Top 10 Moments from Apple TVs Palm Royale

When we’re introduced to Maxine Dellacorte-Simmons, she’s just scaled a wall to sneak into the super exclusive Palm Royale country club. As we learned in her narration, the Palm Beach newbie longs to be a member where she’ll be amongst the wealthy, fashionable ladies. Sitting by the sparkling pool, Maxine eavesdrops on Evelyn Rollins, Dinah Donahue, Mary Jones Davidsoul, and Raquel Kimberly-Marco — four of the most talked about women in high society. Her attempt to casually join their conversation was as cringe as it was hilarious. Little did they, or we, know just how disruptive and endlessly entertaining Maxine’s presence could be.

While chatting with her manicurist Mitzi, Maxine spots Dinah Donahue in a heated exchange across the street. Her play-by-play of their public quarrel shouldn’t have been as humorous as it was but Kristen Wiig’s comedic talent has the power to make anything funny. Still on her social climbing quest, Maxine seizes the opportunity to cozy up to Dinah and secure a sponsorship for the club. But Maxine couldn’t just walk up to her. No, she orchestrates a “discreet” introduction via fender-bender because if there’s one thing Maxine Dellacorte-Simmons is going to do it’s gonna be extra. If her intro didn’t tell us enough about Maxine’s unique personality, this sequence spoke volumes.

Early in the series, we find out that Maxine was pregnant before she married Douglas but shortly after, she lost the baby. However, these life events didn’t happen in that order. After Sylvia gives birth, Maxine becomes visibly upset, triggered by the arrival of a baby sharing the name of her unborn son. In a particularly vulnerable moment, she finally tells Douglas the truth about her pre-wedding pregnancy loss, and why she didn’t tell him about it. He reacts how you’d expect and walks away without saying whether or not he can forgive her. In the end, they move past it… only for another pregnancy-related secret to threaten their marriage. More on that later.

With Norma Dellacorte out of commission as the matriarch of Palm Beach, it’s up to Maxine to close out the season hosting the iconic Beach Ball. But the ladies have zero faith in her, and frankly, just don’t like her at all. Evelyn Rollins bursts Maxine’s bubble, revealing Douglas won’t get the inheritance they’d been expecting. But Maxine Dellacorte is no quitter and she’s smarter than everyone thinks. Evelyn tries to take over the upcoming gala but knowing that her own social status is on the line, she reluctantly agrees to split hosting duties with the woman she can’t stand.

Maxine’s arrival proved frustrating for nearly everyone in town but there’s no one she butted heads with more than Robert Diaz, a Palm Royale bartender and Norma’s friend/caretaker. While she stayed positive throughout her many spats with the society ladies, Maxine didn’t hold back when it came to insulting Robert. After several arguments, one that even went to court, she embarrassed herself by coming on to him. When she confronts him about his polite rejection, Maxine learns that she’s simply not his type. But also that he considers her a friend. We love an “enemies to lovers” story but Maxine and Robert’s “strangers to enemies to close friends” journey was better than we could’ve hoped for. And became our favorite relationship in the series.

When Maxine found out that Douglas and Linda, then going by her real name Penelope Rollins, were almost married, to say it was a shock would be an understatement. Plus, she learned she and Douglas were already dating at the same time, meaning she was the “other woman.” But just as surprising is that Linda tried to shoot him on their wedding day and accidentally hit her father. Linda tells Maxine everything that happened, assuring her that she’s not mad but thankful that Douglas went off with Maxine. The episode ends with her burning the Rolodex along with Norma’s dirt on everyone.

“Palm Royale” brought the comedy but also gave us some touching scenes. We briefly got to know Skeet Rollins, Linda’s father, and Evelyn’s husband. With Maxine’s disposal of the gun and Linda’s burning of the Rolodex, they feel free from the past. And knowing his daughter won’t be charged 20 years after the accident, Skeet says he’s ready. Under the influence of psychedelics, the pair watch the Apollo 12 take-off and go into their own world as he passes away. The scene was especially heartbreaking and beautiful with the real-life father-daughter Laura and Bruce Dern acting duo’s excellent performances.

Already stressed with preparations for the Beach Ball, the last thing Maxine needs is a beached whale on the property. But the strangest part of this particularly bonkers episode is Evelyn becoming mesmerized by the mammal. Its presence lets her temporarily escape her life that’s currently in shambles. Under its influence, Evelyn becomes a gentler version of herself, singing and opening up about her past. Meanwhile, Maxine is briefly distracted by reuniting Norma with an old friend, Axel Rosenhips. At his birthday party, a characteristically unhinged Maxine tries calling out to the whale, drawing it back into the sea, leaving Evelyn lonely and heartbroken again. This just might be the show’s most unserious episode.

For several episodes, everyone’s been talking about the annual end-of-season Beach Ball at the Dellacorte mansion. With President Nixon in attendance, the pressure is higher than ever, meaning something was bound to go terribly wrong. With a smug Norma in tow, Mitzi tells Maxine about her unexpected pregnancy, and ever the encouraging friend, Maxine says to confront the father right now. Instead of, you know, revealing the hurtful truth after the Ball, Mitzi walks right up to Douglas as Maxine watches from the stage. Of course, she begins to spiral in the spotlight, trying to compose herself in front of the party guests. But then she starts spilling everyone’s tea. The impromptu roast was entertaining and somewhat satisfying, though Maxine’s heartbreak was painful to watch.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Feminist Faux Pas, “Maxine’s Like a Dellacorte”
Maxine’s Traditional Views Aren’t a Crowd Pleaser

Astronaut Rescue, “Maxine Makes a Splash”
We Really Had to Suspend Our Disbelief for This Crazy Scene

Maxine’s Really a Dellacorte, “Maxine Goes to Palm Beach”
The Look on Dinah’s Face Is Priceless

Not a Movement, “Maxine Bags a Prince”
Powerful Statement from Someone Who Doesn’t Consider Themselves a Feminist

Norma Just Wants Her Revolver, “Maxine Rolls the Dice”
One of Many Side-Splitting Scenes Between Kristen Wiig & Carol Burnett

Between Ann Holiday’s in-depth research for the Shiny Sheet and Axel Rosenhips being ghosted by his former love, the real identity of Norma Dellacorte is called into question. As Norma deviously enjoys Maxine’s descent, Robert lets Agnes know the jig is up. Meanwhile, Mary Davidsoul puts her insane plan to assassinate President Nixon at the Beach Ball into motion but when Linda tries to stop her, the shot accidentally hits Robert instead. Everyone flees the tent as Maxine screams in anguish. The fate of Robert and exposure of Agnes/Norma’s decades-long ruse is an excellent, if stressful, cliffhanger. Hopefully, there’s a second season that will give us the answers.

What were your favorite moments from “Palm Royale”? Let us know in the comments below.