The Royals – O, Farewell, Honest Soldier

By starrymag | February 18, 2017

By: Luke Joseph

 

Hear ye, hear ye! It’s time for the King to be crowned. When it hits midnight and there is no sound of Big Ben’s chimes then Cyrus (Jake Maskall) will still remain King. However, if the chimes of Big Ben are heard then Ben, the people have spoken and England has a new King found in Robert (Max Brown).

Before we find out who is King we have to go back to everything that happened before then. So, let’s join and catch up with the Henstridge family.

Reunited & It’s Not So Good

We have been waiting for this reunion with bated breath. We have seen how this breakup has taken its toll on both Jasper and Eleanor (Tom Austen and Alexandra Park). The Princess has been distracting herself hanging out with her new friend Sebastian and the Bodyguard had been doing everything in his power to kill that article. We had hoped that they would lock eyes and fall into a warm embrace but we find ourselves as heartbroken as the Princess.  Jasper still is being a fool and not telling Eleanor the reasoning behind his leaving and it’s only making matters worse. From Eleanor’s point of view Jasper doesn’t care because she’s telling him how she felt like a damn fool texting him and crying her eyes out every night. It’s not enough for Jasper to fess up so he manages with a simple sorry. “I’m so done with this s—t. You be sorry, Jasper.”

 

When Jasper lets it sink in that Eleanor is about to walk away he suddenly becomes desperate not wanting her to leave. Pleading for her to stop, but she’s not hearing it. She asks the help of her bodyguard Rosie (Sara Armstrong), but that doesn’t stop him from reaching out to her. With her duty to serve and protect the Princess, bodyguard Rosie and Jasper each draw their guns out at each other staring the other down. Jasper reminds her to make sure the safety is off because his isn’t. “If you’re going to shoot him aim for the heart. He already broke mine,” the Princess remarks. It’s those words alone that are enough to shatter Jasper. Eleanor walks right past him as his gaze remains trained on her retreating figure. Jasper’s face alone tells us Rosie shooting him in the heart would have hurt far less than knowing he broke his Princess’s heart.

The Disappointing Bodyguard

Jasper hasn’t had the best of days from being confronted by Eleanor to now encountering a very displeased Mr. Hill (Rocky Marshall) in the courtyard. It’s revealed that classified information was stolen from Mr. Hill’s computer and Hill is fast to point the finger at him. Jasper explains he had done it to protect Eleanor, but it’s not enough this time. Hill is fast to remind Jasper that he’s going to lose his job, get a prison sentence and worst of all Sara Alice (Miley Locke) will end up in an orphanage. Knowing that he needs to make things right Jasper seeks help from Queen Helena (Elizabeth Hurley). The last time Jasper had been in the Queen’s quarters was for those extracurricular activities we still flinch over. This time, he needed her help so that she could support Mr. Hill and keep him from getting in trouble for Jasper’s faults.

 

“Mr. Hill had no fault in this. The only fault he had was in me doing the right thing.” Jasper is doing the right thing now though as he turns himself in. Just when all hope seems to be lost as the cuffs are locked on him, Robert strolls in and demands that they release Jasper. He whips up a quick story on how Jasper had been working with Robert about Boone and how it would work in favor to him being King. Additionally, Robert adds that Mr. Hill was requested to remain silent about this situation. Though the Chief seems hesitant, eventually with the thought of Robert soon becoming King it’s enough not to challenge him and Jasper is released. Okay, Robert saved Jasper – the same guy who pitched a fit that Jasper was at the family gym. We all know Robert isn’t Jasper’s biggest fan so why the change of heart? Were his actions genuine or is he being sneaky?

 

Good news, Jasper isn’t going to prison. Bad news, he’s fired. Jasper had almost cost Mr. Hill everything and Hill is fed up. Hill in this scene looks more like a disappointed father than boss making this all the harder to watch. “You know that I love her,” he reasons and, of course, Hill knows that. Everyone knows that except for Eleanor. Knowing that he’s fighting a losing battle he places his gun on the table saying, “Tell Sara Alice goodbye for me. I’m going to miss her.” Oh s–t that really hurt.

 

It’s His Birthright

The moment that Robert graced this world he had the future title of “your majesty” in his grasp. Unfortunately, when he was believed to be dead Cyrus had been handed that title. Now, with Robert’s return he’s ready to take what rightfully belongs to him. Robert has a few tricks up his sleeve though when he requests Liam (William Mosley) to support him if he is asked by the council if he has anything to say. Of course, Liam is happy to give his support. but Robert wants more than that. He wants Liam to trash and degrade Cyrus. Liam doesn’t agree to this method. Robert might have the right to King by birthright, but Liam has the heart of a King. Sadly, Robert isn’t following his little brother’s advice and he’s counting on him to do as he is told.

 

When it’s time for Robert to speak on his behalf he rises from his spot and his voice alone commands the attention of everyone in the hall. “We, all of us, have made mistakes. After all, we are simply human and alone we are fallible, but together we are strong…whatever decision you make as a citizen of this great nation I vow to be the best man I can possibly be King or not we are England? Great, majestic England. And together our majesty is infinite. God save the King.” With the roar of the crowd it’s clear as day to see who their choice will be.

 

The Younger Brother’s Dilemma

 

Liam has the heart of a King. He is no doubt Simon’s son because there is so much Simon in this young man. Had Simon been in Robert’s shoes he never would have asked someone to degrade someone else. He would have spoken from the heart and cast his faith in the people. Though Robert’s speech was heartfelt the conversation that followed after Liam chose not to trash Cyrus was far from. “My idiot brother may have cost me the throne and I’m welcome.” Robert spits at Liam, confronting him in his room. Liam believes that by him denying to speak he didn’t taint the families image by trash talking Cyrus. He chose to be noble and depend on the people like his father would have. Still, Robert doesn’t appreciate it and he makes it clear to Liam that the crown belongs to him and is for him to take.

 

In the last episode of “The Royals” tension was made between Willow and Liam. Willow (Genevieve Gaunt) had finally voiced her feelings for Liam stating how she wasn’t going to be that girl who sits around and waits. Coolly he supplied with “I never asked you to,” and it’s enough for Willow to choose that their relationship will remain solely professional. This bit him in the ass in Sunday’s episode because his day hadn’t been that great. When Willow entered the room to run his social media presence with him Liam suggested they hang out to which she denied the request. As Willow takes her leave it’s safe to assume his royal highness royally screwed up with this one.

 

The Tree Does Not Grow Far From the Apple

Helena and Eleanor have each been given an offer they can either accept or refuse. Let’s start with her Majesty.  It’s tough being Queen, but Jack Parker (Doug Allan) offers Helena an out when he suggests tomorrow night, before they announce the new King, she take a trip with him to Wyoming.  He has land there, breathtaking land that he knows she’ll appreciate. Of course, Helena is hesitant because a Queen’s duty is never done, but as Jack points out she’s the Queen and there will always be something. She might actually be considering it. When she shares this news with Eleanor her daughter is one hundred percent supportive on her mom taking this adventure. It’s so refreshing to see how far these two have come in their relationship and we hope it only grows stronger.

Sebastian (Toby Sandeman) might be a blessing in disguise because Eleanor has been through hell. We know Jasper loves Eleanor and his intentions are good, but right now Eleanor isn’t seeing it. Instead, she’s seeing a guy who isn’t as torn up about their breakup as she is. She needs an escape and thankfully it’s not in drugs. Sebastian is offering her just that when he tells her how he wants her to be the designer of these new boutique hotels he’s working on. It sounds fabulous and just what the Princess needs until he reveals that she’ll be six months on the road. “You can hide in your room performing obligation but your fire…your fire is meant to be shared with the world,” Sebastian passionately states. Crap, the guy definitely has a point but the thought of Eleanor on the road with him for six months?

“My life is here; my identity is here. The time I could step away and be someone else has long since passed. I have a good life, I have a wonderful fairytale life, but it does come with certain restrictions,” Helena tells her daughter with tears rolling down her cheek. It looks like Helena won’t be 30,000 feet in the air with Jack. Instead, she’ll be in the palace where she belongs. She admits to Eleanor maybe if she was younger she would have gone through with it and the only thing we can think is “Oh s—tm is Eleanor going to take her mom’s advice?’

Until the Hour Strikes Twelve

Its 11:59 P.M. One minute until midnight and the Henstridge family are all gathered together except for Cyrus who awaits the news in his room. They’re waiting with bated breath. Eleanor holds onto the hope that the council will do the right thing. Helena vows if Cyrus wins they’ll fight it. but Robert doesn’t share the same view as his mother. “Whatever happens next is history…after that natural order will run its course.” Fifteen seconds and during those fifteen seconds Kathryn’s (Christina Wolfe) eyes are locked on the clock while Cyrus clings onto his crown for dear life and that’s exactly what this crown is to him, his life. It’s time and the second it strikes midnight Cyrus is met with silence, rising from his seat in triumph only to be knocked back as he’s greeted to Big Ben’s chimes. England has spoken and it’s found its new King in Robert.

Two men on this night one experiencing greatness and the other defeat. How does Robert celebrate? By heading straight to Kathryn’s apartment and we can’t tell if she’s happy about this new development or sad. Either way she loves Robert (he doesn’t really say it back). He’s had a lucky night so far and it seems he’s about to get even luckier. Cyrus, well he’s not handling the loss well. Scratch that, he’s confronting Westcott (Richard Cunningham) and going completely off on him because he was led to believe he had this in the bag. Westcott reminds Cyrus he was only one vote and that vote wasn’t enough. Cyrus is enraged as he charges at Westcott and gives him hell, but he also spills the truth tea. “You had a King who let you be corrupt and you destroyed that…you think Robert’s going to let you be that way, he won’t it’s over. Good luck being old and common.” If we thought that was Cyrus at his most desperate we were wrong because we later find him in his room with his eyes flicking between the crown, the gun and settling back on the gun again.

Robert is the new King wanting to celebrate Eleanor pours herself a glass of champagne and for that short moment she’s content. However, it changes the moment Jasper steps into the room. Oh, so now he’s ready to fess up? Finally, this means we’re going to get Jasper and Eleanor reuniting the right way, right? Wrong, because when Jasper tries to explain to Eleanor he got fired because of leaking classified info to protect her she stops him. Eleanor doesn’t want to hear it as she’s done, but Jasper still tries. Eleanor confesses she’s leaving soon, straight after the coronation. “I have a chance to be someone Jasper, to get away from all of this…please walk away,” but when he doesn’t she does and we’re pretty sure from the crestfallen expression on Jasper’s face she just walked away with his own heart.

The episode closes with Jasper meeting Liam in the tunnels explaining to him how he’s been fired (yet rehired by Robert) and Liam requesting that Jasper share the information he had collected on Boone. He asks if the info has to do with Robert and when Jasper says yes the Prince is all years. However, Jasper warns Liam once he hears this there’s no going back. “I’m okay with that, besides I have no place to go back to,” Liam supplies and holy crap they’ve set up the finale for next Sunday!