Well here we are. Another day and a brand new television show to drool over. Not just because it has a star studded cast (though that is a big draw), but in part because of its amazing setting and cinematography. Yes, I know that it takes a lot to put a show together and every single person on Palm Royale deserves to be celebrated.
Because the show is just that fantastic.
Way back in 1969, Maxine Simmons wants nothing more than to fit in. She’s new to town and she knows exactly what she wants to do – belong to the Palm Royale. She wants to be part of the elite, even though I can say this – they’re a f**king nightmare.
In Palm Beach it’s a matter of what you do. The women of Palm Beach want to be the volunteer of the year, which Evelyn Rollins has won many years in a row. That being said, Allison Janney kills it as Rollins, but also makes me think of rich women as a nightmare, with definitely something to hide.
This year though, Dinah has taken that honor away from her. Dinah, the woman with more to hide than anyone it seems. Dinah is the ambassadors wife, who is having an affair with the tennis instructor. She’s making sure that everyone is jealous of her, but she’s a miserable woman. You play her well Leslie Bibb.
It doesn’t take long for Maxine to realize that secrets are currency in this town. Everyone assumes that she’s a liar – because she says that she’s a Dellacorte – one of the most prestigious families in Palm Beach. They assume that she is lying and well, the people at the club do too.
But the thing about Maxine, who is played by Kristen Wiig is that she’s a go getter. She sets her mind to something and she is definitely not going to stop. It may cost $30,000 dollars to join the club, but she’s definitely going to find a way to do that. I firmly believe that if it wasn’t for Wiig playing this part, it wouldn’t be as amazing.
Wiig is a fantastic actor and well, I love her. But this character feels so unique and the way that she brings Maxine Simmons to life has me questioning what she can’t do.
Maxine may not be accepted by society, but when she catches Dinah having an argument with a man who is not her husband, she realizes that she can use this. You can’t help but laugh when she says that it’s gotta be handled with care, but she instead stages a car accident.
While I didn’t expect Dinah and Maxine to find a way to open up to each other, they did. Maxine finds a way to help Dinah get an abortion (by reaching out to a woman she met on the street, Linda) and she thinks that will get her where she needs to be. But Dinah, who legitimately is the worst, won’t do it. She won’t sponsor her and she instead turns it on Maxine.
The thing about Maxine, she may not be a person that you can figure out, but she does turn out to be honest about one thing – she is a Dellacorte. She’s been visiting her mother in law in her home and borrowing her things, as well as selling some of them to get the life that she wants.
And then, her husband, Douglas shows up and Dinah is put in her place. God, I love Josh Lucas. It doesn’t matter what character he’s playing, he always comes correct and at the best time.
While I don’t think anyone expected Maxine to be telling the truth about anything (I didn’t), I do love that as simple as this first episode was, it sets up for so many variables coming up. The drama is set to unfold and everyone is betting against Maxine.
But you know, here’s the thing… when someone is knocked down, the only thing to do is head up.
Meet the newest Palm Royale member, Maxine.
OTHER THOUGHTS
- Love Ricky Martin – his character cracks me up because he’s legit like IDGAF, but also I am a soldier and will f*** you up
- Maxine Simmons is an odd character
- Leslie Bibb shines in a way I didn’t expect her to, but I love that I hate her character so much
- Is there anything that Allison Janney can’t do
- I couldn’t survive the 60’s
- The way that they offer little easter eggs throughout the episode is something that I die for
Palm Royale is streaming now on Apple TV+.