‘The Royals’ Review: Is Jasper’s Dad Back for him or a Big Con?

When London went black on The Royals last week, I was expecting something very different than what we got. I was expecting to be pretty nervous for the characters throughout the episode but we got something very different. I’m even more curious about what Robert’s endgame is now and why he blackout London in the first place.

I think we’re pretty certain that Robert (Max Brown) planned the blackout, the question is why. He went out to the streets of London under the pretenses of finding Jasper (Tom Austen) for Len (Alexandra Park) but was that the real reason he went out? When Jasper wasn’t in the ambulance, he opened up the bridge for the people and led them to palace. Then the people were screaming for him. He’s beloved. Was this his plan? But what is the long game? Is it to prove his father wrong, that he can be a great King?

You almost want to believe him and fall under his spell but there have been too many clues that Robert is the man his father always thought he was. That makes it heartbreaking that Willow (Genevieve Gaunt) is falling for him. It would be hard for any woman not to fall for a king, though, especially with the way Robert is wooing her. Now Willow is back on this list. I don’t want Robert to break her heart but I can’t see this ending any other way.

Robert may have a plan that he’s executing but Liam (William Moseley) is definitely losing his way but not in the way he thinks he is. He’s not wrong about his brother but he can’t see the truth right now because he’s so lost. He used a girl just to get information on his brother. Liam has been so angry and going to Cyrus (Jake Maskall) did not help matters. I’m hoping that Liam apologizing to Robert about Kathryn will help him get back to the Liam we love. Robert didn’t deserve an apology but I think Liam needed to give it. I want him to go back to the fierce man that was ready to be king. It makes me sad to see Liam this way.

Who knew we needed Cyrus, Helena (Elizabeth Hurley) and her mother playing truth or dare. There were some truths, and that was surprising for three people who don’t tell the truth often. These scenes definitely gave us a lot of laughs but we also found out that Cyrus is in remission. I wonder if this will change anything for him? He didn’t seem to be ready to live. He was ready to die.

Helena’s mother is also dating a new man and maybe we shouldn’t be so surprised that it was Jasper’s father. He is a great con man. But what is his con this time? To get closer to his son? Or bigger? It’s hard to tell at the moment. He did help his son get back to the palace. It will definitely be interesting to see how this plays out.

Eleanor is continuing to lend a helping hand. She let people in during the blackout which was great but I loved when she was saying “I’m number four” and “I’m in charge.” She was the reigning monarch in residence. It’s great to see how far she’s come but I wish she could see Robert for who he really is.

After everything, we got a great Jaspeanor moment when they kissed. An episode doesn’t get much better than that.