Black Sails has another winner with plenty of sex and power plays.
Here’s our pirate expert’s review…
ThisBlack Sailsreview contains spoilers.
Pirates, for example.
The characters onBlack Sailsdidnt get to where they are by fooling around and failing to make decisions.
He wants to protect Eleanor, but knows hell lose his tough-guy rep if he lets that become well-known.
I was worried about this character when he first appeared.
But hes proved to be as smart and tough as a pirate captain needs to be.
His reputation is well-earned.
Its also a pleasure to see him in clothes.
Not that Ive ever minded actor Zach McGowan with his shirt off.
But Im aware of how odd his shirtlessness looked for the time period.
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Id just like to say how much Im enjoying the costumes in general.
Yes, this is TV and therefore, fantasyland.
But theres a lot of stuff thats just right.
Hornigolds neat, conservative attire, perfectly in keeping with his past and his recent position.
Miranda Barlows apron and sleeve-protectors.
Tea cups and rum bottles.
And of course, theres the requisite nudity.
Another great thing is the skillful use of exposition.
Last episode John Silver endeared himself to Flints crew by becoming the local source of gossip and scandal.
Flints problems are a little more intellectual.
This is the plotline that doesnt quite ring true.
As it is, Flints crew looks a little thin to take on the Spanish.
The head on a spike was brilliant.
But all in all, this storyline works for me.
And Vane, who has asserted his power, gets his reward in the form of sex with Eleanor.
Max has apparently decided that her power lies with helping Anne and Jack.
Its a smart move.
If they are supposed to be the bouncers for her place, they need to be effective.
And if they go back out to sea, she has more autonomy.
Max is one of the smartest characters on the show.
So Jack Rackham is to be a captain.
Its something he tried to do for himself, but he needed a little help.
I think the line of Vanes about Jack arising from the dead is significant.
I expect Jack to lose some of his confused, wilted look, and start playing it smart now.
Keep an eye out.
Max isnt Mary Read, so Im wondering if thats in the future.
In the meantime, I hope the next episode shows us what these three uh friends are up to.
So Vane and Rackham gain power and are rewarded with sex.
Hes stuck out in the bay under the guns of a hostile fort.
And he didnt get to talk to Miranda.
He leaves her the book, and the book says, Im sorry.
But he didnt have the guts or the timing to talk to her.
So no sex for you, Flint.
TS Rhodes is the author ofThe Pirate Empireseries.
She blogs about pirates atthepirateempire.blogspot.com
Read ALL of TS RhodesBlack Sailsreviews and historical pieces right here!
Rating:
4 out of 5
