THE BUCCANEERS Series Premiere Recap: (S01E01) American Poison

Melody McCune

One woman in a white bridal gown with darker skin and four bridesmaids in green dresses with lighter skin hold up champagne flutes for a toast in The Buccaneers Season 1 Episode 1, "American Poison."

DISCLAIMER: This recap of The Buccaneers Season 1 Episode 1, “American Poison,” contains spoilers. Proceed at your peril. 

HarlotsMarie AntoinettePeaky Blinders and Dickinson — What do these period pieces have in common? Well, they’re modernized dramedies with bangin’ contemporary soundtracks. Putting a modern spin on a period piece is a great way to explore relevant societal issues on an antiquated backdrop. Apple TV+’s The Buccaneers, an adaptation of Edith Wharton’s unfinished 1938 novel, seeks to become your next cheeky 19th-century obsession. (Not to be confused with the 1995 miniseries also adapted from Wharton’s novel starring Carla Gugino.)

“American Poison” is our entry point into this world. Full disclosure: I’m tackling this series without having read the book. So, all my views from here on out are purely based on what I see onscreen. 

I was expecting something closer to Dickinson in terms of clever, snappy dialogue and whimsy, but my curiosity is still piqued. I love period shows with contemporary influences, so this niche genre is up my alley. “American Poison” spotlights the clash between American and British aristocracy of that time while highlighting the wonderful friendship between these girls. I hope it leans heavily on their bond. 

Ready to delve into “American Poison”? Let’s get to it. 

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We open in 1870s London at the scene of an opulent wedding. Annabel “Nan” St. George (Kristine Frøseth) helps her mother, Mrs. St. George (Christina Hendricks), prepare for Conchita Closson’s wedding to Lord Richard Marable. Nan gives her BFF Conchita (Alisha Boe) a pep talk before she walks down the aisle. Conchita vents about Richard being late. Is he going to leave her at the altar? How scandalous. Especially since she’s pregnant. Suddenly, Conchita drops one of her earrings, which lands on the ground outside her window. Ever one to subvert societal conventions, Nan climbs out of the window to retrieve the earring. That’s when she meets Guy Thwarte (Matthew Broome). 

After some light flirtation with Guy, Nan spots Richard’s (Josh Dylan) carriage. He emphatically tells Nan that he can’t wait to marry Conchita despite being tardy to his own wedding. Later, Nan and Conchita toast to the latter’s impending nuptials with their other best friends — Nan’s sister Virginia “Jinny” St. George (Imogen Waterhouse) and sisters Elizabeth “Lizzy” (Aubri Ibrag) and Mabel (Josie Totah) Elmsworth. Once Conchita weds, the debutante season will be upon them. It’ll be time for Jinny and Lizzy to find husbands. 

A middle-aged man with light skin and a navy blue military uniform, complete with medals, walks arm-in-arm with a middle-aged white woman with red hair during a party in 1870s London in The Buccaneers Season 1 Episode 1, "American Poison."
THE BUCCANEERS Season 1 Episode 1, “American Poison.” Photo courtesy of Apple TV+.

Then, everyone parties it up after the wedding. Nan runs into Guy again, this time as they’re descending parallel staircases. Sparks fly. Listen, I get it. He’s a cutie patootie. Richard informs Mrs. St. George that our American girls have been invited to the debutante ball in London. They’ll be presented to the Queen. Sorry, New York fellas. 

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Meanwhile, in Cornwall, Theo, Duke of Tintagel (Guy Remmers), chats with his mother, the Dowager Duchess of Tintagel (Amelia Bullmore), about finding a wife. Geez, it’s all about spouses with these folks. Maybe he’s single, and he doesn’t wanna mingle. Elsewhere, Miss Laura Testvalley (Simone Kirby) accompanies the St. Georges to their next destination — the Marable household. The debutante ball looms large on the horizon. 

The girls collectively scream as they reunite with Conchita, who’s significantly further along in her pregnancy. Lady Brightlingsea (Fenella Woolgar), Richard’s mother, watches with disgust as the girls embrace. She and her husband refer to the Americans in London as “American poison.” Ew. Someone needs to get off their high horse. Nan and Conchita get a moment alone before dinner. Conchita warns her bestie about this city and how it’s a pit of vipers. Everyone’s out to get you. 

A man with a mustache and gray suit walks arm-in-arm down the aisle with a bride in white who holds a bouquet and smiles in The Buccaneers Season 1 Episode 1, "American Poison."
THE BUCCANEERS Season 1 Episode 1, “American Poison.” Photo courtesy of Apple TV+.

Next, the group has dinner. Richard’s sister, Honoria (Mia Threapleton), and brother, Lord James Seadown (Barney Fishwick), are also present. Jinny hopes to impress James, in particular. However, when asked a question about something art-related, Jinny cracks under the pressure. Nan, on the other hand, offers an insightful response, surprising her hosts. And they thought all Americans were stupid! 

RELATED: Catch up on the wild nights with our Dickinson recaps!

Later, after some palling around with the gals, Nan eavesdrops on a conversation between Conchita and Richard. Richard is leaving for a few weeks … again. Conchita can’t believe he’d go anywhere with her in this state. She’s about to pop. Richard’s family clearly dislikes Conchita, which puts a strain on his and Conchita’s marriage. My girl doesn’t deserve that sh*t.

Meanwhile, Guy is back home. Earlier in the episode, we learned his mother was dying. She has since passed. Guy’s father, Sir Helmsley Thwarte (Geff Francis), asks him about the debutante ball. Will he attend it? Guy plans on doing so. Business as usual, right? But grief is an unpredictable beast, my friend. 

Two women in white dresses with lighter skin look at each other while preparing for their London debut in the 1870s in The Buccaneers Season 1 Episode 1, "American Poison."
THE BUCCANEERS Season 1 Episode 1, “American Poison.” Photo courtesy of Apple TV+.

Then, it’s the big day — the London debutante ball. Jinny and Lizzy are dressed in white as they join the other ladies who will be presented before the Queen. Nan and Mabel, who are too young, watch the proceedings with their mothers. At one point, Nan overhears a few English folks poking fun at Americans and making lewd jokes about the women. She bites back at them. It feels unbelievable, given the time, but super satisfying when viewing this through a modern lens. 

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We see James, Guy and Theo are there, observing the women who are like peacocks on display. Nan and Guy reunite for a third time. They stand alone on the next floor, watching the proceedings below. They chat about life and death. Suddenly, Nan drops one of her shoes on the cake several feet beneath them. They both giggle before fleeing. Unfortunately, this gets Nan into trouble. Irate, Jinny pulls her younger sister aside and scolds her for stealing the limelight from her. Today is supposed to be her day. However, as usual, Nan takes center stage. That’s when Jinny lets it slip that Mrs. St. George isn’t her biological mother. 

Bombshell! According to Jinny, their father had a “dalliance” with one of the maids. Mrs. St. George took Nan on as her own daughter to avoid a scandal. Jinny instantly regrets blurting out the truth she was supposed to keep secret, but the damage is already done. 

A teenage girl with lighter skin, blonde hair and a blue dress leans on a staircase railing while smiling in The Buccaneers Season 1 Episode 1, "American Poison."
THE BUCCANEERS Season 1 Episode 1, “American Poison.” Photo courtesy of Apple TV+.

Later, the family decides it would be best if Nan accompanied Miss Testvalley on a trip through the English countryside. They can explore Cornwall, for starters. We know this move is really to put some distance between Nan and the London season. Nan and Testvalley arrive in Cornwall as Conchita, still in London, goes into labor. She calls out for Nan. 

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Then, Guy’s father gives him his mother’s wedding ring to offer Nan. Guy claims his encounters with the “American girl” are “going according to plan.” Damn, it’s proposal time already? Meanwhile, Conchita gives birth while standing up as Nan goes for a swim. She meets Theo, who is also in the water. Theo shows Nan his paintings. Sparks fly. I smell a love triangle on the horizon. The duke, who hasn’t found a wife in the decade he’s been looking, appears to be smitten with Nan. 

However, Nan claims she’ll inevitably return to New York. She wishes him good luck regarding his “frog-birds,” or whatever he’s attempting to paint. Cue fun modern music. 

A young man with light skin and a dark suit stands in front of the ocean on a sunny day in The Buccaneers Season 1 Episode 1, "American Poison."
THE BUCCANEERS Season 1 Episode 1, “American Poison.” Photo courtesy of Apple TV+.

Will Nan pursue a romance with Theo or Guy? Will she ever forgive Jinny for keeping her parentage a secret? Can Conchita mend fences with her husband? Only time (and more episodes) will tell.

The Buccaneers streams new episodes every Wednesday on Apple TV+

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Melody McCune
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