#ring theory

Russian wedding what you say???

The triple rolling ring aka the Russian wedding ring aka the Cartier Trinity ring 😵‍💫

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It's been a few weeks since I posted about the ring theory for The Next Prince. Is it still working? Well...mostly. Depends on your tolerance for creative interpretation.

As a recap -> the idea is that the hand/finger that characters (in power) wear their rings on matters. Some characters (like Khanin) tend to wear their rings differently depending on the situation. But others (like the King and older princes) are very consistent. In general: Right hand = power game/motivation Left hand = personal game/motivation Second finger = love/protection of a loved one Third finger = good/neutral (or pretending to be) Fourth finger = no bueno Pinkie = Chakri 🥰/support

In the past few episodes, the older generation pretty much stayed their course. But the young royals and Jay? They have definitely been shifting their rings around.

Let's not talk about Calvin. He might be looking fine, but he's a mess when it comes to rings.

I guess that makes sense actually. He really can't decide what he wants and he's being pushed around all over the place by all the people surrounding him. Fine. It works.

Khanin/Jay also both shift their rings around frequently, but they at least do so in a way that can be consistently interpreted.

Khanin and Jay both went ringless to the first protest. They were being open/honest with their intentions and not really playing a game at that point.

But at the second protest? Jay goes back to wearing a ring. He's a shifty man when it comes to rings. But this time he chose the left hand, second finger. A personal game out of love for his family and the people of Emmaly. He wants change, and he wants it now.

And Khanin? Also sports a ring on his left hand, middle finger at the second protest. It's a personal agenda to do good. It felt initially like it should've been on his right hand. After all, he's exhibiting power. He has a ring on his right hand, middle finger anytime he is studying in the library or most of the time when he stands up to the King.

His left hand is normally reserved for moments like eating the spaghetti that reminds him of foster dad or asking to go on a trip so he can check out the dark champagne pearls. Things that have personal meaning to him.

But more and more, he's wearing his ring on his left hand any time he is speaking publicly against the status quo and powers that be.

It's on the left hand when he presents during the Battle of Wits. He's decided winning the competition is important, but with a personal motive. He's fighting for his own agenda now.

Ava took her gloves off for the battle of wits. Her true thoughts on gender equality were on display. After all, that's her purpose in this show. We also saw her with gloves off when drinking with her coach Mira...the love interest that barely qualifies as a character.

Yes, I'm salty about the lack of development for my girls. I'm not talking about screentime. You can do wonders with crumbs. But they aren't getting crumbs. They're getting the same lines remixed. Regardless, gloves (rather than rings) still work for Ava.

Interestingly, even though it was a competition and royal function, Ramil didn't wear a ring to the battle of wits. In fact, he hasn't worn a ring at all since Rachata threatened Paytai in episode 5.

From four rings to none. One could argue that this really isn't his game anymore, and he just wants out of it all.

It's not a game when he speaks up about the lingering effects of domestic violence. It's a personal plea. It's the same sincerity we saw from Khanin/Jay at the first protest. Unfortunately, the other royals have a hard time seeing the wounds beneath his gloating words.

That's an entirely different essay though. Back to rings.

In contrast to the last several episodes, episode 12 was all about reveals.

It's where we see how well the Ring Theory played out for those that have consistently worn their rings on the same finger.

No surprise here. The King is bad news. Even if you didn't believe in the fourth finger power plays, there has been plenty of evidence that he really only cares about power. He cares about pollution over profits, and they dropped in and confirmed one of my clown cars that the King was responsible for the death of Charan's mom.

Tharin wears his ring on the second finger (love).

And he confirmed that everything thing he does is for Khanin. I have a lot of thoughts on him as a leader, but that's a different essay too. Ring theory works here.

Rachata continues his nefarious (fourth finger) ways.

He's cheating to rig the competition. He's profiting off of illness. Definitely no good. With all of the shooting in this episode, it's a shame he didn't get shot.

But the final four players for today...did the ring theory work for them? That depends on how you interpret things.

Wasin consistently wears his ring on his left hand, third finger. There's one exception...when he's talking about Mira. He actually doesn't wear a ring there. It is the only time I've noticed him without a ring in the entire show.

Was he being sincere about Mira's skills? Showing that he really thinks women deserve equality despite the traditions of his own Kingdom? Not sure.

However, the rest of the time, he is consistent. Ring Theory states he's playing a personal game that is good/neutral. Is that the case?

That depends on your interpretation of a rebellion designed to kill all of the heirs. Personally, I think there's room to argue that the ring theory stands in this case. He definitely thinks he's doing good.

I pointed out after Khanin's poisoning that the King's right hand man wears a ring on his fourth finger making him bad news. And he was definitely the mole. He's not really as noble in his intentions as Wasin. He's purely out for revenge. I guess the ring theory mainly stands here...although it really should be on his left hand since it's personal.

Chakri wears a ring on his pinkie unless he's "off duty" or Khanin thinks he's getting in the way of the ship (instead of supporting it).

His ring was on full display when cheering Khanin on during the archery tournament.

But his ring was nowhere to be seen when he got shot.

Which just makes me mad on multiple levels.

Even ignoring the whole Chakri got shot bit, you're telling me in the chaos of the gun battle at the mansion that Chakri removed his ring AND refolded his pocket square? 😒

Finally, we have Ava's dad. That's the real kicker. He wears his ring on the third finger. That should be good/neutral.

And sure, he's not rigging competitions like Rachata or killing people like the King. But...there's nothing neutral or good about this misogynistic profiteer. This is where the Ring Theory clearly fails in my book. No creative interpretations can save this one.

Edit: Well, maybe it works if I squint (see comments). He's not good, but he's not the same level of bad as King or Rachata.

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Short ring theory summary -> Right hand = power game; Left hand = personal game. Second finger is love/protection of a loved one. Third finger is good/neutral (or at least pretending to be). Fourth finger is no bueno. Pinkie is Chakri 🥰/support.

This week was VERY interesting for ring tracking in The Next Prince. There was a lot to track with several new players to the game.

In disappointing news...our coach Joe? Doesn't wear a ring.

So does that mean the ring theory has collapsed? Or does it mean that he wasn't actually behind the poisoning?

Hard to say. We know he was put in place by Prince Rachata. That man's ring has never changed (right hand, fourth finger). He's always been in it for the power, and he's not hiding any of his negative energy.

But his personal butler has a personal agenda based on love (left hand, second finger)? Shocking I dare say.

Joe is definitely suspicious and booked it after the poisoning happened. But it's pretty hard to keep tabs on a prince you killed.

And we already know there are consequences when a prince comes to harm in your care. He'd have a good reason to run scared.

Hmm. Something to think about. Anyways, Prince Tharin's ring hasn't changed. He still has a personal game supporting Khanin.

There are other suspicious people around...like the King's butler. He also wears his ring on his fourth finger. Is that because he has his own agenda? Or because he's supporting the King's evil plans?

Also hard to say. The King definitely has his own evil agenda still.

But seemed rather remorseful about Khanin's poisoning. His ring may have been there, but his sleeves ALMOST covered it up whereas butler's stayed in full view.

Who do I not suspect? Ramil. He may not sound too distraught.

But both him and Paytai are still ringless. They're being honest with each other at least. I do think Ramil would take it as a personal insult if Khanin bowed out by dying. He wants to beat Khanin himself.

In other news, Chakri was fully back in his support role this episode. His ring flashed SO MANY times. We've never had as many good looks at Chakri's ring as we did this episode. He was the MVP supporting Khanin in every way possible, and Khanin is back to appreciating that support.

The one exception? When Chakri walked in ringless on the kiss at the beginning. Khanin wasn't seeing that as very supportive at all.

I might've wished that Charan would have worn a ring when he went to confront Joe, but he stayed ringless as always. Ever sincere and open in his intentions. I do find it interesting that he's one of the only guards that doesn't wear gloves.

Khanin is always ringless when alone with Charan.

But Khanin does still play the game at some points. Both when he confronted the King directly...

And tried to figure out ways around the system, his ring switched to the right hand. He had good intentions and was trying to push for power at that point.

But by later in the episode, he was back to it being personal (left hand).

He had accepted that he had no power in this situation. "I've never had this feeling before."

Khanin, I'm sure Ramil and Ava could've clued you in on that.

Speaking of Ava, she popped off and was very blunt with her dad while wearing gloves that only partially covered her hands and were made of leather.

But she was back to covering her hands when she went to check on Khanin and accepted that she wasn't really allowed to be there.

The interesting thing to me? Her companion wears a ring. ON HER THUMB. What does that mean? Because it means she's serving a different role than we've seen before, and it's a power game.

As for our final royal... Prince Calvin wore his rings the same as last episode.

He has a personal game of love (with Jay) and he has a power game that seems to be for the good.

And Jay? Well, he decided to wear two rings on the right hand. One on his second finger and one on his middle. But...I still haven't figured out why he has power.

Is he a hidden heir to the blue shark kingdom? Is he the "power of the people"? Because we do know that he's actively involved in protests. I kind of like the latter idea.

But I'm not sure. Especially because between coffee and passing out the sandwiches, he decided to shift his game...and wear both rings on the same finger.

And he maintains that placement into the next meal too. Is he just shifty and not to be trusted?

I still don't trust the shark clan, and Jay is very much a part of that clan. Plus, why was he in this city? Which friend did he go to see?

Perhaps, if he is helping the shark clan's agenda, he really thinks he is doing good but will realize later that it's not as good as it appears? Maybe he will later switch allegiance because of Calvin.

Or could this indicate shifting priorities? Focusing more on love than the good of the people?

Hmm...let me go ponder.