Palm Royale, April 3, 2024, Apple TV+, “Maxine Shakes the Tree”

The latest episode of Palm Royale, titled “Maxine Shakes the Tree” and available on Apple TV+ on April 3, delves into the marriage of Maxine (Kristen Wiig) as she attempts to uncover information that could potentially disrupt her union. At the same time, Linda (Laura Dern) and the Women’s Circle face challenges to the established social hierarchy on Palm Beach.

This episode continues the satirical soap opera’s exploration of Maxine’s determined attempt to secure a place in the elite Palm Beach social scene, focusing on the intricate power dynamics and secrets within her marriage.

Maxine’s quest for acceptance by the Palm Beach elite has driven the plot of the series so far. Set in 1969, the comedy-drama follows Maxine’s attempts to join the titular exclusive resort, Palm Royale, and the lengths to which she is willing to go to achieve this goal.

In the previous episode, Maxine rolled the dice by engaging in a conservatorship battle with Robert (Ricky Martin) over Norma Dellacorte’s (Carol Burnett) fortune. With Norma’s estate going to charity, Maxine saw this as her last opportunity to claim the Dellacorte fortune and elevate her status.

Episode five, titled Maxine Shakes the Tree, sees the consequences of Maxine’s actions catching up with her as she tries to gather information that could potentially derails her marriage. The episode’s premise hints at a growing complexity in Maxine’s quest for acceptance, delving into the intricacies of her personal relationships as secrets and threats to her social standing emerge.

Linda, a feminist and anti-establishment figure, provides a stark contrast to the materialistic and superficial world of Palm Royale. Her presence in the series adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, as she becomes a pivotal figure in exposing the faults in Maxine’s plans and the societal norms of the high society Maxine longs to join.

Maxine’s marriage, previously seen as a means to elevate her social status, may now pose a threat to her carefully constructed facade.

Palm Royale, created by Abe Sylvia, is based on the 2018 novel Mr. & Mrs. American Pie by Juliet McDaniel.

The first three episodes of Palm Royale premiered on March 20, 2024, with new episodes airing weekly on Wednesdays until May 8.