Warning! This article contains spoilers for The Buccaneers season 2, episode 5.While The Buccaneers has taken some admirably big swings in season 2, not every storytelling decision has hit the mark. In episode 5, The Buccaneers‘ cast members give some great performances, but some other issues stop the episode from really standing out.
The hour centers around Lizzy and Hector’s upcoming wedding, with both Nan and Hector unaware that Lizzy is having a full-blown affair with Theo. Mabel serves as a sounding board for Lizzy and Honoria, while also wrestling with a decision of her own. Back in Italy, Guy finds solace with Paloma after Nan’s departure, and Jinny continues to lie to Guy about James.
Lizzy, Theo & Hector’s Love Triangle Hits Its Breaking Point
Aubri Ibrag Gives An Authentic Performance As Lizzy Makes Her Decision, But Both Relationships Are Underdeveloped
The crux of the episode hangs on Lizzy’s decision to either go through with her marriage to Hector or continue her relationship with Theo, knowing they will always have to love each other in secret. While the scenes in this storyline are lessened by how quickly the love triangle has developed, Aubri Ibrag is excellent as Lizzy weighs the many aspects of her decision.
Wisely, the show doesn’t gloss over the very real ramifications for Lizzy as a woman in this time. Her scene with Mabel proves she wants to choose love and pick the person she’ll be happiest with. However, she also rightfully points out to Theo that if she chooses him, he’ll still be a Duke, and she’ll just be a mistress.
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Though there were many romantic moments in The Buccaneers season 2, episode 3, my favorite flirtation was one I wasn’t expecting to see at all.
This season of The Buccaneers, I’ve struggled to feel much empathy for Theo, but I was surprised by his turn at the end of the episode. It was refreshing to see him encourage Lizzy to essentially choose herself rather than him or Hector, and that conversation did a lot to show how much he actually cares for her.
Josie Totah Also Gets A Chance To Shine In This Episode
Mabel Plays A Pivotal Role For Lizzy And Honoria But Has A Big Moment Of Her Own, Too
Over the course of both Buccaneers’ seasons, Mabel has often taken on the “good woman in the storm” role, and she does that in spades in this episode. The show leans on her sister bond with Lizzy in a way that works really well. Not only does Mabel quickly suss out Lizzy’s feelings for Theo, she also gives a lovely toast at Lizzy’s party with Hector.
Mabel and Honoria also continue to prove why they’re The Buccaneers’ healthiest couple, with Mabel making an incredibly selfless decision and encouraging Honoria to go to France, recognizing she deserves some time to explore. That conversation helps lead to one of the episode’s most unexpected scenes, where Mabel finds some common ground with her mother. While it’s not quite full acceptance, there’s a clear attempt on her mom’s part to meet her where she is, and Josie Totah is excellent at playing Mabel’s joy in that connection.
The Italy Scenes In This Episode Highlight Some Of The Show’s Overarching Issues
The Buccaneers Remains Too Reliant On Secrets & Blatant Plot Devices
In Italy, it makes sense that Guy seeks a rebound soon after Nan leaves, and Paloma is really the only viable option. However, as someone who enjoyed the platonic vibes between Guy, Jinny, and Paloma in earlier episodes, it’s somewhat disappointing to see the show take the predictable route with Guy and Paloma falling into bed together.
The Buccaneers has always been a bit too reliant on secrets for conflict as well, which has come into play several times this season.
Even more frustrating, though, is the two getting married as part of their drunken evening. In general, TV relies too much on that as a plot device, and in this case, it’s a pretty blatant attempt to create another obstacle to Guy and Nan’s relationship.
The Buccaneers has always been a bit too reliant on secrets for conflict as well, which has come into play several times this season. In this episode, Jinny continues to keep her outings with James a secret from Guy, even after he panics when he can’t find her, unaware that she’s with James. While I recognize that Jinny has to come to her own conclusions regarding James, it’s still frustrating to see a secret play such a big role in another episode this season.
The Buccaneers season 2 episodes release on Wednesdays through August 6 on Apple TV+.
The Buccaneers Season 2, Episode 5
6/10
- Release Date
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June 18, 2025
- Network
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Apple TV+
- Episodes
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8
- Aubri Ibrag and Josie Totah give great performances
- The episode explores Lizzy’s dilemma believably
- The Lizzy/Theo/Hector love triangle is underdeveloped
- The Italy scenes highlight the show’s reliance on plot devices
