The bafflement in New York society has similar parameters in The Buccaneers and The Gilded Age because they are inspired by real (and similar) events but with somewhat different perspectives. While Julian Fellowes, on HBO Max, is keeping to the period, the Apple TV Plus series, an adaptation of a book by writer Edith Wharton – a witness to the time in which the story unfolds – tries to ‘modernize’ the facts, with an inclusive casting and anachronism. Therefore, if we talk about secrets being the lever of the episode of The Gilded Age, the same happened in The Buccaneers.
When the Buccaneers return to New York, English nobles are presented as trophies and cultural differences become clear more than ever. Seeing if the series stays faithful to the book, but without sticking to that, let’s theorize?
James Seadown and the Duke of Tintagel are officially introduced into high society and are somewhat shocked by the bulk and “lack of manners” of the supposedly more elevated people. But Nan is distressed by the revelation that she is adopted and cannot put off having a heart-to-heart with her father and stepmother. She is dissatisfied with both and almost ruins the party. In fact, we suffer with Mrs. St. George, who not only overcame her husband’s betrayal but also loves Nan as if she were her own, even more so since the colonel clearly continues flirting with girls and she pretends to be at odds, living a sham marriage complex and painful. If Nan thinks her parents stopped lying there, she’s wrong. When the Colonel and Mrs. St. George talk later, she assures him that she “didn’t tell us who Nan’s mother really is,” meaning she’s someone we’re already seeing. Who got it?
Nan has another problem that she is unaware of: Guy decides to declare himself, even from a distance and sends a telegram opening his heart. As she is more involved with her problems, Theo reads the message, and has a jealous reaction and – without admitting that he read the letter and did not give it to Nan – reinforces the declaration of love and the desire to get married immediately. She is embarking on a frenzy without even suspecting it. To defend Theo, it seems like he is unsure if Nan really loves him when she says she needs to be honest. She wants to talk about her origins, but he interrupts her so they can make a decision: if she loves him, that’s what matters. She says yes and two crucial secrets gain even greater weight.
Meanwhile, Jinny is already being gaslighted by James Seadown, who is isolating and manipulating his wife to great unhappiness. Lizzy, still traumatized by the abuse at the hands of James, worries about her friend and is unable to warn her, but agrees to return to England and this indirectly helps Mabel, who was caught kissing another woman and who will have to find a husband for her. fulfill their role in society.
Although they had less focus in the episode, Conchita and Richard are also in trouble: he is more comfortable in the United States, and she feels that Conchita is the final argument to convince him to leave England behind. MS. Testvalley explains in a few words: “No man will choose freedom over power”.
Let’s talk about Ms. Testvalley? She practically ordered Richard to invite the girls for a stay in London, making her command over him clear. Her conversations with Mrs. Saint George are always in code and there is something between her and the Colonel that also requires no words. SUSPICION! To make matters worse, Richard goes to sit next to her while she is in the bathtub, and the housekeeper strokes her hair. What ascendancy does she have over men on both continents? Remembering that when Nan caused problems, it was with her that he moved away and ended up meeting Theo. Of all the secrets – and there are many – hers are the ones that have the greatest impact. Do you agree?
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