The Royals – Black as His Purpose Did the Night Resemble

By starrymag | April 8, 2018

By: Luke Joseph

 

 

In this episode of “The Royals” we pick up right where the last episode left off. The city of London is now cloaked in complete darkness. Rioters are already on the streets and violence is unfolding. “Several hours without power in the middle of a God damn heat wave! I want to speak to the Prime Minister,” the king (Max Brown) demands. Hold up, why is he pitching a fit when he’s the cause for this mayhem? You have to hand it to Robert as he’s a master of disguise. There must be a reason though for all of this, but before that is revealed let’s check in on how the others are faring.

 

In the Dark of the Night

 

“If I had to guess the powers out and the lock on that door is electric. Without electricity even, a team of Catherine the Great’s favorite horses couldn’t open that door,” Cyrus (Jake Maskall) explains to an agitated Helena (Elizabeth Hurley). It looks like they were both in the mood for a glass of wine. Speaking of moods, Helena’s drops the moment that her mother, the Grand Duchess (Joan Collins), appears from the shadows. The last time fans saw the Grand Duchess had been when Queen Helena had banished her from the palace after it was revealed she had killed Dominique. Unfortunately though, she’s slithered her way back into her daughter’s life and because of the blackout won’t be making her departure anytime soon.

 

“Look, if anyone can handle themselves out there it’s Jasper,” Robert comments to a distressed Eleanor (Alexandra Park) when she finds out that Jasper (Tom Austen) is in South London and is meant to be on his way home. Normally, Robert would be right because Jasper could easily take care of himself but since he’s injured and strapped to a gurney in an abandoned ambulance? This time he’s going to need assistance. Adamant about finding Jasper, we see Robert finally calls in Willow (Genevieve Gaunt) and requests that she look after Eleanor and make sure that she doesn’t leave the palace. Worry is clear in her eyes when Robert reveals that he’s heading out to South London to go find Jasper. Surprisingly though, Robert is greeted to an empty ambulance and it looks like Jasper has made his escape but how did he manage?

 

Papa Frost. Yup, that’s right Jasper’s dad (Richard Brake) is officially making an appearance. The same father who forced his little boy to dress in an elf costume and steal money from the poor and the same father who sold his own son out to Harper (Margo Stilley) about Jasper and Eleanor’s relationship. With all things considered, it’s easy to understand why Jasper doesn’t want his father’s help. With his injury, eventually Jasper gives in and allows dear ole dad to escort him back to the palace. Throughout their journey back to the palace Jasper’s father is trying to bond with his son, but Jasper just isn’t having it. During their time together, he learns that his father not only has been speaking with Samantha/Mandy but sleeping with her as well. He also learns there is a new woman in his father’s life, but he knows him too well to know this isn’t real; it’s another con that Jasper wants no part of. “I’ll see you in the shadows,” his dad calls to a retreating Jasper and for once his words actually hold truth (you’ll see why).

 

Bridge Over Troubled Waters

 

Two Henstridge siblings have each stepped up to the plate to aide London in this trying time. One is doing it to display his power while the other does it because it’s the right thing to do. After seeing that the people had been drawn to the palace because of the generators, Eleanor believes that rather than sending them away they should be let in so that they can be offered food and shelter. It seems to be three against one because Rosie (Sarah Armstrong), Willow and Sara Alice (Miley Locke) all agree they should be left outside. Sadly, for them, even though they have the votes they don’t have the title of Princess. “I am Princess Eleanor Matilda Henstridge and at this moment I am the ruling monarch and residence. Those people, my people, are scared, tired and hungry,” Eleanor declares. Willow and Rosie; however, still are having their doubts even as people file through the tunnels making their way into the palace. Thankfully, Eleanor offers some words of wisdom that her mother had given to her during the night King Simon had been stabbed. She tells them that the purpose of the monarchy was to lead in times of trouble and to inspire the people with their strength, nobility and grace. “We’re going to help them and we’re going to do it in a royal fashion.”

 

Bridges have been closed due to the riot meaning that the people of South London are stuck. The military isn’t moving, but suddenly the crowd becomes a sea as it parts letting King Robert through – surprise clear in everyone’s eyes as Robert takes a stand and delivers an empowering speech. Robert declares, “As sovereign of the Commonwealth and as commander and chief of the armed forces, I instruct my military to stand down. This bridge will be a symbol. Not only symbolizing the unification of this city, but the very moment we came together as people to rise above troubled waters, together!” It’s executed perfectly. A black out happens causing pandemonium in London, the King appears gives a riveting speech that just happens to be recorded and then to top it off he takes the hand of a little girl as the crowd and him walk the bridge together.

 

Truths Bitter Truths

 

Since the start of this season things have only gotten worse for Liam (William Moseley). Arguably though he’s the one who chose to set out on this path. Tonight’s path leads him to a drunk and somewhat out of it Greta (Lily Loveless). She’s always come off as calm and collected, but something isn’t right. That “something” is revealed when she tells Liam she knows that he used her to get to her father’s computer. We all knew this would happen. Greta’s father not only had motion detectors in his office, but he reveled in the fact that he was once again right and that when it comes to his daughter men only use her. A teary-eyed prince apologizes for his wrongdoings and tells her how everything he said to her father about her being great rings true, but it isn’t enough because Greta asks him to take his leave.

 

Meanwhile, the truths are pouring out in the wine cellar like how the Grand Duchess hadn’t meant to kill Dominique and that it had merely been an accident. Cyrus reveals that he’s not dying and that he’s in remission. For someone who just found out he’s going to live he doesn’t seem all that thrilled. Then again, he’s lost the throne and Violet. So, in his eyes, he believes he has nothing else to live for. With all these truths being divulged Cyrus asks the Duchess and Helena if they had anything to do with the disappearance of Violet to which they each swear they didn’t. Frustrated with this turn of events, he fires at Helena how each of her children are grade-A disappointments saying, “Your first-born son is an a$%hole, your daughter is a slut and Liam is a complete and utter moron.” Helena though isn’t having it because she knows that each of her children possess greatness, but that greatness she admits doesn’t come from her. It comes from within them and Simon. The heartfelt moment though is broken when the Duchess reveals her real reasoning for returning to the palace. It turns out she’s dating a count and seeing as she has no money she’s falling back on her daughter to keep the charade up.

 

All Darkness Dies in the Light

 

As the sun finally rises so does King Robert as he returns to the palace with a parade of people. As triumphant as that is though he’s probably considering his real win of capturing Willow’s heart. The second that she sees him she throws her arms around him and later in his study even asks to be put back onto his list. It wasn’t the video that she watched earlier of his speech that draws her to do this. It was the fact that while he was gone she was actually worried. “When you left, when you were out there I just wanted you to come back. To the palace, to your family and to me,” she confesses. A kiss is almost shared between the two, but Rachel (Victoria Ekanoye) pops in disrupting the moment alerting Robert that the Prime Minister is on the line.

Perhaps Liam has finally seen the light because he finds himself seeking out his brother to apologize about Kathryn (Christina Wolfe). It’s not because he’s sorry he was seeing her or had feelings for her, but because he had kept it from his brother. “I’ve always known who I am and what I stand for, but I’m not so sure anymore. Maybe this will help me find my way back,” says Liam. We hope so too Liam, but you probably shouldn’t have told Robert you still have feelings for Kathryn because he has a habit of ruining things.

Throughout the episode Eleanor has gone out of her way to make sure that the people are happy. Eleanor’s definition of happiness walks in safe and sound. There is a beautiful symbolism to this because the second that Jasper and Eleanor fall into each other’s arms and kiss each other breathless the power gets restored. They are the light to each other’s darkness. They find light within each other and their love and they’re going to need that light considering what comes out from the shadows. “FML,” Jasper mutters under his breath when in strolls the Duchy’s Count only he’s not a count, he’s a con man and more importantly Jasper’s father.