I will boil down my preference for Season 2 to three factors: continuity, character, and cadence. These factors interconnect. The continuity and cadence strengthened the characters, for example. 1. CONTINUITY. There was no time jump. S2 launches almost from the point where S1 concluded. Christmas break separates the two, which has given Simon a week or two to stew about the press conference denial Wille delivered to wrap S1. Two weeks of resenting Wille unmitigated by any soothing factor pretty much guarantees Simon should want nothing to do with Wille. The tight time frame means the series need waste little to no time on background, exposition, or scene setting. It just dives right into story arcs built from the prior season. The onus is on the viewer to remember those details. 2. CHARACTER. Mr Critic not only embedded my appreciation for the character construction and development into the video, he then developed my argument further. In fact, his identification of the "will they? Or won't they?" trope highlights S2's superpower: that the writers can simultaneously write scenes where Simon and Wille already love one another, yet legtimate questions exist as to whether they can be together. While we all might have preferred more shared screen time between the two principal characters (prince-apal?), I think story logic suggests they got that right. Simon, angry and resentful but still feeling the feels, would erect barriers to protect himself from further hurt. Wille, remorseful and guilt-ridden but craving forgiveness and reconciliation, would try to avoid making things worse by giving Simon space. Marcus, for me, was an ideal foil for their relationship precisely because he was likable, open and honest. His only flaw was disregarding Simon's unreadiness to pursue a fresh romance, but that desire to pursue someone you like despite the warning signs is so recognizable and common it almost doesn't register as a flaw. Heck, even Wille begrudgingly liked Marcus as a person while resenting him as a fellow suitor. Marcus had to be likable as an option for Simon to inject any suspense into the season's romantic drama. We know Simon and Wille still like each other. We know Wille did Simon wrong, but against his will. Marcus as Nice Guy sowed some real doubt about which way Simon ultimately would jump, in a way Marcus as Cad never could have. 3. CADENCE. S2 invokes two senses of cadence. On the one hand, the term refers to a regular and repeated activity. Episodic TV itself has a built-in cadence, and YR S2's brisk pace delivers a lively tempo of scenes and situations. At only six episodes, the writers stuffed plenty of developments into each one. Because it builds so closely off of plots previously established in S1, S2 doesn't require as much world building--this series expects viewers to recall pertinent details from S1--so the pace is brisk. On the other hand, cadence in musical terms can reference the way a musical phrase delivers a sense of completion. Here, the prospect of Wille delivering another speech is introduced as early as Ep 2, and that task then looms over the entire season. I agree with Mr Critic that the speech as ultimately executed in the finale made an excellent series denouement. Where S1 clearly anticipated S2 by leaving almost every ending open, S2 resolves many of these issues. A potential S3 would come across as a new chapter altogether, whereas S2 felt like a direct continuation of S1. And if Netflix, incomprehensibly, never green lights S3, Wille's speech can pass as the final act of this tale.
@@j_scott I thought your word choice was 100% appropriate. In fact, i was concerned you wouldn't appreciate the risqué bent I gave to your innocuous comment.
Full confession. I haven't watched this. Any of this. I know, I know. I deserve a tongue-lashing. I promise it's on my to-watch list, but I can't seem to get to it. Hey, at least I managed to finish Heartstopper. That counts for something, right?
This morning, I woke up and allowed myself two treats to start my day. This video, for starters. Then I went and rummaged the freezer for some vanilla ice cream. Scooped a healthy amount into the blender and added milk. Then just enough syrup to make it nice and chocolatey. Blended the concoction into a nice consistency, too. But after a taste test, something was missing. So I investigated the contents of the fridge and came across these berries with a potent flavor. Perfect accent to my morning treat. In fact, I heartily recommend y'all indulge in a comparable confection yourselves. There's not a whole lot of substance there, but for delivering sheer giddy pleasure, not much can beat a strong berry choco milkshake. Mmmm.
wow you're making me crave for this and being a person with half Asian ancestry.. i am lactose intolerant like most of them, hence anything made up of milk and with milk... I love a lot but... can't have. Still, rarely when in Thailand I love going to Swensens.
@@blcritic Choco Milkshake (Korea Republic, 2022). Happily, the latest micro-production from Strongberry is lactose-safe despite a character named Milk.
I remember when I first stumbled on to Young Royals on Netflix and read the synopsis, I thought sounds cheese but what the hell it has a bl theme and I am bored. Boy was I surprised, something that could have been really bad I ended up binge watching it and really loved it. Could not wait to tell BLC about it. For sure it was not perfect but the characters of Prince Wilhelm and Simon were well writen, a nice coming of age queer drama. The acting of Edvin and Omar was good as well and Frida as Sara the strange younger sister and Malte as the troubled cousin August hit the right note. I did not like the open ending but figured they were setting us up for season 2. I was not the only one who loved it and it's huge populatity ment that we would have a season 2. So finally it is here and was excited to see how the Prince Wilhelm and Simon story played out. When I watched the first epidode of Young Royals 2 I had this reaction of I am not really getting the same vibe I had from season 1 and wondered if this was the season 2 curse. I could not put my finger on what it was that I did not like. Kinda the reaction I had when I watched the first episode of To My Star 2. I did not go back to watch more of Young Royals 2 until I saw the video of BLC and since we are usually on the same page, I thought I should go back and give it a second looks. I do like a good binge watch. After the second epidode I was falling a sleep and bored, so went to bed. The next day I thought I better finish it. It was not until I got to epidode 4 and the big costume ball that it dawned on me what was going on, they were switching it up to change if from a queer coming of age story dealing with class structure, focused on Wilhelm and Simon to being a more Elite kinda series with other couples, stories and drama to be more sustainable. (When I did some research, I found that the producers had originally pitched it to Netflix as a Elite type series with a gay prince involved in murder at a boarding school, the writer had changed it up to be more of a queer coming of age story dealing with the class structure and the Swedish royal family). You can see now that they are moving away from the queer focus and trying to broaden the appeal by going towards the Elite formula with multiple couples and hyped up drama. (My straight roommate will not watch a bl but a series with gay side characters he has no problem). I do not dislike the Elite formula, getting a little bored with it. To make this change, now characters from the background ( one of the weaker things from the first season) they have given a more predominate role. Simon's kinda strange sister worked for me in the first season but as a main character involved with August, NO. The new character Marcus, Simon's rebound guy I really do not like. The character of Felice, I did not like in season 1 and even more so in season 2. I like the August character, but come on calling him in to tell him he is next in line for the crown is just cheap drama, we know where that is going (Elite type drama, who is getting murdered). A series that was interesting and kinda edgy is becoming main stream formula drama, but kinda a step down. The Wilhelm and Simon characters I still love and the only thing that got me thru until the end. The final episode was the best, but sadly can see where this is all going. Sorry guys but did not love it, liked the first season better, maybe a 7.5 just because I think Wilhem and Simon are great.
I haven't watched Elite.. when you recommended me it was already on 5th season or 4th season I guess, so i skipped that.. hence my experience might have been different.
@@blcritic OneD is showing the first episodes with subs but having trouble finding the current ones with subs, have been watching with just the Thai anyways and can follow it sort of. (SOILER ALERT if you have not seen up to 15 stop reading) Wow no happy ending for the love birds????? So old style bl, so disappointed.
Your synopsis and analysis were excellent Sam Tab. This is the first post anywhere I have seen with an Elite comparison, which was constantly on my mind as I watched.
I actually had plans to do the review of Khun Chai, but watching those episodes, I preferred to put it on hold. As the english subs for both of us are kinda formality only, i have been watching it without subs. Hope there is still a turnaround. let's see.
@@blcritic I just saw a clip of O and N at the fan meet in Korea, they were setting together N in O's arms N crying like a little girl because they were showing a clip of the special birthday event for N. It was when they told each other how much they loved the other one and hoped they would stay together a long time. Other clips as well talking about their love for the other. What was interesting was the expression on O's face, while N was crying hysterically, O had this very hard angry look on his face. Like to know what he was thinking, clearly he is not over what happen.
I enjoyed it. But I was really pissed,when Simon was kissing Markus😡😂. I was like,WT...,,😂August needs a therapy ASAP.I didn't like Felice that much in first season,but now she was a good friend for Wille and Sara...
haven't watched it yet. I might actually do so. Season one I watched because I didn't want to not support a popular series about gay characters. I am all about being there for LGBTQ+. On another subject...Kit Connor (Heartstopper) was outed and I am feeling a lingering anger he wasn't given choice wether or not to do so. Argh! Sorry, I just haven't gotten over it yet.
I haven't seen it yet. And I prob wasn't gonna. The "ohh rich ppl are so tortured for being rich" and the weird attempt to make August sympathetic and almost making us ignore his crime had irked me in a wrong way. Now that I've seen this review, I just might give it a go in the near future. Though idk if I'll be able to give a unbiased watch anymore. Haha that's my prob though lol. This reminds me, @BL Critic , have you seen 'Our flag means death' ?? If so, what do you think? Will you make a review on it? I think it's a BL worthy of a watch.
What country? What year? What streaming platform? Also, did anyone else read that title and get a vision of Eddie Izzard, in full drag, lecturing on the importance of flags ("Yes, but do you have a flag?") before asking someone to select an option from that timeless dilemma between two not-so-equal choices, "Cake? or death?"
@@johnmaster3748 country US, year 2022 , hbo max . XD actually the joke you just said is quite funny if you've seen the series, the main couple could totally be having this conversation and it wouldn't feel out of place at all! XD I was attracted to the series (i didnt know it was a BL beforehand) cause of Taika Waititi (if you know him, you know him) Check it out! Imo it's one of the best BL out there
@@mayapanchal1257 you had me at "Taika Waititi", although if you'd led with "romcom about pirates" that would have worked also. I'll have to check that out.
I do not have subscription to HBO, I used to have at the time of GOT, that's one reason i haven't watched this GOT prequel also. I checked the teaser and it looks fun. Let's see if any of my close circle has HBO max.
@@blcritic I hope you watch it and make a review on it perhaps. Cause it's one of the best of BLs I've ever watched and I'd love to see your take on it.
Sir BLC, may I interrupt this program for a special non-bulletin and only an opinion? Unless there is a competitive aspect I don't know of, I want to strongly recommend moonconsort's post on "queer-baiting". It is brilliant and received so many noteworthy responses. I know John Master weighed in. I am aware of being "old-fashioned" but I swear I will never get used to how the word "queer" is now tossed about so casually. I hope it's okay to use this forum to spread some other thought-provoking insights.
I have always liked Moonconsort's videos. Even I recommended one about the kinn Porsche handlers on my community post. Sometimes it feels awkward, it is same as the term 'h*m*s*x*al' which is used pretty casually, that even we, ourselves seem to pass when someone refers to us like that.
@@blcritic Egad! Are you saying g*y?! Well I never! Yes, that was a hotly controversial video. I am glad you "share the wealth" when it comes to information. I am starting to rant here and there about how much I hate the word "queer" and how it is now popping up everywhere. Supposedly it takes the sting of stigma out with casual use...?
![[Official Pilot] Me and Who โปตัวปลอม | WeTV Original](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/z4aVwjzSglg/mqdefault.jpg)
I will boil down my preference for Season 2 to three factors: continuity, character, and cadence. These factors interconnect. The continuity and cadence strengthened the characters, for example.
1. CONTINUITY. There was no time jump. S2 launches almost from the point where S1 concluded. Christmas break separates the two, which has given Simon a week or two to stew about the press conference denial Wille delivered to wrap S1. Two weeks of resenting Wille unmitigated by any soothing factor pretty much guarantees Simon should want nothing to do with Wille. The tight time frame means the series need waste little to no time on background, exposition, or scene setting. It just dives right into story arcs built from the prior season. The onus is on the viewer to remember those details.
2. CHARACTER. Mr Critic not only embedded my appreciation for the character construction and development into the video, he then developed my argument further. In fact, his identification of the "will they? Or won't they?" trope highlights S2's superpower: that the writers can simultaneously write scenes where Simon and Wille already love one another, yet legtimate questions exist as to whether they can be together. While we all might have preferred more shared screen time between the two principal characters (prince-apal?), I think story logic suggests they got that right. Simon, angry and resentful but still feeling the feels, would erect barriers to protect himself from further hurt. Wille, remorseful and guilt-ridden but craving forgiveness and reconciliation, would try to avoid making things worse by giving Simon space. Marcus, for me, was an ideal foil for their relationship precisely because he was likable, open and honest. His only flaw was disregarding Simon's unreadiness to pursue a fresh romance, but that desire to pursue someone you like despite the warning signs is so recognizable and common it almost doesn't register as a flaw. Heck, even Wille begrudgingly liked Marcus as a person while resenting him as a fellow suitor. Marcus had to be likable as an option for Simon to inject any suspense into the season's romantic drama. We know Simon and Wille still like each other. We know Wille did Simon wrong, but against his will. Marcus as Nice Guy sowed some real doubt about which way Simon ultimately would jump, in a way Marcus as Cad never could have.
3. CADENCE. S2 invokes two senses of cadence. On the one hand, the term refers to a regular and repeated activity. Episodic TV itself has a built-in cadence, and YR S2's brisk pace delivers a lively tempo of scenes and situations. At only six episodes, the writers stuffed plenty of developments into each one. Because it builds so closely off of plots previously established in S1, S2 doesn't require as much world building--this series expects viewers to recall pertinent details from S1--so the pace is brisk. On the other hand, cadence in musical terms can reference the way a musical phrase delivers a sense of completion. Here, the prospect of Wille delivering another speech is introduced as early as Ep 2, and that task then looms over the entire season. I agree with Mr Critic that the speech as ultimately executed in the finale made an excellent series denouement. Where S1 clearly anticipated S2 by leaving almost every ending open, S2 resolves many of these issues. A potential S3 would come across as a new chapter altogether, whereas S2 felt like a direct continuation of S1. And if Netflix, incomprehensibly, never green lights S3, Wille's speech can pass as the final act of this tale.
wow very nice and detailed comment. like you said S3 would be a new chapter altogether, i hope they will green light it.
I hope I didn't upset you with my "cheeky" comment above. I thought yours was funny. Just saying. :)
@@j_scott I thought your word choice was 100% appropriate. In fact, i was concerned you wouldn't appreciate the risqué bent I gave to your innocuous comment.
@@johnmaster3748 I actually loved it! I'm very thick skinned and love a little saucy banter. No worries about offending me. It's all in good fun!
I am still traveling and wont have Netflix access for another week! Your reciew has me even more excited to watch it when I return!
it's good that you can bingewatch, so you can be a little late too.
Full confession. I haven't watched this. Any of this. I know, I know. I deserve a tongue-lashing. I promise it's on my to-watch list, but I can't seem to get to it. Hey, at least I managed to finish Heartstopper. That counts for something, right?
Deserve a tongue lashing? Or fishing for one?
@@johnmaster3748 Cheeky.
Heartstopper is beautiful. And I would put Yr2 a step below HS.
This morning, I woke up and allowed myself two treats to start my day. This video, for starters. Then I went and rummaged the freezer for some vanilla ice cream. Scooped a healthy amount into the blender and added milk. Then just enough syrup to make it nice and chocolatey. Blended the concoction into a nice consistency, too. But after a taste test, something was missing. So I investigated the contents of the fridge and came across these berries with a potent flavor. Perfect accent to my morning treat.
In fact, I heartily recommend y'all indulge in a comparable confection yourselves. There's not a whole lot of substance there, but for delivering sheer giddy pleasure, not much can beat a strong berry choco milkshake. Mmmm.
You'll find the "recipe" on RUclips!
wow you're making me crave for this and being a person with half Asian ancestry.. i am lactose intolerant like most of them, hence anything made up of milk and with milk... I love a lot but... can't have. Still, rarely when in Thailand I love going to Swensens.
@@blcritic Choco Milkshake (Korea Republic, 2022). Happily, the latest micro-production from Strongberry is lactose-safe despite a character named Milk.
Choco Milk Shake is so sweet.. I love it.. esp the Dog. ..he is actually fluffy.
I remember when I first stumbled on to Young Royals on Netflix and read the synopsis, I thought sounds cheese but what the hell it has a bl theme and I am bored. Boy was I surprised, something that could have been really bad I ended up binge watching it and really loved it. Could not wait to tell BLC about it. For sure it was not perfect but the characters of Prince Wilhelm and Simon were well writen, a nice coming of age queer drama. The acting of Edvin and Omar was good as well and Frida as Sara the strange younger sister and Malte as the troubled cousin August hit the right note. I did not like the open ending but figured they were setting us up for season 2. I was not the only one who loved it and it's huge populatity ment that we would have a season 2. So finally it is here and was excited to see how the Prince Wilhelm and Simon story played out. When I watched the first epidode of Young Royals 2 I had this reaction of I am not really getting the same vibe I had from season 1 and wondered if this was the season 2 curse. I could not put my finger on what it was that I did not like. Kinda the reaction I had when I watched the first episode of To My Star 2. I did not go back to watch more of Young Royals 2 until I saw the video of BLC and since we are usually on the same page, I thought I should go back and give it a second looks. I do like a good binge watch. After the second epidode I was falling a sleep and bored, so went to bed. The next day I thought I better finish it. It was not until I got to epidode 4 and the big costume ball that it dawned on me what was going on, they were switching it up to change if from a queer coming of age story dealing with class structure, focused on Wilhelm and Simon to being a more Elite kinda series with other couples, stories and drama to be more sustainable. (When I did some research, I found that the producers had originally pitched it to Netflix as a Elite type series with a gay prince involved in murder at a boarding school, the writer had changed it up to be more of a queer coming of age story dealing with the class structure and the Swedish royal family). You can see now that they are moving away from the queer focus and trying to broaden the appeal by going towards the Elite formula with multiple couples and hyped up drama. (My straight roommate will not watch a bl but a series with gay side characters he has no problem). I do not dislike the Elite formula, getting a little bored with it. To make this change, now characters from the background ( one of the weaker things from the first season) they have given a more predominate role. Simon's kinda strange sister worked for me in the first season but as a main character involved with August, NO. The new character Marcus, Simon's rebound guy I really do not like. The character of Felice, I did not like in season 1 and even more so in season 2. I like the August character, but come on calling him in to tell him he is next in line for the crown is just cheap drama, we know where that is going (Elite type drama, who is getting murdered). A series that was interesting and kinda edgy is becoming main stream formula drama, but kinda a step down. The Wilhelm and Simon characters I still love and the only thing that got me thru until the end. The final episode was the best, but sadly can see where this is all going. Sorry guys but did not love it, liked the first season better, maybe a 7.5 just because I think Wilhem and Simon are great.
I haven't watched Elite.. when you recommended me it was already on 5th season or 4th season I guess, so i skipped that.. hence my experience might have been different.
@@blcritic OneD is showing the first episodes with subs but having trouble finding the current ones with subs, have been watching with just the Thai anyways and can follow it sort of. (SOILER ALERT if you have not seen up to 15 stop reading) Wow no happy ending for the love birds????? So old style bl, so disappointed.
Your synopsis and analysis were excellent Sam Tab. This is the first post anywhere I have seen with an Elite comparison, which was constantly on my mind as I watched.
I actually had plans to do the review of Khun Chai, but watching those episodes, I preferred to put it on hold. As the english subs for both of us are kinda formality only, i have been watching it without subs. Hope there is still a turnaround. let's see.
@@blcritic I just saw a clip of O and N at the fan meet in Korea, they were setting together N in O's arms N crying like a little girl because they were showing a clip of the special birthday event for N. It was when they told each other how much they loved the other one and hoped they would stay together a long time. Other clips as well talking about their love for the other. What was interesting was the expression on O's face, while N was crying hysterically, O had this very hard angry look on his face. Like to know what he was thinking, clearly he is not over what happen.
I enjoyed it. But I was really pissed,when Simon was kissing Markus😡😂. I was like,WT...,,😂August needs a therapy ASAP.I didn't like Felice that much in first season,but now she was a good friend for Wille and Sara...
hehe... well teenagers do that...
haven't watched it yet. I might actually do so. Season one I watched because I didn't want to not support a popular series about gay characters. I am all about being there for LGBTQ+.
On another subject...Kit Connor (Heartstopper) was outed and I am feeling a lingering anger he wasn't given choice wether or not to do so. Argh! Sorry, I just haven't gotten over it yet.
Kit Conner.. it is sad.. but showbiz is like that...
I haven't seen it yet. And I prob wasn't gonna. The "ohh rich ppl are so tortured for being rich" and the weird attempt to make August sympathetic and almost making us ignore his crime had irked me in a wrong way. Now that I've seen this review, I just might give it a go in the near future. Though idk if I'll be able to give a unbiased watch anymore. Haha that's my prob though lol.
This reminds me, @BL Critic , have you seen 'Our flag means death' ?? If so, what do you think? Will you make a review on it? I think it's a BL worthy of a watch.
What country? What year? What streaming platform?
Also, did anyone else read that title and get a vision of Eddie Izzard, in full drag, lecturing on the importance of flags ("Yes, but do you have a flag?") before asking someone to select an option from that timeless dilemma between two not-so-equal choices, "Cake? or death?"
@@johnmaster3748 country US, year 2022 , hbo max . XD actually the joke you just said is quite funny if you've seen the series, the main couple could totally be having this conversation and it wouldn't feel out of place at all! XD
I was attracted to the series (i didnt know it was a BL beforehand) cause of Taika Waititi (if you know him, you know him) Check it out! Imo it's one of the best BL out there
@@mayapanchal1257 you had me at "Taika Waititi", although if you'd led with "romcom about pirates" that would have worked also. I'll have to check that out.
I do not have subscription to HBO, I used to have at the time of GOT, that's one reason i haven't watched this GOT prequel also. I checked the teaser and it looks fun. Let's see if any of my close circle has HBO max.
@@blcritic I hope you watch it and make a review on it perhaps. Cause it's one of the best of BLs I've ever watched and I'd love to see your take on it.
Sir BLC, may I interrupt this program for a special non-bulletin and only an opinion? Unless there is a competitive aspect I don't know of, I want to strongly recommend moonconsort's post on "queer-baiting". It is brilliant and received so many noteworthy responses. I know John Master weighed in. I am aware of being "old-fashioned" but I swear I will never get used to how the word "queer" is now tossed about so casually. I hope it's okay to use this forum to spread some other thought-provoking insights.
I have always liked Moonconsort's videos. Even I recommended one about the kinn Porsche handlers on my community post. Sometimes it feels awkward, it is same as the term 'h*m*s*x*al' which is used pretty casually, that even we, ourselves seem to pass when someone refers to us like that.
@@blcritic Egad! Are you saying g*y?! Well I never! Yes, that was a hotly controversial video. I am glad you "share the wealth" when it comes to information. I am starting to rant here and there about how much I hate the word "queer" and how it is now popping up everywhere. Supposedly it takes the sting of stigma out with casual use...?