Young Royals Season 3 Review: YA Drama Continues Excellent Streak

– No Spoilers –

What an emotional rollercoaster ride the third season of Young Royals has been and, I must say, although it’s absolutely annoying to wait for one episode to come out for a week, the first five episodes have been a deep look into our main characters and their lives after the devastating scandal of last season. Everyone has to pick up the pieces and face the consequences of their actions, which turn out to be hard for everyone. Thankfully, our young lovers are still together, but Erik’s death has put a damper on Wilhelm’s relationship with his parents, especially his mother, who is not doing too well emotionally. Plus, his relationship with Simon doesn’t help the case.

On the other hand, Simon is facing his own harassment from the people who aren’t able to harass Wilhelm and he bears the brunt of people’s homophobia that rains on his family. On the other hand, August and Sara are in shambles as well. Although the former is able to get out of the consequences of his actions a little bit, Sara faces flak from Simon for not being on his side but that doesn’t work out in the long run either.

The new season reminds me of why teenagers shouldn’t be in charge of making big-picture decisions and putting too much on their shoulders can be a rather bad idea. Either way, we really look into our protagonist Wilhelm deeply and he’s not doing well. Although you sympathise, there’s something about him that has fundamentally changed and the more he learns of the darkness around him, the more it affects him. Wilhelm has always been a character who is rather aloof to the realities of life because of his privilege but this season his questionable choices take away from his innocence and makes you somewhat resent him.

His character’s flaw affects Simon as well, who continues to strive to make it work for his boyfriend’s sake but the fundamental problem with young love is just that – it’s young and doesn’t know enough to make good choices. Thankfully, this season we get a hint of the sweetness of the first season, but it doesn’t last long. All the characters are forced to grow up quickly because society is brutal and one wrong move can tear all of them down. Omar Rudberg’s Simon is loveable and he makes you want to cherish and protect him. He brutally supports and loves those around him but doesn’t let himself drown under the pressure of Wilhelm’s bullsh*t.

Lastly, there’s August, who finally gets the trajectory of the misunderstood bad guy as his backstory wants you to care for him as well because of what he has gone through but there’s less empathy there considering he leaked two underage boys’ sex video. Malte Gårdinger is fantastic as August and you feel his pain and the fact that he so desperately wants to break out of whatever happened to him in the past and become stronger and keep himself safe. In every frame, there’s a pain hidden underneath his cocky attitude that the actor portrays with heart and soul. Although you don’t empathise, he does make you pity him.

Sara and Felice take a back seat this season and there’s not much to say about their characters. And considering everything that is happening, I think it’s great that we don’t get too deep into their mess.

Young Royals Season 3 focuses on privilege and aristocracy, with it becoming apparent in every frame extremely quickly that there’s more wrong in Wilhelm and Simon’s relationship other than this scandal. The segregation and the differential attitude that everyone faces in the school is beautifully portrayed and we see how, if you are even a little different than, well, rich and white, you will be less than. The way the “upper class” tries to keep the “lower class” away and underneath them, but uses them freely when required is a blood-boiling affair.

Of course, it’s not just about money either – the first years are “less important” than the third years as well, regardless of how much money you might have.

I think Young Royals is one of those rare young adult shows that really do a great job of showcasing real emotions and social issues while also being silly and immature. Everyone at Hillerska makes the worst decisions because they are young and immature, but their choices have grown-up consequences that they don’t get to run away from either. I think some of the plot points were a bit convenient and cliched, but it’s the emotions that get me every time with the series and the creators nailed that well in this season.

Young Royals Season 3 Review: Conclusion

Young Royals makes me thankful that I am not a teenager anymore because it nails those experiences extremely well. You care for Wilhelm and Simon’s experiences and feel aggravated by everything that these young kids have to go through. For fans of the show, the new season will be a great addition and will make you sit impatiently to know what comes next.

Also Read: Young Royals Season 2 Review: Drama, Saucy Romance and Royal Responsibilities