by Mike Hilty, Contributing Writer
I went into The Buccaneers with a lot of nerves. There was worry about the series being a discount Bridgerton based on the trailers. A new wrinkle for the show would be adding Americans into the mix, something I fear would just cast them as far less sophisticated than European society. The first half of The Buccaneers feels that way. Boorish Americans selfishly looking for a better life quickly through marrying rich aristocrats. But thankfully, the show has a little more nuance than that.
It follows a group of five upper-class Americans from New York, Nan (Kristine Froseth), Conchitta (Alisha Boe), Mabel (Josie Totah), Lizzy (Aubri Ibrag), and Jinny (Imogen Waterhouse), as they navigate through the English debutante season. While adjusting to their new normal, the women struggle to adapt to the tradition and structure of being part of the elite society and a whole new country. Each of them goes through a transformation that will forever change their worldview.
The first half of The Buccaneers concerned me for several reasons. I half expected the entire season to be a big, long courtship where everyone would find their love. Most of the episodes feel very formulaic, with many characters just going through the motions to find the nobility to fall in love with them. The only parts of the first half I enjoy are the adjustment each of the women goes through from America to England, and the relationship that they have with one another (more on this later).
But The Buccaneers took hold for me in the second half. This isn’t just a knockoff of Bridgerton, where everyone finds their husband and lives happily ever after. Each woman has more of a story, because not all find the husband they’re supposed to during the courting season. They each have a different issue they deal with, as well. Yes, it’s a bit trite that everyone conveniently has an issue that they have to deal with, but it’s also what makes each character’s story unique.
Ironically, the story that had the least impact on me is the main character, Nan. She deals with two issues, the first being her struggles to choose between two men, Theo (Guy Remmers) and Guy (Matthew Broome), and the second being her family. Nan’s father, Colonel St. George (Adam James), is a womanizer and a terrible person. He’s been largely absent, and Nan was left to be raised by Mrs. St. George (Christina Hendricks). The relationship between Nan and her mother becomes a point of contention throughout the season, because Mrs. St. George so desperately wants the best for her children. Still, she doesn’t understand the complications her decisions come with. As for Guy and Theo, both of them are flawed characters and it’s hard to root for either one of them. There’s chemistry between all parties, but Nan’s decision is based on a variety of different types of factors.
Conchitta is the only one who has a healthy marriage, with a lord named Richard Marable (Josh Dylan). They have an adorable child and seem genuinely happy together. Their story is complicated, because they are an interracial couple during a time when it was less accepted in rich society. Not only that, Conchitta being American also breaks long-standing traditions. I felt bad for her because, other than one other character, she has the hardest path to happiness. At least she has a child and a loving husband who can help her get through a lot of the struggles she goes through, particularly with Richard’s family.
Jinny’s relationship is the most complicated, as she falls for a sinister man named James (Barney Fishwick). He’s a cruel man, and even has an instance with Lizzy that showcases how awful of a person he becomes. Trigger warnings for those who have been in abusive relationships, as James and Jinny’s relationship is chock-full of manipulation, control, and abuse. Unfortunately, Jinny doesn’t know what to do to get herself out of the situation, as she is coerced into destroying the relationships she has with all her friends and her sister Nan.
Mabel’s situation doesn’t involve finding the right person, but rather being true to herself. She finds someone named Miles (Shobhit Piasa), who will let her be who she wants to be while also remaining in England. There simply isn’t enough time to give Mabel a concrete story, as she and Lizzy suffer the most thanks to a time constraint. In the end, I hope Mabel gets more screen time in subsequent seasons so she can explore who she is and find love in a public way.
While each woman has their own story that is rich in depth, their relationships with one another are strong enough to withstand any obstacle. None of the performances truly stand out individually, but characters-wise, Nan and Jinny are the characters that have a strong conclusion. They make a decision together to do what’s best for both of them. In a twist for the ages, Nan makes a decision that will set up a compelling Season Two, should Apple follow through with a renewal.
It’s important not to judge a show like The Buccaneers on the strength of its first few episodes. The shift in tone was much appreciated, and each woman’s story is complicated and oozing with intrigue. They all have stories to tell about the struggle women go through to be able to live a life of their choosing.
Rating: Low Side of Liked It
The Buccaneers is currently streaming on Apple TV+
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