#yr thoughts

[eleanork-28]

Post s3e6 what happens now?

I am begining to write an 'after' fic which has brought up a lot of questions and speculation that I'd like to share. Yes willmon is endgame but also where do they go from here?

Class 

Money (what are the Erikssons doing with their money from August?) 

The rift between Wille’s elitist upbringing and Simon’s economical and political beliefs 

Wille needs to learn and figure out what he wants his relationship with politics and money to be 

Abdication 

Wille is giving up the crown but he now has to go through that process 

Official meetings 

What is his new title going to be 

What money does he have not has Crown Prince 

The official statement of abdication and handing the duty to August 

Figuring out the PR strategy for this as well 

Wille isn’t free automatically he is going to price for a little while longer while they introduce August more prominently to the public so that the crown isn’t handed off to seemingly a stranger 

They also have to figure out a way to make sure it is clear that this is a choice Wille made for himself rather than because of his very publicised relationship 

Making sure there won’t be speculation that he is leaving voluntarily because the Swedish monarchy doesn’t want a queer monarchy because that would be a media shitstorm 

School 

Where is Wille going to school? And Simon? 

Even with abdication he is still a part of the Swedish aristocracy would he go to another posh school? 

I think not with everything that happened at Hilerska but its also the thing he knows, so how does he figure that out? 

Where does Simon go? He wouldn’t want to go to another rich kid school

Will they go to school together? 

If so what interest will their classmates take in them, how would they maintain their privacy 

Even apart what would their privacy look like 

What would their relationship look like if they do decide to not go to school together? 

Same questions for Felice and Sara because they also have to go to school they are all children and education is very important lol

Familial relations 

Wille and his parents need to repair their relationship 

Do Simon and Sara start working on a better relationship Micke? 

I want Wille to get to meet Micke I think that interaction would be great

Public relations 

Yes they are free but sadly the public doesn’t entirely care 

Luckily on an international scale the Swedish monarchy doesn’t hold much attention but maybe that has changed since Wille’s scandals and then open queer relationship? This is never addressed in the show 

But amongst Swedes especially after abdication people will have a vested interest 

Think Harry and Megan (obvs the UK royals are a much bigger scale but the point stands) 

Like people still really care what they're up to, and Megan and Simon have those similar experiences of being a poc partner of a european royal family member, the harassment doesn’t suddenly stop once you've left the direct limelight of royal life

Platonic relationships 

What is Wille’s relationship with Rosh and Ayub? 

They have witnessed every thing that Simon has gone through because of his relationship with Wille and now they are back together again 

They do respect him because of his choice to leave the monarchy, they are maybe not even surprised because they did witness the “I could be free with you” speech

But do they trust him? 

On that note does Linda? She definitely cares for Wille but she also knows how this has affected her son.

Does Wille have to prove his intentions and himself? 

Can he Rosh and Ayub truly form a friendship? How will that happen 

Simon, Wille, Sara, and Felice have forged their own kind of found family through shared traumas and love for one another, how to Rosh and Ayub fit into that new dynamic? Will there be conflict because of this? 

What does a friend group consisting of all of them look like? 

Other than mega gay

[wings-of-a-storm]

An early but epic scene that I never tire of re-watching is when Simon and Wille first lay eyes on each other after the school break in S2 and the pining goes offfff. For me there are four stages to it and I am so weak for each one.

STAGE ONE: THE SIGHTING

I think what I really like about the moment they first notice each other in the crowd is that Simon is so caught off guard (more so than Wille who probably suspected that wherever Sara was her brother would likely be nearby), so he doesn't have time to hide his feelings -- he just feels them. And noticeably so.

Like the heavy swallow as he stands frozen in place just staring at Wilhelm, clearly unable to process anything other than: Wille! And you know from that moment that Simon is still full of feelings for Wille if just the sight of him through a sea of bodies sends the rest of the world away and makes his heart race.

He even walks towards Wille instead of shutting the moment down. Since Wille's an ex, it's not like Simon has to talk to him or anything but still those legs of his move forward to close the gap and be near him even if no words can be exchanged...

STAGE TWO: THE HAIR CHANGE

Seeing Wille up close after Christmas break would have been a strange moment at first... Simon had been thinking of Wille all break by his own admission (and let's be real, he even has that tabloid magazine of Wille that he probably looked through again in moments of weakness), so essentially Wille has never really strayed far from Simon's mind. But the Wille in Simon's mind would have been a different Wille -- a static Wille frozen in time who looked a certain way and who could only really speak words of the past. Just a paler memory version of him.

But it is a very different experience being up close again with the real version of that person in your head -- the real person who will move and talk in ways you can't control in your mind; who now LOOKS different.

It's a much more heady experience being in the presence of that real person who is just...so much MORE than your brain can ever conjure. Someone with a special intensity behind their gaze that is hard to replicate in your head; someone whose little mannerisms come out and add colour to their movement; someone whose smell of cologne or whatever hits you right in the biochemistry...

“I figured it would be easier to see him after the break, but it was just harder!”

Of course Simon, because Wille is more than a static memory; he is a living, breathing person whose proximity near you lights up all of your senses. Never underestimate the physiological response of being around the boy you like *sob*.

And yeh, not only is Simon having to deal with all of that when he hasn't prepared himself for it at the party, but he has to process that Wille has physically changed from his memories; Wille is displaying a new version of himself that Simon is not yet familiar with.

And we know that Simon does notice Wille's haircut (or at least allows himself a moment to examine it) when they get right up close to each other and Wille is distracted on his phone.

It is fascinating how Simon forces his eyes away after a moment, like shaking himself out of a funk, and then starts fidgeting through his emotions with the telltale sadness of a lowered gaze. It would be hard feeling things like longing while knowing how futile and unhelpful it is… And adding to his sadness would no doubt be the psychology of seeing someone who was once so familiar to him looking physically different but in a way that has nothing to do with him anymore.

As mild as a haircut/style change may seem, it would still make that person seem a bit more unfamiliar and inaccessible when you know you won't be able to make memories with this version of them. It would rub it in for Simon, the reality of their moving apart.

(And yes! Like others have said, Simon might also be feeling a little sad that the shorter sides in Wille's new hairstyle mean he can't tuck his hair behind his ears anymore in that easy display of affection he used to instinctually like doing. Yet another physical reminder for Simon that their old memories and habits have to remain in the past now…)

STAGE THREE: THE CONFLICT IN SIMON

It's tough seeing Simon so subdued in these moments, standing near Wille and struggling to get ahold of his yearning and sadness. But it's also so interesting seeing one of the undercurrents of this season begin -- Simon's inner conflict between wanting to get over Wille and his subconscious fighting against the very idea.

Because the thing is, if Wille's haircut is a reminder for Simon that they won’t be as familiar with each other moving forward, then that should be a helpful thing, right? Because that is indeed the reality Simon was psyching himself up for over break and now time is making tangible changes to compliment that reality. But Simon's subconscious seems to be disquieted by this reminder. It’s a pattern that we see repeat itself over the season (like when Wille is forced to leave Hillerska -- that is a situation that benefits Simon's need to be away from him to properly move on, but instead it panics Simon into intervening to try and get Wille to stay).

This is the start of the excruciating conflict Simon has to bear every day this season of his warring heart and head.

STAGE FOUR: WILLE'S HELP

So in amongst all this longing and sadness that Simon is currently feeling as he stands beside Wille at the party, do you know what's gotta suck? Having to then deal with all the emotions that come with said ex, whom you've been secretly pining for, being the one to help you find your sister when no one else could.

I mean, Wille may have a new look, but his classic pattern of trying to help Simon at Hillerska is going to feel familiar as heck to Simon. It would remind him just how nice it feels when Wille has his back at Hillerska instead of the days when he had to fight everything alone. And Wille’s help right now has come during a very stressful family situation! Since family is number one to Simon, that poor kid was never going to feel calm until he had everything under control. It means that receiving help for a situation so close to his heart would probably have had an added impact on him. So now Simon probably has to deal with feeling relieved and grateful towards Wille on top of everything.

(And all of this was before Wille even got to unleash his adorably awkward 'I got a haircut!' declaration, complete with self-conscious gesticulating and fidgeting. It would be pretty hard not to be affected by Wille's earnest desperation to keep the conversation alive no matter how much of a dork it makes him appear.)

After those four stages, all I can say is… Er, yeh, good luck getting over Wille, Simon. That was totally going to be possible…. ;)

[kazbrekkerbitespeopleandsodoi]

every single Conan Gray song can be somehow connected to wilmon or anything young royals related. fight me. argue with me. @ me. try to prove me wrong. you will Fail.

[isak-og-even]

Fy faen - why is there no media training and security for a crown prince‘s partner? Is Sweden really usually that low-key about partners that they don’t think it’ll be an issue? (While always saying it’ll be an issue?)

[hanna-kin]

Season 2 episode 1

Here are finally my thoughts about the first episode of season 2. I waa going to make a post about the whole ep and my thoughts but it became too much of a summary and too long.

So instead I'm going to pick my three favourite scenes from each episode and talk about them and why I love them.

The opening scene still blows me away. The first three minutes are just spectacular.

We open up to the warm colours and the most intimate scene. It’s so becautiful and full of love and tenderness and tthen he scene changing so drastically and everything turn cold and Wille is all alone. 

I honestly think this is probably one of the most beautiful moments in the whole series and it’s so well edited and directed. Rojda did a spectacular job with this episode. 

The scene in Erik’s room is just as beautiful with Wille shutting his mum out by closing the door in her face and then putting on Erik’s military jacket, letting himself drown in it. He’s so lonely and in just two minutes the show has established just how isolated he is. 

And of course him burning August from the picture and looking at himself in the mirror, not only starring at us but at himself. I love it. Such a good opening scene. 

The reunion scene!!! This scene is so beautiful! Again, Rojda did such an amazing job. Episode is probably the episode with the best “composed” scenes if we are talking music, cinematography, and camera work. 

The world just stops when they finally look at eachother. The way Simon swallows as he realise how hard it’s going to be because Wille looks so beautiful and seeing him just brings back all feelings, emotions and memories. 

Omar conveys so much and he really grew as an actor from season 1. 

I love how they take turns looking longingly at eachother. They have so much love for eachother.

And their little interaction, so awkward but also full with fondness until Simon says he has to go because Marcus is waiting for him and probably because he’s struggling to be so close to WIlle. 

I think they did a spectacular job with this scene, from script to directing to acting to editing.

And finally the climax of the episode! Wille losing himself in his phone as he watches Simon having the time of his life.

And there's such a stark contrast between them. So Simon obviously isn't having the time of his life but he is enjoying himself. He's relaxed and happy for the first time. They are both surrounded by people but while Simon is enjoying it and is in the center of attention Wille is just completely alone in a room full of people. He's literally watching Simon move on four seconds after they broke up.

It must feel heartbreaking and he's obviously reading way too much into it. But he's broken ans crushed.

And then Alexander check mates him and he flees to his room.

I love his call to his mum. Everything about it is again so well thought out, from script to how it's edited.

Wille is a little chaotic as he just tells the Queen that Simon is on date with someone else. I love how the conversation moves to the queen being like okay... and then Wille spiraling and spiraling.

Again so well acted by Edvin.

I got chills when he got onto the table. Wille's anxiety is so palpable and you can feel his heart racing and his skin crawl.

I feel so heartbroken for him. He calls his mum and the whole royal court and tells them to listen to him but as he hangs up he's all alone again. There's noone there to provide the comfort he needs. There's noone there to hold him. No one to help him calm down.

He called his mum and it started like a normal conversation with a mum and her frustrated and upset son but it ends with Wille vs the whole institution and the queen.

[silverofthunder]

i'm still not over the S2 but here are more thoughts of it...

🔸acting was absolutely A+++, especially Edvin and Omar's. like i can't even-- damn, they're so good.

🔸all the pining between Simon and Wille... 🥺 it was so obvious they missed each other so much and they are completely in love and-- so soft. ❤️

🔸i love the first Wilmon kiss, the build up for it. the moment when Simon stepped closer to Wille and everything changed. and the kiss itself. pure perfection. ❤️😭

🔸the book scene! phenomenal! they communicated and understood each other better after that.

🔸the Wilmon sex scene (we didn't obviously see). oh boy, Simon was hungry... 😁😍

🔸Marcus/Simon — it had to happen and it was obvious Marcus didn't have a chance.

🔸Wille getting therapy! that boy really needed it. 🥺

🔸Wille & Felice! such a lovely duo and i'm glad the kiss didn't ruin anything between them.

🔸Stella and Fredrika! aww, they really need to end up together in S3 (there has to be S3!). ❤️

🔸Sara & August — maybe there was a bit too much of them on screen but they were interesting pair. kinda hate to admit but they were pretty cute together.

🔸i think my fave Wilmon moment was the corridor talk before Wille's speech. everything was just perfect in that. 🥺❤️

🔸Wille saying he was in the video!!! i honestly didn't expect that to happen so wow. and then he smiled at Simon. 🥺

🔸all the parallels to S1. this show is honestly so damn good!!!

🔸WHERE IS S3? i need it asap!

[willesworld]

on today's episode of young royals obsession:

i'm thinking about the post going around about how wille and simon are teenagers, and therefore make stupid decisions.

as someone who is still a teenager, i would like to add that teenagers will do anything (and i mean ANYTHING) to avoid taking responsibility for their actions. they will do whatever it takes to avoid consequences.

teenagers are not yet adults who can realise that by taking responsibility and apologising for something they've done, they can often solve a problem quickly and with less carnage. and they're old enough to recognise that dealing with consequences could lead to them losing something.

for example. in the argument scene about the drugs in the piano room, neither simon nor wille take responsibility for their actions. simon, because he is doing his best to avoid the consequences of dealing his dad's medications at school. wille, because he is doing his best to avoid the consequences of taking said drugs at school. but they both want something that they're not willing to lose. for wille, it's simon. for simon, it's his position at hillerska.

if both of them had owned up to each other in this scene and apologised for the role they had to play in The Drug Debacle, they could have easily worked the problem out together and *maybe* found a better solution. but both are trying to avoid blame, and thus they argue. wille ends up resorting to drastic measures to keep simon at hillerska (getting alex kicked out of school and shaming august in front of the society), and simon gives wille the silent treatment until the problem is solved.

we see this also at the end of season one when wille denies being in the video. we all know wille did, in fact, have sex with simon in his boarding school dorm room. but he denies it because he's trying to avoid consequences. he thinks that if he admits to it, the press won't leave him alone, he'll lose the approval of his mother, he'll fail to make erik proud/keep up his legacy. he also thinks that he won't lose simon if he denies it (because historically, simon has accepted him back even after he said he 'wasn't like that' or he 'couldn't do this anymore'). past experiences tell wille he can keep simon even if he denies the video.

so he makes the choice that he believes will have the least amount of consequences for him.

... but obviously that doesn't work out quite how wille planned.

[wings-of-a-storm]

There is a stand-out scene in Young Royals S2 that I actually actively never try to re-watch because the pain in it absolutely guts me. But I'm going to be brave and talk about it and let out all the feels because as much as it chokes me up, it is an absolute masterpiece in motion and I want to pay my respects to it (for effing me up this bad haha).

That scene is (unsurprisingly) when Wille cries as he watches himself dress up as a nobleman/prince for the ball.

(^genuinely can’t face putting the crying face in this post)

My goodness, that scene was so well done.

It's such brilliant storytelling that the (quietly brutal) quiet moment of Wille confronting himself in the mirror is surrounded on either side by images and sounds of all the other students having the time of their lives and really getting into the theme because dress up is supposed to be fun, right?

But the point of dressing up is that it is a fun escapism, right? You get to take on a different persona for a brief time, be whomever you want (there's so much freedom in that choice), and you get to be creative with it. It is a novelty. And then once that brief, fun period is over, you take the outfit off and just go back to 'normal' life.

But for Wille, he doesn't get to do that (not really, at least). He is a prince no matter what era clothing he dons and discards. Dressing up for the ball is not escapism for him, it's prison.

Wille's actual escapism happens every day of his life when he gets to wear a uniform like everyone else at school (or before that, going to 'normal' public schools). So if Wille's 'dress up' escapism is essentially his every day life, in this ball scene, he has to do the opposite of everyone and discard his costume of everyday clothing to put on his reality. And boy is the pain of that a kick in the guts when he is the one secretly crying in a room as he sees himself in the mirror while everyone else is bursting with joyful energy and make-believe.

That scene is like a visual bubble of grief; it really emphasises how alone he is. No one else has his status and all that comes with it; no one else can actually understand how it feels. That's the sorrowful fate of being a prince who doesn't want to be a prince (and who has lost his brother, the one person who did know what it felt like). Not even us viewers who love him and want the best for him can truly understand what he is feeling; the best we can do is empathise with his desolate loneliness. (Look at me talking like he is a real person. Shh!)

And then there is the whole applying makeup element to it all as well! The point of makeup in general is to conceal and transform, right? Conceal the natural face and transform it into a desired illusion? I know painting your face white was the fashion the students are trying to replicate at the ball but it sure hurts knowing that in Wille's case, there is also the metaphorical layer of him concealing his pain behind a white mask and transforming himself into the image everyone expects of him. But watching him do it, it is like he is lowering himself onto a sword; like it is destroying crucial parts of himself to do it.

And that is not fun and games for a night out at a ball. Not at all.

*Screams into the universe* It is such a brutallllll scene. (And yes, shout-out to Edvin for making it even more brutal with his description of it on twitter.)

Seriously though, you know when a tragedy occurs and part of you gets frozen in time? Like you can forever recall where you were and what you were thinking at the time? Well, this scene hit me like that (melodramatic maybe but true!). I remember seeing Wille looking into that mirror and my mind started screaming: "NO, NO, NO, STOP THIS SCENE, IT'S TOO MUCH! I know everyone is having the time of their lives but this isn't FUN for Wille! This is his reality! This isn't dress up that he can just discard after the party! Why are you making him dress up like that! Can't you see how cruel that is?!"

But hey, as much as it aches (or maybe because of how much it aches xD) I do love that they worked that wardrobe choice into the show though -- of Wille dressed in the image of an old-school prince while interacting with Simon, the uniform-wearing everyday man and his equally common/wait staff-esque suited boyfling. It is a tad in your face but it is marvellous at showing the reality of Wille's status and how alone he is in it. Sigh. I hate love this show.