American Princess Season 1 Episode 1 Pilot

American Princess is a dramedy that premiered on Lifetime on June 2, 2019. This show is created by Jamie Denbo and produced by Jenji Kohan, the creator of Orange Is The New Black. The show focuses on Amanda, a New York socialite who discovers her fiancé cheating on her, and instead of drowning her sorrows and licking her wounds, she impulsively runs off to join a Renaissance Faire!

Reading the synopsis, it’s easy to imagine that American Princess could have easily slipped into the typical fish-out-of-water narrative. However, the characters quickly settle into their roles and the show hints at deeper and more complex storytelling. In the pilot episode, viewers are introduced to the vibrant and eclectic cast of characters who work at the Renaissance Faire.

Amanda is intrigued by the Faire after hearing its promotion over the radio and impulsively decides to leave her fancy life and cheating fiancé behind to join them. She shows up to the Faire wearing nothing but her fancy clothing and her diamond engagement ring, which quickly makes her stand out from the other players. The Faire regulars are immediately weary and skeptical of Amanda's intentions and scoff at her "Patroness" title. Nevertheless, the Faire owner, Delilah, gives Amanda a chance to prove herself by putting her to work in the mud pit.

Delilah is the heart and soul of the Renaissance Faire. She is a shrewd businesswoman who cares deeply about her workers and their community, while also being tough as nails and not afraid to get her hands dirty. It’s clear that she sees something in Amanda despite (or maybe because of) her privileged background.

Amanda is taken under the wing of other members of the Faire community - including Maggie, a seasoned performer with a quick wit, and Brian, a handsome and charismatic performer who plays the fair’s beloved monarch, King James. Maggie and Brian help Amanda get the lay of the land and show her the ropes, but it’s clear that they both have their own personal issues to deal with.

The show could have easily fallen into cliché by portraying the Faire as a group of misfits and outcasts who are seeking a place to belong, but instead, the show opts for complexity and balances the Faire characters’ endearing quirks with relatable struggles. We learn that Maggie is still dealing with the fallout of a recent divorce, while Brian is navigating a complicated family dynamic. Amanda’s character development also adds depth to the show, despite it being only the first episode.

The Renaissance Faire, as shown in the pilot episode, is a world painted in bright colors and hearty laughs. The show’s writers don’t shy away from the bawdy humor that is typical for a Faire, and the comedy is genuinely funny without being too over-the-top. The scene where Amanda is initiated as a worker by being thrown into the mud pit is a perfect example of how the show doesn’t take itself too seriously and knows how to create memorable and funny moments.

Overall, the pilot episode of American Princess sets up an engaging and fun narrative that doesn’t shy away from more complex issues. The show is a delightful mix of comedy and drama, with a colorful and endearing cast of characters that one can’t help but root for. It will be interesting to see how these characters grow and evolve as the season progresses.