The Buccaneers' Review: Apple TV+ Period Drama Balances Defiance and Despair
'The Buccaneers' is a captivating Apple TV+ period drama, adapted from Edith Wharton's unfinished novel This enthralling series follows five American heiresses as they embark on a journey to England, in search of love and perfect matches, while navigating cultural clashes, harsh realities of marriage, and the power of enduring friendships
The Big Picture
Apple TV+'s The Buccaneers incorporates anachronistic elements like pop-rock music, setting it apart from traditional period dramas.
The series delves into the harsh realities of marriage and questions the idea of happily ever afters.
The Buccaneers' greatest asset is its depiction of the friendships among the main characters, although these relationships are frequently tested and fractured throughout the season.
While it's not entirely accurate to suggest that period dramas have ever gone out of style, one could argue that there has been a resurgence in recent years, particularly on the small screen. This resurgence is partly due to the availability of literary classics that are now in the public domain, making them open for modern adaptations. Prominent authors such as Charles Dickens and Jane Austen continue to inspire new interpretations of their stories. For instance, this year saw the development of a television series based on Great Expectations, while Sanditon, a series based on an unfinished Austen manuscript, gained immense popularity during its three seasons on PBS Masterpiece. The idea of creating a longer adaptation from an incomplete novel is also explored in Apple TV+'s The Buccaneers, created by writer Katherine Jakeways and directed by Susanna White. While not the first adaptation of Edith Wharton's unfinished narrative, which was originally attempted as a BBC miniseries in 1995 starring Carla Gugino and Mira Sorvino, among others, The Buccaneers aims to infuse new life into the story. However, viewers expecting Apple TV+'s answer to Bridgerton will find a more melancholy American cousin in this series.
Image via Apple TV+The Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are the daughters of America's nouveau riche—stunning and unbridled. Despite the best attempts of England's top governesses, they are journeying to London with the intent of capturing themselves a nobleman. Though lacking in wealth, they seek a partner of esteemed social standing for a perfect union.
'The Buccaneers' Is All About the Culture Clash
Image via Apple TV+
From the very beginning of The Buccaneers, it becomes evident that it is not your typical period drama. The use of music from Olivia Rodrigo in the trailer should have given you a hint, but if you're the type who prefers to watch a show without any prior footage, the incorporation of anachronistic, pop-rock female artists is introduced almost immediately and remains a constant throughout.
Each main character descends a marble staircase in a scene reminiscent of an '80s movie, their names displayed in glowing neon letters to the beat of Miya Folick's "What We Wanna." Conchita Closson (Alisha Boe), the first of the titular Buccaneers we meet on her wedding day, has successfully found a match. However, her conservative English in-laws are unhappy about this former rebellious party girl now joining the prestigious Marable family through her impending marriage to Richard (Josh Dylan). Meanwhile, Mabel Elmsworth (Josie Totah) is accustomed to being overshadowed by her sister Lizzy's (Aubi Ibrag) beauty. However, we soon discover that Mabel has little interest in finding a husband for herself.
Jinny and Nan St. George are another pair of sisters in the group. While Nan never intended to be the center of attention, she finds herself in a complicated love triangle that dominates the season's drama. She must choose between the Duke of Tintagel, Theo, and his close friend, Guy Thwarte.
The series, set in the Gilded Age, involves clashes of cultures for each of the girls. They travel to England, away from their familiar surroundings in 1870s New York City, to make advantageous matches. The Buccaneers stand out in the English manor house with their vibrant personalities and behavior that is seen as bold and rude by society. This rubs many characters the wrong way and challenges the girls to navigate dimming their true selves to conform. At a debutante ball, set against the backdrop of Taylor Swift and Phoebe Bridgers' "Nothing New," the heiresses face the archaic system that values wealth over individuality. It raises the question of how many will settle for societal expectations rather than pursuing the life they truly desire.
'The Buccaneers' Is More About the Harsh Realities of Marriage Than a Happily Ever After
Image via Apple TV+
Wharton's refusal to endorse happy endings is reflected in The Buccaneers, resulting in criticism for the BBC miniseries' portrayal of Nan. However, viewers of the Apple TV+ adaptation may not realize the extensive translation of Wharton's original novel to the screen. While this version is more defiant, addressing issues of race and queerness, it also stays true to what Wharton would have chosen for her heroines given more time.
In The Buccaneers' world, marriage is seen as a pragmatic solution rather than a romantic culmination. Characters face challenges like infidelity, illegitimate children, and domestic abuse, both in private and public spheres. Even the older generation, represented by Nan and Jinny's mother, experiences turmoil in their own marriages, hoping for better futures for their daughters. The glamour of the Gilded Age is marred by the weight of the series' storylines, with only a few offering a glimmer of hope for resolution.
'The Buccaneers' Is Best When It Leans Into Its Friendships
Image via Apple TV+
The Buccaneers excels in portraying the friendship of a tight-knit group of friends, and the show becomes even more brilliant when these young actresses share the screen. However, throughout the season, the characters drift apart due to their individual responsibilities, resulting in fewer moments where they are together. This is unfortunate because the female characters are the saving grace of the show, considering the toxic behavior of many of the male characters. It is puzzling why the show splits them up so frequently.
One particular moment, where Mabel and Lizzy have a chance to reconnect as sisters and reveal deep secrets, happens too late to have a significant impact on their relationship, especially when they have spent most of the season physically distant. The missed opportunity is even more apparent with Nan and Jinny, as an early scandal causes a divide between them for most of the season. The longer the sisters remain estranged, the more it undermines their respective storylines, especially when Waterhouse and Froseth deliver compelling performances in their shared scenes. Apart from the fragmented sister dynamics, one of the standout storylines involves Mabel and Richard's sister Honoria, played convincingly by Mia Threapleton. This storyline provides a sweet contrast to the show's somber moments. Ultimately, there is potential for the unanswered questions in The Buccaneers to be addressed in a second season, but with the current trend of limited series, there is no guarantee of continuation.
The Buccaneers does not belong in the same genre as shows like Sanditon or Bridgerton, despite its bold decision to incorporate pop music and extravagant society parties where the main characters wear stunning dresses. Romance is not the primary focus, although the series does occasionally include subtle and illicit touches as well as passionate embraces. The finishing touches are more realistic and often cynical, but whether or not this leaves a negative impression depends on the viewers' expectations for the story.
Rating: B-
The Buccaneers premieres its first three episodes November 8 on Apple TV+ in the U.S., with new episodes premiering weekly every Wednesday.
Watch on Apple TV+
Editor's P/S
The Buccaneers is a refreshing take on the period drama genre. It incorporates anachronistic elements, such as pop-rock music, to set it apart from traditional period dramas. The series also delves into the harsh realities of marriage and questions the idea of happily ever afters.
The greatest asset of The Buccaneers is its depiction of the friendships among the main characters. These relationships are frequently tested and fractured throughout the season, but they ultimately prove to be stronger than anything else. The Buccaneers is a well-made and entertaining series that is sure to appeal to fans of period dramas and anyone looking for a good story about friendship and love.
