Editor’s note: The recap below contains spoilers for Season 2 Episode 6 of <em>The Buccaneers</em>.

This episode of The Buccaneers is notably filled with excitement and intensity, making it one of the most thrilling hours of television we’ve seen recently. Following two relatively uneventful episodes that felt more like filler — largely revolving around a repetitive romantic subplot involving Lizzy (Aubri Ibrag) and her ill-fated romance with the Duke of Tintagel (Guy Remmers) — the Apple TV+ series has returned to its captivating storytelling roots. The narrative comes alive as the lead characters are thrust into a gripping power struggle — or rather, a fight over a child — that promises dramatic repercussions for both the characters and the larger world they inhabit. The climax of “Every Single Piece of My Heart” signals a turning point for the beloved characters, especially Conchita (Alisha Boe). Furthermore, with Nan (Kristine Froseth) given a crucial opportunity to advance her legislative agenda, the storyline has ventured into entirely new territory, emphasizing the adage that sometimes, we must “kill our darlings” to progress.

However, it’s worth noting that this recap could have commenced on a more critical note. After all, “Every Single Piece of My Heart” notably falters in maintaining continuity with the previous episode’s events. Guy’s (Matthew Broome) romantic involvement with Paloma (Grace Ambrose) seems to be almost entirely overlooked as he returns to England with Jinny (Imogen Waterhouse) and reconnects with Nan. While there remains a possibility for this love affair to influence the overarching narrative, it feels disjointed that the storyline abruptly shifts away from Italy without even a moment showcasing Paloma’s emotional response. More importantly, the episode inadequately addresses the aftermath of Lizzy’s broken engagement. Last week’s episode “A Whole Love” concluded with Lizzy poised to walk down the aisle towards Hector (Jacob Ifan), fraught with uncertainty. Yet, “Every Single Piece of My Heart” offers little substance, providing only a cursory mention of a conversation between the former couple about their church encounter, leaving viewers deprived of the emotional depth they deserved.

Seadown’s Shocking Kidnapping of Baby Freddie in ‘The Buccaneers’ Season 2 Episode 6

While the absence of key scenes is disappointing, the episode compensates with a captivating plot twist. Did you notice the significant moment in the previous paragraph regarding Guy and Jinny’s return to England? They are compelled to make this journey because Seadown (Barney Fishwick) audaciously abducts baby Freddie from his crib and disappears into the sea. Jinny finds herself with no choice but to seek help from her sister. Fortunately, Nan has allied with Theo, and the two are eager to assist in reshaping Jinny’s public perception, which is crucial for advancing Nan’s legislative initiative. In the dead of night, Theo arranges a meeting with the editor of The Times, who visits Jinny, and the next morning, the entire city of London buzzes with chatter about the editorial exposing Seadown’s mistreatment of his wife.

This bold strategy sends Seadown into a frenzy. Yet, he has his own schemes in play. With backing from his mother, he devises a plan to portray Jinny as mentally unstable in front of the entire aristocracy. During an opera attended by the city’s elite, including Nan and the head of Parliament, Seadown instigates a scene with Jinny, leading everyone to believe she is the one causing him distress. When he forcefully grabs her arm and refuses to release her, Jinny retaliates with a slap, resulting in a catastrophic fallout for Nan and Theo’s efforts to reveal the truth about their relationship. Jinny is swiftly removed by security, but their intentions go far beyond simply ejecting her from the theater; she is taken to a mental asylum where Seadown keeps her drugged and isolated from her loved ones.

As the situation escalates, it becomes increasingly plausible that Jinny will eventually concede to Seadown’s narrative and return to him, driven by her desperate yearning to reunite with her son. However, it soon becomes evident that Seadown’s intention is to maintain her distance from Freddie, using their child as a pawn against his wife. Jinny firmly asserts that she will never rekindle any feelings for him. This development marks significant growth for her character, as there were concerns she might begin to believe in Seadown’s alleged transformation, as she initially confides in Guy at the episode’s start. Sadly, while this represents a positive trajectory for Jinny’s character arc, it spells doom for her within the narrative. Seadown confines her to a room in his house, ensuring she remains isolated from anyone who could help her.

Lady Brightlingsea’s Strategic Alliance with the Americans in ‘The Buccaneers’ Season 2 Episode 6

It appears that the time has come once again for Nan to make a decisive move, yet her options are regrettably limited. Ultimately, the task falls to Richard (Josh Dylan) and Honoria (Mia Threapleton) to either convince their brother to reconsider his actions or to successfully whisk Jinny and Freddie away, whichever proves feasible. After learning about her son’s actions toward Jinny, Lady Brightlingsea (Fenella Woolgar), who had previously supported him, recognizes her misjudgment and decides to share the couple’s location with Richard. She believes that Richard, who has always been the one James aimed to impress, is best positioned to rescue him from his own reckless choices. Alongside Honoria, Richard devises a plan to approach Seadown under the pretense of offering brotherly support. As the two men engage in a conversation about the challenges of “domesticating” women, particularly those from America, Honoria cleverly makes her way upstairs to rescue baby Freddie.

Seadown quickly senses that something is amiss. Upon spotting Honoria fleeing in her carriage, he confronts Richard, resulting in a violent altercation that leaves Richard unconscious. Seizing the opportunity, Richard ascends to Jinny’s room and liberates her. However, as they make their escape, Seadown surprises them with a firearm. Jinny manages to slip away, hiding in the woods, but as she waits for a means to return home, a far more sinister event unfolds in her former prison: Seadown aims the gun at his own head, threatening to end his life. Richard desperately attempts to persuade him to stand down, but suddenly, a gunshot rings out. Jinny approaches the house, and we are all left hoping she will finally break free from Seadown’s clutches. Unfortunately, it is Richard’s lifeless body that she discovers on the ground.

This moment is steeped in tension, capable of sending even the most composed viewers to the brink of anxiety. It also presents a unique opportunity for Barney Fishwick, who successfully portrays Seadown not merely as a loathsome, deranged antagonist, but as a complex figure, his expressions revealing the agony and remorse of having killed his own brother. Most significantly, this moment will undoubtedly alter the course of The Buccaneers. Although the show has presented numerous twists and turns thus far, it has never before eliminated such a pivotal character. With the end of Season 2 on the horizon, this shocking development raises the stakes considerably and leaves audiences questioning what will transpire next.