Summary
While the overall series has some ups and downs, The Buccaneers is a strong little period drama that will keep you wanting more.
Set deep in the 1870s, young American women are sent to secure their husbands and titles in London in the Apple TV+ series The Buccaneers. The eight-episode series is based on the unfinished novel of the same name by Edith Wharton. It was adapted to the small screen by Katherine Jakeways.
Although plenty of people are involved, The Buccaneers centers the drama surrounding the St. George family. You have sisters, Nan St. George and Jinny St. George, who battle with each other in a clash to impress their mother, Mrs. St. George. Between secrets coming out and a massive culture clash, things quickly go awry for the family and those around them.
The Buccaneers Season 1 review and plot summary
The Buccaneers follows American women sent off by their rich families to secure husbands and titles. But the London women aren’t fond of how the American women handle things, leading to a massive culture clash.
When we first meet Nan St. George, she tries calming down her friend Conchita, who is on the verge of marrying Lord Richard Marable, but he hasn’t shown up. Lord Richard is struggling with going through with the marriage because his family doesn’t believe Conchita is appropriate for their English background.
Although he bites the bullet and marries Conchita, Lord Richard begins to unpack that maybe he made the wrong decision as their relationship continues to fall apart due to Conchita not being adapted to the culture.
As this happens, Conchita and her bridesmaids are offered a trip to London, where they will be presented at the Debutante ball. The expectation at the ball is for each woman to potentially find a husband. Nan St. George isn’t thrilled with how the women are treated and calls people out. However, the royalty isn’t thrilled with her actions, and her mother sends her back home to New York.
First and foremost with the series set in the 1870s and in London, you knew we would be treated to some beautiful production and costume design. Costume designers Giovanni Lipari and Kate Carin flex their muscles within that first episode at the Debutante ball with breathtaking pieces that blow you away.
Another stand out in the technical aspect is the production design work by Amy Maguire. The entire series was shot on location in Scotland while using castles throughout the country. There are so many scenes that feel larger than life and ooze this authenticity, making the collaboration process put the viewer right in the era.
I wasn’t exactly familiar with Kristine Froseth heading into the series, but I walked away impressed with what she brought to the table as Nan St. George. Many people in the series are very good, but Froseth has much of the emotional weight throughout the show, and she carries it on her back.
The Buccaneers is the next big period drama
The Buccaneers will have a niche audience that loves these period pieces. Although it has some flaws with how the story can waver back and forth between countries, I found myself engaged in the main story so much that I didn’t want to stop watching.
If you are a fan of shows like Bridgerton, The Gilded Age, or The Great then I highly recommend checking out The Buccaneers. Apple may have very well found themselves a winner with real potential cultural impact here, even outside of the usual demographic.
What did you think of The Buccaneers Season 1? Comment below.
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