REVIEW: ‘The Buccaneers’ Episode 6 — “It’s Christmas”

There are some pretty fabulous coats and other winter wear in The Buccaneers Episode 6, “It’s Christmas.” Textured, tactile fabrics fill the opening scenes as the characters run around in joyful abandon due to the snowfall, the coats of all shapes and sizes seizing our attention. The handsome, rich colors work beautifully against the white landscapes and help capture the time and period of the setting better than the writing. They don’t even lose their spark once indoors, with Guy (Matthew Broome) sporting a particularly cozy-looking green cardigan. The show is utter nonsense, but I covet each and every sweater and jacket worn.

Once no longer distracted by the gorgeous fabrics on display, The Buccaneers Episode 6 brings forth one of the most glaring issues of the series: There’s no distinctive tone or presence either in front of or behind the camera. While often in the episodes that have been released, this has been shown through the writing of the characters, it’s highlighted too in the direction this week. It’s why the set design and the costuming stand out so prominently. What else are we meant to be looking at other than the envy-inspiring, packed-to-the-brim bookcase in the background? Surely not the characters themselves based on the direction which renders them flat. 

The characters, at the very least, are allowed some transparency this week. Three major secrets are revealed or discussed. Lizzy (Aubri Ibrag), after yet another tense run-in with James, finally confesses to Jinny (Imogen Waterhouse) what happened between them in an effort to get Jinny to leave her now-husband. While it seems at first that Jinny realizes the evil lurking under James’ perfectly coiffed exterior, she’s quick to turn and victim-blames Lizzy instead. She accuses her and says that since James didn’t physically force her to do anything, Lizzy isn’t a victim of anything. It’s a brutal moment and speaks to the many ways trauma can unleash itself in victims, though the actresses aren’t quite able to deliver the necessary gravitas. 

After their insufferable argument in Episode 5, Nan (Kristine Froseth) and Guy are back to awkwardly pining and sidestepping questions while they physically take the slowest steps toward one another in any given room or staircase. That said, he does admit to having initially been looking for a rich wife that would help him save his family home, rather than keep more secrets. They’re not at the point of reconciliation but it’s better than more unnecessary lies that only accomplish in slowing the momentum of the plot down. 

But if they’re meant to be the main romantic pairing of the series—and they should be, with the attention they’ve been given—it’s going to have to wait at least another episode. The third major reveal happens when the Duchess finds out that Nan is illegitimate, the truth of her parentage being brought to her by James through the help of Jinny. This produces one of the silliest, laugh-out-loud sequences. Nan runs from the Duchesses’ chambers to her own bedroom, captured in a disarming, hand-held fashion that renders what should be a serious moment as a joke. She’s being sent away, or so she thinks. But as she makes her confident admission to those dining that she refuses to feel any shame over who she is, Theo declares that he loves her in spite of it all and they kiss, even though Nan told Guy just moments earlier she was relieved that the marriage was off. 

With only two episodes left, very little has been done to convince viewers that when Nan ultimately breaks Theo’s (Guy Remmers) heart it will be worth it, or justified for her to get with Guy. Maybe she ends up alone and that would be the best option. It would fit the show’s message on independence and the need to grow as an individual first before growing as a couple and romantic partnership. Regardless, there’s no engagement with, or attachment to, these characters—Nan in particular—and the romantic entanglements are only making it worse. 

The Buccaneers Episode 6 is more of the same as it continues to plug away at the tiresome storylines and secrecy of its characters. There are one or two beats that work but the result remains frustratingly dull. The best bet is to use the series to get some chores done—perfect background noise for folding laundry. Aside from the gowns. The gowns are great. 

The Buccaneers Season 1 is streaming now on Apple TV+.