There was a royal birthday party on The Royals this week which proved that sometimes, having money doesn’t mean your happy. This was honestly the first episode this season that really went somewhere intriguing for me, so I really hope they keep up the momentum.

Mandy, who we all know is really Samantha Jasper’s ex (or current) con-artist GF, has been sleeping her way into the princesses’ life. When she found out it was her birthday, she saw it as the perfect opportunity to steal the people’s diamond… after she persuaded her to convince the monarchy to let her wear it for the night. Then, to get on Eleanor’s good graces, she threw her a huge and not boring party that was reminiscent of the birthday party her father once threw her. Too bad that it would all be one horrible memory by the end of the night.

I’m surprised Jasper didn’t say anything at all to Eleanor before trying to stop Mandy, who successful switched out Eleanor’s expensive diamond with a fake. Although I knew he would step up cause there is no way he’d risk his job and the possible future with the princess for some money. Somewhere along the way, Jasper got morals. Eleanor walked in on him trying to stop Mandy and when he smashed the fake diamond, she pretty much shut down. Knowing that the person who made her “happy” really only wanted to steal from her was a low blow. Even worse, when she handed over the diamond earrings, Mandy took them without hesitation. “She’s a princess, she’ll get over it,” is a wicked way to think about anyone. She’s a good con-artist. And while it seemed like Jasper was going to run away with her, he actually tried to stop her. In the end, he stood guard over Eleanor, who drowned her sorrows in a liquor and a bumper car. In One Tree Hill, my favorite character was Peyton, the girl who said “people always leave.” In The Royals, Eleanor is the British version of her… only much more effed up emotionally.

As for the other twin, Liam spent most of his birthday enjoying himself with the new girl, Wilhelmina, who is a temporary replacement for Ophelia. Anyone else thought that when Liam said he’d meet her in the shower that Ophelia would walk in and totally make him forget about the other girl? Sadly, that didn’t happen and she’s still happy in New York. Can’t say that I miss her either… this new girl has spunk and fervor, plus she knows a lot of important people.

Unfortunately for her, Liam never quite made it for that shower and definitely left her hanging. When Len lit the party on fire and the sprinklers came down, Liam had a brief awakening. The girl at the party, which he briefly bumped into, is actually the girl that put the “domino” necklace on his the night his father died. When he tries to stop her, she tells him they’re being watched. Hm… who is she working for? And why did she leave the symbol on him?

And Queenie decided to skip her twins’ birthday’s and drown in her own sorrows as she mourned Alistair Lacey. But surprise- Alistair isn’t really dead!!!! Yeah, I thought she was hallucinating off the good weed to but apparently, he is alive, well and totally done with her. He asks her if the twins are his, but she’s really unsure, so he hands her over a bloody cloth so that she can get the DNA test. Truthfully, I think she knows they are his kids, but why won’t she just tell him? He leaves her with a bit of advice –  enjoy time with the only two people that are still around because without them, she’s all alone. It’s really quite sad to see how one can be so powerful, but so lonely. Seems to be a common theme in this household. Will she tell Len to follow her heart and forgive Jasper? Something tells me she sees herself and Alistair in that relationship.

Before her emotional meeting with her ex-lover that was good enough for some Adele music in the background, Queen Helena got the succession changed. With King Cyrus dying and his daughters deemed unfit to rule, she was that much closer to the throne. But after her meeting with Alistair, it’s safe to wonder if she even wants the throne anymore? And of course the fact that Cyrus is planning on proposing to Violet, his new squeeze that he brought to the opera as arm candy. Did she really change him? Why is he so invested in her? Is it because she sees something in him that he wants the people to see? After all, he knows that he’s having a baby with Prudence. I wouldn’t be surprised if these two were working against him and trying to take over the crown. Never, ever underestimate the help!

What do you think of this season so far?