Be honest, guys, did Maxton Hall Season 2, Episode 6 come too quickly? Because if anyone is feeling like it did, it’s me. I’m someone who grew up with 20–24 episode series and loved it through and through, then 10 episodes all at once, then back to every week—but seemingly now we only have 6–8 episodes? But episode six wraps up season 2 of Maxton Hall, and oh boy, do I have thoughts.
I can sadly say this came to a fast end, and it makes me so bittersweet. I thought I’d hate the last episode because I felt like the season was already moving fast. But I literally loved it so much and couldn’t imagine a more perfect ending to Season 2. It’s like I didn’t have many questions, but so many all at once. They didn’t need to be answered, which made the feeling even stranger.
One thing I am left with— and I’m sure many of you are too–is this: I hate Mortimer. Nothing that man does will ever make me forgive him.
I don’t have to tell you how good the last episode is, but I will anyway.
Love Against the Odds
Ruby and James never cease to amaze me, and Harriet Herbig-Matten and Damian Hardung are the perfect Ruby and James. They bring the characters to life every episode. I never have to doubt the love they have for each other or the fight they put into their relationship, especially this finale.
In the past few episodes, we have clearly seen James fight for their relationship, most especially due to Mortimer. That man simply cannot give up because of what? Other than power over his own children, what is the point in ruining Ruby Bell?
We learn more about Mortimer and see his undying power and control over them. This has been a theory and not in the books, but I just have to believe Percy is the father, and James and Lydia will get away from Mortimer. Did you guys see him at the grave and the parallel to James– that’s a hint if I’ve ever seen one. In Season 1, the theories stemmed from his being close to Cordelia and how protective he always seemed toward Lydia and James. I just have to believe it, at least for now. I cannot fathom seeing them suffer any longer.
Back to Ruby and James—I love them, but my hope for them goes down every episode. I can’t imagine how Ruby feels, loving James so much but having to face his “consequences” for being involved with her. It doesn’t make their relationship any easier.
What makes their relationship different and deeper this season is how they carry the weight of everything that’s happening. James is fighting to hold onto them — and honestly to hold onto himself — while Ruby can feel her future slipping away. She tries so hard not to give up, but especially at the end, it’s like she finally breaks because everything keeps getting worse. She’s terrified of losing everything she’s worked for, especially at the beginning of this episode, but she’s also scared of losing him. And yet, she’ll choose him every time. That’s what makes their relationship feel so real and so earned.
We Are Not Alone
This episode makes it so clear how deeply Mortimer’s influence reaches. We see he not only has something to do with Ruby’s scholarship, her parents’ bakery, but also her expulsion. I already had a feeling that the photo the principal received had to be the one taken in Season 1—Lydia and Graham seemed too obvious.
I will never understand why everyone blames Ruby for making everything go wrong, as if she had any part in that. Like, maybe you guys are the ones throwing your futures in the trash, especially Cyril. I feel like he will have something to do with Lydia and Graham’s secret getting out next season. He has a photo, after all. Maybe he sent it to Elaine.
Now, about Mortimer himself… I have so many things to say. It’s so clear that a part of him—the part before the chaos—loved their mother. There was love behind his eyes when he officially met Ruby, but now there’s only control.
He blames everything wrong on Ruby, like she single-handedly ruined the Beaufort empire. James wanted nothing to do with the Beaufort empire—and yet Mortimer thinks he did? He completely ruined Ruby’s chances at Oxford with one photo. And yes, I love James, but he literally took the photo, and this wouldn’t be happening if he didn’t. But because I dislike Mortimer so much—and he sent the photo out—I blame him entirely.
Not only that, but he bought her parents’ bakery. He will stop at nothing to ruin her and her family right alongside her. He is taking Ruby down one block at a time. Seeing her completely distraught at the end– because the photo was out, she was expelled, and every dream she’s worked for was gone in one swift swoop— completely broke me.
And James can’t do anything about it. I think this is the episode where he realizes that his father has so much power over him that it might be too late to get out of it. It’s affecting everyone around him, and I feel like he’s going to try and pull away from Ruby next season. And that’ll hurt all over again. I feel like he’s going to blame himself for all that happening, and I only want happiness next season–thank you.
A Well-Written, Fully Realized Character
Now, Ruby Bell— I will die on the hill that she is such a well-written character. She feels so real, and we’ve seen so much growth from her this season. Especially this episode, where everything seems to be wrapped up, because she’s not the same girl from episode one and realizes that she doesn’t have to be perfect, scholarship or not.
I’ve always liked Ruby, regardless of what people have to say, and it lies in her genuine character. She does have flaws—everyone does—and maybe that’s what makes Ruby and James such a distinct couple. This season made me see both of them so differently from Season 1. James being the obvious one. He no longer cares only for himself but now for Ruby and their relationship.
He has flaws, and he’ll probably mess up in the future, but he promises every time to soften her and help her grow—as she does the same. They’re a perfect balance to one another, which makes their love seem real every episode. You can feel how deeply they care for one another, no matter the cost.
Lydia’s New Beginning
We didn’t see much of Lydia this episode, sadly. But somehow I can see a kind of shadow being cast over her—a good one, if that’s even possible.
Graham is there for her. He doesn’t need a career to be there for her. He just needs her and their babies, and that’s all he’ll ever need.
Although I’m not as supportive of the age gap, it’s sweet to see that after all the trauma Lydia has gone through, she has him, Ruby, and James. She’s unapologetically herself and just needs someone to understand that—with all the baggage. I hope Graham and Lydia last next season, and that whatever is coming for them isn’t horrible… but who am I kidding? It’ll probably be just that. I’m just hoping the series doesn’t romanticize the age gap—because surely we’ve seen that happen in other shows.
I also feel like, for the first time this season, we saw Lydia take control—not just for herself but for her future. She didn’t want to be the new face of Beaufort anymore, because they were far from the future she wanted.
Loose Ends & Season 3 Fears
There are some lingering questions I’m hoping Season 3 will finally wrap up. For one, Elaine didn’t have much of a place in the books, but with how much she was mentioned this episode – and the fact we’ve seen more of her than usual– part of me feels like she’ll play a bigger part next season.
And perhaps Cyril. I feel like he did send the photo to Elaine, and that will only be worse when people find out Ruby wasn’t the one, but Lydia was. And the fact that they’re dealing with the will stuff is just enough on my poor girl’s plate.
Also, Cyril had a big part in the books and seemingly leaks information about Graham and Lydia, which I’ll only assume will happen next season. Maybe not? If he does, I don’t feel bad about him losing that game. After all, he couldn’t get into college without the stats from lacrosse, and he lost it all and still blamed Ruby. Like… I’m sorry, what? Make it make sense.
Final Thoughts
There was a lot in Episode 6, and I can’t seem to wrap my head around a lot of it. But one thing I know is that next season may ruin me or put me back together in one piece. There is no in-between. I know it’s going to be as heartbreaking as this season—maybe even worse—but I’ll be there streaming away.
James and Ruby have my heart, and Damian and Harriet did a phenomenal job portraying the characters and their feelings so well. It’s beyond me how I could picture anybody else doing so. Their love onscreen is one of a kind and only done by actors who feel these characters as much as we do.
If you’re as excited for Season 3 and need it as badly… we’re in the same boat.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Maxton Hall Season 2, Episode 6? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
All episodes of Maxton Hall are now streaming on Prime Video.
