Hello and welcome to Big Gay Energy. I'm Caitlin. And I'm Fiora. Come along with us while we dive into the fun and nuances of queer media. Representation matters, and we're. Here to talk about it. Cheers, queers. What's on the big gay agenda today, Fiora? Today we were talking about a beloved topic that we haven't talked about before, but here we are. We're going to talk about Young Royals, the series, which is completely out on Netflix now.
There's a total of three seasons, and unfortunately there was so much going on when it was airing, we didn't have a chance to talk about it. So we're going to talk about all of it now. Yes, and we also have a guest joining us today. Alethea Crimmins is a global motivational speaker and inspirational influencer. Welcome to the podcast, Alethea. Thank you for having me. Like I'm so excited because I love this series. Like I'll I love. It well, that is what this
podcast is here for. Like it was so, so much going on and it was like, oh, I'm so happy. And and I and I was like, you suck. And I like it was, it was so, so many moments that I was like, are you serious right now? Like, oh, it was this, Yeah. Oh, it's a it's one of those shows that draws you in. Yeah. And then they it's a roller coaster of the drama where you're. Happy, happy because like listen, like at at first I was like, what what is this? Like, do I?
Do I even because I've I've found it on accident and I was like, OK, well, this is interesting. And then the drama unfolded and I was like, I was like, OK, so now I have to watch it all. Like I have to binge watch this now because. What? Yes, yes, yes. Now I'm so glad you say that I don't binge watch things. This is one of the few shows that I like started watching and then pet binge the whole. Thing, yes, but just. Needed more? Yes. Like when, when, when, when the
seasons were were over. I was like, no. I have a. Question though, so this show is I believe Swedish so it's not in English. Are you a subtitle person only or are you a dub diversion person? I can do subtitles now. My wife she cannot. She will not watch movies where the like Miles don't match with what they're saying. She will not watch foreign films. I'm like, bro, just it's good. I look like because that and elite girl. I have to check that one out. OK, yes, I know. Shocking.
You've never watched Elite? No, but I am going to write it down right now. So if you think that this is good, you have to watch Elite, OK, you have to. OK. That's a high endorsement. It's. Very high endorsement. It's mandatory. It's miss mandatory. It will leave you at the edge of of your seat. Like yeah, mandatory. I need that in my life.
Usually I don't listen to the dub version because I used to, OK, so if I have the dub version on, the subtitles on as well and it's not matching up and I find that the subtitles convey the message better. So I'm like, I don't want to listen to it. But then I put the dub on. I was like, oh, this is actually good. Like it, it matches, the voices sound similar. And then I found out it's actually the actors dumping it in English. So like, they filmed it in both
languages, like, wow. So I was like, why does this match up so well? So yeah, it's actually pretty good in English. Not now. I'm like, curious. Now I'm have to go back home. Just another excuse to watch it again, right? Yeah. And I like this. This is like usually when I watch this series and I'm done with it, like I'm done with it like, you know, like I'm so it's like, OK, I I watched it, I'm done. It's very few that I can go back and say I will watch this again.
This is the one I will watch again and Elite, like I'll watch it all again. Like, yeah, I bet Elite now. Yeah. So so now you you're going to have to watch it and then bring me back because we can talk about Elite because I guarantee you that you will love it. OK. Well, that's happening. That's happening. OK, so before we get into elite spoiled territories. We're going to get. Into Young Royals spoiler territory.
So for those listening at home, if you've never watched Young Royals, like turn this off, go watch it, then come back because we're going to get into we're going to get into all the things that we like, things we didn't love, just all the things. So let's let's start with the gay stuff. Let's just start with the gay stuff. OK, so the main ship is Wilhelm and Simon. Yes. Yes. And what's what goes on with them is pretty common in the gay world. Like I, I come from a family
that's a certain type of way. Like I have to be a certain type of way. Like you, you're, you're in this really awesome private school. Like you, you're, you're a freaking Prince, like you are a Prince. So you have to act a certain type of way, like very demure, very mindful. So. Like sometimes cutie. Right. So it's like you can't bring the type of drama on our name. And he had girls like coming up to him like hey, Prince. And he was like, Nah, like I'm good.
And I was like, he has to be gay. He has to be gay. Like why? Why does he not like these girls? Then he saw Simone, who is out. He's out like he and he and he's so freaking cute. Like he's out and he's just like living life. And when I saw with him, look at him, I was like, I, I knew he was gay. I knew it, I knew it, I knew it and it was such, it's such a like beautiful love story. And then it's hater ass jealous
ass cousin. Oh. My God, we'll have a whole rant about him because Oh my God. August, August, August is a bitch. Like I'm, I'm like August. August is a bitch in every sense of the word. From from season 1 to season 3. August has never. And it's like, Oh my God, a piece of him. A piece of August doesn't want to be a bitch. Yes. Because there were moments where you saw the, like, human side of him, the really good side of him. But he lets people get in his head and then it changes
everything. Yeah. And it's so sad. Like, I was like, why? Why? Why would you leak the video? Like, they were so happy in love. But. He's absurd. Yeah. He, he did some unspeakable things throughout the show, but you're right. He like, he wanted to be better, but like, he at the end of the day, he just conformed. He was the ultimate conformist.
And he, he, you know. He he really like, you can tell that he wanted to, to, to be better, like he wanted to be more like Willem. Like he, he wanted to be that good person. And like I said, there were, there were moments when he tried. There were because I think he bought this girl like a horse. Yeah, because she, she like, and I was like, oh, like he's like, like deep down he's really a good person. But then he turns around and does some dumb shit and I'm
like, I was rooting for you. Yes, exactly. You just want to strangle him sometimes. You're like bro, you were so close. Like you were so closely. Right there, like you were you were right. So what, what did y'all think when y'all saw that the like leak video and like everybody was like, well, who, who's who's leaked the video? Who leaked the video? And, and, and it was because I was, I was wondering, I was like, well, who leaked the
video? Yeah. So when y'all saw the leaked video and this all went down like what did y'all think about it? Well, so yeah, like August was up top by like, I mean, August is just yeah, anyway, but cringe. What I loved about their relationship, like Wilhelm and and Simone and when it came to the video was that like you pointed out, they're both in two separate spaces when it comes to
being out. Like Simone is very out and like you see him get a little bullied a bit for it at the school, but he owns it and he's comfortable in his skin. And then you have William, who's, you know, because he's a royal family member and he is constantly under the spotlight. And from the beginning you see he hates being in the spotlight. Like luckily he's not the Crown Prince. He has an older brother, so he can kind of hide and then later
he can't. And so you kind of see him struggling just like being a public figure. So then to add this on top of it, like I new thing was are going to be really bad once that happened because like he he does not like the spotlight and this puts the spotlight on him in a way that like he never wanted, you know, So I just I felt so bad for them to like me too figure and then like against
your will. And then the same thing happened to Simone. Like Simone that overnight becomes famous and in a not like. Life just blew up. Blew up for him and his whole family and then like later you see people like throw rocks at his house. And death, death, death threats and all this. And I was like, oh.
My God. So did did you also pick up that Willem Like he knew that he had feelings, but he didn't know like he was gay and tell female like he he knew that he had some weird feelings, but he never acted on it until Simone and I was just like, Oh well, you wouldn't know. You. I was like, you didn't even really know you were gay. I was like, Oh my God, this is beautiful. Yes, I thought that was freaking
adorable. And not only that, it's like he like, when we first start the show, he's like, he doesn't know who he is. So he's doing all these things where he's like acting out at clubs. Like that's how he ends up at the school because his parents are like, you need to learn to not do any of these things. And so he finds a friend for the very first time in Simon. And one of my favorite moments is when that like the moment when you're like, oh, this is going to be gay, OK.
When he comes into the choir and they're like, we're welcoming the Prince and this thing he loves the most. And what attracts him to Simon to begin with is his singing voice. I love that so much. Like he's, he's just sitting there like watching him in all. Like he's just like. An. Angel like that's my man, my man. I'm so wondering if Simone is the first person he's ever met that's not in his class. Really. Because that's anyone is the one that's who on the outside of
this school. So he's like, I want this life more. So that made Simone even more attractive to him. Yeah, because he he was, he was very, he's very comfortable in his life. Like this. This is this is me. No, I'm not rich. No. And I'm good like this. Like this is your life and that's fine for you. But I'm good in my life. And I don't think that like William ever met anybody that was comfortable in their life because he was so used to being
around upscale people. He couldn't understand how he was so comfortable living like he was living like, how how are you? How are you comfortable like this? And Simone never wanted any handouts. He never. And William looks like, I don't get it. So I also think that that was hard for him to to wrap his mind around like how how are you So, and I think that William William was Loki jealous that he couldn't be like that.
Like I, I wish I can be like that, like more comfortable and just out in. Free. Free, free. He also wishes he was allowed to be like. That I feel like he was, he was kind of kind of jealous because it was like, well, I'm not free. Like I am literally trapped and you're just happy being you and you don't have half of what I have.
Yeah, I love that. It's like the couple where it's like they complement each other in certain ways and you have something that I want and yeah, yeah, it's very cute. And then you get Sorry, I did. I didn't like like moving forward when when, when the video came out and everything happened. I think this was like season 3 and they had to go to court. They made this video seem like it was child pornography or something like they they. They made it too like it was. So disgusting.
And this this like guy was like, no, it's just two guys and they kissed like right. It's like innocent and and they were like, no, it's not. It's not innocent at all. And Simone's Mama was like, I'm not about to to let you pay me off. Like you cannot buy us. And I was like, yes, bitch fellow. I love his mom, she was so sweet and like, I also love the element too of Simon and his family. Is that like his mother I where she's from, who's Spain or South
America or something. But like he has that other element of like, yeah, he's he's at the school with all these rich people. And so he's like the scholarship kid. So already he's like othered at the school. And then you add the element of like his mother's not Swedish and and his father was Swedish and so he's like othered in multiple ways in this society. So I have that character interact with Wilhelm is who's like pure the crown beacon of Sweden is really interesting.
It creates other like dramas from that too, like pop points that were interesting. And I, I love how Simone's mom is just be who you are. Like I love you for who you are. Like I wish more parents could just hone into that part. She, I love you for you. Like I know exactly who who you are and I don't care. Yeah, I don't care. And what I wasn't expecting from the show was for Wilhelm's mom to get there by the end. I was not expecting that. You think like the Queen would never.
Yeah, I know her at the end. Basically reflect Simone's mom's point of view and be like OK, go be you. I love you more than the bottar key like. What it was? Oh my gosh, him running after the car at the end. Like I was in tears. I was like, Oh my God. And also whenever like they had broken up because of this whole thing. And like Simone was like, I'm tired of of being your little secret. Like either we're going to be
together or we're not. Like he's and he I think he made a statement like you're in the closet. I'm not like, I don't want to be. So they have broken up and Simone had found somebody else and it messed William up. Like, why are you with this boy? Like why it messed him up? But Simone was like, he's out and he wants to be with me. I can't hide because of you. And that that that happens a lot. Like I want to be with somebody that I can be with. Like I don't want to have to hide.
I don't want to have to. And Williams team teammates and classmates. I was like well why are y'all just ignorant and just idiot Oh my God. But one of them, one of them happened to be gay also. Yes, and. I I was like. OK so can I just say that I texted Theor the first time that I watched a show 'cause she's watched it before me and I'm like so do the girls get together? And she her response is, girls get together, but it's not the
ones you were thinking. No. But I was like, all right, I'll take it. That, that was that. That was a whole other element of surprise. Because I was totally I. Was like wait. Yeah, you guys the whole time. Where's your story? Where did this come from? Like I wish that they would have got more like deeper into that as well. So much more. Because it was like they kind of threw it in there and then that was it. What? No like what? When?
Give us the queerness of this school like because again, you had, I forget the guy's name, but you had the the guy who basically ran in like August circle, who was also gay, but the one you mentioned. But he's like, he's kind of more like he seems like he's more, he was more comfortable being in the closet because he's like, this is what rich people do. You just hide it, whatever you can do it too. And by the end he was like, fuck it.
By the end he comes to it, he's like, no, I want to be me. And it was like, give me more of this story too. And then? Right. Like it was, it was, it was so much going on and I just wanted more stories like, wait, like how, how do you just throw this in there and just leave us here? Yeah, like the the last episode was like the queerest one out of all of them and it was just like they kind of threw some stuff in though because like they. Were. Like sprinkling it.
But they were they, it was just too quick. And I wanted to see it more than, you know, seeing August's storyline, yes. But I love that the classmate told his friends that like, oh, I actually want to be with guys. And they're like, why didn't you tell us? We could have. Been setting you up the whole time. Like, like, like we, we, we could have been hooking you up like this whole time.
And I was like, oh, and it's just that just goes to show that we think certain things about our friends and the, the, the people that is around us. But if they really are your friends, if they really do love you, then they will accept you for who you are. And that really touched me because they were like, dude, like you could have just said something because I was just waiting on, Oh, well, you and it didn't happen. And I was like, Oh my God.
So if you really have real friends, then they would accept you for exactly who you are. But I feel like they had to be a certain type of way because that was an expectation because they were the popular ones that there was a elite. So they had to portray themselves in a certain type of way, which happens every single day, especially in like high school, middle schools. So many kids really want to come out, but they're in the popular crowd.
And so they don't want to come out because they're scared of what's going to happen or they don't know, like how their friends or family or even going to accept them. Like basically their mom, William's mom was like, well, if you want to be with Simone, then you can't be the Prince and we going to just give it to August. What like. But Wilhelm was like. OK, I'll take it. I hate that August 1 at the end I was like, that bitch got the
crap. William's free and I'm a fabby brand, but I hate that August ended up getting all the things. It was it, It was like, yay. But did he really have to get it? Like, did he really have to win? Like, did this? Did the bad guy win? I know that's how I felt the I was like. But but at least he did not end up with Sarah, because she was. Smart, Yes. Oh, her growth was amazing throughout the show. The way she stood up for herself. She's like, you need to love
you. I can't just be your emotional. Like. Human. And he, he hurt her like he, he, I was like, Oh my God. But she didn't know her words, like she didn't know her value. And she just thought, and again, because she was of a lower class and Augustus kind of kind of played with him like puppeteered her like, and there were there were moments where you can see that he really likes her. Like he he really liked her. But then he would go back and just be an asshole and I'm like.
He doesn't know how to share the spotlight. He doesn't. Know how to like? Have someone else be the center of attention and it always has to be in his best interest because I mean like the first time that they even get together is him kissing her to get to someone else. Like it was never genuine until no, he fell for her and he already did so much screwed up things into other parts of her life that it was never going to work out and I'm just glad that she did not just give in to him
like. Whenever she was just in the room, like just in the house, like a prisoner, just in like I felt like I felt bad for her because at one time like that was that was me. Like I don't want to go outside. I can't go outside. Like I don't know what's going to happen if I go outside. Like I don't want to leave my house. Like I just want to be here because it's it's just too much has happened and I just want to. And I like, like I felt, I was like, and then I just wanted to
kick August's ass. Like why? Why did you put her through through all of this mentally? Because she already felt because when they were, they were voting, voting for something. And it was all these pretty girls in, in, in, in their. Lucille thing. Yes, and, and, and, and they were like, oh, what did you want to be like? Like, like almost like laughing in her face, like, did you want to be this? Because like you can't like you, you couldn't. And I was like, don't do that to her.
Like don't make her feel like she's like ugly, which was basically what was what they were saying in her face. Like, do you want to do this? Like because you can't possibly want to be like. There's no way. OK, so let's talk about the outcome of that because Felice ends up giving Sarah the part. And yes, it was because she didn't want it in general and she was trying to go against her mom, but she knew she could have given it to anyone.
But she knew that Sarah wanted it and she deserved to be the center of attention because she's gone through so much shit in the school. Oh. My God, so much shit. I think all of the, the, the, the like, scholarship kids went the went through shit just because they were scholarship kids. Yeah. Definitely. Yeah. Because everybody saw them as other and then would automatically treat them like crap, which is what made, like, the friendships that they formed
so beautiful. And one of my favorite in the entire show was the Felice and SAR because it does start out as like, SAR is helping Felice with the horse to take care of the. Because like, SAR genuinely loves horses and places like my parents are forcing me to do this and then they form. But they do. Form a friendship. That like and I love the way it gets reconciled at the end.
Like they form a real friendship when Felice was like, I see that all of my other friends that I'm stuck with since forever because we're in the same social circles. It's just fake and it's not in depth when she's like in pain and stuff. They're just like, let's travel, let's not talk about stuff. Whereas like Sarah was like actually there for her and they actually like have a meaningful
relationship. So I love that like those two found a meaningful platonic friendship and then like Seaman and Wilhelm had like a similar kind of story where it's like they both see each other and they're real with each other, but it became romantic. So I do love that. I did like Willems and police relationship like they were like and and he was really hurt like why didn't you tell me this really. I know.
Like like why didn't you like she like she was hurt for like why like why why didn't you just tell me like I'm your best friend and I I hated but I can relate how her mom put so much pressure on her to be perfect to do this. Like it almost literally drove her insane. Like I can't, I can't be perfect. I can't be like stop it because I can't. And I just, I just felt so bad for her like the whole entire time, especially on the third season.
And I was just like, it's like her, her like whole life just got kind of and I, I just felt so, but it was, it was almost like she had no one. Yeah. Yeah, it was their. Children too. Like these are children, you know, also like. Going through all this in high school. Yes, away from home, like it's like a different type of high school too, where you're even more isolated because like you can't just go home and relax. You're like stuck with these people. You're stuck in this
environment. There is no escaping it. So to feel alone there like must have been awful for police. And then she, when she lost Sara's friendship, when they kind of parted ways for a bit, like, yeah, she was really, oh, I felt so bad for her. Can I just say I hate that? I I understand why we had to have the riff in the friendship, but I hate when shows do that 'cause I'm like, the friendship is what I love about the show. You're taking it away from me.
Like, why couldn't like? Because they were like, they were so good together. I don't understand how they didn't end up together. I understand like female friendships and everything but seriously you can't convince me that they did not end up later. After that I, I, I thought, I thought that they were like, I was like, Jesus, do it, do it, do it. But then she ended. I was like, wait, what the fuck? She came from like. I'm gonna watch it. I was. Like that's not supposed to happen.
Like who? That's why I texted the OR like do they get together? She's like wrong girls I. Wouldn't try like I, I, I, I desperately wanted them to be together. Here's what's happening though. OK, because where does where does the show end? The show ends with Julie, Sarah, Wilhelm and Simone in the car. Where do they go? Let's see, we're like, let's take a trip and they go to like France or I don't know what's next to Sweden because I don't know geography in general.
Or we go. Somewhere normally. I'm from America. I don't know. Listen, they go somewhere and then it gets all and Wilhelm and Simone are on romantic dates and then those two are like, I guess. And then they have a little bit too much wine somewhere and like they're in when? In whatever country where. And then they just like, I mean, start of a romance. I need like season 4 where like all that, like I need them to like realize I love you. I love you too, girl sex and then we're good.
That's it. It give me like 2 episodes and it's over. And then I also need the other queers you shoehorn into the finale, and also to explain them. And I just seen it this. This is why I need you to start watching Elite like mine will be like. I cannot wait and we will talk about. It it's so much gayness, it's. So oh, that's what we like. To hear, I think. The young Royals people needed to watch Heart Stopper a little more. Oh. Heart Stopper. It's Dude dude to someone like
Heart Stopper too. I like. I like all things gay. I like. My major Yes, that is why we're here. Let me tell you love, love Simon. Oh I saw the movie. I haven't seen the TV show. I heard it. I canceled but I haven't seen the show yet because life. But I heard it was really good. The movie was so cute. It's a cute story. My favorite scene was the roller coat. What? Was the Ferris wheel Ferris wheel? I was my God. I was my swift. Go to the Ferris wheel.
Please, please, please, please. It was, it was such, it was, it was so beautifully done. And then and then on the next one, like he's like, OK, so at first I wasn't out of the closet, but on the next season or whatever, like he's like they gay, like yay. OK, I gotta go watch that now too. OK so basically now I think I
figured this out. So at the end of Young Royals, they go to whatever the Sweden type of carnival is and Felice and Sara ride of Ferris wheel together and that's where they realize they get stuck at the top. It shuts. Down and the the lights are just lighting up their eyes. They're like, I feel like I'm seeing you for the very first time. Right. I, I, I feel like they both want this to happen. I've I've I feel like they both like they want this to happen and then I've literally.
Roommates. I I feel like August is going to end up being gay too. Like I just feel like. He goes to him closeted homophobia. Doesn't he like? He it's projection, your honor. He. Gives it like he. I'm going to end up with the other queer guy. There it is. I just kind of see it. I was waiting like I was, I was waiting patiently.
I was like he is going to come out like he has to come out like he has to because because like you, you, you like you would like videoing them, but you were also watching them. Yeah. Like like this. Did you know like like he was like video, but you were also watching them? Like I felt like you got enjoyment out of this. There's a reason you decided to film it. I have a question. Do you think that Wilhelm's brother was closeted and was
just two in his role? Oh, so I don't know, but I like I felt like he always knew that Willem was gay. Like he he just kind of was dropping like hints. Like yeah, like you can tell me. Like just tell me because because I already know. Because like sometimes like older, older siblings that you're close to, like they already know, but I maybe maybe they were both gay because like you didn't see the like older older brother with the woman either. Yeah, that is true.
That is true. Yeah. And there's clearly love between the two of them. Like, I mean, we see the whole thing from, like, Willem's point of view. We don't really see Eric's point of view, but like, clearly, like, he really loved his brother. So like what you're saying is
totally plausible. I felt, I felt like he knew and the way that he would defend him with his mom, Like I, I, I felt like he knew, but I, I feel like also it was a lot of pressure for Willem to be Eric. Like you like you need to be like him because he was. Immediately. He he was the poster child for all things Arroyo. So and it was like Eric is going now. So you have to take his place. And William was like, I don't even want that role because I don't even want this.
Like I thought that Eric was going to be here forever. So he was going to have to like, I don't even want this job. Like I don't even want to do this. And he like I just felt like how they handled everything wasn't like you could have hand handled it better. Like I I understand that the like video made the family look bad but I mean. It wasn't his. Fault. Yeah. It's not like he did that on purpose, August.
Is it like is and I don't even know like what the well I I do like August. August was jealous of William from the likes. And immediately. So he was waiting on something to get dirt on him and that was the perfect thing. But I was just like why? Why try and ruin his life? I do love that August now has to feel the guilt because Wilhelm had his family pay for August's education. What? That, and that's what I could not understand. Like these people are paying for and you have the audacity.
He didn't know at the time, though. And I was like, yeah, like we like we're funding you bitch, because you're broke. Like, yeah, like we're, we're not, I mean, like we, we didn't want to, you know, embarrass you, but you're broke, homie. Like you're broke. So, I mean, and even when he like found out that that he was broke, like he still kind of walked around with airs like, yeah, yeah, I'm like better than you. No, But you're not, no. You're like, really?
Really not. I just really need like a Season 4, yeah. I think we already. Talked about it. Share that sentiment. I feel like I like season 4 is a must because we we know that Willem and Simone are are living happily ever after. So so we don't need to really touch on them like we can kind of, you know, get updates on them, but I really want the like Sarah and Phillies love story just to happen. Yes, and and I just need like another gay couple, another gay
guy couple like I need. No, we need a spin off young Royals. Just the queers. Yeah, no, for real. That, that would, that would be hilarious. But I, I do feel like you feel like there's way more queers at that school. And. Willem and Willem and Simone was kind of like token ones and like and like, slowly but surely like other people are going to come out. Oh yeah, I want that story. Like I want that school. Like, I want them to come out and do this little queer dance
break or something. Like they always. Do. Oh no. Have you? Have you ever dabbled into the fan fiction world? No. OK, because that is the perfect way to have your favorite show continue and see what you want. Either you write it or you just read other people's. It's the best. Like it's the way that the show lives on. And if you have not discovered that world yet, I think we need to share that with you. Yes, because there are so many shows that end in a fucked up way and I'm like yes.
No, there's definitely at least five different alternate endings within a week of that show ending if you did not, yeah. If it's fucked up, yeah, that's what it's fucked up. Because because I was like, why would you end it like that? Well, it should have ended like this, like this. This is how it should have ended because how y'all ended it was was wrong and I don't like it and I need I desperately need This is a way off subject but I definitely need like a young
queer vampire series. Oh. My God, yes. First kill. OK, yes, I. Had that to continue because that was. Great, but it cancelled and. I was, I know. Yep. Theor was really pissed. I was getting into it, it was so. Good. Oh my. God, even that the first episode I was like. Oh, there there was. That's that's enough. We. You fucked a. Vampire Hunter. I am a vampire. We're not supposed to be together. They're so fun.
Like I loved it and then I heard it was cancelled now why is it like it was so good it. Was so good. And the like, moms were like, we could we we're not even having this because I don't understand, because you're supposed to be a killer like killer. Oh my God, the families in that show are also great. There's so much good stuff going on. OK, I know that this is slightly off topic. I promise I will bring it back really quickly, Theora, but I need to ask, have you seen
Teenage Bounty Hunters then? No, I thought like brief briefly, like my, my, my wife watched it all. So like I would go in in there and like watch it whenever she she was in there, but I didn't watch the whole entire thing. Why is it good? It's so amazing. It did get cancelled on a big cliffhanger, but you know what? I still think it's worth it. It's amazing. Though I love it so much no one's seen it.
Why it got cancelled? I just, I just hate when like all of the good shows get cancelled. Oh. My God. And that is why we will introduce you to fan fiction. I will message you. And listen, I I need these shows to live on because why are they and. And it seems like all of the good gay shows get cancelled. Agreed. We just did an episode on that. You have a whole episode coming out about really. Because yes. Because there was a Cancel your queers. I, I, I cannot remember what it
was called. Oh, I can't remember, but he was a superhero and it was it was a a black superhero young and he's like fashion sense was out of this world and he happened to to be gay. The the like first season was awesome like he. Sounds so good. Like what? What is this? I will I will find out and I will message you. Like his like fashion sense was so amazing. Like he lived in his big mansion and he was like gay gay. And then the season just cancelled on on a cliffhanger
and it's like no cliffhanger. It is gone. I sense a lot of messaging in our future. Because the the the amount of gay shit I watch. All right, But to bring it back to Young Royals, I want to go back to Eric real quick because the reason that I think he might be closeted and just why I'm not acting on it and comfortable with it is because he was part of the hazing with August and part of that hazing was the gay porn.
So he was embarrassed by it, but I think that was also his way to get other people's reactions to it. Oh, you might be right. That's a good point. I like how you think. Thank you. I like how you think. Oh, So what if he was? But I think he was, he was so much a family man and so much in his role that I don't think it even bothered him that he'd have to be closeted. Yeah. Like, he was just like, this is what I was born to be like
because he was the first born. So he's known since he was born that this was his role. And he, he, he, he wore it well. Like he, he was like, OK, well, this is like he was, he was groomed to be that. Yes. So it's like he really didn't have room to to be anything else and he didn't really want want to be because he was brainwashed for pretty much like this is who I am where?
And it's, it's sadder that like, now that he's gone, him and Wilhelm, like, if this is all true, they never would ever get to bond over this, which is really sad, you know? And what, what they, they like kind of started leaning towards a bond. And I was like, oh, and then he died and I was like, yeah, yeah. And he was messed up. I know I understand for drama why it happened, but like, it's really sad because like, they could have had so much.
And then it leaves Wilhelm with this whole thing of being like, would my brother have ever accepted me? And he'll never really have the answer to that question, which like I feel like would eat up a part of him forever because like, it's just you'll never have the answer to that question. And. And then like, think about like, OK, I'm I'm just entering into this gate lifestyle. My best friend no longer wants to speak to me. I don't have my brother. I can't really talk to my family.
You know, Simone is like back, back and forth because of me. So who do I really have to talk to? Like I'm trying to navigate through all this the best way I can by myself. Like, imagine how hard it was for Willem. Like yeah for. Sure. Simone was like, oh, I know who who I am. Like I go to gay clubs. Like I like this is this, this is my life. And William was like, I don't, I don't even know what to do right now. Yeah, it's I don't even know.
How to see those were like he he he's the only person he can really talk to is Simone and it like when it's the only person you really talk to about like your queerness is your partner like that puts more pressure on the part even that. He put pressure on him. Right. Versus like Simon had his two friends that, like, were very loving, very supportive. It probably helped him through that when he was figuring his stuff out.
One of them was also queer. So like, he had people to talk to. So yeah, you're right. William is even more isolated. He's bombs. Yeah. So it's like, it's like I thought that because you can tell his like mental health was wavering and I thought that they were going to dig deeper into that aspect of it because it did affect him mentally.
It did affect him emotionally. And I felt that and I was like, what they I wish that they that they would have dug a little bit deeper, even in Simone's case, because it also affected him as well. Like it affect like he was quit questioning. He was second guessing himself and he's open and he was kind of second guessing himself, like there's something wrong with me. And like that that that's something that doesn't get really touched on and talked
about. And I wish that they would have dozed just a little bit deeper in it. But. Yeah, I agree. They like did kind of bring in like the counselor slot line a bit, but you're right, they didn't, I feel like they didn't use it enough. They kind of did it with like the Eric grief a little bit, but not really like Wilhelm's like mental health when it came to like coming out and dealing with all of that. You're right, that would have been really interesting to explore.
But yeah. Because because they really didn't want to touch on it. They they like really didn't. They really didn't want to even acknowledge like they made that boy do a, a press conference on that. They they like want, wanted him to get up there and say that that wasn't even me. Like this never happened. Like I, I, I, I don't know who. OK, but can we can we talk about when he was like he had at the end of season 2 when he gave the speech, she's like, Nope, it was me and he just.
Owned it. So great. I was like. Yes. Because that was so great. Because at first he denied, denied, denied, denied. And I was like you little, like I was very mad at him because I was like, well, you could have just said because you broke Simone, like you broke him because he was in love with you and you broke him. And like, you can hurt people, but don't break them. You like you denied me in my face. Like that's that's another level of hurt. Yeah. Like borderline abusive.
Yes. And then you kept like playing with him. Like even like even after that you still wanted to be Oh well, we, we can still call and we can still talk. You just denied me in public, but you still want to have dealings with me. Like no, like who do you? Who do you think I am? His actions were definitely wrong. I part of me, he was really trying to get his mom back because as soon as Eric died, she was gone. Like he lost a brother and a mother. Because that, that was, that was her.
They, they didn't put as much effort into Willem. He was the spare, as they did with Eric. Yeah. Because they. The spare, not the air. That's how that saying goes, the air and the spare when you have two boys. Yeah, yeah. And Willem was the fair, like they like they really put a lot into air. Like he was up here and Willem was somewhere just dangling. So it's, it's almost like his mom put so much effort into Eric, like she didn't know how to love Willem.
Did she even know him either? It was like the other thing, you know, did she know him? And maybe this was like them getting to know each other in this, like, fucked up, weird way through all this, like, drama, you know, because you're right. She probably spent so much time because he's like, it's basically like, it's a job thing. It's like, well, you're going to take over the company, family
business when I'm gone. So she probably had to spend so much time with him just from that point of view. So then, yeah, that's why William is like, I'm going clubbing and fucking shit up or whatever and they're like, you need to get out of the spotlight and going to school and. Nobody ever questioned him. That had bothered me too. Nobody ever asked him. Why did you act out like that? Yeah, totally. It's just hide hide the bad behavior, not. We're going to just move you.
We're, we're, we're, we're, we're not. We're not going to have a discussion as to why. What caused you to act like this? What caused you to act out? We're just going to so many families raise his hand because mine does the exact same thing. It's easier to sweep it under the rug than to address it. Yes. And it just snowballs into bigger issues. And then they're like, well, I don't understand why this happened.
What if you would have addressed it from the beginning, but it's easier for families to just let me just cover this up and then we're going to move on and we're going to act like this didn't happen. So we're not going to talk talk about it. We're not. We're just going to move on and you're going to be OK because you don't have a choice. You're going to be OK. I went through that growing up like I was.
I could not talk about how I felt and if something happened, it was like, oh, you're going to be OK, you're going to be fine, just go ahead and move on. So I had to have a thick skin and I walked around like this and the whole time I tried to commit suicide twice. And I'm still walking because that's how I was trained. Willem was trained to do and be exactly that. So you never really saw him break even when he needed to, even when he needed to break down. But he couldn't because he
didn't really know how. Like he didn't really know how to let that that happen. Simone did because he grew up in a very nurturing home. He had friends, so he was allowed to have those moments. William was never allowed. So he didn't really know how to break down. Like he didn't really know how to dig deep into himself. And I think that that that probably, well, it caused it to be worse for like a minute because he didn't know where to put his emotions. Like what?
What? Where do I put this? I think he also doesn't know just the way his mom doesn't know him. I think he also doesn't know who he is because he's being forced essentially into a box of be those be the good family member or whatever and just stay there and be quiet until we need you kind of thing. And like he, he never had the freedom to explore who he is, to be in touch with his wants and needs.
And so when his life comes crack, like, flips on its head, and he's suddenly like the Crown Prince, like, it makes it all worse because now he's being forced down a path he knows he doesn't want. But like, who? Who am I at the end of the day? Yeah. Like just just imagine if if everything was done for you, like even everything that you say is like written down for for you to to say. And then all of a sudden you have to think for for yourself. Yeah, that's a good point.
That's what. I don't know how, because what about like you Just you're like that, that Mama bird that just pushed me off a tree limb and said fly. So true. I don't know. Yeah. So like, he's got a fumble and fuck shit up and like, because he's just yeah, he's learning how to fly or walk on his own 2 feet for the very first time and like, and but there's still rules to what he's allowed to do. So it's like weird. He can't just like fully explore what he wants.
And they're like, they get to a point in the show where he basically he's going to go train for his job finally. And like him and Simone get in this fight where Simone's like, well, you know, you're going to get a good job and blah, blah, blah. And what are you worrying about? And he's like, no, I'm being, I'm being told what I'm doing. I get to pick a charity, but like, I'm being forced to do the charity. It's not. I don't have options here. So it's like a different, he
doesn't get to explore anything. It's like he's like you're like, here's the lane, stay in the lane. You get to you get to choose what color. That's it, That's it. OK. And. I would have loved to see him actually do the LGBTQ. Yeah, that would have. Been cool. Maybe that could be season 4 that he does do like well, we don't see it's not focused on that. It's still focused on the other queers we don't know anything about.
But like, he opens like a LGBTQ Community Center and like, that's where they all go and hang out. That will help out or fund or. That'd be so awesome though. That'd be so awesome. Like are are they are they have like they, they, they start this like club at at school for all the like queer, queer kids. I'd be like, I'm like. Half the school shows up in the 1st. Like like literally half the the like school hey.
They're like I know it. All right, so if someone's listening to this, someone write this fan fiction and then send it. Please, yes, please, because. Because we. Yeah. Because I I need. I need it. Yeah, I, I need more of it. I need, I need more of it because I need them to have this whole little queer thing at school and I need them to have pride at the school. Yeah, Oh my God, could you imagine with their money? Like that'd be like a sick pride.
I need, I need pride, I need, I need a lesbian club. That's who. Because why the? Lesbian horseback riding club. Let's like, where's that? Let's go. Instead of like dykes on bikes, it's like posh lesbians on horses like that lead the Pride parade. Oh my God, could you imagine? Yes, that'd be great. Yes. And the police and Sara can lead it, but their horse, they can
ride the horse together. So a question do you feel like, because I feel like other than the L word, which is my favorite, favorite, favorite series of all time? Classic. It's like they don't really have a whole lot of lesbians series. It's like only men can be gay. Like what? What? What about us like we need? Theory. Boy, do we have a world for you. OK. Yes, we've discovered the secret of this. Oh my. God yes. Oh, we have you covered. So if you do not mind subtitles.
No. Thailand. Thailand. Is the best country for lesbian well girl love shows? Seriously. It is. Holy. Queer like multiple plot lines, but I mean it's usually focuses around this couple basically, but the side characters there's also queerness going on. It's great we got. We have a whole list. For you if you're. Sick. Because because it's like where where are all of the lesbian series? Like I need more and I. Don't need on YouTube as well.
Yeah, like I don't, I don't need like a dash of like lesbianism, like I need a whole storyline. Like I need more L word type shit because who does not love the L word? Messy queers, Yes, okay. Here's the was a must when you first come out already. It's like the lesbian Bible. Did you first come out okay? Series of the L Word and. And we'll talk about what's realistic and what isn't. You need to just watch this anyway.
But OK. Well, like messy queers, because I feel like oftentimes we get shows where like the queer people have to be like portrayed as like pure and like good. And you can't be flawed. And it's like, no, like, give me the stuff where they're just ridiculous adults just. Fucking shit up drama. I love messy queer drama. Yeah, it's so fun. So does that make me like a messy queer because I. We are all messy queers because we're. Humans, it's great.
Exactly exactly. Humans are messy creatures, so like just lead into it. It's more fun. It is like like a messy queer like. AI love it. So something that I really liked in Young Royals that I've seen with non American media in general is that all these characters look like real people and no one is expected to basically look like models. And in American media, tons of makeup is used to cover up any imperfections like you. Yeah, like that.
You're not allowed to show any scars, any acne, anything. Go right. And the same is true for Thai media, because they start with models. Because like Willem, Willem had a case of of, of like acting, going on which and yeah. And they just like. Office just gets a bunch of work done like in general. I mean. He's like he himself would not let him look like a normal person. That's what makes him unlikable. It it does. And I, I love how Sarah kind of kind of had like she had that
girl next door. Look. Oh yeah, she does. Like she just had that girl, like, like, like I would, I would be her friend. Like I I would be her friend. Like she she just gave like I I can be comfortable just talking to you. Yeah. Like, yeah. So I I do like how they use real people. Now when you watch Elite, it's a little different. I mean pretty people. I mean, everyone is very pretty. They are pretty. They they are pretty people. They're they're like really pretty people.
And I'm just like, so you're all pretty well. No, no, I lied because one of them, I wanted to take a razor because he has a ridiculous unibrow. And the whole season I was like, I just want to what? Like why are they not plucking this? And it's so thick. OK, please please start watching Elite today. I'm going to underline it, I promise it is on our list. Because. Because I need to come back and we need to discuss it. Because we need to discuss it. We. Will we will. It's gonna happen.
'Cause it's like the best. But again, my like a wife doesn't watch it with me because she doesn't like subtitles and she doesn't like when their mouth doesn't match. So yeah. That is why we're here, Theora's wife. They don't always watch the same things either, so we watch it together. How long have have you been married 5? Years. Five years. Yeah. Yeah, I just tried to do the math. Five years, yes. I've been married 10 years and today's the What today is the.
24th. Tomorrow we will have been together for 14 years. Wow, Oh my God. Congratulations. Congratulations. Yes, thank you I'm so excited yes tomorrow 14 long years and been married for 1033 kids and two grandbabies and the Partridge in the in the pantry so. Living the queer dream. I'm loving, yes. That's awesome. Thank you. We we need we need to have those kind of convos how queer marriages outlast. Never mind. OK, let's. I don't think we're.
In general, we do need queer stories that span age ranges, relationship ranges. Like we are very much lacking. I mean, yeah, cuz like, you want to be able to see, for me, at least, the shows that I watched, I can only imagine, like, what the next maybe 10 years would look like. But past that, I'm like, what does a lesbian relationship even look like? Cuz. As you grow. What? What was the show? Oh my gosh, it was on free form. Did they like adopted all kind of kids?
Oh, the Fosters. Yes, yes, I love that. I loved their marriage. It would. I love, I love how beautiful it was as I love how they went through the ups and downs and it was a real marriage. I would love seeing more of that. Honestly, that show made me be able to see my future because I was like, I I want kids, but I don't really know how anything would work. I can't really see my future.
And then I like saw this show and I'm like, this is so beautiful and something that like I could actually like see for myself later in life and I just it was beautiful. I think I, yeah, I want to see more shows like that that shows healthy queer relationships, healthy. Like I feel like Willem and Simone will like they like they will have a healthy queer relationship, like they will move forward. Like I need to see this when they're in college. Right.
I I college and beyond, yeah. I I need to see young Royals college years like and know that they're still. We are college years. Yeah, and they're, and they're still together. They're like thriving. They're doing like, I need to see that because it's like so, so, so many. Like we don't, we don't get to see a happily ever after or, or what happens next? Yeah, a lot of it's like the a lot of it's like high school, which there's only so much you could do with characters in high
school. OK, first of all, 'cause they're not super independent. Exactly. It's the falling in love part and then it the story usually ends there, but it's like that's not the full story. That's like a piece of it. Like what happens after when you're together 'cause that's a whole different phase of like life and being in a relationship. It's different problems disappear when you actually. Get together and and and it just seems like it's drama. Unrealistic. It is.
But because now you have this unrealistic expectation of how queer love is going to be and when reality, when you realize, OK, this is not like this. Like I'm like, I'm not going to be on a Ferris wheel waiting on my one true love to like show up. Like it doesn't happen like that in real life. So I think that they need to give real life series and movies about like this, this, this, this is what really happens. Like, yeah, we we do have this
love story. But after that, like when you like when you leave the, the like cap of the tube tuba toothpaste or like what? Like what? What happens? When you're fighting over who's making dinner because everybody's tired, like those things, Yeah. What does the partnerships look like? Not just the beginning of the romance. Right.
I want to show where the main is trying to figure out love for the first time in like late 20s or like later in life because so much cuz like growing up I thought I had to have everything figured out in high school and at that point I didn't even accept myself. I didn't realize that I was a lesbian and I was so I am overweight.
I've in my head because of all the things I've seen on TV, I was like, if a guy comes up to me and asks me out, it's definitely only because someone's putting him up to it and it's a joke so I'm going to say no to anything. Obviously it didn't happen anyway and like thank God. But and I've still, I've never had a relationship. So everything on TV makes you seem like you have to have everything figured out by now or else you're a loser.
They you are absolutely right, Like I, I need to see some somebody like bipolar and like fucking like. Right, somebody realistic is going therapy, trying to figure their shit out like. That is relatable. That has like manic episodes at times. Like I don't have my shit, my shit right and somebody still wants my ass like this and have and have them be able to work with that person so they can grow together.
That's what happened. I don't I don't know why the fuck my wife is still married to me like. I mean, everybody in there just. Wasn't like, I don't know why she's. Still, are you OK? But she she has to have a lot of patience. And I wish that we had a reality show so people can see the shit that we go through on a regular piece, you know, because people think that Oh my God, like you're like couple, couple goals and you're also happy together. And it's like, yeah, we are.
But what you don't see if it took a long time for us to get here and to. There's always more going on than people will see in general because even if you share bad things, there's still so much going on. Like you, you can only see so much of somebody's life and and you shouldn't see the whole thing because you know, privacy. So like, you can't ever really know someone just because of
social media. Yeah, they and they also need need to talk about once you are married past the 5-6 year mark, that lesbian bed death is a real thing. But it's a real. Marriage just has phases and stuff and like, you would never know from media. I mean, media is just like depicting a window of time, but like, you know, it's a whole, there's a whole plethora of stories left untold different phases of life and marriages and
things like that. That would be interesting because we're always at the beginning or never really in the middle of a story, or never towards the end. And that's it. Like it's, it's just always oh, and then they got together and they lived happily ever after for about two weeks. Right, exactly 2. Weeks Ciara so. There's a thing in media that everything happens either within two days or two weeks, maybe two months, but it's always in twos. Like was in twos. Oh, well, yeah. Because I yeah.
Because when I got with my wife, I, I, you hauled her in two weeks and in and in two, two months. We were living together against her will, but she was there. All right, so anything, any final thoughts about young Royals in general? If you are struggling with coming out, if you're in the closet, if, if, if you're dealing with how to navigate through being queer or you just don't know who to talk to or how. This movie, this series touches on all these things.
So I feel like it's a must watch for anybody who is either in the closet or is just coming out. I feel like this is a must see. Definitely so. I agree I agree and if you like forbidden romances and the will they won't they and how do they navigate the spotlight and really good like supporting characters. Must. See. Must see so if you if you have like a little secret side piece, this is something that y'all
should do together. This is something you should definitely watch with your like secret side piece. Let's watch it and and then maybe we'll like end up like them in the end. Oh my God. Well, thank you so, so much for joining us today. This was so much fun for our listeners at home who are just getting to know you. How can they connect with you on the Internet like social? Media on TikTok, on Instagram, on Facebook, on all things social media.
You can find me under Alethea Crimmins and I also have a website iamalethea.com. Awesome. So make sure to connect with Alethia and we will be back to talk about other things. With you so. Stay tuned for that. But for now, that concludes our discussion of Young Royals. Let us know what you guys thought about it in the comments. If you have any other recommendations for things for us to watch and discuss, let us know. And until next time, make sure to hydrate for lesbian Jesus.
And get it up all over the place. Bye. And with that, we've been big gay energy. Thank you for listening. We'd really appreciate it if you downloaded this episode and left us a review. No matter how brief, your contribution will help us reach a wider audience. We would love to hear from you about everything and anything. You can find us on all social media platforms at Big Gay Energy Pod or e-mail us at Big Gay Energy [email protected].
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