Editor’s note: The recap below contains spoilers for the premiere episode of The Buccaneers Season 2.

In the two-year gap since Colonel Tracy (Adam James) and Patricia St. George (Christina Hendricks) left Nan’s (Kristine Froseth) wedding, significant changes have unfolded. It has been two years since Lord Brightlingsea’s (Anthony Calf) cancer diagnosis disrupted his son Richard’s (Josh Dylan) and daughter-in-law Conchita’s (Alisha Boe) plans to escape England. Additionally, two years have passed since Jinny (Imogen Waterhouse) fled from her abusive husband, Lord Seadown (Barney Fishwick), and two years since Lizzy Elmsworth (Aubri Ibrag) has had a noteworthy storyline of her own. Now, <em>The Buccaneers</em> returns to Apple TV+, picking up right where the previous season’s finale left off, much to the excitement of fans.

The episode titled “The Duchess of Tintagel” unfolds less than a day after Nan’s wedding to Theo (Guy Remmers). The narrative resumes with Colonel Tracy and his estranged wife encountering the Tintagel household as Nan emerges from the church, surrounded by her bridesmaids, notably without her sister. As the story advances, we explore how the events of the wedding day ripple through the lives of the rich tapestry of characters in The Buccaneers. While the episode leans towards a conservative tone, it could have offered a more captivating experience had it centered solely on Nan’s viewpoint before seamlessly transitioning back to the show’s established rhythm. Nevertheless, the Season 2 premiere holds significant promise for both familiar faces and newcomers in London’s high society.

Discovering Nan’s Birth Mother in ‘The Buccaneers’ Season 2

The pivotal question of Nan’s birth mother finally comes to the forefront of the narrative. After an entire season filled with rampant speculation and theories, The Buccaneers has unveiled the true identity of Nan’s mother — and surprisingly, it is not the character Miss Testvalley (Simone Kirby), whom many fans had suspected. In a twist, Nan’s mother is introduced as a completely new character, adding depth to the storyline. Interestingly, Nan had previously encountered her mother during her youth, referring to her as “Aunt Nell” (Leighton Meester). Over twenty years ago, when Jinny was merely a baby, Nell spent time living with the St. Georges. During this period, while Patty focused on caring for her newborn, Tracy became entangled in a romantic affair with his sister-in-law, who was still a teenager at the time. Now, Nell is determined to re-enter her daughter’s life and, crucially, she wants Patty to reveal the truth about Nan’s true identity.

Unaware of this significant drama unfolding behind the scenes, Nan grapples with her own emotional turmoil. She experiences profound guilt over marrying Theo while still harboring feelings for Guy (Matthew Broome). She contemplates confessing her true feelings, revealing that her decision to marry Theo was primarily to protect her sister and her unborn child from the clutches of Lord Seadown. As anxiety washes over her, coupled with intrusive memories of her passionate night with her one true love, the Dowager Duchess (Amelia Bullmore) offers sage advice, reminding Nan that if she wishes to safeguard Jinny, she must assume the role expected of her as the Duchess and maintain composure.

Having relocated to Italy, Jinny and Guy now rent a modest home under the aliases of Mr. and Mrs. Thwarte. However, the local press stirs curiosity with stories about the disappearance of Lord Seadown’s wife. Back in England, James continuously pressures Nan, threatening her to disclose any information regarding his wife’s whereabouts. To divert attention away from this troubling topic, Nan makes a striking appearance at a renowned Black and White ball, adorning herself in a stunning red gown, effectively shifting the media focus away from her troubles and temporarily removing Seadown from the headlines.

Meanwhile, Conchita and Richard grapple with the convoluted financial situation surrounding the Brightlingsea estate, especially with Lord Brightlingsea nearing his end and the Closson family facing financial ruin. Conchita proposes selling off some assets to alleviate their burdens, but her in-laws resist this idea. A surprising opportunity arises when she meets an American mother-daughter pair who express admiration for her and lament their lack of connections in London. This encounter leads to Conchita and Richard assuming the role of chaperones for the young Cora (Maria Almeida), guiding her through the social scene of London’s elite and exposing her to various balls. In return, they stand to gain a substantial sum of money, signaling the potential start of a lucrative new venture for Lord and Lady Marable.

Season 2 of ‘The Buccaneers’ Introduces an Exciting New Plotline for Lizzy

At last, we turn our attention to Lizzy, who appears poised to receive a storyline of her own. During Nan’s wedding festivities, she captures the attention of a charming member of Parliament. Consequently, Hector Robinson (Jacob Ifan), the dashing gentleman, begins visiting the Marable residence frequently. While we are all rooting for Lizzy to find her happy ending, it remains to be seen how this budding romance will intertwine with the other ongoing plots of the season. After all, a superficial romance that feels like an afterthought is far from what a character like Lizzy, who has endured so much, truly deserves.

Overall, the episode “The Duchess of Tintagel” proves effective in introducing new characters while also illustrating the current status of established characters following Nan and Theo’s marriage. A more audacious episode concentrating solely on Nan’s post-wedding anxieties could have offered a richer narrative experience. Unfortunately, the series tends to adhere to its traditional formula, thus depriving viewers of a deeper exploration of Nan’s character. Nevertheless, the remnants of the plot still present an engaging tale, and anticipation builds for what lies ahead for our American heroines.

However, one aspect that may disappoint viewers in “The Duchess of Tintagel” is the rapid resolution of the conflict between Patty and Nell. What begins with Patty directing blame at her sister for the affair with Tracy quickly morphs into a reconciliatory moment where both women return to New York hand in hand, following a few oversimplified therapeutic conversations. Some issues would have benefited from remaining unaddressed for a while longer, allowing Patty to harbor her resentment for a few additional episodes. This would render the narrative more believable and grant the characters the opportunity to evolve more naturally. While the writers may not have intended for the characters to remain at odds for long, such a trajectory would feel more authentic. We can only hope that future writing for their relationship will adopt a more nuanced approach now that they have reconciled.