SPOILERS (you have been warned).
Source: TMDB; Added by FlexooD
The Netflix series Young Royals might be your cup of tea if you're looking for a new drama that tackles teen angst, sexuality, and royal life pressures. But, of course, this is only the case if you haven't watched Heartstoppers first. This will be split into three parts. The first two will be breaking down the Season 1 of Young Royals, and the third will be comparing the two series and how Heartstoppers got it right.
As I started young royals, I was coming off of the high of HeartStoppers the new ( it came out in April 2022).
Summary of Young Royals: After being embroiled in significant controversy, Prince Wilhelm (Edvin Ryding) of Sweden is compelled by his parents to enrol at Hillerska, a prestigious boarding school. He explores his sexuality and newly acquired independence while meeting new acquaintances and falling in love. This further adds to his desire to be free of royal commitments, but when he learns that he is next in line to the throne, he must choose between love and loyalty to his family in Netflix's Young Royals.
My bullet point criticism are written in chronological order of watching the show.
Episode One is the introduction to our Cinderella story, though the focus is on an LGBT+ couple, most of the Disney check marks have gotten ticked for season 1.
The Prince and the Pauper romance.
Fated meeting and are soul mates.
Tragic backstory of the princess/pauper character. (Simon and Sara have it ruff)
Evil step-siblings and step-parents are replaced by an evil cousin on the prince's side. (August)
Ability to communicate with animals. (Sara is good with horses)
Main Princess can sing like an Angel. (cute Boy got lungs)
They play more like a Damsel in distress. (Simon just takes a lot of August's abuse)
The princess character holds inner strengths through compassion.
The princess character is strong-willed.
The princess character is smart but clumsy.
Idealistic in their view of the prince and the world.
The villain makes everything they touch worse even when they don't mean to. (just watch )
goofy sidekick(s). (Ayub and Rosh)
A conflict gets in the way. (The get caught)
everyone comes together to help the princess character.
love triangle/ unrequited love from a side character. (Felice)
The first few episodes are devoted to introducing all of our characters before launching into our forbidden romance plot.
Wilhelm meets a diverse group of classmates in school, some of whom are more influential than others. August, the big cheese at school, is at the centre of it all, and he takes Wilhelm under his wing to make sure he doesn’t become involved with the “wrong type.” Simon, a lovely singer and fellow student, happens to be that “wrong sort.” Wilhelm refuses August’s plea, as one could expect given the set-up. Simon and Wilhelm appear to have chemistry and begin a whirlwind relationship that lasts the entire six episodes. However, the critical relationship appears to progress at the slowest speed, held back by Wilhelm’s ambivalence about his own sexuality and the demands of being king. Even more irritating to witness is their schoolmate and second cousin August, who interrupts Wilhelm and Simon’s intimate scenes at any given point during the season. Any moment the two spend together feels like it may be stopped, witnessed, or recorded (and it almost always is).
Source: Netflix
As a viewer, I began to sense the simmering disappointments at life’s propensity to obstruct closeness — the sense of shortage. I let out a sigh of relief when they were allowed to enjoy a private moment in Simon’s room, and I held my breath when they refused to show any signs of tenderness to one other in public.
On the other hand, Young Royals uses a couple of additional subplots to occupy the time, with varied results. The other characters’ storylines don’t quite match Simon and Wilhelm’s chemistry. In fact, Simon and Wilhelm’s storyline at times don't match their own “chemistry.”
Ep 1 notes:
Oh my god, Young Royals is chaotic.
What’s his name pisses me off, August;
Willem is not as good as nick (Heartstoppers).
Simon, oh Simon… 😤 Frustrating attitude, he is definitely not Charles Springs
voice of an Angel Simon
Honestly, I feel frustrated by the first episode.
Something to note is, Many wealthy families believe that sending their children to a prestigious boarding school is the most fantastic option for their children's academic and social development. However, there is a common expectation that students who attend elite schools will have an edge in terms of forming strong peer networks, having more options, and finding a gainful job and a good wage.
In the first episode, I was impressed by Ryding's — actor who plays Wilhelm — ability to convey so much emotion in a single expression (the tension in Wilhelm's face as he tried to keep up appearances for the sake of his family was just heartbreaking). The frustration I felt from the chaotic first episode would unfortunately only continue throughout the series, with episode 6 being the exception.
Episode two begins with giddy teens sitting at breakfast, waiting to hear the exploits of the previous night's party.
"Growing up in the culture of affluence can connote various psychosocial risks." States the peer-review journal called Children of the Affluent: Challenges to well-being.
Source: Netflix
we see the cast of students' personalities and goals begin to shine through. unfortunately, Episode two is where everything from a storytelling and Romance aspect goes downhill. A lot of the actions taken by Wilhelm and Simon are valid, but we never get a real payoff for these activities or we get the payoff too soon.
I appreciate The ascetic the show gives with the critical factor being everyone has their style; even if you don't know the character's name, you can describe them, and you know.
Ep 2 notes:
August and is a frat boy dickhead, it makes me wanna pray for and hose anyone who dates him with holy water.
Felice is obviously not interested in august, but he seems to like her, i just don’t know if its real affection or if he just wants something from her.
Felice’s dusty blond friend in the purple sweater i want said it best “Romantic? Yeah Maybe if you want to be with someone who thinks he owns you”
Wilhelm is acting so classically “i have a crush so i am gonna position myself closer” 3 points to gryfindor.
Sara is so sweet.
Are Sara and Simon twins?
Felice is desperate and so mean to Sara I wanna punch her. Like I understand she seems stressed but …. No I Just want her to fall; why ride horses when she seems so uncomfortable around them. For Appearances, Ik. I’m just annoyed. I will say the actress did a great job. And you can see deep down in the facial expression that she is actually a kind person.
Ok it’s now very obvious that Willem likes Simon or at least has a kind enough heart to want to help him, and Simon like him.
You would think a private boarding school would wear a uniform.
Simone is so alienated. Like the portal of this. Good acting.
Why is he always butting in; August is a pain, I want to chuck him in the lake with rocks tied to his legs and his hands bound. Elitist prick.
Wilhelm is useless, here is the guy he likes and at no point dose he even defend him from august.
Simons friends are so good for him.
Instagram crush stalking — we have all been their.
ADHD meds can make neuro typical people a pain in the ass, non, he a pain. My compliments to the actor.
August back story is nice to be added into the brotherly conversation, wish they did a bit more with the brothers in episode 1.
August has some kind of OCD.
Felice is only nice to Sara to get to Simon as she realised Wilhelm is close with Simon.
Felice is socially intelligent though inept in her attempts to whoo Wilhelm.
August is desperate for Glory, this is fuelling his addiction to ADHD drugs, it’s all he has left, still a selfish dick tho.
I wish there was more communication between the two. The story is suppose to be about them year i feel is all about august.
Wilhelm sneaking out is a nice touch but it feels so rushed, we barely se the pair communication in person and it not be Wilhelm trying to get close to simon to no avail or visa versa — august is always around.
The hole thing with Simon posting wilhelm at the game, Wilhelm could have easily said keep the fact that i am here a secret or even still simon realising that Wilhelm should not be out and is a fucking prince could talk the common sense to realise that posing him would be bad. I get simon is happy and wants to share, but the lack of communication makes them so boring. The actors beautiful acting is the only thing saving this train wreck of a friendship.
The story seems more about august than anyone else.
Simone is desperate for money.
I want to throw Augusts racist elitist ass through a window, 🤬 prick.
An article by vox states, “previous studies have shown wealthier people to be less interested in social interactions and less compassionate than people with lower incomes. These characteristics, the authors of the paper theorize, manifest themselves in people’s social tendencies.”
I feel so connected to Sara. 🤩 (well, duh, I have ASD and ADHD)
August is a manipulative
Ok, fine, Wilhelm and Simon look cute together; loving the soft hand cuddle moment in a horror movie;
The kiss felt unearned. As an audience member, I don’t feel as much tension build-up and it feels so unearned. 😔
Why would you kiss him again after he doesn’t even react, Simon???
Episode overview: Everyone is desperate for something. Have I said I hate August yet?
Despite having excellent critiques on privilege and elitism, episode 2 was a flop. The story failed to hold the romantic tension between the pair, only to then release what little tension that was built up, early. The episode gives an excellent portrayal from the actors of how desperate each character is for something they view will make their lives better or sustain what they already have.
Source: Netflix
Romance just like Horror requires tension; not just any tension but tension slowly built over time.
Episode Three, in my opinion, the first half of episode three, should have been the tension builder. Wilhelm obsessing over Simon should have been episode two with the kiss at the beginning of episode three or four.
Ep 3 notes:
The kiss felt to early, and the awkward behaviour is unearned.
Felice … Abandonment issues.
The Romantic tention got released too early in the season, I’m disappointed and board now.
Like horror shows, games, and movies, the key to making a great horror is tension; Romance is the same way the key is tension to release the pressure too early, and everything else that happens feels unearned; you lose the will to want to watch.
Willem is giving obsessed romantic, and the music at 7:01 of ep 3 give me we about to turn psycho or at the very least stalker.
I feel sad for Simon, he craves love so bad.
Augusts mom seems like that mom who cared (past tense) more about themselves and their image over their child’s wellbeing. But she loves him.
Felice mom is that mom who what’s their daughter to be at the top but still hates their success, especially if it’s success without them.and who hates there daughter body, she is giving me evil Disney mom.
In the episode running up to the finale, the Young Royals present a fact suavely but truthfully.
Cockrell says that These wealthy youngsters begin their education in luxury boarding schools and go to prestigious colleges, where they build a language and culture unique to themselves. They seldom form friendships with non-affluent individuals, leading to feelings of loneliness and confinement within a little bubble.
Source: Netflix
There are few individuals with whom they can genuinely connect, which naturally leads to a lack of empathy. Consider how the Roys interact with their workers and anyone outside their circle the next time you watch Succession. Please take note of the awkwardness and lack of personal connection and how poorly they are treated.
August want to be center of attention.
I love how close the bothers (princes) are .
The ADHD honest is Sara is a mood,
August is clinging to a family name, he could just sell something but he is too …. Too absorbed.
Timestamp 29: 17
Best line and criticism of Simon so far.
I am getting heartstoppers if it was set in euphoria.
Love Sara and Simon relationship
I’m annoyed at Felice at the end, why ….
Of the blind emotional desperation.
I say it again the romance feels un earned.
The story feels so rushed. Each plot line feels so rushed. Eriks death should have happened at end of ep 4 in my opinion.
Sadly the death of Erik, whose character should have been fleshed out more in episode one to show how close the brothers truly are to each other; his death felt tacky. Erik became the show's sacrifice for the sack of conflict characters. Despite its predictability, the trauma Wilhelm feels is palpable. This isn’t a Japanese BL novel in the western media we don’t get it easy — someone has to die.
At times, the show's first half feels cliched. In the first few episodes, characters like August feel like the "privileged kid" archetype, of which he is particularly guilty. However, given enough time, he will reveal that he has much more going on, and there are legitimate explanations for his behaviour.
The characters are sympathetic and, above all, likeable. Although the royal plot isn't developed as far as it could be, it does allow for more development of Wilhelm and Simon's relationship, which is perhaps what the viewer will prefer. Because the show is in Swedish, it's recommended to view it with subtitles rather than dubbed in another language. A good presentation gets better with each viewing. Young Royals is an example of this.