The Royals – Born to Set it Right

By: Luke Joseph

Hear ye, hear ye on Sunday’s all new episode of “The Royals” the palace was all a buzz as the royal family prepared for Prince Robert (Max Brown) to make his public debut on the balcony alongside his family. So, how does one prepare for the balcony? Let’s check in with the family. Robert has been listening the 24/7 news talking about his phoenix like return, Liam (William Moseley) is sulking about missing Kathryn and dreading the fact that he will have to fall into his brother’s shadow, Cyrus (Jake Maskall) is getting poked and probed, Helena (Elizabeth Hurley) is trying to find the perfect dress and our favorite Princess Eleanor (Alexandra Park)? She’s still sleeping in, not ready to start the day and demanding good morning kisses from her boyfriend Jasper (Tom Austen).

Beck, Bacon, and Bullying

There’s nothing more romantic than watching your loved one sleep unless you’re the ex-boyfriend who has entered the room unannounced and uninvited. Yup, Eleanor’s old flame Beck (Andrew Cooper) has returned and is sitting on Eleanor’s bed with a plate of bacon that wakes her up. The second Eleanor’s eyes flutter open and as she becomes more aware of her surroundings she inquires why he’s here. Apparently, he’s there for Robert, but his sights are mostly set on Eleanor. Does he not remember she ended things? Maybe now he’ll take the hint when she fesses up to having a boyfriend. Being the awesome Princess that she is she shoo’s Beck out of her bedroom, but tells him to leave the bacon. This guy strolls into her room, disrupts her sleep and isn’t even honorable enough to give her the bacon because she won’t fess up to who her boyfriend is.  Unfortunately, since Jasper does work security as he’s writing his letters and watching the monitors he catches Beck leaving Eleanor’s bedroom – the expression on his face just shows how displeased he is. Being a persistent little bugger, he ends up going to Robert and asking who Eleanor’s boyfriend is so rather than respecting his sister’s privacy he flat out reveals the name to Beck.

Torn Between Two Brothers

Remember when Liam and Kathryn (Christina Wolfe) decided to let each other go? Well, it’s not working all that well when Kathryn ends up texting Liam and asking if he can come see her. Immediately, he breaks away from the palace to go seek her out. “We didn’t do anything wrong,” Liam is quick to say when Kathryn reveals how guilty she feels about everything and is worried about what to say to Robert since he asked if they could meet. “I’m so worried I’m going to say the wrong thing and just mess things up between you two…I don’t want to get between two brothers.” Well, that’s sweet Kathryn, but do you realize you already have? The proof is there as Liam watches from the apartment Kathryn ride off with Robert for some quality time together.

It seems like Robert is reminiscing about the good times because the spot he’s taken Kathryn to is where they had shared their first kiss. The two share in a couple of laughs as they recollect the past to which Robert admits to Kathryn that during his time on the island were he’d imagine days like this with Kathryn is what kept him going. So, are you starting to feel bad yet Kathryn? If that didn’t do it maybe Robert’s next admission will. “I don’t know if you’re seeing anyone and I don’t have any right to ask you, but I bloody well missed you, Kay.”  Are the sentiments shared? Is Kathryn basking in her time with Robert or finding herself missing the other brother Liam?

It’s clear as day that Kathryn is feeling burdened by this huge secret and because of this secret she feels as if she needs to share it with someone. Honestly, Kathryn has probably made the biggest mistake sharing with her sister Angie (Wallis Day) this revelation of being between brothers. Kathryn’s sister from past episodes shows how she likes the attention and this secret? It’s a big one, so much so that it would make headlines that she would be behind. Hopefully, we are wrong and Kathryn entrusted the right person. Granted, it’s hard to consider her sister as “right” seeing as her advice is to date both of them. Thankfully, Kathryn isn’t sharing the same idea and instead agrees with Liam that it’s time to come clean with Robert. The real question is will it actually happen?

Queen Helena and Cyrus Face Off

The balcony is vital, the placement is key and that’s why Queen Helena enters the devil’s den (a/k/a/ Cyrus’s bedroom) in hopes to give Robert the prime position on the balcony. “Take this moment and secure your legacy as the wise steward who held the royal family together in the terrible months after Simon’s death and the return of the rightful heir.”  If that doesn’t convince him, she spits the truth with the next comment. “The only alternative is for you to be the guy who tired and most definitely failed to tear this family apart. Robert should be front and center.”  Eventually, Cyrus agrees (at least that’s what Helena chooses to believe). “The kid is legally dead and we’re a nation of laws. Never in the history of a country has a sitting king been dethroned unless it was on the battlefield, well then the battlefield it is,” Cyrus proclaims in an on-camera interview that has now been brought to the attention to Queen Helena who is absolutely outraged.

We Are Jaspenor

Completely oblivious to Jasper seeing Beck, Eleanor waits in the courtyard for her bodyguard and tells him she’s waiting for more reading material (Jasper’s letter). “Dearest Eleanor why the hell was Beck leaving your bedroom?” Well, at least the cat is out of the bag and he’s not hiding his annoyance from her. Eleanor is quick to correct Jasper telling him that she kicked him out. “We are Jaspenor, okay?” How awesome is it that the captain of our ship is Princess Eleanor herself? Sadly, Jasper still isn’t fully convinced that things are okay so Eleanor goes one step further in admitting that she told Beck she has a boyfriend. “If you like I could put a lock on my door or perhaps I can wear a chastity belt try explaining that one to Sara Alice,” the comment drawing a hint of a smile from Jasper, but he’s still not budging. “Hey, it’s me,” pressing her lips to Jasper’s in a tender kiss and just like that all is sorted until Eleanor reminds Jasper that she’s still missing reading material. Thankfully, Eleanor is more than willing to help inspire Jasper and give him muse later that night. “I’m feeling a little more inspired now,” Jasper supplies, satisfying Eleanor good with a bop to his nose turning on her heel and giving one last look to him before she disappears.

That good mood Jasper is in? It’s short lived when Beck decides to confront him acting like a real spoiled brat and boasting about his title of being a Lord. “If it makes you feel small you don’t need to call me sir, but a sir is what I am,” he quips. What an arrogant prick and he takes it up one more notch reminding Jasper that he isn’t good enough for Eleanor and to remember his place. Looks like Liam and he can bond because throughout the day they’ve been getting reminded of to know their place. Though Jasper is hesitant about he finally opens up to Liam (who opened up to Jasper about Kathryn) after Liam tells him he wants him to do so as his friend. Seeing that Jasper’s mood has fallen, Liam ends up fessing up to his sister about the encounter that had happened between Beck and Jasper and in turn it causes her to confront Beck. “Class isn’t about who you are Beck. It’s about how you act. All of this means nothing if you don’t have behavior to back it up….have some class a–hole.” Remember the time that whenever Eleanor was in Beck’s presence she’d swoon? Yup, things have changed and from the looks of it. Beck isn’t a fan of it, but the fans sure are. Since he couldn’t be thrown off the balcony like Jasper wanted then he deserved a good slap in the face of reality delivered by our favorite Princess. Alright, Eleanor now go find your boyfriend because he’s not having a good day especially after once again witnessing you on the monitors with Beck accepting the apology hug (I smell a bull s–t apology). Looks like Beck opened a can of worms or in Jasper’s case insecurities because his head is playing tricks on him.

“Get Beck out of it,” Eleanor advises Jasper making it known to him that she’s well aware of the incident that happened between her boyfriend and ex. It’s not that simple though because Beck’s cold words made Jasper think about how everyone else, including him, doesn’t believe he’s good enough for Eleanor. “I’m not too good for you, I’m perfect for you and you are perfect for me,” Eleanor passionately states wanting to get Jasper out of this fog that he’s in.  Throughout Season One and mostly two fans haven’t really seen a vulnerable Jasper so seeing him unsure of himself and having Eleanor place her finger underneath his chin so that he’s looking up at her was quite the beautiful gesture. After everything that has happened Eleanor trusts Jasper and now it’s time that he trusts her. The pair walk hand and hand through the tunnels as Eleanor leads Jasper into the throne room and has sexy time explosion. The best part in this? The center throne is left empty in respect towards the King, but Eleanor pushed Jasper right onto that throne. Was this Eleanor’s way of telling Jasper even though he might not have a royal title in her eyes he’s her King?

Scar and Simba Royal Edition

With Helena wanting to throw Cyrus straight from the balcony Robert decides this time to take a try in hopes to smooth things over and move past this drama. “With father gone and Lucius too, I was hoping to get some guidance from you…I genuinely value your opinion.”  While Cyrus looks past the “war,” he gets lost in memories that he and Robert shared back before he “died,” which causes him to show a soft spot and help his nephew out. Cyrus suggests letting the courts decide who should be King. Robert, later on, boasts to his mother that he had convinced Cyrus into a privy council by making Cyrus believe it had been all his idea.  Robert then reveals to Queen Helena that he gave Cyrus the balcony because it was either that or the crown. Helena then asks if Cyrus can at least give Robert the wave to which he slyly replies I’ll just take it from him making Helena one proud mama.

Pre-Game Balcony Brawl

The time has come. In just a few minutes the royal family will be taking the balcony. All is well right? On Eleanor and Queen Helena’s end things are very good for them, especially when Eleanor shows up wearing her mother’s dress (that she had made into her own). “It’ll mean a lot to the people it means a lot to me.” They’ve come so far, hopefully, it stays this way.

Liam is a whole other story because he’s already started drinking, but when Jasper comes to collect him he follows with no hesitation. Completely oblivious to what is going with Liam, all seems well until Jasper (who had been getting smitten glances from Eleanor that Beck witnessed) spots Liam taking another drink from the flask. “Come on take it easy mate,” Jasper advices trying to not cause a scene. But a scene is exactly what happens thanks to Beck. “Maybe address his royal Highness as such next time…know your place,” he snaps. Before anyone can predict what’s going to happen, Liam is charging full throttle at Beck and throwing punches. It seems Liam has finally had his breaking point. All day he’s been getting reminded of “knowing his place” when it’s come to being at Robert’s side and he finally snapped. Deep down those punches could have been Liam throwing them at his brother. Either way, it was absolutely glorious. So much so that King Cyrus himself had been entertained and even clapped for the spontaneous show that had been delivered. Once they manage to get things under control, Robert asks Liam if he even wants to go out there. “It’s what I was born to do,” he supplies and though he sounds like he’s being noble there’s resentment in his tone. Being extremely British they put that incident in the back of their minds and take the balcony with Cyrus and just as he promised to his mother Robert takes the first wave. All seems well on the balcony as the people and the media embrace the royal family deeming them to be the perfect family, if only they were aware of what happens behind closed doors. King Cyrus might be the Scar to Robert’s Simba, but there’s a chance that Robert might be the Mufasa to Liam’s Scar and if that’s the case we’re in for one wild ride.