Episode 3 of Maxton Hall season 2 focuses on the Alice Campbell fundraising gala. Now, shame to say, I was wrong about how things might end up at the beginning of this episode, but I’m happy to report that the photobooth does end up getting used for said activities anyway (The Kissing Booth who?), just by different people. Do you feel like James has redeemed himself after what he did this episode? I think he’s made a huge improvement, but I’m not sure I’d say he’s fully made up for everything. However, I don’t think we’ll get to see that happen because things are going to get even worse for him now. I found this episode a bit slower than the other two, but it was still fun, and also, I guess it’s a set-up for everything that’ll come next, while still being entertaining because of the gala and how the show’s now shifting focus to other supporting characters. But with that said, let’s jump straight into episode 3 of Maxton Hall season 2.
Spoiler Alert
What Happens At The Venue?
Episode 3 of Maxton Hall begins with a flashback to James and Lydia’s childhood, where their father proudly tells another man that his daughter is the smartest in her class and he’s very proud of her. However, on the other hand, his son is being bullied by a boy much older and larger than him, but instead of letting his mother coddle him, Mortimer tells James that he needs to show that boy that he’s the best, rather than “crying” after getting hurt. I suppose we’re just meant to see how far back the trauma began for little James. In the present day, James is in a therapy session, crying about how he feels after his mum died. He also brings up Ruby, and we can definitely take this as great progress.
Back to the photobooth, the picture of Ruby and James is quite funny because she turns away the second the camera clicks, making it look like James’ nose is in her hair. Ruby’s quite stressed about having spent time with James, probably realizing she’s still got the hots for him despite everything, on top of the whole gala resting on her shoulders. Anyway, Ember makes her feel better by showing her the dress she’s prepared for her for the fundraiser and then asks if she can join too. Ruby thinks it would be overstepping at school, so she tells Ember it’s for invitees only, which leaves her very upset. Ruby can’t fix the situation even if she tries because she’s now broken her little sister’s heart. On the other hand, Ophelia’s been talking to Lydia, and I hope it doesn’t end up being like one of those “My Fault” situations. Apparently, Ophelia wants to use her shares to help the kids, but we’ll have to see how that works out. But for now, James and Lydia share a cute moment as siblings.
When it comes to gala event management, everything is going smoothly, or so the kids think, until May, Alice’s assistant, pulls a scary boss situation. However, Ruby doesn’t lose her cool; she makes sure she has everything under her control. But she also has a new idea, which is inviting Scott, the janitor, to give a speech at the gala because the foundation has helped him so much. May thinks it’s a good idea that Alice will like, so Ruby sends James, who is eager to help, to talk to Scott. Meanwhile, Lydia wants to tell Graham that she’s pregnant, but she loses the opportunity to give him a card that would’ve asked him to meet her after the gala because it’s announced that he’s going to be vice headmaster. He’s been promoted, and if anything, learning he has babies on the way would completely mess up his career, right? Or that’s what Lydia’s going to think anyway.
James and Scott have a heart-to-heart, and the latter tells James how some friends can’t handle it when you change as a person, even if it’s for the better. At the same time, James has a word with his friend, Cyril, about how he’s sorry for missing out on an important match, but he was in a very bad position. Cyril tells James that he needs him back on the team, or he’s not going to get his scholarship. James promises to get them to win and be serious about it.
How Will The Team Fix The Gala?
On the day of the gala, when the kids come to school all excited, having decorated the place beautifully, they’re shocked to find that everything’s been torched thanks to the headmaster having turned off the stage lights. May has to inform Alice about the problem, and some very important guests are going to show up, but Ruby’s certain she can handle it. She gets all the clubs of the school to help; she also gets Lin and Kieran to get the students to help with cutlery, transportation, and everything else they need. Anyway, the theme is “Fragile Hearts,” so she decides to upcycle all the broken material from the previous decor, saving money and the trouble that’d go into creating a new setup.
When they ask the lacrosse team for help, Cyril tells James he’s disappointed to find out that Ruby always comes first; however, James tells him that a real friend would never make him choose between the game and his love. Finally, Ruby has to go get ready, and she’s got her sister to fix up some cakes for the event, too, even though she’s mad at her. Finally, she tells her to come along with her, admitting that it was a big mistake to even consider not bringing her along before. They get ready and finally get to school looking stunning (I love Ember). When Alice arrives, she’s all about Ruby and introduces her to the press even, making it clear that she’s proud of this girl who set up this whole event (I still don’t know how a school would be given this responsibility, but okay).
At the end of Maxton Hall episode 3, Scott is supposed to make a speech at the event but doesn’t show up. Turns out he was too overwhelmed by the idea of having to talk in front of so many people. However, James has an idea to help Ruby out. Alice’s foundation is all about helping those in need of mental support. It appears that’s how they helped Scott too, getting him therapy, and James decides to give a speech admitting he’s been getting help himself, making the whole event about him. Something that his father finds utterly disrespectful. James’ speech is touching not only to Ruby but also to everyone present there, Alice included. But while it does for Ruby exactly what she needed at the end of such a hard night, it does for James the complete opposite. His father immediately drags him away from Ruby, leaving us worried about what the man will do. James saying that he needed to be perfect for his name but couldn’t do it because he needed help has rubbed his father the wrong way, and I worry he’s going to become violent about it, clearly thinking what James is doing is wrong, because men like him don’t know anything else. On the other hand, we see that Alistair has something going on with one of the lacrosse players, and this might become a plot point explored later. And at the same time, Ember finally gets asked out for real, even though she thinks it’s a prank at first, by Wren, one of James’ teammates, and they’re the ones who end up making out in the photobooth. Now it seems Ruby will be willing to give James another chance, but things are fully messed up for him, so I really don’t know how things are going to turn out.
