DISCLAIMER: This recap of The Buccaneers Season 1 Episode 5, “Failed Betrayal,” contains spoilers. Proceed at your peril.
The Buccaneers is juicy with a capital “J” this week. There is so much drama that you simply cannot save for your mama. Admittedly, this series isn’t an award-winning HBO drama or a cerebral puzzle-box mystery, but it’s a damn good time. It’s entertaining as hell. “Failed Betrayal” dives into The Buccaneers‘ innate themes, such as identity, sexuality and a woman’s role in an oppressive, misogynistic patriarchy. We’ve got some beautifully-worded monologues this week (with the occasional cringey dialogue) and a few standout performances.
“Failed Betrayal” pushes Nan and Guy’s narrative forward, sees Mabel and Honoria taking their relationship to the next level, finds Lizzy standing in her own power (she’s my fave), continues to establish Seadown as an abusive/gaslighting/controlling asshole and blesses us with petty Theo. All the pettiness, please, and thank you.
Ready to delve into “Failed Betrayal”? Let’s get to it.
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We open with Nan (Kristine Frøseth) and Theo (Guy Remmers) arriving at Guy’s home for Guy Fawkes Night (or Bonfire Night). Theo informs her that Guy’s family throws a massive party every year. Guy (Matthew Broome) greets them. Naturally, he’s awkward around Nan but totally normal with his BFF Theo. Once inside, we see Richard (Josh Dylan), Honoria (Mia Threapleton), Miles (Shobhit Piasa) and Seadown (Barney Fishwick) are already there. Richard gently urges Honoria to refrain from asking about Guy’s servants; however, Seadown blatantly asks anyway.

Guy claims his servants are away for a spell while they renovate the house. Nan and Theo join the gang, with Conchita (Alisha Boe), Lizzy (Aubri Ibrag), Mabel (Josie Totah) and Jinny (Imogen Waterhouse) hot on their heels. We learn that Guy has pivoted to a more intimate gathering this year. Guy informs everyone that they’ll have to chip in to prepare for the festivities, including chopping wood for the bonfires and making treacle toffee (or bonfire toffee). Nan volunteers to chop firewood with Nan, offering to swap places with Theo. That Nan — she loves to subvert societal expectations.
Outside, Nan teaches Guy how to really throw down an ax. Guy tells her about his late, great mum. He admits he wants a wife like her. He also hopes for an equal, a best friend. Nan starts swooning despite herself. She attempts to conceal it, but we know the truth (she’s got it bad).
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Inside Guy’s house, Lizzy and Jinny laugh while preparing the treacle toffee. Seadown barges into the kitchen, utilizing his magical wet blanket abilities to ground all the fun-having to a halt. He tastes Jinny’s marshmallow and is impressed. Then, he leans over Lizzy to access the running water in the sink to wash his finger. Suddenly, he claps his hands in front of her face, scaring her. He claims it was to kill a fly. Seadown informs Lizzy that the flies should die down as they get closer to the colder months. Oh, he’s a creep. Understandably, Lizzy is shaken by this encounter.
Then, Nan and Guy return with arms full of firewood. They spot Jean (Francesca Corney), the woman initially supposed to marry Theo. Based on the invitation she received, she was under the impression that the celebration would consist of many people. Theo reveals he invited Jean so she could get to know Guy better. Awkward. Guy pulls Theo aside to confront him. Why would he take the liberty to invite a guest without Guy’s knowledge or consent? Well, we know why. The duke put on his petty pants today.

Later, the gang does arts and crafts in preparation for the bonfire. Nan asks Theo why he invited Jean on Guy’s behalf. Theo claims he didn’t mean any harm by it. Doesn’t Nan want Guy and Jean to be as happy as them? Someone seems jealous (by “someone,” I mean Nan).
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Elsewhere, Conchita runs into Richard. Richard reveals he told everyone she was on an extended vacation. Instead of explaining that they’re separated, he thought it prudent to go that route. Richard inquires if he can visit Minnie (their daughter) sometime. Conchita encourages him to stop by during breakfast. They lightly flirt. The passion is still there, y’all.
Meanwhile, Guy finds Lizzy sitting on the kitchen floor, spoon in hand, as she licks the batter from the bowl. This is, as the kids say, a “mood.” I did this so much when I used to bake with my Granny. He plops down beside her and partakes in the batter consumption. Lizzy launches into a monologue about women being taught never to be full and how they must make themselves as small as possible to be seen. Oof. This hits hard. It’s just as relevant today. Then, she tells Guy about how Seadown made her feel ashamed and broken. She doesn’t mention Seadown by name, though.

Guy offers advice, stating that it’s not that Lizzy did anything shameful but that Seadown made her feel ashamed. She realizes the shame isn’t hers — it belongs to him. So, she must let it go. Again, this is another valid point that applies to my life. I love this scene. It’s beautifully acted by Aubri Ibrag. I just want my Lizzy to be happy.
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Then, Honoria joins Jean for a chat in another room. Jean reveals how awkward it is for her to be invited to a place where she’s unwanted. Guy clearly isn’t into her. The conversation turns to marriage and the loud, boisterous, unbridled Americans. Honoria reveals she’s learned a lot from them.
Finally, we get to the goods: Guy orchestrates a race in the sprawling maze in his yard. It’s ladies versus dudes. Whoever arrives at the maze’s center first has the privilege of lighting the torch to start the bonfire. Guy gives the women a headstart. Before Jinny heads into the maze, Seadown hands her his handkerchief. He asks her to wave it above the hedges so he can find her. Then, they can sneak away together. Lizzy encourages her to ditch the handkerchief and spend the afternoon with her. They seldom see each other now.

As the dudes barrel into the maze, Seadown finds a bridge to get a better vantage point of the area. He sees a white handkerchief flying above the hedges. However, when he arrives at that spot, he finds said handkerchief on the ground. Lizzy gives him a glare that says, “You don’t own me anymore.” There she is! Elsewhere, Guy and Nan chat while a hedge stands between them. She reveals she doesn’t think Jean is a good match for him. Nan learns about Guy’s telegram. She never received it while in New York. Guy urges her to stay put. He races toward her but notices she is gone. Meanwhile, Lizzy and Jinny escape. Mabel and Honoria reunite. They, too, devise an exit strategy.
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Guy arrives at the maze’s center to find Theo is the victor (again). Richard, Miles and Seadown are also present. Mabel and Honoria stroll along the riverbank arm-in-arm. They pretend to be a married couple. They ask the other if they’re ready to “retire.” It’s time to get it on, folks. They spot a small abandoned house nearby. At the same time, Conchita and Nan sit on a bridge while the latter vents about her situation. She wants to know what Guy’s telegram says. Conchita recognizes that Nan’s in love with Guy. Nan complains about how angry he makes her. Conchita insists that love is like a heart attack. It’s fiery. She encourages her pal to get clarity from Guy on the matter.
Next, we see Lizzy and Jinny reminiscing and laughing on a row boat while Mabel and Honoria have sex. It’s sweet. Then, Nan confronts Guy. He has the audacity to make her feel things! Guy lets slip that he loves her, and he’s loved her since the moment they met. During his grand, romantic speech, Nan kisses him. A thousand angels sing. A dozen doves fly overhead, perfectly synchronized. (Just kidding.) Nan breaks the kiss and flees. Guy gives chase. Both run into Theo. Theo invites them to play poker. Well, that is if Guy has enough money to wager.

During the poker game, Theo gets in a few digs at Guy’s expense. Guy appears to win. Theo urges him to use his new funds to rehire the servants. Ouch. However, Nan reveals she actually won. She storms off.
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Later that evening, Theo lights the bonfire. Nan approaches Guy, having learned that Guy traveled to New York earlier in pursuit of a wealthy American wife. He needed the money to save his house and social standing. Of course, we know Guy genuinely loves Nan. She declares they’re no longer friends. Meanwhile, Lizzy and Jinny emerge from the woods. Jinny embraces Seadown. She apologizes profusely for leaving him alone and succumbs to negative self-talk.
Seadown pretends to be her savior, claiming he doesn’t like seeing her upset (massive eye roll). He urges her to head to their room, and they’ll talk it all out. Sure, Jan. Elsewhere, Theo finds Guy alone in a room nearly devoid of furniture. Guy sold his mother’s paintings for extra cash. Theo apologizes for being an ass and offers to throw money his way so he can refurbish his home. Guy refuses to accept anything else from Theo.
Then, Jinny tries to enter the room she shares with Seadown. However, it’s locked. The jerk legit locked her out to make her more reliant on his abusive self. Ugh. Outside, Honoria asks Mabel why she left their little haven. Mabel claims she’s tired of pretending; she’s done this dance before. She wishes to hold hands and kiss her beloved in public, but she can’t. She leaves Honoria, who weeps in her wake. Oh, I don’t like this. After leaving Jinny outside for a while, Seadown lets her in. Her demeanor instantly changes. She shrinks. It’s heartbreaking.

Finally, the following morning, Theo continues his Apology Tour by apologizing to Nan for his behavior. She accepts his apology. They smooch. Guy broods from afar. He douses the bonfire’s flames with water while his BFF kisses his crush. It sucks to be him.
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Will Nan ever forgive Guy (undoubtedly)? Will Lizzy take Seadown out to the trash where he belongs? When will Conchita and Richard rekindle their romance? Similarly, will Mabel realize she doesn’t want to end things with Honoria? Only time (and more episodes) will tell.
The Buccaneers streams new episodes every Wednesday on Apple TV+.
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