The Buccaneers, Season 2, Episode 5, “A Whole Love,” tries but struggles significantly to infuse fun into the titular characters’ marriage-forward next chapters. All of which signal persisting warning signs for this sophomore season. This episode, written by Ava Pickett and directed by Rachel Leiterman, certainly moves the needle with love confessions and break-ups. However, they are not nearly as swoon-worthy or heartbreaking as they should be.
Even an event as big as Lizzy’s wedding holds little weight within the narrative. In The Buccaneers Season 1, all of those milestones mean everything – for all of the reasons. “A Whole Love” underscores how this season may not want to recover from its missed opportunities for investment. Instead, The Buccaneers seems to want to double down and take this period drama in a new direction.
MORE: The Buccaneers Season 2, Episode 4 Review: ‘Ice Cream’
A Break-Up to Break Away
In a season of confusing choices, Mabel and Honoria should be a win as they are one of two couples that span both seasons. “A Whole Love” refutes that early on, though, through expository dialogue. Conchita says that Honoria is growing and trying new things, but the only definitive example The Buccaneers has to show for it is her excitement about a vase in a previous episode. That’s not enough to support Honoria’s supposed critical character development, particularly as it leads to her and Mabel breaking up.
So, Honoria and Reede’s conversation works out of context, given that Mia Threapleton’s mother, Kate Winslet, starred in 1995’s Sense and Sensibility with Greg Wise. In context, though, “A Whole Love” loses its footing even further, underscoring a disconnect with Honoria and the relationship between her and Mabel. It’s one thing for the episode to introduce that Honoria may teach English in France. Unfortunately, it comes after zero on-screen dialogue – with Mabel or anyone else – or introspection about Honoria’s interests.
Therefore, there is plenty to learn about the characters and their relationship, but it comes to an end after so few, independent scenes shared this season. However frustrating, Threapleton and Josie Totah deliver fantastic, vulnerable performances in those sequences. Plus, the heart of their break-up feels honest and productive – Mabel has lived and loved, and Honoria deserves the chance to do the same. Still, that only matters to the overarching narrative if The Buccaneers Season 2 follows Mabel and Honoria’s story more closely from here.
Italy’s Cohesiveness
The part of Season 2 that is believable, consistent, and shows rather than tells across the board is everything happening in Italy. Jinny and Seadown’s portion of “A Whole Love” is chilling because of the storytelling and performances. Seadown’s tactics are the same as last season, but they are barely hidden under a slightly different mask. He is terrified of losing control more than he has, and Jinny feels the same about Seadown reclaiming it. It’s unnerving to watch; Barney Fishwick and Imogen Waterhouse do an incredible job with it.
Every aspect of that storyline feels authentically connected to the characters’ journeys leading up to “A Whole Love.” It never feels like The Buccaneers is jumping back into something after missing a few episodes. Even something like Guy’s concern – wonderfully portrayed by Matthew Broome, by the way – for Jinny plays well because of the work this season puts into their dynamic.
That scene also becomes the ideal vehicle for Guy and Paloma to have necessary conversations about Jinny and each other. It leads right into their drunken montage – some of the most realistic fun in “A Whole Love.” The montage’s success contrasts with that of the one between Lizzy and Theo that opens the episode. After all, The Buccaneers Season 2 spends (even slightly) more time with Paloma and Guy getting to know each other.
MORE: We talked to Imogen Waterhouse and Barney Fishwick about what they learned about Jinny and Seadown in The Buccaneers Season 2. Read it here!
Greg Wise and Jacob Ifan in “The Buccaneers,” now streaming on Apple TV+. Photo courtesy of Apple TV+. 
Guy Remmers in “The Buccaneers,” now streaming on Apple TV+. Photo courtesy of Apple TV+. 
Alisha Boe, Josie Totah, Kristine Frøseth and Mia Threapleton in “The Buccaneers,” now streaming on Apple TV+. Photo courtesy of Apple TV+.
Is There a Wedding or a Love Triangle?
Lizzy and Theo lose the time to communicate in their montage. That distinction is less of a problem if followed by scenes that do so. Instead, the meatiest part of that sequence is when it’s over and Lizzy reels from Theo telling her to hide. So, it’s jarring for “A Whole Love” to include a love declaration from Theo to Lizzy. There is far too little to show why they feel that way.
It does neither of them a service to push this relationship so quickly and give it the weight of Theo making Lizzy feel free after Seadown. The Buccaneers needs to treat that sentiment with the magnitude it deserves. But how can it do so when jumping to milestones between Lizzy and Theo after four episodes (They barely interact in the season premiere)?
Unfortunately, The Buccaneers doesn’t do any better with Lizzy and Hector – she asserts that she feels numb around him. It’s unfounded against what this season shows. Relationships moved faster in the 1800s. Still, things are developing at a rate that leaves no room for investment this season. Music cues and tropes, like Theo running to the church, suggest that there is no love triangle, that Hector is never really an option. Instead of a subversion of it, that lands more like a misunderstanding of the love triangle’s assets.
Because this season wants to go all in on Theo and Lizzy, it’s odd that even Theo’s grand gesture falls flat. It’s unreasonable for Theo to give a speech like that; it still feels like Theo and Lizzy barely know each other. Plus, Mabel’s efforts to get Lizzy to make the choice that’s best for her and the show’s thesis make it a letdown that Lizzy’s friends aren’t the ones who encourage her to choose herself. Sadly, “A Whole Love” only features one, very short scene with Nan, Lizzy, Mabel, and Conchita. So, maybe this is the new normal for The Buccaneers.
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What did you think of The Buccaneers Season 2, Episode 5, “A Whole Love?” Let us know in the comments below!
The Buccaneers streams new episodes every Wednesday on Apple TV+.
