The Buccaneers Season 2, Episode 1 Review: ‘The Duchess of Tintagel’

The Buccaneers Season 2, Episode 1, “The Duchess of Tintagel,” drops back into a society, unbeknownst to its members, rocked by Nan’s choice to save her sister. Written by Katherine Jakeways and directed by William McGregory & Rachel Leiterman, this season premiere doesn’t entirely lock into what’s ahead until the wedding festivities are over. Still, that wedding party captures all the confident yet nervous energy buzzing around The Buccaneers’ sophomore season.

From active miscommunication persisting between newlyweds to figurative and literal breath-stealing scenes, “The Duchess of Tintagel” sets plenty into motion early. It’s quickly apparent that The Buccaneers dials up its drama to meet its characters in this more mature chapter in their lives. At the same time, this season’s premiere reaffirms that even though Nan, Conchita, Lizzy, Mabel, and Jinny have a lot going on in their lives, they will always find ways to show up for one another – even if that’s lighting a paper lantern in the hope of reuniting. 

MORE: 5 Reasons You Should Watch The Buccaneers on Apple TV+

Next Chapters

Understandably, much of this season premiere hinges on Nan’s storyline and foreshadowing her arc. While it could certainly do more for some, “The Duchess of Tintagel” eventually forecasts what’s ahead for Mabel, Conchita, Lizzy, and Jinny. Mabel’s romance with Honoria remains as optimistic as it can be given The Buccaneers’ historical constraints. The reaffirmation of their relationship in the face of additional external complications (to put it so lightly) – Honoria’s father’s illness – is important. After all, the Brightlingsea family, trying to stay afloat amid financial turmoil and grief, appears to be one of Season 2’s cornerstones. 

The standout scene where Lady and Lord Brightlingsea try to reach out to each other but don’t know how is expertly portrayed by Fenella Woolgar and Anthony Calf. It’s in stark juxtaposition with Honoria and Mabel’s emotional vulnerability, representing hope for the younger generation. Conchita stepping up to manage the books, with Richard by her side, is another representation of the turning tides and grander maturity this season. Still, one of the most anticipatory teases of the season is the flirtation between Lizzy, who deserves nothing but happiness, and Hector Robinson. On the other hand, “The Duchess of Tintagel” reflects its story about her safety by leaving Jinny’s arc the most elusive. 

MORE: We’re still thinking about Taylor Swift’s music in The Buccaneers Season 1 finale

A Tense Family Reunion

As for sisters, and after much speculation, “The Duchess of Tintagel” reveals the identity of Leighton Meester’s character – Eleanor or “Nell,” Nan’s biological mother. It’s equally important, though, that Nell is Patty’s sister. This heart-pounding reveal is an exciting (for the show) divergence from Edith Wharton’s unfinished source material. Jakeways pens nuanced dialogue for the sisters, encouraging them – and even the audience – to pay closer attention to what they’re saying to one another. The page never skews too heavily in anyone’s favor, but sticks to the shades of gray in their sisterhood’s messy truth.

Meester and Christina Hendricks’ performances are raw and real. They play out the show’s intriguing commentary on men’s and women’s societal expectations so that it believably crescendos with one of the episode’s best lines – “Nan is a year older than I was when your husband took me to his bed.” It’s defining and heartbreaking and revealing. It makes Patty choosing herself (with the divorce) and her sister (when she didn’t before) all the more rewarding. “The Duchess of Tintagel” delivers enough that the years between Nell and Patty that The Buccaneers doesn’t show fall away. That scene also produces another fantastic line – “That’s a really long time to not have a sister” – as it all clicks for Nan. 

MORE: The Buccaneers Return in Season 2 Teaser

Nan Decides What’s Next

With Jinny being away, Nan’s line about sisters feels like the season’s delicate needle threading right through the heart of The Buccaneers. It’s a layered conflict for Nan to learn her biological mother’s identity while grappling with the undisclosed time Jinny may need to stay away. The certainty of saving her sister is always in direct conflict with Nan’s uncertainty in choosing Theo over Guy. “The Duchess of Tintagel” explicitly (literally, Nan thinks of Guy during an intimate scene with Theo) confirms that Nan’s heart is anywhere but in this marriage. Since there doesn’t seem to be any space to move forward with Nan and Theo, hopefully, Theo’s story this season will surpass chasing Nan.

Ultimately, Nan has much more on her mind, namely, how best to use her voice and platform as Duchess. In that, The Buccaneers fine-tunes a dynamic more interesting than Nan and Theo – Nan and the Dowager Duchess. Amelia Bullmore never disappoints! In that relationship, “The Duchess of Tintagel” finds physical representations of what’s expected and what’s wanted within the titular role. It’s exciting to watch their back-and-forths and see how they inspire Nan to push against her lack of control by working within the societal system.

Nan hears Nell say, “Paint it scarlet,” and runs with the notion to Sabrina Carpenter’s “Looking at Me.” The sequence is The Buccaneers knowing exactly what kind of show it is as Nan lets everyone know what kind of Duchess she will be – never quiet, never standing behind a man, and always protecting her sister.

MORE: How Taylor Swift’s Music Gives The Buccaneers Series Premiere an Edge

—

What did you think of The Buccaneers Season 2, Episode 1, “The Duchess of Tintagel?” Let us know in the comments below!

The Buccaneers streams new episodes every Wednesday on Apple TV+.