It was far from a happy new year on The Buccaneers Season 1 Episode 7 as a party held by the Brightlingsea’s tested relationships, particularly in light of Nan’s big secret about being illegitimate became the topic of conversation for the U.K.’s elite.
Nan, who so boldly declared that she was unashamed of where she came from in the previous episode, was suddenly feeling the pressure of the “whispers” (because in the 1800s, that’s how the hot gossip was spread, in addition to telegrams), and those whispers did a number on her relationship with Theo, who stood by her from the moment he found out and tried to be supportive (, yet somehow made her feel like a burden.
The truth here is that Theo could’ve been the perfect gentleman, and Nan still would have found something wrong with his actions. Nan was subconsciously finding any string to pull to push him away, and it just so happened to occur when she felt inadequate and assumed Theo was treating her as a charity case rather than seeing his actions as a testament of his love for her.
Theo supported her wholeheartedly (he doesn’t punish Nan for something she had no control over, as the rest of society does by questioning how she managed to land a duke and wondering if “witchcraft” had anything to do with it), but she ran from him and hid on a rooftop with Guy, which should honestly tell you everything you need to know about what her heart wants.
My biggest issue with Nan is that she’s selfish, something that Theo even pointed out during their fight. She’s dragging his name and reputation through the mud, yet refuses to take the blame for it, all while playing these mind games and driving a wedge between two best friends who, despite having a lot of respect for each other, end up throwing food at each other and engaging in an 1800s version of WWE.
Nan’s incredibly courageous in many aspects of her life, but she’s not able to just declare what she wants, even when given the opportunity many times over, causing so much tension and turmoil, but never really owning up to her part in it.
Theo basically gave her a way out by asking her if she loves Guy, yet she dismissed the question and turned on him for knowing about her illegitimacy and saying nothing.
Theo’s perspective makes a lot of sense as it was never his secret to tell. He didn’t want to embarrass her or put her on the spot. Nan’s stance also has merit as she was wary about divulging this big thing in her life as she felt like when she told Guy, it pushed him away.
Nevertheless, the secret drove a wedge between them as she felt as though she had to hide a part of herself, making it impossible to confide in him the way she did with Guy as she thought she’d lose everything. And, in turn, it allowed her and Guy to become closer as he knew her better than anyone. It’s not exactly a recipe for success for a newly engaged couple.
But still, none of that addresses the situation at hand—her feelings for Guy that she’s been repressing.
Guy was forced to recite word for word what he wrote in the telegram (which he somehow remembered despite being drunk as a skunk), passionately professing his love for Nan in front of Theo, and I honestly have no idea how she kept her composure and didn’t just jump into his arms.
He was wearing his heart on his sleeve, telling her that his heart was eternally hers, even if they could never be together. I’m swooning because it was the most perfect and beautiful letter.
But instead of this massive moment forcing Nan to make a decision, they both skirted around their feelings once again.
Guy and Nan are just like two ships passing in the night—when one of them is ready to take action on their feelings, the other shoots it down, and vice-versa.
After Guy declared his love, Theo gave her a chance to own up to her feelings, but naturally, when she tried to ask Guy if he still meant all those things, he shot it all down telling her that they need to stop doing this dance and informing her of his engagement to Jean, which I don’t actually believe is real because if they were to be wed, wouldn’t she be with him at the party?
Guy likely believes that he’s doing the right thing for Nan as she has a more promising future with Theo, and he doesn’t want to hurt his best bud either.
You should never choose the man with the title over the man that you can confide in and comfortably lay on the roof with, as your fingers brush with desire and every touch is electric, however, when Guy said they need to “free each other,” he gave Nan no other choice, and thus, the episode ends with Nan and Theo driving away in their carriage, the engagement still on, as Guy apologizes to Theo for not being honest with him, asks him to take care of Nan, and will likely regret letting the girl of his dreams slip away for the millionth time before circumstance brings them back together again.
Credit: The Buccaneers/AppleTV
I know that this whole love triangle is necessary for drama-sake, but I just want to shake Guy and Nan. On the other hand, I pride the lot for being so open and honest about no more secrets as that’s incredibly rare when it comes to complicated romances on TV… however, for that reason, it’s also so frustrating as to why Nan and Guy allowed it to continue when they were given a chance to run off together and live happily ever after, no harm, no foul.
Nan doesn’t even care about becoming a duchess, so what’s keeping her with Theo? Though I imagine if she were to ever find out about her mother’s predicament, and the fact that she told Tracy she’s divorcing him once Nan is married and she gets the power of being a duchess’ mom, she would go through with the wedding for her sake.
Nan and Guy’s feelings might not be obvious to anyone else, but Patti picked up on the flirtation immediately, and I expect when it comes down to it, she’ll be the one to convince Nan to follow her heart so she doesn’t end up in a relationship with a man she resents, though in this case, Theo is nothing like Tracy and actually loves her daughter.
I’m firmly on Team Guy because Nan is one of the lucky people in this world who gets to choose her partner based on love. She complicates a matter where there should be no complication, and when looking at the problems of the other “Americans,” she has it easy.
Jinny’s relationship with Seadown is crumbling behind the scenes as she’s finding it harder to pretend, especially as she’s expecting. No one ever uttered the word “pregnant,” but she touched her belly enough times to indicate that she was with child—a child with a monster who continued to harass and embarrass Lizzy at every turn. Did no one notice him being a complete creep when they were playing the blindfold game? Someone needs to hold that man accountable.
Jinny attempts to run away at one point but comes right back out of fear of what he might do to her. I feel for her, but she also avoided all the red flags and warnings from her friends so while she’s a victim, she’s also dug herself into an impossible situation.
Mabel thought that her decision to get married would provide her with a cover so she could be herself and continue on a dalliance with Honoria, but she’s learning that isn’t the case. During their brief yet heavy conversation, Honoria delivers the most gutwrenching line to Mabel—“I hate you for making me feel like I could be loved.”
Honoria has truly made the most progress in these seven episodes, flourishing into a self-realized and brave person, who broaches the topic of Richard’s relationship with Testvalley. She informs him that she knows he was sexually abused by her and doesn’t think he should continue carrying the shame, which prompts him to come clean to his mother, who, in a shocking twist reveals that she always knew and pretty much did nothing about it other than send her away before he could bring “any shame” to the family.
When he tries to inform her of the damage the relationship caused him, she’s dismissive and tells him to stop acting like a baby and be a man. I’d be surprised by this cold display, but it’s in line with what Honoria and Dick said about their parents earlier in the episode, and it’s honestly no surprise that Seadown is who he is. They probably know all about that too and just turn a blind eye as poor Jinny suffers.
Honoria finally taps in Conchita when Dick is emotional on the roof. Though he doesn’t tell her about the extent of the hurt, he does apologize for bringing her into his suffocating family, as she consoles him and tells him that he’s stuck with her as family now. Conchita is his lifeline—and his way out, so I hope he takes it.
When seeing what everyone’s dealing with, Nan’s problems feel so small and inconsequential—whomever she chooses to be with (and it should be Guy), she’ll have a life filled with love, wonder, and experiences, the whisperings be damned because both men think she’s entirely perfect just the way she is.
What did you think of the penultimate episode? How do you think the season finale will pan out? Will Patty’s decision to divorce Tracy influence Nan’s decision? Will Guy attend the wedding? Will Nan get cold feet at the altar?