Love always finds a way, and that still rings true on The Buccaneers Season 1 Episode 8 finale in some ways.
For much of the series, fans debated whether Nan would choose Guy or Theo, but by the end of the episode, it wasn’t that simple, and a lot weighed in on her decision to essentially take on the role of Duchess of Tintagel to protect everyone she loved.
Aside from the love triangle, Jinny’s storyline with her abusive husband, James Seadown, was weaved in throughout the season, though it was never connected directly to Nan’s love story, and since Seadown worked overtime to drive a wedge between the sisters and isolate Jinny, the final outcome was far from what anyone was expecting.
And yet, when it all played out—quite dramatically, might I add—it all began to make sense. The pieces of the puzzle fell back into place.
The series’ focus was on a tight-knit group of friends and their adventures in London—and though they drifted apart a bit throughout the eight-episode run, despite remaining in each other’s orbit—it was nice to see them hone in on that friendship in the final moments, proving that together, they are stronger than ever and can get through anything.
The ladies were instrumental in helping Nan execute her final plan, which prioritized saving Jinny from her physically and emotionally abusive relationship at any cost. She wasn’t naive about how bleak the situation at hand looked—she knew that getting Jinny out was a long shot with the power that Seadown possessed, especially if she remained a powerless young girl without any protections of her own.
And sadly, though it was abundantly clear that her heart, body, and soul wanted Guy more than anything, he also didn’t have the means to protect her and her sister.
The only way that she could look out for everyone, including her mother who wanted to be free from her cheating husband, was to marry Theo and become the Duchess of Tintangel.
And that’s exactly what she did—with the current Duchess’ blessing, of course. There was a lot of pressure placed on Nan, but she’s proved time and time again that she will rise to the occasion.
As the Duchess informed Patti, she may be a mother, but she’s also a duchess, and in that regard, she understands the sacrifices that need to be made for the institution, including that Nan was the person who would also take on those sacrifices.
Nan wasn’t given much of a choice, so she made the ultimate sacrifice to enter into a loveless marriage (hollow, as Patti put it when speaking to the Duchess) for the greater good, to offer those protections that they all wouldn’t have otherwise. It wasn’t just beneficial for her mother and Jinny, it also protected Theo, who would’ve been made to look a fool if she didn’t show up at the altar. Losing Nan, whom he fought to marry despite her illegitimacy, would undermine him in the eyes of the people. While Nan may not have romantically loved Theo, she does love him as a person who is open, caring, honest, and funny, so she couldn’t hurt him in such a way either.
After the Duchess saw Guy and Nan together, she knew what was going on—she knew Guy well enough to understand the twinkle in his eye, and while she may not understand the hold that this woman has over these two men, I think she sees the value of Nan.
She may have told her that she needs to be quiet and supportive from the sidelines once she assumes the role of Duchess, but she sees that Nan can and will do the right thing, and likely respects how transparent Nan has been with her. It’s just a shame we didn’t see this scene pan out, I’d love to know what the Duchess said to both Guy and Nan as they came up with this plan and decided to put their love on hold.
It’s also unclear what Nan told Theo when she visited him at his art studio before the wedding, however, it doesn’t seem as though he’s aware of the larger plan in place at all. From where he’s standing, he seems to think that Nan chose him because she loves him, which, might be for the best. Honesty isn’t always the best policy, and I don’t think he’d appreciate knowing that she spent the night before the wedding having a romantic evening with his best friend and the man that she truly desires. Some things are better left unsaid.
Also, Nan, what a baddie, right? When Guy scaled the wall to break into Nan’s bedroom, it was clear that this was their one and only chance to solidify their feelings for each other. They’re crazy about one another—and in the grand scheme of things, and despite how messy it may have been, I’m glad that they were able to have this one moment of pure passion before Nan was forced to put everything and everyone else first.
The spark between Nan and Guy is undeniable… and at this point, he’s professed his love so many times that I’m about to skirt my responsibilities and run away with him.
The Buccaneers/ Apple TV
There’s no greater feeling than love—rhyme and reason walk right out the door when you’re in the presence of someone who quite literally makes your heart want to jump out of its chest. They’ve denied these feelings for so long before finally giving in to the lust, want, desire, and yes, love… because Nan may have told Theo she doesn’t love Guy, but right before walking down the aisle, she said the ‘L’ word to him.
Romantic connection aside, Guy is also the person that has a deeper bond with Nan since the beginning. Theo likely doesn’t have any inkling about what’s going on with Jinny, nor would Nan share it with him, but Guy jumped in to help her escape without hesitation. When their first attempt didn’t work, he was part of the larger plan in motion, leaving his heart with Nan outside of the church and hopping into a carriage with a distraught Jinny to get her as far away as possible from Seadown, promising to take good care of her in the process.
Yes, Nan made the ultimate sacrifice, throwing away a relationship that gave her freedom and made her feel alive, but Guy was right there behind her, helping a young pregnant woman run away with a Lord’s unborn child. That’s a major commitment and not one easily made unless you love the woman you’re doing it for.
Jinny, naturally, felt guilty about all of it considering she thought she was going to be running off with Nan and Guy instead of coming between them and forcing Nan into a life she did not want, but Nan assured her that she loved her the most and this was the only way.
Thankfully, it seems that Nan will at least get the support of her friends through all of this as they’ll undoubtedly be the ones that will feel Seadown’s wrath. He was livid the moment he realized that Jinny managed to, as he loved to put it, “wander away.”
Jinny’s decision was tough on her as well as she was finally admitting that she didn’t have the fairytale romance, but it was also incredibly brave of her to confide in someone about the abuse. If she wasn’t pregnant, she’d likely just take it, but knowing that she’s bringing a life into this world, and one she might not be able to protect gave her the courage to seek a way out.
When it comes to Patti, who hands down deserves the mother of the year award, it’s unfortunate that she’s been left in the dark and blindsided so many times.
In the final moments of the episode, Nan’s father informs Patti that the birth mother is at the church–but that’s a mystery to solve come season 2. My money continues to be on Testvalley, though I didn’t get a good luck inside the church to confirm my suspicions. Will her reappearance make things difficult for Patti to finally get that divorce?
Now that Jinny and Guy have run off, and Nan is likely the only person who knows where they are, it also gives The Buccaneers a reason to return for a second season, pending a renewal from Apple TV.
Hopefully, in the process, Guy and Jinny don’t fall in love, though it has to be weird that he’ll likely be raising her sister’s child. And how will Guy fare if Theo and Nan have a child of their own? Will Nan and Guy still continue their affair?
The rest of the episode also gave us some big moments for Nan’s besties, including Mabel and Honoria, who declared their love for each other and said screw the rest of them for not understanding. They have a difficult road ahead as well, but at least they are in agreement that this is a path that they want to pursue together. They’ve both pushed each other to be honest about who they are and what they want, living an authentic life rather than trying to hide in the shadows and allowing shame to fester. As Lizzy explained to Mabel when she came out to her in a beautifully tender moment, “How can lover ever be wrong” and “You’re too lovely to be ruined.”
Obviously, we know that this is an optimistic outlook, but the sentiment rings true and is worth holding onto when the darkness rolls in.
As for Richard and Conchita, the duo was so close to getting their freedom and living life on their own terms—Richard even stood up to his own mother, a moment that couldn’t have made Conchita prouder to stand by her man—but alas, it all seemed to be for nothing as his father later informed him that his doctors gave him “weeks” before tasking Richard with taking on role of the family’s patriarch with Conchita as the Lady of the household. It might not be the lifestyle they were hoping to pursue, but it does give them the ultimate control, and given that Conchita’s father’s business deals fell through, it might be the best alternative in the long run.
Oh, how quickly the Brightlingsea family has fallen.
But… Conchita and Nan—running the world to the beat of their own drum. London should consider itself lucky.
The series has such a hold over me, so for better or for worse, I’m all in. Give me season 2!