#angelwilhelm

welcome to a series where I analyse the living daylights out of this show

Now, unless Netflix has done my (pitifully monolingual) self a disservice, this translates to “Can we talk?”.  And boy, can we talk. There’s been a bit of discussion already about how Simon and Wilhelm’s relationship is so refreshing to watch because of the healthy level of communication between the two. This is excellent writing by an excellent team throughout the entire series, creating a story arc that is realistic and nuanced, with miscommunication not employed for cheap drama. However, I want to talk specifically about the two times Wilhelm uses the exact words “Kan vi snacka?”. Stay with me -

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The first time we see this play out it’s over text in episode 3, as Wilhelm wants to chat to Simon about their slumber party plans after parent’s lunch:

These three words precede the honest conversation about how Wille has heard August’s plans to stay at school over the weekend and, to keep their little burgeoning I-want-to-hang-out-with-you situation a secret, asks Simon if he can stay at his place instead. First off, this is a brilliant example of not taking the obvious story route, where Wille and Simon stay at school unaware August is there, and August finds out about them that way, potentially using this information in a blackmail fashion - as is seen all too often; the weaponisation of queer relationships in this way. (Keep in mind at this moment the audience is unaware of the events that will follow to close out episode 3, so for most of us I’d bet that stereotypical setup was the prevalent expectation.)

However, what makes this scene so intriguing is when you realise where they are - at the windowsill where their first kiss took place in episode 2. We actually get almost the exact same sequence in both scenes (though the frame is tighter in episode 2 - greater level of intimacy/secrecy?) of Wilhelm alone at the window, and Simon walking into frame to meet him.

(episode 2)

(episode 3)

Most significantly for this parallel though, is that this is the first place Wilhelm tried (and failed spectacularly) to articulate anything of significance to Simon. “I’m not… sorry. I’m not… Wait!” is all we get out of Wilhelm in that scene. He’s trying so hard to tell Simon something, using his words, and he just… can’t. He resorts to carefully kissing Simon back in that moment (which is definitely appropriate and what the situation called for, I’m not trying to say the episode 2 scene was wrong in any way, it was simply not a conversation). It’s also important to note the words we do get out of him aren’t in support of pursuing Simon at all, it seems to be a defense of compulsory heteronormativity. 

The contrast between these two interactions at the windowsill is astronomical. By the time we get to the end of episode 3, Wilhelm’s had some time to think, time to process, time to work out what he wants, time to be okay with his wanting. We’re getting full sentences from him! About his regard for Simon (and Simon’s family) and wanting to be involved with the people closest to him! He’s communicating his wants and needs! Which signifies he’s now comfortable with what he wants, and what he wants is hang time with his wittle cwush Simon. Ugh I just love how it’s the same place, it’s brilliant.

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Now onto the second time we hear the words, this time actually spoken, in episode 5. This is the scene directly after August reveals to Wilhelm that Simon’s the one that provided the drugs. Wilhelm asks Simon to chat; to tell him about Alexander being caught, to ask him about the pills. (Side note: I love this brilliant moment from Omar here, look at how fast Simon’s smile falls away when he gets a good look at Wille’s face. He’s all dimpled ‘my boy wants me’, and then 0.2 seconds later is a furrowed brow and ‘oh no, my boy needs me’.)

This conversation is another example of how this show did not take the easy way out in terms of a plot complication device formed from miscommunication. As soon as we hear August tell Wille about Simon’s role in their illicit activities, an audience raised on stereotypical (generally US) teen dramas would be thinking that Wille’s going to be annoyed with Simon immediately, perhaps take action to spite him, or blow up at him publicly. Or alternatively that this will fester as an unresolved issue and be brought up as an argument later in their relationship. The show does neither of these things, it says to us “Can we talk?” and proceeds to smash all of our expectations to smithereens.

Wilhelm asks point blank what’s happened. Simon is open and completely honest, hard as that must have been. Wilhelm relays exactly the conversation that happened in the little Society meeting. From there the conversation devolves into a… heated discussion - there’s tension, they don’t agree. This is one of the first times, in a conversation between only the two of them, that their class divide hovers like an elephant in the room (as opposed to earlier on, when it’s been other people - August, etc. - pointing out their differences in station). I may be mistaken, but I also believe this is the first time Simon calls Wille ‘Prince’ to his face; which is big, huge, in the narrative of their relationship. Wilhelm was not, in his mind, Simon’s ‘Prince’ before now. Wilhelm likes Simon’s socialist talk in theory, but in this scene he butts up against the fact that he isn’t completely separated from the vaguely anti-monarchist rhetoric of Simon’s. Simon doesn’t dislike the monarchy but likes Wilhelm, Simon dislikes the monarchy and likes Wilhelm. There’s a distinct difference, as with Erik’s death, Wilhelm is now the sole future of the monarchy. What a cross to bear.

And once again, look at where Wilhelm takes him to have this conversation; remember the “Simon. Don’t you know how to read sheet music?” scene? The conversation in episode 5 takes place in the school music room, which we first became acquainted with when Simon tried to talk about their kiss at the beginning of episode 3.

(episode 3)

(episode 5)

We can draw similar parallels here as above - in episode 3, Wilhelm is not really talking to Simon yet. It’s “Because I did say, you know, that I’m not…”, compared to the more developed, mature and nuanced conversation happening in episode 5.

However, the biggest difference here is Simon’s response to a disagreement with Wilhelm. In episode 3, Wille asks if they can forget about the kiss, and Simon nods. He says yes, he says that he gets it. When Wilhelm asks if he’s sure, he says “That’s fine.” (spoiler alert, it’s not fine). At this point the stakes are lower, Simon’s not sure Wilhelm’s in this, he’s not sure what he can ask for. He obviously does not understand in the slightest and is not okay with how Wilhelm is brushing him off, but he says it’s fine and walks away from the conversation.

Contrast this with Simon’s position in the conversation in episode 5, where he stands his ground. He knows now that Wilhelm wants this, wants him. He questions Wilhelm’s assumptions. When Wille talks about his family’s reputation, Simon asks but what about him and his family? Simon’s under the assumption there’s the start of an “us”, that they’re on the same rung of the ladder, and rightfully questions when Wilhelm makes statements contrary to what Simon believed was a shared understanding of their situation. Simon walks out of this conversation too, mind. (Foreshadowing his leaving the relationship stranded?) But we have growth! Development! Communication!

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So basically, our two “Kan vi snacka?” moments are two (of many) building blocks laying the open and honest communication foundation for Simon and Wilhelm in their relationship. The two scenes they parallel back to are where Wilhelm begins “I’m not...” and then finishes “...not like that, you know?”, and to have him then open up to Simon in the way that we have seen is such good character development; similarly, to have Simon now stating his reality, his significance, his wants and needs when faced with Wilhelm’s frustration and anxiety is such good character development.

insp – this netflix post

+ bonus