The Royals – Forgive Me This Is My Virtue

By: Luke Joseph

It’s difficult being the soon to be queen and Willow (Genevieve Gaunt) is about to get a crash course in it after saying “yes” to marrying King Robert (Max Brown). In the confines of their bedroom it isn’t all that scary until Queen Helena (Elizabeth Hurley) texts her son and tells him that not only will his relationship with Willow be going public but their engagement as well. This is why she’s quick to remind Liam (William Moseley) that he and Kathryn (Christina Wolfe) need to be more discreet and behind closed doors. “Robert and Willow are announcing their engagement tomorrow. Their first public appearance is going to be the legacy exhibit gala. If you go public with your relationship now you will steal the spotlight from them and that we cannot have,” the Queen explains. Even though Liam seems displeased he’s reminded of how he told his family that he was going to start doing better and this is the chance for him to prove it. Question is, will he?

Eager to start her soon to be daughter-in-law and future Queen of England’s training the first order of business is for Willow to understand that “ordinary” isn’t what the people want. Though her “love” story with Robert is romantic Helena believes it’s nothing that will draw the press and the people to be drawn to and accepting of it. To fix this she has someone tweak the story about “royal roots,” but Willow doesn’t seem to embrace it. As all this is being thrown at her it’s safe to say she’s finally letting it sink in that from now on her sole purpose is to be Robert’s queen. Reluctantly, she agrees to the outfit that Helena picks out to announce their engagement to the press.  All seems to be going well as Helena begins to spin the story, but Willow interrupts her revealing the truth of how she’s just an ordinary girl. The action alone is a betrayal to Helena because Helena knows how to be 1ueen and Willow is showing no respect, loyalty or understanding just dismissing it and doing things her way. However, there could be consequences to those actions and there are.

Robin Hood is alive and more bad ass as ever running through the streets of England. Instead of wearing a hood though, this modern-day Robin Hood is decked in leather and sporting heels. Eleanor (Alexandra Park) continues with picking locks and dropping off gifts to those who need them. She’s doing good and spreading good, but it’s a dangerous gig when she returns home from one of her missions injured. Jasper (Tom Austen) shows he’s not only a concerned boyfriend but an annoyed one telling her these missions must stop. “With all due respect, you might have been my bodyguard and you may currently be my boyfriend, but you are not my boss and I do what I want,” she fires back at him. Even though things are tense, the tension between them is palpable and like moths to a flame they are drawn to each other. Angry sex is always a blessing in disguise, but both parties remain angry at one another including Jasper and Eleanor who are yet to see eye to eye.

Each second of every day Helena is reminded that her reign as Queen is coming closer to its end.  Her stress level is at its highest when she begins a witch hunt against the blue bird staff believing that one of these slippery b%tches stole Simon’s gold pen. It turns out though it was Eleanor during one of her Robin Hood palace raids believing the pen was merely a pen, but it was known to Simon as the most important pen in the world. “He used it to sign your birth certificates and national treaties. After he died I kept it and used it following his lead to try and do what good I could and now it’s missing,” Helena says in defeat. Now, knowing the meaning behind the pen and the “oh sh*t” look in Eleanor’s eyes it’s safe to say she’s realizing that she needs to get it back. However, she can’t do it alone, which causes her to seek out Jasper with her hat in hand (or as she refers to it “hat on head”) and request his help. Even though he’s completely against it, eventually he gives in and just like that Robin Hood and her soon to be Knight head off to pull a heist!

A Knight to Remember Filled with Heroes and Heartache

It’s a night to remember as everyone shows up to the legacy exhibit honoring the late and great King Simon. Liam and Kathryn are honoring the queen’s wishes but seem to be enjoying the flirtatious nature of their secret relationship. Robert and Willow prepare to make their grand entrance and first public appearance together and it’s easy to see that Willow is swimming with nerves. Her “ordinary” girl story turns out wasn’t all that extraordinary and now she fears its consequences. Thankfully, Robert eases that away until she’s bombarded with questions from the press causing her to be completely overwhelmed and far from ready. Liam, who is witnessing the devastating expression on Willows face, takes on the role of her knight in shining armor as he turns the attention on himself and Kathryn. He reveals to the press his relationship with her causing them to fire questions at him like what’s Willow like. “She’s anything but ordinary,” he passionately states along with other kind words and from the look on Willow’s face fans are reminded that once upon a time this girl was quite smitten with the Prince. Willow wasn’t the only one pleased by Liam’s speech; Helena is as well because he stepped up. She’s proud of him and from the genuine smile that instantly displays on his lips it’s enough to show how happy he is hearing that. Hold onto that happiness dear Prince because it’s not long lasting.

It’s difficult to do a knighting ceremony when the soon to be knight is missing in action. You can thank Eleanor for that, who is currently hiding in a closet with her boyfriend. The mission was a success as they were able to retrieve the pen, but the couple returned to their flat earlier than expected. Jasper seems fine missing the ceremony seeing as he feels he’s unworthy of the title considering that it was his father who shot him. Give yourself a little more credit Jasper, you are the one solely responsible for finding the King’s murderer. “You might not have saved Robbie’s life, but you saved my life okay? I was a mess when I met you and now I’m not so messy. You are a hero Jasper you’re my hero,” Eleanor passionately states. Knowing that he can’t afford to miss the ceremony and a chance at them finding their “normal,” Eleanor barges out of the closet with Jasper following behind giving the married couple quite the shock of their life.  Eventually, she’s able to convince the couple not to reveal she’s the Robin Hood and just like that Jasper and she whisk off to the event arriving just in time for Jasper to get knighted.

Taking to the stage, Queen Helena begins to address the people to what she will be donating of Simon’s to the exhibit, but it comes to a halt when Eleanor heads onto the stage with the most important pen in the world in her possession. She reveals to the people the importance and meaning behind the pen, but she also states it serves as a reminder to Helena’s legacy as well.

Elsewhere, there’s a snake at the gala. Not literally, but it approaches Kathryn telling her that he can’t stop thinking about what their life would have been had they run away together. Yup, it’s Robert and he’s being as sinful as ever. “I can’t stop thinking about you,” he admits and tells her to come see him tonight. Even though she’s struggling with it, she chooses to give in because she’s a bad person. Her words not mine. Later that night, as promised, she meets Robert in his room. She tells him how this is all wrong, how she’s a bad person and yet she’s still here. “I want you,” he states causing Kathryn to lift her hand up and place it upon his cheek and reply, “I want you too.” Just as fans are about to shake Robert and ask him if he’s lost his damn mind, his attention is drawn to the doorway where a crestfallen Liam looks on. Oh snap! Robert just exposed Kathryn for who she really is and it looks like the end of Liam and Kathryn. Sadly, Liam isn’t in a celebratory mood, which draws him to question his brother on why he must take everything away from him. As cruel as his methods were, he reasons that he’s trying to protect his brother. “I’m on your side,” he says wanting more than to share a drink with his little brother and shockingly enough Liam agrees. With the door closing and a shadow of a smirk cast on the king’s expression, we are left wondering if Robert truly did it for the good of his brother or simply for the good of himself?