Apple TV+ ’Palm Royale’ Season 2 Episode 2 Review - A Spiraling Scheme and a Friend in Need

I have to say, this episode of Palm Royale hits a lot of the right notes — it's playful, scheming, emotionally tangled, and visually sumptuous, but it isn’t without a few missteps. From the very start, “Maxine Serves a Swerve” leans into the chaotic energy of Maxine Simmons’s life, and Kristen Wiig rides it with her usual flair, though sometimes the plot feels a little too busy for its own good.

Right off, the stakes feel higher than in the season premiere. Linda’s case — which I assume refers to a scandal or some kind of public spectacle — goes national, and that forces Maxine into a tight spot. She tries to execute one of her clever schemes, but naturally, she messes it up. Rather than letting her failure define her, Maxine throws herself into helping Linda, showing that beneath her social climbing, she isn't just looking out for herself. This friendship moment between Maxine and Linda is genuinely affecting: it's not just a tactical alliance, but something more personal, and the writers make it feel earned.

Wiig’s performance remains a highlight. She balances Maxine’s ambition and vulnerability with nuance. You can feel her frustration when things go wrong, but also her sincerity when she steps up for Linda. There’s a mix of comedic timing — as you’d expect from her — and real emotional weight. I particularly loved how she doesn’t just flail: even when her plan collapses, she readjusts, showing both resourcefulness and loyalty.

Laura Dern, as Linda, has some of her strongest moments here. As her legal troubles become a media event, she isn’t just a caricature of a damsel in distress — she’s vocal, desperate, but dignified. Her struggle, in this episode, feels more than political posturing; it’s personal. Linda’s arc carries real urgency, and Maxine’s involvement feels meaningful rather than opportunistic.

The direction and production design continue to shine. The glamour of 1969 Palm Beach feels lavish but not hollow — the costumes, the set pieces, the lighting, all of it reminds you constantly that this is a world both beautiful and dangerous. There’s a sophistication in how the episode is shot, with scenes that shift smoothly between Maxine’s scrambling behind-the-scenes maneuvering and Linda’s very public fight. The pacing is generally good: it builds tension, but gives room for quieter, character-driven beats.

One of my favorite things is how the show keeps leaning into its inherent melodrama while grounding character relationships in real emotional stakes. For instance, when Maxine helps Linda, you sense that she genuinely cares — it’s not all strategy for her, even if part of it is. That layered writing is one of the strengths this episode leans into strongly.

But there is a but, the episode isn’t flawless. For all its ambition and style, there are moments where the narrative feels too convoluted. There’s a sense that in trying to juggle multiple scheming threads, the writers may have overstuffed this installment. Some of Maxine’s subplots feel underdeveloped, as though they’re setting up for later episodes but not landing cleanly here. As a result, a few scenes feel like they’re going in too many directions at once.

Also, while the glam design and cinematography are impressive, sometimes I found the show leaning too heavily into aesthetics over substance. There’s a risk, especially in a world this glossy, that character motivations can feel secondary to the spectacle — and in a few spots, that worry creeps in. Not dramatically enough to derail enjoyment, but enough to make me pause.

Another small but nagging issue: a few of the emotional beats, especially in Maxine’s motivations, could have used more subtlety. Her decision to help Linda is clearly heartfelt, but the episode doesn’t always give space for the quiet emotional aftermath. There’s a rush from one scheme to another, and I wish there were more moments of reflection, rather than constant motion.

Despite that, the chemistry between cast members still carries so much weight. The friendship-turned-alliance between Maxine and Linda is the emotional core, and you realize how much the show benefits from that central relationship. On top of that, smaller performances — whether from side characters or those involved in the legal case — add depth to the drama.

The writing feels confident in this episode, even if sometimes over-ambitious. The dialogue sparkles in many places; it’s witty, sharp, and fits the high-society milieu. But at times, it borders on “too clever,” where it feels like the writers are reminding you how smart they are, rather than letting the characters simply be. That said, when the writing works, it really works: the banter, the plotting, the emotional reveals — those moments land.

I also appreciate how the episode doesn’t make Maxine perfect. She’s flawed, she’s scrambling, and she fails. But her willingness to turn around and help Linda — even after her own plan goes awry — shows growth. It’s a reminder that Maxine’s ambition isn’t purely transactional; she has a heart, and in this world, that’s as dangerous as any double-cross.

In terms of tone, this episode maintains the delicate balance that Palm Royale has always tried to strike between comedy and drama. It’s playful, but not silly; serious, but not dour. There are funny moments, but also genuinely tense ones. That balance is hard to sustain, but “Maxine Serves a Swerve” manages it for the most part.

Overall, this episode is a strong second entry in the season: it deepens character relationships, raises the stakes, and keeps the scheming rolling. My enjoyment came from watching Maxine adapt, mess up, and then rise to support someone she truly cares about, even in a world that seems bent on tearing her down. At the same time, a little restraint in plotting and a bit more emotional breathing room would have made it even better. But as it stands, it’s a compelling mix of ambition, friendship, and high-society gamesmanship — exactly what makes Palm Royale so watchable.

Final Score- [7/10]