The Buccaneers

... one critic's comments... "The Buccaneers, a refreshing take on the period drama genre, exploring the clash of cultures and the pursuit of love and ambition with a modern sensibility, all within the enchanting setting of 1870s London. Its bold and unapologetic approach might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it undeniably adds a unique flavor to the genre."

... an ok show, well done for the most part... you'll know within the first episode if you're going to be sticking with it week to week... it's entertaining to a 6 of 10, really not much more... acting like it's trying to be, yet Bridgerton it's not

... 12.14.23 - quite the S1 ending ... night b4 wedding, hubby-to-be out on some balcony drinking, while fiance's 'bedroom-entertaining'.. and that's only one of the pairings... S2 coming ... (and actually early-episodes new-Bridgerton's-boring)

I'm a huge Regency romance fan and was intrigued by this show. Yet I've found myself rolling my eyes more and more as each episode passes. The character's personalities and are inconsistent and the direction makes the show remain shallow as it grasps at depth. The rah-rah sisterhood theme of the show is quickly bowled over for flashy and increasingly annoying drama. I think this show had potential to be an alternative to Bridgerton but the sets and costumes do the heavy lifting to make the show feel 1800s. I never thought I would come across the manic dream girl in a period drama but alas here we are... men falling over one character because she just happens to not want to swim in a corset or takes her shoes off. I love the sets and costumes are good but not memorable but the show makes me annoyed as a regency romance lover.

I absolutely hated this when I started watching it. It felt like a rip-off Bridgerton. And in many ways it is. It was Bridgerton but not as good. I almost stopped watching. But then something odd happened. Partway through episode two, I began to enjoy it a bit more. A storyline of sorts began to develop. Someone's said the acting was bad. It wasn't. In fact, there are some good, well-known actors in the show. What irked, initially, was probably more the fault of the director than the actors - the vacuous cheerleader type vibe, which didn't sit well with 1870s England. It was also a mistake copying Bridgerton and using a modern music score. That jarred. And where it worked in Bridgerton, it didn't here. But even so, as the story and characters (along with their secrets) developed, I found myself pretty hooked on this. Is it historically accurate? Nope. Is it slightly the wrong side of light and frothy? Yes. But it's also quite addictive. I found myself thinking about it when I wasn't watching it and wanting to get back to the characters. There's also a darkness (particularly with one character) which helps to take the edge off the fluff. It's not a long series and, by the end, I wished it had been longer. I really hope a second season is on the way.

As a 65-year-old male who doesn't have much use for costume dramas, I truly enjoyed The Buccaneers. For those reviewers comparing this to Bridgerton, it's completely different - and that's a good thing as far as I'm concerned. If I was to compare it with another show in the same vein, the obvious one is Dickinson, another Apple TV+ period piece. Both shows have a youthful spirit that's invigorating. Additionally, the quality of the acting, writing and cinematography are all first-class. Like Dickinson, the music is mostly well-chosen 21st century songs, not the orchestral re-imaginings of Bridgerton. For me, that makes the entire experience eminently more emotional and enjoyable. Put aside any preconceptions and just go along for the ride. If you do, I bet you'll enjoy The Buccaneers as much as I did - and, hopefully, Apple TV+ orders a second season, since there are several interesting directions for this show to explore.

A good watch while you're waiting for the third season of Bridgerton, or suffering through droughtlander! The show follows the 4 friends of an American heiress who marries a rich Englishman after a Summer fling. I don't exactly understand why- but they go visit her in England for a season of balls and to try to catch their own titled husbands. Yes the characters are teenage girls, but I don't understand why in some other reviews, everyone is so angry about them acting like teenage girls. This 43 year old mom who loves period drama loves it! Sisters fight, families have secrets, girls fight over liking the same boy, women get stuck in unhappy marriages, drama, drama and more drama. If you like drama, this is for you!