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Friday, April 22, 2016

The Royals: Season Two DVD Review

Reviewed by Allie Schembra
After the tragic murder of King Simon by an unknown assailant, Simon’s arrogant brother, Cyrus, has taken the throne with the help of Queen Helena (Elizabeth Hurley). Prince Liam (William Moseley) seeks vengeance for the death of his father while Princess Eleanor (Alexandra Park) struggles to live her seemingly fairytale life. While allies are formed and enemies are made in the royal palace, nothing is what it seems.




Show (3 1/2 out of 5 stars)
With the kingdom still reeling over the death of King Simon, the royal family is trying to adjust to Simon’s brother Cyrus taking over as King. Prince Liam and Princess Eleanor are having a hard time knowing they will never rule, but when Cyrus reinstates their royal titles, they see a glimmer of hope. Queen Helena is still set on ruling, so she tries to ingratiate herself with the new, interim Prime Minister, but quickly learns that she is not interested.

Princess Eleanor, who has a hard time trusting people, rekindles a relationship with an old crush, but when he returns to his wife, she takes advice she received seriously and gives up men. After meeting Mandy, Eleanor finally thinks she’s found someone she can trust, but Mandy, like so many others, ends up disappointing her by plotting and scheming to take advantage of Eleanor’s generosity and kindness.

Liam is convinced someone murdered his father and is set on finding out who it was. Working with Jasper and Ted, he follows clues that lead him to the secret group – Domino – that has been involved with his family for many, many years. As Domino’s secrets are revealed, the Queen’s past is found out and Liam and Eleanor see their mother in a new light.

Meanwhile, back in the royal chambers, King Cyrus is still living in the shadow if his brother. He has found out that he’s sick, and the treatments are weighing on his mind and his body. He falls in love with his maid, and begins a relationship with her. 

The Deputy Prime Minister, seeing an opening with Liam, makes him an offer, but when King Simon’s killer is finally revealed, the family bands together to take him down and once and for all defeat Domino.

Season two of “The Royals” did have quite the same pop as the first season, but I still liked it. I initially watched it when it was on television and couldn’t wait from week-to-week for the next episode. Each episode ended left me wanting more and wanting to know what happened. Once again, the acting was great, and I loved each person in their role. In season two, Elizabeth Hurley again was wonderful as Queen Helena, but in this season, I had more sympathy for her. She was still the scheming, manipulative woman we met in season one, but I found myself feeling bad for her as season two progressed. Alexandra Park is doing great as Princess Eleanor and William Moseley continues to be a heart breaker as Prince Liam. 

Season two of “The Royals” consists of 10 episodes, listed below.

1) It Is Not, Nor It Cannot Come To Good

2) Welcome Is Fashion And Ceremony

3) Is Not This Something More Than Fantasy?

4) What, Has This Thing Appear’d Again Tonight?

5) The Spirit That I Have Seen

6) Doubt Truth To Be A Liar

7) Taint Not Thy Mind, Nor Let Thy Soul Contrive Against Thy Mother

8) Be All My Sins Remembered

9) And Then It Started Like A Guilty Thing

10) The Serpent That Did Sting They Father’s Life
Video (4 out of 5 stars)
Like the previous season, “The Royals” season two is presented in a widescreen 1.78:1 aspect ratio and is very good. The picture is clear, colors are bright and scenes are realistic. In darkened scenes, night and in the tunnels, the picture is still bright enough to be able to see everything you are meant to see. Scenes are sharp and transitions are smooth.
Audio (4 out of 5 stars)
The English 5.1 Dolby Digital audio is really good. Dialogue is easily heard and the background blends well with each scene. The sound level is good and no adjustments are needed to hear anything.
Extras (0 out of 5 stars)
There are not special features included in the DVD set. The trailers from the beginning of disc one are grouped together again on the disc.
Summary (3 out of 5 stars)

The lack of special features really brought down the score of the set. While I enjoyed the show, the audio and video were both very good, but I had hoped there would be more included about the monarchy. I am definitely a fan of the show and will watch it if it returns for another season, and will even re-watch the first and second seasons. Even though the mystery of who killed King Simon was solved, I’ll watch again looking for clues I may have missed the first time. “The Royals” is a good show to sit and watch in the evening with a glass of wine, or talk about over brunch.

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