Warning: spoilers for episodes 1-3 of Maxton Lounge Season 2 ahead.
It’s only been a few months since Belly (Lola Tung) and Conrad (Christopher Briney) finally got together in The summer I became pretty season 3, but Prime Video has cleverly filled its void of content for stranded teens with Maxton Lounge season 2.
Maxton Hall Season 2 Episodes 1-3 Send James Down the Same Path as Jeremiah
Maxton Hall Season 2 – Official Trailer | Main video: YouTube
Simply put, we watch a boy deal with the fact that his mother has died (something we found out in season 1), deal with it badly by partying, drinking, taking drugs, and sleeping with girls who are definitely not his girlfriend. Instead of accepting that he needs help, he lashes out at everyone close to him and, in turn, pushes them away.
But which Prime Video show am I talking about?
In truth, the answer is both. Exactly the same general synopsis can be applied to Maxton LoungeIt’s James and The summer I became prettyJeremiah (Gavin Casalegno), both in love with a girl who is being pushed to the mental limit. They ruin their school life and academic future in the process and, deep down, everyone hates them.
Given how close Maxton Lounge Season 2 was released after the end of Summer I get pretty season 3, I’m a little more following the exact same tropes. Swap out the school uniform for casual wear and the first episodes of both seasons are interchangeable, making me wonder if Amazon can really offer its young adult market something different.
However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel for Maxton Lounge season 2. At the end of episode 3, James is actively working to change his behavior patterns. He begins therapy, quits drinking, and vows to regain Ruby’s trust by doing everything he can to help her organize a school gala for a high-profile trust (especially when things start to go wrong).
He makes a moving admission of his problems while presenting on stage, and Ruby, along with the rest of the crowd, melts. The two meet later and almost kiss before James is taken away by his controlling father… and old habits threaten to resurface.
James’ ability to avoid his father’s controlling behavior will be a big plot point for episodes 4-6, which will now be released weekly. It will be essential for James and Ruby to be happy together, but it will also be a huge departure from the The summer I became pretty path that Maxton Lounge has started to follow.
Personally speaking, I think James and Ruby will end up together, but perhaps in a third or fourth season (neither of which have been confirmed). For Maxton Lounge season 2, I think we will all face many difficulties.
