionally and intellectually. The second season ends on an unexpected note, paving the way for a possible third season. The most important questions-

☆ How will the Queen react to Wilhelm’s unexpected proclamation?

☆ Will the Royal Court force Wilhelm to step down from his duties or will he be acknowledged as the first gay Crown Prince in existence?

☆ How will Wilhelm and Simon adjust to this new dynamics in their relationship

☆ Will August & Sara reconcile? If August gets arrested, will he seek vengeance against someone he loves?

I’m wary of Netflix’s indecisive nature when it comes to renewing good shows, so fingers crossed. Here’s hoping we get to hear about the renewal soon!

Drama_Llama’s Opinion

Duty.
Lies.
Love.

Much can be said about the second season of the Swedish drama Young Royals 2, starring Edvin Ryding and Omar Rudberg. And from the online response, a lot has already been said. From the queer representation to politics to social class struggle.

But what I find most brilliant about the show isn’t what’s being said; it’s what’s not being said. It’s the stories between the lines–the struggle in Sara’s eyes, the conflict in Alexander’s expression, the explosive turmoil in August’s erratic decisions, and the secrets the students inside Hillerska keep from each other.

There’s a lot of unspoken language inside both seasons of Young Royals, but it feels particularly potent in the second.

Nowhere is this more obvious than in Wilhelm’s anxiety and the internal struggle he fights, especially when speaking in front of others. Words are terrifying when you live in a world where every word is dictated, and everything you say can be turned against you.

It takes only a quick scroll through social media to realize our harsh cancel culture reality. Words have never been easy to put out into the world, but in this era, the immediate scrutiny makes it even more difficult.

Words and language are complicated. On the one hand, it’s sharing our thoughts with the world, allowing us to be expressive, creative, and honest in a moment. On the other hand, it’s putting words out into the universe people can interpret in many different ways, which leads to debate and misinterpretation. Emotion is a human quality. We feel and want to put those feelings into words so that others can feel them with us.

But putting feelings into words also limits them. No one describes a feeling the same way. How one person feels about love will differ from how someone else thinks about it. How one person feels about sadness will differ from how someone else thinks about it. Feelings are affected by experience, time, and ideas, and putting them into words centers around the experience, time, and views of the person writing or saying the words.

Therefore, language can be as much a prison as it can be a way to free ourselves.

To understand each other, we must first be understood, and the probability of that is minute. To understand each other, we must first be willing to listen, and the likelihood of that is small. To understand each other, we must first be ready to feel, and the probability of that is rare.

And yet, we keep trying because loving, feeling, and needing are an addiction we all want to ride the high of.

Young Royals 2 is all about complicated emotions, feelings, and words (both expressed and unexpressed) between people of different social classes who come of age in front of the world. A world full of tradition and rebellion, judgment and acceptance, empathy and disdain.

It’s about people reaching for each other who don’t always manage to hold onto each other but who discover that to be themselves, they have to ‘be,’ even if that means facing the consequences to ‘be.’

And that’s an emotional thing to watch.

We often talk about how difficult it is to be an adult, but to be an adult, we have to bleed first. And that’s what adolescence is. It’s pouring a lot of feelings and pain into the social sphere while hoping the adult we become later isn’t too scarred by the choices we made to get there.
Thank you, Young Royals 2, for another amazing season. I’m anticipating the third.

For an angsty, emotional drama full of complex emotions and realizations, check out Young Royals 2 on Netflix.

Rating- 4.5 out of 5