The sixth episode of Palm Royale Season 2 delivers its most shocking twist yet, fundamentally changing the show’s direction. A sudden, brutal event linked to Kristen Wiig’s new twin character pushes the Apple TV+ series into what showrunner Abe Sylvia calls “much darker” territory, marking a significant shift from its comedic foundation. This plot development forces Maxine into a profound crisis of identity and grief, altering the stakes for every character in Palm Beach.
The Twin Twist: Maxine Meets Mirabelle
In Episode 6, titled “Maxine Finds Herself,” Maxine Dellacorte-Simmons discovers she has an identical twin sister named Mirabelle. Mirabelle, also played by Kristen Wiig, was raised by the parents who abandoned Maxine. Her arrival immediately complicates Maxine’s life, especially with her estranged husband, Douglas, who confusingly confesses his lingering feelings to Mirabelle while believing she is Maxine.
For showrunner Abe Sylvia, the twin concept originated from a key character question. He explained the writers asked, “What do we want to see Kristen Wiig do?” and explored what it would mean for Maxine “to meet the version of herself she might not want to be”. The idea was also inspired by classic television tropes, like the dual roles famously seen in shows such as Bewitched.
Abe Sylvia stated: “If our show is about identity and how women define themselves… what if Maxine actually did find some family? …And would she even want to be them?”
For actress Kristen Wiig, playing both roles was a new and daunting challenge. “I’ve never done that before, so it was a little weird to do scenes with myself,” Wiig admitted. “I was really nervous about it because I didn’t know how to make her different but the same. But we just really leaned into the absurdity of it and I think that helped”.
A Dark Turn: Murder and Mistaken Identity
The episode’s twin storyline takes a dramatic and violent turn. Mirabelle is murdered while dressed as Maxine and left in the Delacourte pool. This creates a case of mistaken identity, with everyone initially believing the victim is Maxine herself.
This event is the catalyst for the show’s tonal shift. Sylvia describes the episode’s ending as “much darker than we’ve gone before,” intentionally moving the series into the psychological territory of classic 1960s “hag movies” like Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?. The murder is not merely for shock value but serves to “raise the stakes” for Maxine, plunging her into grief and a deeper identity crisis.
The killer’s identity is left as a cliffhanger. Evelyn Rollins (Allison Janney) is seen standing by the pool next to Mirabelle’s body. Other potential suspects include anyone seeking revenge on Maxine, such as Norma Dellacorte (Carol Burnett), who, through Robert, has just declared her intent to get revenge on Maxine. It is also possible Mirabelle was killed by someone who believed she was Maxine.
Character Reckonings and Shifting Alliances
The episode weaves several other major storylines alongside the central twin plot:
- Maxine and Evelyn’s Mission: Tasked by Virginia with finding a Russian mole, Maxine and a temporarily reconciled Evelyn attempt to steal a ledger from Pinky that could prove his mob connections. Ironically, it is Mirabelle who ultimately finds and secures the ledger.
- Robert’s Past Returns: Robert’s old flame, Reginald, reappears, creating tension with his current lover, Tom. Tom, who is keeping his sexuality a secret, also uncovers and reveals to Robert that Mirabelle is a con artist with a fake identity.
- Linda’s Exit: Laura Dern’s character, Linda Shaw, receives money and departs Palm Beach, rebranding herself as “Olga Richbitchskaya” and planning a new, adventurous life in Russia.
Showrunner Abe Sylvia on the Season’s Darker Direction
In interviews, Abe Sylvia has elaborated on the deliberate choice to darken the show’s palette. He connects the show’s heightened drama to its core themes of female ambition and identity within the constrained social world of 1969 Palm Beach.
Sylvia pointed out that the season begins with Maxine in a straitjacket for the “temerity to cry at a party,” a detail inspired by real historical accounts of women marginalized by high society. The series uses its glamorous, comedic surface to explore the serious pressures on women who step out of prescribed roles.
Sylvia explained the balancing act: “The litmus is always, is this fun to watch? …I’m not bound by tone. I’m not bound by genre.”
He credits the show’s ability to navigate these shifts to the versatility of its cast, specifically naming the mastery of Carol Burnett and Kristen Wiig in moving between comedy, drama, and suspense.
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Streaming Details and Cast
Palm Royale Season 2, including the pivotal Episode 6, is streaming exclusively on Apple TV+. New episodes are released weekly.
The series features a celebrated ensemble cast, including:
- Kristen Wiig as Maxine Dellacorte-Simmons and Mirabelle
- Carol Burnett as Norma Dellacorte
- Laura Dern as Linda Shaw
- Allison Janney as Evelyn Rollins
- Ricky Martin as Robert Diaz
- Josh Lucas as Douglas Dellacorte
- Leslie Bibb as Dinah Donahue
Season 2 also welcomes new cast members John Stamos, Vicki Lawrence, and Patti LuPone.
