The eighth episode of "Palm Royale" opens with a haunting flashback, transporting us back to the war-torn Korea of 1950. There, we catch a glimpse of Robert in his younger days, standing amidst the chaos of battle. His companion, presumably his partner, ventures into the sea, while the ominous sound of gunfire echoes in the background.
In the present, the serene beach is disrupted by the sound of Robert's trumpet, drawing Maxine's attention. She approaches him, offering comfort as he laments his past mistakes, blaming them for the prince's absence. However, Maxine is tormented by guilt, knowing that she is the cause of Robert's sorrow.
Later, Robert's peaceful moment is interrupted by an unwelcome encounter with the policeman who had previously arrested him. The policeman, unaware of the sensitivity of the situation, mentions Maxine's role in revealing the truth about the fake prince. Robert feels betrayed by Maxine's actions, and their relationship is strained.
Meanwhile, Maxine faces another crisis. A whale has washed ashore, causing a commotion on the beach just days before the beach ball event. Maxine, desperate to rectify the situation, pleads with authorities to remove the whale, but she is told that nothing can be done. Frustrated, she delves into the study of whales in hopes of finding a solution. Evelyn, on the other hand, finds solace in the whale's presence and spends the episode talking to it.
At the mansion, Anne's curiosity is piqued by Norma's belongings, finding herself fascinated by the enigmatic woman. Norma, in a twisted attempt to eliminate Maxine, mixes a dangerous substance into her drink. However, her plan is interrupted by Anne, who reveals Norma's past relationship with Axel. Maxine, seeing an opportunity to bring about a positive change, decides to play Cupid and arranges a meeting between Norma and Axel on Dinah's yacht. Unbeknownst to them, Anne secretly consumes the spiked drink.
Elsewhere, Robert's chance encounter with Mitzi reveals a shocking secret: she and Douglas had been involved in an affair. This revelation adds to Robert's emotional turmoil. Later, he and Douglas are caught in a compromising situation at a gay bar, which is raided by the police, leading to their arrest.
On the yacht, a series of events unfold. Eddie, jealous of Dinah's attraction to Axel, demands that she choose between them. Dinah, however, opts to pursue her relationship with Axel, leaving Eddie disheartened. Meanwhile, Maxine attempts to raise a toast to Axel but instead unwittingly makes whale noises. Evelyn, deep in conversation with the whale, is startled when it suddenly departs, leaving her feeling more isolated and vulnerable. However, her loneliness is briefly alleviated when she meets Eddie, who comforts her with tender words and a kiss.
As the episode draws to a close, Norma seizes an opportunity to exact revenge on Maxine, pushing her into the sea. As Maxine struggles to stay afloat, she spots the whale she had helped earlier and whispers a grateful "you're welcome." The scene ends on a poignant note, leaving the viewer wondering about Maxine's fate and the fate of their tangled relationships.
