The Buccaneers Season 2 levels up in almost every way, even when it’s concocting popcorn love triangles, and is well worth the weekly tune-in.

The series remains as fearless as ever in its approach to the stories it’s telling, and there’s plenty to enjoy about its go-for-broke attitude. It’s just difficult not to wonder what a version of this season might look like had it given (any of) its major plotlines time to breathe.

While Season 2 culminates with an ending that could indicate a bold future direction for the story, the series continues to struggle at finding a natural balance between a frothy, feminist romp and a melancholy period drama — when, like Nan, it could thrive once it ultimately makes up its mind about what it wants to be from this point forward.

There are low points in this season, including one affair that lacks chemistry despite some melodramatic proclamations of love, a cartoonish villain, and Leighton Meester’s limited screen time. Those hiccups aside, The Buccaneers remains a fun and unpredictable watch—even when you’re tearing your hair out over these young, often flighty characters’ choices.

While The Buccaneers season 2 isn’t always successful in its approach, it certainly pushes both itself and viewers to embrace something different.