Apple TV’s Palm Royale Season 2 is back with even more glitz, gossip, and golden-era glamour — but also a noticeable spike in chaos. Building on the cliffhanger of its debut season, the show leans heavily into melodrama, camp, and high-society scheming. While the visual opulence is still intact, the narrative feels like it’s balancing on a high heel — stylish, but often unsteady. Fans of season one will find familiar faces, bigger plot swings, and some truly outlandish twists, but will the heightened spectacle be enough to keep viewers invested? Let’s dive in.
Story
Picking up right where we left off, bartender Robert Diaz (Ricky Martin) lies wounded from a gunshot, while Maxine Dellacorte (Kristen Wiig) finds herself shunned by Palm Beach society and institutionalized by husband Douglas (Josh Lucas). Linda Shaw (Laura Dern) faces false accusations, and the competitive socialites — Dinah Donohue (Leslie Bibb), Evelyn Rollins (Allison Janney), and Norma Dellacorte (Carol Burnett) — sharpen their claws to maintain status during the Nixon-era backdrop.
The central mystery surrounding Robert is addressed quickly, but the plot soon pivots to a messy inheritance dispute after Douglas fathers a child with manicurist Mitzi (Kaia Gerber). From there, Maxine attempts to reclaim her place in high society while digging into long-buried secrets. The story spirals into Europe-bound adventures, double-crosses, and increasingly absurd set pieces — some entertaining, others exhausting.
Performances
Kristen Wiig’s Maxine still brings an eager, unconventional charm, but here she teeters closer to parody, occasionally feeling like an extended comedy sketch. Allison Janney and Carol Burnett enjoy richer material, managing to blend humor with surprising pathos. Laura Dern’s limited presence feels underused, especially in the latter half.
Newcomer John Stamos adds flair as a versatile man-about-town, and Patti LuPone slides seamlessly into the role of another scheming socialite. Unfortunately, Ricky Martin and Kaia Gerber’s subdued performances undercut their characters’ dramatic arcs, while Amber Chardae Robinson’s FBI agent Virginia ends up sidelined in a glorified babysitting role.
Behind the Scenes
Created by Abe Sylvia and loosely inspired by Juliet McDaniel’s novel Mr. & Mrs. American Pie, Palm Royale still dazzles with impeccable costume design, vintage set pieces, and period-perfect styling. However, the writing in season two feels less disciplined. With sprawling subplots and tonal shifts from witty satire to near farce, the pacing becomes uneven. Musical interludes and theatrical flourishes seem aimed more at showcasing the cast’s talents than serving the story, occasionally breaking immersion.
Final Verdict
Palm Royale Season 2 is a stylish, star-powered spectacle that sacrifices narrative focus for bigger, bolder moments. It thrives when leaning into sharp, satirical wit but stumbles when piling on too many twists and indulgent detours. Loyal viewers may still relish the camp energy and lavish presentation, but casual audiences could find the tangled plot alienating.
If you’re here for glamour, costumes, and pure escapism, season two delivers in spades. If you’re craving the balanced storytelling of its debut, you may find yourself longing for the simpler days of Palm Beach intrigue.
