The Buccaneers Season 2, Episode 2, “Holy Grail,” uncovers truths in hidden treasures for the characters to learn that some have rusted. Written by Katherine Jakeways and directed by Charlie Manton, this episode sees characters grapple with matters that create lasting conflict between the heart and mind. When the answers to a character’s question about life, love, or both seem obvious, The Buccaneers pivots them to a different, prolonged quest. The paths they take illuminate where the season needs to spend more time. Perhaps, even more importantly, “Holy Grail” reveals what the titular characters’ new responsibilities may mean for their sisterhood on the show.
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Dreams Crash into New Realities
Because of their previous brief appearances, one of the episode’s strengths is its time with Guy and Jinny in Italy, whose lives are so far from what they imagined. Their new life includes a new character, but their relationship to Paloma still feels too undefined. Ideally, that will fade as the season progresses. Regardless, it will always be refreshing to see women unashamedly discuss sex on TV.
“Holy Grail” gets even better with Jinny and Guy’s conversation about resentment. Imogen Waterhouse is excellent in peeling back Jinny’s nuances in that scene. It’s almost staggering that discussions about men owning their wives and unborn children like property, as well as villainizing mental illness or not entirely understanding the postpartum period, are still prevalent beyond the 1870s. It further proves that this historical drama creates timeless stories.
While it makes up for lost time with Jinny and Guy, “Holy Grail” doesn’t do the same with Conchita and Richard’s storyline with Cora or Lady Brightlingsea and Honoria before they intersect. It’s unclear how much time passes between the season premiere and this one, but Cora is seemingly ready to make a prominent debut in London society, and Richard’s father has passed away off-screen. In fairness, “The Duchess of Tintagel” and Anthony Calf do the heavier lifting in depicting Lord Brightlingsea’s final moments on The Buccaneers.
Plus, Josh Dylan plays Richard’s surprise at his mother and sister moving in so well; it’s fun to be in that moment with him. So, the pacing, though jarring, doesn’t weigh too heavily on “Holy Grail.” The Buccaneers signals that there’s more to anticipate – most of those characters are under the same roof now.
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Lizzy Feels Like She Can Breathe Again
“Holy Grail” gives The Buccaneers newcomer Jacob Ifan a lot more to do as Hector Robinson than the season premiere. Hector’s dynamic with Lizzy is playful, light, and romantic. He’s the furthest thing from Seadown in Season 1. However, their scene by the water insinuates that The Buccaneers is also interested in building something between Lizzy and Theo. It’s exciting to see those characters interact after rarely – if at all – sharing the screen in the first season, and Aubri Ibrag and Guy Remmers certainly have chemistry.
Still, even by burning Guy’s letter, Lizzy is firmly in the middle of Guy, Nan, and Theo’s entirely unresolved love triangle. So, beyond their chemistry, it’s easier to root for something for Lizzy that feels like a breath of fresh air, and that’s Hector. Sure, there is a spark when Theo puts Lizzy’s bracelet on her, but Hector tries to make Lizzy’s dream day a reality. As everyone’s dreams unravel around them, Hector tries to build hers. How can anyone compete with that?
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Nan and Theo Can’t Make It Work
It is tough for Theo that he and Nan can’t make this marriage work. “The Duke of Tintagel” confirms it, and “Holy Grail” doubles down and sits in it. After the time that passes off screen with the honeymoon tour, it’s to the characters’ benefit that The Buccaneers takes a beat to explore Nan’s grief over her dream life with Guy and shows how that registers for Theo. The speed of everything halts for both of them in “Holy Grail.” Nan has no choice but to face the marriage. Kristine Frøseth plays that internal conflict and heartbreak so well.
The Buccaneers folds Lizzy into Nan’s isolation with the motivation of prioritizing and protecting her friend’s happiness. For that reason, “Holy Grail” sets that letter to come back and burn Lizzy. Albeit, it is strange that Guy’s letter outlines Nan and Lizzy’s closeness, when the first season supports a closer friendship between Nan and Conchi. If anything, Guy could cite his friendship with Lizzy.
Either way, Lizzy being the only Buccaneer with Nan and Nan and Conchita interacting through a fleeting greeting presents a fascinating glimpse of what’s ahead for the titular friend group. After being spoiled by endless interactions in Season 1, this season already reflects how busy lives can change friendships in (young) adulthood. That theme will make every moment Nan, Conchita, Lizzy, Mabel, and Jinny share more impactful in Season 2 – for better and worse.
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The Buccaneers streams new episodes every Wednesday on Apple TV+.
