We bid farewell to Black Sails season two.
Here’s our review…
This is it the last episode to a season ofBlack Sailsthat was much too short.
Vanes character has always gone against jot down.
Looking at him the first time we were led to expect the senseless violence of a one-dimensional bad guy.
Hes shown us much more than that.
Alone of all the pirates, Vane understood what the piratical ideal of freedom meant.
And now Vane has come to truly understand the full depth of the truth.
This is also the episode when we see Flints heart broken.
I had thought that, in the last episode, Mirandas death came much too quickly.
One blast from a gun, a surprised look, and she was gone.
That was a good move.
We saw, and to some extent felt, Flints shock and horror.
This episode, we see what we need to see to get closure for ourselves.
We also see the end of Flints old life.
We see it in his eyes.
Vane, in spite of the danger, has nothing to lose.
Thats because Vanes story was never going to end happily.
So Flint and Vane are now brothers, in spirit if not in fact.
A lot more explosions (why do movies insist that cannon balls explode when they hit?)
and a lot more blood, but the same feel, somehow.
In line with pirate teaming up, we get good closure between Rackham and Bonny.
I loved the line, When I said my name, they knew my name.
The first thing they said every time was your name.
The historic Anne Bonny couldnt marry the historic Jack because she was already married to James Bonny.
But we certainly get a beautiful scene with the sun over Bonnys shoulder and the wind in the rigging.
The plot which is leading us toward Treasure Island is likewise moving forward.
Silvers betrayals and machinations are coming home to roost.
But his guilty secret, in spite of murder committed, is still between Silver and one last co-conspirator.
So easy to betray.
It was bound to happen sooner or later.
The scene moves too fast, I think.
Rather like the scene with where Miranda dies.
The show would have benefitted by having one more episode.
The torture is effective, thought I think that shooting Silvers friend was just a plot rig.
A much more believable and subtle one than many weve seen.
I like historic accuracy.
The attack on the fort made a great deal of sense.
It was lovely to see the towns guns turned around and used against it.
No one can complain that the pirates forgot how to pirate in this episode.
We end this sequence on a bombardment, revenge, and on Silver losing his leg.
And we have once again moved closer to the book.
Silvers is now one-legged, and quartermaster, though not at presently of the Walrus.
Still thinking, our John Silver, though.
Hes got a plausible reason now to tell Flint about the sale of the information.
I dont think Flint believes him, but I dont think it matters to Flint now.
Did anyone else notice that Lord Ash is still alive?
I hope his daughter comes back, too.
Once again, though, we end with Spanish gold.
Rackham and Bonny have it.
Max will get her share, and now she owns a powerful lot of island business.
But Flints coming for it, and Vane is on his side.
Roll credits, with a nice savage skirl of music.
Pirate stories work best when its three sides against each other.
So itll be Blackbeard vs. Vane/Flint vs. Rackham/Bonny/Max.
Were also overdue to meet Mary Read, who in history was the ahem companion of Rackham and Bonny.
Ive been wanting her to make an appearance for two years now.
Maybe well see it at last.
Heres to next year.
Rating:
4 out of 5
