Trigger warning: Like the episode, this review discusses abuse and mental health. If you or someone you know needs support, go to apple.com/heretohelp.
The Buccaneers Season 2, Episode 6, “Every Single Piece of My Heart,” takes a sharp turn into a psychological horror show and concludes with a choice that changes everything. This episode, written by Dana Fainaru and directed by Rachel Leiterman, feels like a definitive one for the series – an unmistakable before and after moment. It comes after multiple points this season where the execution of some stories is confounding. Relationships don’t gradually bend but quickly snap. The plot will unfold through dialogue more often than it does in longer on-screen interactions. Those choices are usually isolated to different storylines – the Italy portion, Theo and Lizzy, the matchmaking storyline – with specific characters across the season. “Every Single Piece of My Heart” sees them collide, culminating in an irreversible action in the final minutes.
MORE: The Buccaneers Season 2, Episode 5 Review: ‘A Whole Love’
Cliffhangers Lose Suspense
Because this episode instantly becomes Jinny and Seadown-centric, any lingering plots from the season become secondary. Most notably, the wedding cliffhanger from “A Whole Love” loses all suspense to everything else in “Every Single Piece of My Heart.” There’s no question that Jinny and Freddie’s safety should take priority in The Buccaneers. Still, it’s a letdown to lose the momentum of that outstanding storyline. The Theo/Lizzy/Hector love triangle is such a focal point in the sophomore season, so it’s disappointing for the answer to such a pivotal question to come out the way it does. If Lizzy chooses herself, isn’t that important and constructive enough to see and not lose between episodes?
It’s a strange choice considering The Buccaneers knows that seeing Guy and Theo’s reunion is not only relevant but imperative. Their few interactions are excellent in reflecting Richard’s later comments about time healing (some) relationships. That sentiment shines when Theo says, “And, one day, possibly long into the night, we’ll work it out.” It’s rewarding to see these two characters communicate on-screen, having those conversations that must occur before Theo and Guy can make any progress. “Every Single Piece of My Heart” showcases a true value in their friendship that is nice to see.
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A Terrifying Escalation
It’s hard to argue the same for Hector and his romantic relationship with Lizzy or his political partnership with Nan. That said, Jacob Ifan chews up every single second of screen time he has; his performance never wavers. However, considering the importance of Hector’s work for him and the show’s world, it’s a shame that The Buccaneers doesn’t give it more on-screen prominence. Until now, any developments with this society-changing Women’s Bill have occurred off-screen. So, it’s great to see Nan do something with it by meeting with the Home Secretary at the Opera. Unfortuantely, with the life-or-death pressures of this episode, there’s no real time to thoroughly explore those conversations.
As for that story, everyone – Imogen Waterhouse and Barney Fishwick, in particular – continues to deliver outstanding performances. Waterhouse plays Jinny’s internal dialogue so that every ebb and flow in her self-worth is recognizable. Moreover, Waterhouse and Fishwick go toe-to-toe for the entirety of “Every Single Piece of My Heart.” From the point that Seadown tries to sway public opinion against Jinny at the Opera, the two actors dig deeper into their characters’ intense reality. Compositionally, the hospital scenes are cold and clinical, reflecting a version of the 1800s’ perception of mental “healthcare.” This portion of the episode takes some terrifying turns that fall into line with the dangerous person Seadown is, as revealed early in The Buccaneers’ first season.
MORE: Imogen Waterhouse and Barney Fishwick Rediscover Their Characters in The Buccaneers Season 2
An(other) Irreversible Tragedy
Unfortuantely, that’s also where “Every Single Piece of My Heart” unravels. Any attempt to better understand Seadown feels too late at this point. Even before (presumably) killing his brother, Seadown does inexcusable and unforgivable things, so The Buccaneers’ attempt to paint a sympathetic portrait of his childhood doesn’t work. On the other hand, it does for Richard; there’s interest in an introspective arc in which he unpacks what it means to be compared to Seadown in their youth, and learning that Seadown looks up to Richard now. Sadly, The Buccaneers loses those more intriguing opportunities with his death.
Then again, there’s no denying that the death of a core character shakes up a series. It spins a majority of the characters in new directions – Honoria loses her brother but lives after rescuing Freddie, their mother must live with the knowledge that she tells Richard where Seadown is, and Conchita loses her husband. Still, it’s challenging to get over how unnecessary Richard’s death feels – Seadown already goes too far. Killing the brother he idolizes just after The Buccaneers reveals that aspect of their brotherhood is predictable. It’s also frustrating because “Every Single Piece of My Heart” finds untapped potential in that Richard, Seadown, and Honoria scene – those dynamics are unexplored.
Albeit, there’s little confidence that The Buccaneers will explore as much if Richard didn’t die – this season tends to sidestep the depth of its first season. While it can be exciting to see a show grow into itself, it’s starting to feel like this one wants to distance itself from what it was, and Richard’s death and all of its implications are the most definitive examples of that so far.
MORE: Alisha Boe, Josh Dylan, & Josie Totah Talk Resilience in The Buccaneers Season 2
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What did you think of The Buccaneers Season 2, Episode 6, “Every Single Piece of My Heart?” Let us know in the comments below!
The Buccaneers streams new episodes every Wednesday on Apple TV+.
