Young Royals – Season 3 Episode 2 Recap & Review

You Must be Strong

Episode 2 of Young Royals season 3 starts with Wilhelm and Simon getting interrupted during a steamy phone call. Given the new rules, Wilhelm has to hand in his phone. Later, Simon goes through the comments on social media and is hurt as people call him all sorts of things.

At Hillerska, Vanessa tries to control the damage in her press briefing. At the same time, third-year students feel that their graduation is ruined and that they can’t enjoy their final days. They feel it is unfair that they won’t keep up with the traditional graduation ceremony and everything that comes with it. Vincent tries to blame Wilhem, but August surprisingly comes to his defense. He suggests they try a different approach, like a petition, and prove Hillerska is safe.

On the other hand, Wilhelm gets a visit from Farima, who explains there is a chance they will transfer him to a different school. However, they will do nothing in the meantime unless things get worse. Wilhelm questions this approach, but there are other things on his plate that he should worry about. For starters, the Queen’s condition is getting worse. They are hoping to know more after getting her medical results.

Outside of school, Simon keeps getting trolled by people. However, he tries to keep a happy face for Wilhelm, assuring him they will be fine if he transfers to another school. He argues they already don’t see each other enough in school since the new rules were imposed. He doesn’t think it can get any worse. He also advises Wilhelm to find something he likes since rowing is no longer a viable option. Not that Wilhelm liked rowing in the first place!

Ultimately, Wilhelm opts to join the choir, and Simon is elated. Wilhelm says he loves hearing him sing, and they get to spend more time together. The choir starts practising for the Valborg celebrations just in case they are allowed to celebrate it.

Still on her PR damage control, Vanessa reaches out to Felice to inform her that she has been chosen for an interview with the school inspectors. Vanessa clarifies that Felice was selected to show the school appreciates diversity. She is the only Black student, and this takes Felice by surprise. She shares this news with her friends, who expect her to say nice things during the interview for Hillerska’s sake, even though she states how her experience differs from theirs.

The school also decides to lift the school spirit by allowing the students to hold their annual Spring Hike to Pine Point. The students get excited about camping, while Wilhelm and Simon think it will be a great opportunity to spend more time together.

As for Sara, she stays home with her dad, stalking Felice’s social media account and feeling guilty. Her dad suggests she get a job if she no longer wants to go to Hillerska. He offers to help practise for her driving licence, which goes well. Sara starts thinking it won’t be so bad to have him around.

On the other hand, August and Nils talk about their initiation experience and how horrible it was. However, they feel there is no need to bring it up now as they worked hard to change the experience for the rest of the incoming classes. After Nils leaves, August tries to go for a run but is reminded of the curfew. He relaxes in the lounge room and comes across an old landline. He calls Sara but is unable to say anything, so he hangs up.

The following day, August asks Simon about Sara. Simon lashes out at him, and Wilhelm confronts him. They get into a physical altercation after Wilhelm says he owns August, and the latter says Wilhelm is not the king yet. After their fight, the two are forced to meet Boris for weekly mediation talks. The two continue to argue in Boris’ office over who knew Erik better.

After school, Simon finds a letter in the mail, shaming him for being gay. This really gets to him, so he writes a song about being someone’s revolution and ignoring naysayers. He records and uploads the video on his social media and receives some support.

However, the haters are still busy and won’t stop trolling. Simon feels better until Wilhelm calls to ask why he uploaded the video, given the lyrics. He reminds Simon that everything he does reflects on the Royal Court. Wilhelm says he would like some level of privacy regarding their relationship, but this won’t be possible if Simon keeps posting. Simon says he can’t help how people interpret the song.

After the call, his mom talks to Simon about Sara, and he says he is done. He feels hurt by what Sara did with Auguts and that she moved to live with their dad, whom she had asked to cut out of their lives before. Sara receives a letter notifying her that she will lose her spot in the school if she doesn’t return in a week. Her mom passes the message to the dad, but Sara doesn’t seem interested in going back.

Finally, the Spring Hike day arrives, and everyone is in high spirits. Unfortunately, an issue arises over how they will share the tents. Ultimately, Felice offers to sleep in Wilhelm and Simon’s tent. The day goes well, and our lovebirds enjoy nature. However, things take a turn after Simon’s friends and their group crash the hike.

Thankfully, they are welcomed into the fold and liven up the party. Maybe a little too much since Fredrika starts getting jealous over Stella and Rosh. As they talk about their summer plans, Rosh is surprised when Wilhelm says he will be taking an intense royal court. Things get worse when Wilhelm’s guards accuse one of Rosh’s group members of taking a photo of the Crown Prince when he didn’t.

The party is cut short, and Wilhelm and Simon fight over Wilhelm’s privilege. Simon is angry that Wilhelm considers “Prince School” a job. He explains he and Rosh don’t have a choice other than to work in the summers to make a living. Their fight is interrupted by Felice.

The next morning, Wilhelm is the first to wake up and gets a call from his dad. Wilhelm is informed that his mom’s condition has gotten worse, and she will need to take some time off. This means that Wilhelm will have to hold the fort. Wilhelm worries if he is to blame, but his dad says he is not. He asks Wilhelm to be strong and ready for what this means.

The Episode Review

Things keep getting worse! In the words of Olivia Rodrigo,” It is brutal out here.” In this episode, we get to see where each character is mentally and emotionally. Felice is still hurting over Sara. She is also overwhelmed with the task of “saving ” the school. This is the second time she has spoken about her hair and why she is always given a hard time over it. It is evident that Hillerska has some real issues that it needs to fix, but sweeping under the rug/lying about them doesn’t help.

August misses Sara, and we need to learn why he is exercising so hard. The more I see August this season, the more I think he has a chance at redemption. There might be some shred of good in him. He is not a lost cause; if only he can find his way again. Learning how he and Nils changed the initiation rituals to protect new students from that trauma was moving.

Sara is punishing herself and doesn’t want to go back to Hillerska. Is this the best way to take accountability? No, but hopefully, she will realise this before Hillerska closes its door on her.

Finally, we have Simon and Wilhelm, who can’t seem to find happiness even in their new public relationship. They keep fighting about their different views on almost everything. In this episode, they cannot find common ground regarding social media. While it is unfair for Wilhelm to ask Simon to lay low on social media, he does have a point. Simon means well, but it can be misconstrued, so why give the naysayers a chance? It is also a matter of security for Simon especially with all the threats he has been receiving. They could talk about how to approach social media moving forward.

There are also evident social class differences in this episode. Simon comes from a small-town village and has had to work hard to afford basic needs. Wilhelm is a prince born with a silver spoon, but he is trying to do his best, too. Training to be a Crown Prince is work, too. It felt unfair that Simon said he didn’t understand his privilege. Now that the Queen is taking a break to focus on her recovery, Wilhelm must step up to the plate and do his best to represent the monarchy.