I can hardly remember the first season of Netflix’s Young Royals. The first season was released in July 2021 pa! November 2022 na! So much has happened since then. So many shows have been binge-watched and forgotten. So many actors followed on Instagram na di ko na maalala sino after a while. Everything is a blur until Netflix reminds you that a new season is coming up. Iba na rin ang dynamics ng viewers ngayon post-quarantine. It’s a different time and I hope it doesn’t affect my Season 2 watching experience.
What pulled me in to watch Young Royals last year was that the premise was new to me. Finally, a show about royals that is not about the British Monarchy. And even better, it’s a BL! A Swedish BL! Netflix teen shows keep me young and alive. Haha! Young Royals is essentially a Swedish Wattpad story but better. All characters are cast age-appropriately. Walang masakit sa mata na out of place na di mukhang high schooler. The show is only 6 episodes, making it even more bingeable.
Haba na ng intro… Overall, I loved Season 1 but will Season 2 be better or worse? Let’s find out.
Netflix’s Young Royals Season 2 Spoiler Alert!
Young Royals Season 1 Recap (Skip Recap)
We are introduced to our young royal Swedish Prince Wilhelm (Edvin Ryding) who was transferred to an elite boarding school (duh!), Hillerska Boarding School because of a scandalous video of him in a fight. There, he meets Simon (Omar Rudberg), a regular guy no royal blood whatsover, who he fancies at first sight. They immediately develop feelings for each other clandestinely displaying affection. Then they kill someone. Jk. This is not Elite. But someone really dies! Wilhelm’s brother, the crown prince, gets killed in a car crash. This made their love story a tad more complicated since Wilhelm is now next in line to be king. Will he choose love or duty?
Worse, his cousin August took a video of their lovemaking. Arte, lovemaking! Haha! And posted it using the school library’s one and only personal computer. In the end, Wilhelm chose duty and denied he was the guy in the video. This catches Simon off guard. He doesn’t want to be anyone’s secret so, sadly, they broke up.
Wilhelm breaks fourth wall and looks into the camera. *End of Season 1*
New Semester, New Love Interest
Wilhelm wakes up from a sex dream with Simon. He wakes up disappointed realizing it was only a dream. He goes to his late big brother’s room to process his grief. I’m glad the show included this scene instead of pretending that the death didn’t happen. Kasi nga nalimutan ko na. Haha. He burns a photo of August, breaks the fourth wall and looks dramatically into the camera. *Start of Season 2*
Immediately, a new character is introduced. His name is Marcus and he will complete the Wilhelm-Simon-Marcus love triangle. He is an ordinary guy that works in the stables. Marcus drops Sara home because she missed the bus and Marcus just got his driver’s license so enjoy pa siya mag drive-drive ganyan. Marcus hears Simon singing in his room and casually walks in. Marcus asks Simon to follow him on Instagram. So landi.
Since a new semester is about to start, school traditions also follow. Bakit sa high school namin wala namang ganyang kaartehan. Haha. Sara being a new resident of the dorms has to crash the Third Year party and do something disruptive. Simon gets worried tapos wala siya makuhang driver so he follows Marcus on Instagram and asks for a ride to the party. Dumating naman si Marcus tapos ang gaga ni Simon sa likod sumakay hindi sa passenger’s seat. Grab driver haha.
Crown Prince Wilhelm arrives at school and decides to also crash the party. He immediately realizes that Simon must also be there because of Sara. The exes see each other for the first time since last season’s breakup. Slow-mo moment but Simon has to go. Marcus, his Grab driver/lover, is waiting. Marcus’ sexuality is subtly outed by a drunk Nils kasi naka match n’ya daw sa Grindr si Marcus. Willie gets threatened.
Willie tries to flirt with Simon in class by borrowing a pencil tapos sabay nilang hahawakan ang pencil case so their hands would touch. Tapos di niya mabuksan yung pencil case kaya pinabukas pa kay Simon. OMG. Sabi sa inyo, Wattpad ang Young Royals eh.
The Cons
The breakup and the pressures brought by being the Crown Prince not to mention his revenge plot against August is taking a toll on Wilhelm. In effect, he is becoming toxic character that is hard to root for. On the contrary, Marcus, the new character is a breath of fresh air to Simon. Ayun, it’s hard to root for Wille and Simon being together when he is acting like a spoiled rich child. This is very much present in the pilot’s last scene when he has an outburst after seeing an IG story of Simon and Marcus karaoke duet. Wille steps on his study desks and squats on it while yelling at the queen and her small court. Haha. Weird acting choice but I feel the frustration.
While Marcus is nice and all, I hope the character gets more depth and a bad side to make it difficult for Simon to choose him as a rebound or more. Also, why can’t Marcus sing? Missed opportunity for Young Royals.
A lot of storylines are introduced in the pilot making my brain hurt. I had to pause and Google first to refresh my memory on what happened to Alexander (?) and the drugs for example. Ayaw ko na ng drugs storyline pls.
The Pros
Young Royals is a well-made show and it still is, basing on the Season 2 pilot. The actors are excellent in their roles and it’s good that they haven’t aged much since last season. Kasi di ko na talaga sila maalala. Jk.
The Verdict
Should You Watch Young Royals Season 2?
The pilot doesn’t reveal much but I’m guessing that Season 2 will be darker than Season 1. I’m not sure how the story will go but I do hope the show won’t circle back to old conflicts.
I’m curious enough to give Netflix’s Young Royals Season 2 a chance but I can’t promise 100% of my attention. For now, this is a Go (barely).
You can watch the second season of Young Royals only on Netflix.
