This week, we return to the fast-paced (and perhaps hysterical?) world of The Buccaneers, in the Apple TV+ version. And since it’s been over a year since we last saw the Buccaneers, it’s worth recapping the first season — including the main plot developments, each character’s fate, and the questions left unanswered for season two. Just one important reminder: the story is not faithful to the original novel!

Set in the 1870s, The Buccaneers is inspired by Edith Wharton’s unfinished novel and follows a group of young American women — Nan and Jinny St. George, Conchita Closson, Lizzy Elmsworth, and Mabel Elmsworth — who cross the Atlantic in search of aristocratic British husbands. Wealthy, spirited, and unaccustomed to the rigid social codes of the English elite, the girls cause quite a stir upon arriving in London for the marriage season.

The show kicks off with Conchita’s impulsive wedding to Lord Richard Marable, heir to a noble English family. Despite their whirlwind romance, his family openly rejects Conchita, making it clear she’ll never be accepted. The rest of the girls accompany her to London, where they must navigate debutante balls, gossip, and matchmaking — armed with money, but lacking social status.

Nan St. George quickly emerges as the central figure, a free-spirited idealist caught in a love triangle between Theo, the Duke of Tintagel, and Guy Thwarte, a charming but impoverished aristocrat. Nan and Guy share a deep connection rooted in values, vision, and desire. Theo, refined and emotionally intelligent, appears to be the perfect match in the eyes of society. But a secret changes everything: Nan discovers she is illegitimate, the result of an affair her mother had with an unknown man — a revelation that could destroy her reputation.

Meanwhile, Jinny, Nan’s older sister, enters into a dark and abusive relationship with Lord Seadown, Richard’s brother. Isolated and emotionally tormented, Jinny becomes pregnant and, fearing for her safety, escapes with the help of Nan and Guy. Her flight sparks a scandal and legal peril.

Conchita and Richard, for their part, struggle to adapt to married life while facing rejection from his family and financial pressure. Despite it all, Conchita remains steadfast in her love. But with Richard’s father gravely ill, the couple may be forced to return to the aristocratic world they tried to escape.

One of the most touching storylines is Mabel Elmsworth’s journey of self-discovery. Initially shy and overlooked, Mabel falls in love with Honoria, an English girl similarly marginalized by society. Their budding queer romance culminates in a bold moment — they share a dance together at a public ball, a quiet but powerful act of defiance.

In the season finale, Nan decides to marry Theo — not for love, but out of strategic necessity. As a duchess, she could shield Jinny and reclaim some power. She confesses her love to Guy but tells him goodbye. Just as she’s about to walk down the aisle, she spots a mysterious woman in the crowd whom she instinctively recognizes as her biological mother. The episode ends on this moment of revelation and uncertainty.

---

Unanswered Questions Heading into Season 2:

1. Who is Nan’s biological mother?
   The show hasn’t revealed her identity yet, but her sudden appearance suggests she’ll play a major role in the coming season. She might hold the key to Nan’s past — and possibly her future.
2. Is the Nan-Guy-Theo love triangle truly over?
   Nan chose Theo for pragmatic reasons, but her feelings for Guy remain strong. Can she live in a loveless marriage for the sake of duty, or will a twist of fate bring her back to Guy?
3. Will Jinny remain free?
   Pregnant, unmarried, and on the run, Jinny faces serious social and legal challenges. What will happen to her and her child? And will Lord Seadown accept her escape quietly?
4. Will Conchita and Richard return to nobility?
   With Richard’s father gravely ill, they may be called back into the aristocracy. How will Conchita cope with being thrust back into a world that rejected her?
5. Can Mabel and Honoria be together?
   The finale ended on a hopeful note, but Victorian society remains unforgiving. Will their love survive the pressures of conformity?
6. Will the American girls’ influence on the British elite last?
   The Buccaneers brought color, passion, and rebellion into London high society. But was it a passing storm or the start of a cultural shift?

With lush costumes, a modern pop soundtrack, and a bold take on period drama, The Buccaneers made waves. Even with mixed critical reception, it built a loyal fan base eager to see what season two will bring.