Read this review to see if the Nautilus episode “Too Big to Fail” is worth watching.
The Nautilus crew arrives in London to take down the East India Mercantile Company. The show balances humor and darkness, employing a clever ruse to further their mission. The finale features epic showdowns, comeuppances, and unexpected twists. The characters shine throughout, with a Company character whose arc left me speechless.
About Nautilus
- Season 1, Episode 10: “Too Big to Fail”
- Directed by Isabelle Sieb
- Written by James Dormer
- Synopsis: Nemo and crew scheme to dissolve the East India Mercantile Company.
- Airdate: August 24, 2025
- Starring: Shazad Latif, Georgia Flood, Céline Menville, Thierry Frémont, Luke Arnold, Jacob Collins-Levy, Damien Garvey, Kayden Price, Benedict Hardie, Arlo Green, Tyrone Ngatai, Ling Cooper Tang, Pacharo Mzembe, Andrew Shaw, Chum Ehelepola, Ashan Kumar, and
“If you want to avoid spoilers for this episode, skip to the overall section at the end.
Warning: Spoilers for Nautilus Season 1 Episode 10 “Too Big to Fail”
Recap Nautilus (2025): S1E10 – “Too Big to Fail”
The moving episode begins with Nemo Dakkar warning his crew that the Company is expecting an attack, and the Dreadnought and Lord Algernon Pitt have returned to London. Nemo emphasizes they need shares from the three main shareholders: Jericho Baker (Don Bridges), Dr. Ambrose Skin (Nicholas Hope), and Lord Pitt.
The crew starts spreading rumors that the Company is in trouble, and the story quickly gains traction thanks to a humble but influential shoe shiner. The Company President (Bruce Spence) demands answers from Crawley, who claims Nemo is trying to cause chaos, but the President claims it’s working. The whole opening is fraught with danger as the crew is trying to take down a dangerous and all-powerful company.
Humility Lucas (Georgia Flood) gives Nemo documents from the library. Loti, Suyin, Blaster, and Turan steal clothes for their disguises. What do they have in mind?
The Company President is frantic and demands that Crawley stop Nemo. The director decides to call a shareholder meeting at 7 pm to calm them down and remind them that the Company is “too big to fail.” Nemo says they have three hours to get the shares. If they miss the shareholder’s meeting, everything will have been for nothing. They’ll end up in jail or dead. Everyone leaves to complete their part of the plan.
Captain Billy Millais (Luke Arnold) is informed by Crawley about Nemo’s chaos among the shareholders. Crawley argues that he’s protecting the Company, and that Millais is trying to protect his “dirty little secrets.” Billy plans to stop Nemo from completing his plan.
Meanwhile, Humility surprises her mother, Jaqueline Lucas (Caroline Goodall), and asks for her help. But Nemo meets Cornelius Fogg (Alexander England) at the Reform Club, disguised as Nawab, the wealthy owner of a diamond mine.
At the same time, Jiacomo and Boniface defeat guards at the EIMC Asylum, and Jiacomo’s tinnitus is getting worse. While Boneface is trying to find the doctor’s shares, the Frenchman sees a man knocked out by Chloroform being experimented on. While that’s happening, Nemo is trying to convince Fogg that he needs to sell his mine before leaving for India. Back at Lord Pitt’s Humility, and her mother tell him she’s seen the error of her ways and has agreed to marry him. It’s particularly grating to see how smug he is about her seeming comeuppance. I just want to punch him in the face when he asks if “a certain someone has finally learned a little humility?” She simply bows her head and grits her teeth.
Seemingly taking advantage of the situation, Fogg offers Nemo 100,000 pounds for the mine, worth 500,000. After the captain objects, he’s offered 75,000. Back in the Asylum, Dr. Skin finds the two in his office. When Jiacomo realizes the man speaks his language and may hold the key to unlocking his memories. He asks, “You know who I am?” The doctor says he’s “one of the soldiers” and they’re family. If he stays, the Frenchman will finally find out his identity. But guards are coming, and the two flee.
Meanwhile, Baker, who was listening in, offers Nemo 300,000 pounds for the mine. Frustrated, Fogg leaves, and Baker admits he can’t get the money in time before Nemo has to leave. So he offers his East Indian Mercantile Company shares in exchange for the fake diamond mine. Back at Lord Pitt’s, he’s trying to haggle over the price of the marriage. Jerk.
Anyway, Jiacomo and Boniface are in the Asylum yard being chased by the guards. They realize that Cuff is gone and can’t help them escape. The Frenchman tells the Zanzibaris to leave over his objections, saying he’s not being selfless. It’s for himself. After the man escapes, the bearded man easily fights two guards before giving himself up.
Outside the club, Cornelius and Nemo embrace after successfully tricking Fogg into giving up his shares. Boniface has Skin’s shares, so that just leaves Pitt. Humility is forced to fire Loti before he’ll sign a new marriage contract.
Billy finds Ranbir’s hideout, but it’s empty except for maps, sketches, and newspaper clippings. Back at the shareholder meeting, the crowd is filled with furious shareholders who’ve lost a fortune. Crawley tries to calm them down, but Nemo interrupts, saying it’s a lie. The crowd laughs when the Indian prince says he’s a majority shareholder in the East Indian Mercantile Company, but the crew presents the shares of the three men. Including Lord Pitt’s. It turns out the “marriage contract” actually signed his shares over to his “wife”.
Since Nemo and his crew are major shareholders vote to remove the board Chairman and replace him with Nemo. Crawley orders them to be killed. Youngblood warns the men would be guilty of murder and tells Crawley he’s protecting the Company.
Nemo accuses the President and Crawley of risking the lives of his troops to steal kingdoms and calls for the Company’s dissolution. The soldiers surrender, and Crawley tries to shoot Nemo. But he and Nemo miss each other, and he’s arrested. Prince Dakkar and Humility kiss, and it’s a shock to everyone, including them. But it was a long time coming, like Sam and Diane.
Then he forces Crawley to sign an order to release the prisoners, employees, and end future taxation. After that, Nemo and his crew burn documents in the Company vault and discover a stone similar to Benoit’s. They dedicate their success to his, Aadesh and Jagadish’s memory. Nemo steals an intelligence file with his father’s name and warns Humility against joining them. He says that he cares too much for her to join them.
She flees just as Nemo finds a file that shows Billy gave the order to kill his family. Just then, Billy enters the vault, accusing the captain of killing his family. They have a thrilling sword fight, but Nemo decides against killing his former friend. He does beat him up, though, saying Dakkar is dead and now he is Nemo. He meets his crew, and he tells them they have to leave. If Humility and Loti want to join them, they’ll meet them at the bridge.
Meanwhile, Pitt finds Humility in the crowd and holds her at gunpoint. Although he says it’s not kidnapping like a “common criminal”. He’s planning to force her to marry him, but Loti finds them. The Lord tries to shoot her, complaining that they’ve cost him a lot of money. Always the gentleman. The two fight.
Back on the docks, Youngblood plans to return the Dreadnought to the Royal Navy, but Crawley orders them to stop the prisoners from leaving London. Pitt gets stabbed, and Loti and Humility race towards the Nautilus. Crawley threatens to shoot Mr. Haris if Youngblood doesn’t stop the Nautilus from leaving. Nemo and his crew collapse the bridge, and Youngblood is killed by Crawley’s misfired gun. Blaster falls, but Ranbir rescues him just as the bridge explodes. The submarine is free.
Nemo and his crew celebrate their success, but are concerned about leaving Humility and Loti. Boniface warns that they’re not enemies of the Company but the whole British Empire. Back on the dock, the two women arrive late and decide they’re going after the Nautilus. Cuff kills Crawley and confiscates the Nautilus’ blueprints.
Back on the Nautilus, Nemo puts the two stones together, and he has a vision of Benoit. Elsewhere, Lord Parmoor (Lukas Whiting) is holding one of the stones and insists it is a sign that Atlantis is real. He tells Cuff they need to find it and says they can use the blueprints to build another submarine.
Nemo tells the crew that Benois is alive and they’re going to fight injustice in the world. They head out to sea, and Nemo says,” Let’s see what you can really do.”
Overall: Watch Nautilus (2025): S1E10 – “Too Big to Fail”
The Nautilus series, despite its unconventional cast and storylines, has a heartfelt finale that resonates. The show’s theme of triumphing over injustice resonates with everyone, and the finale leaves us satisfied but excited for the future.
Disney (the original network that commissioned and filmed the show) obviously planned a second season. The show’s new network, AMC, may commission a second season. But considering the lack of promotion and the cost of the show, it’s unlikely.
The entire series was wonderful and, despite the flaws, is worth watching for its portrayal of minorities and women. So I’m giving this episode 4 out of 5 stars.
All episodes of Nautilus are available to stream on AMC+. Click the link to read our review of the previous episode, “Ride of the Valkyrie” Review
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