Black Sails XXX recap

When I began watching season one of Black Sails with delight, relishing the sights, sounds, the grime, the snarl, seeing Charles Vane and others come to life, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the show. Certainly, I wanted the broadsides and spectacle, and while we got some of that, what we mostly got was the slow build, establishing character, motivations, and back story. Psha! What madness was that? Yet now, when the show gives us Billy Bones vs Flint, it resonates! Movie and tv writers take note. You can’t rush the versus…Batman vs Superman anyone? Ugh. But I won’t even start with that fiasco. I mean hell, even Warner Brothers cartoons got it right. Who wouldn’t have shed a tear at the untimely demise of our beloved Wily E. Coyote after so many close calls?

It was sad to see Billy, the righteous, fail so spectacularly. The raid of the Underhill plantation was heartbreaking for our beloved bilge rats and showed just how dastardly the plantation owners were, but I guess enslaving an entire race has its consequences, no? There were many slave uprisings in the Caribbean and when the slave population outnumbered the colonial population, well, seems a forgone conclusion. But separating families to take them out in the case of a revolt is truly abhorrent and for all of Flint’s faults, he thankfully recognized the futility of the situation and heeded Madi’s counsel. (He may not kill her after all.) Flint has displayed arrogance and irrationality (the “it”) in the past, (killing Gates, sigh) but no one can fault the man for his skill in manipulation and strategy. He is cunning as hell, and others have learned that lesson to their detriment, note Dufrense in this recap http://wp.me/p3aUdm-iI

Pirate History Check. But let’s talk Israel Hands!!! He dragged Silver off at the end of the last episode. Israel Hands has taken on many personas. He is featured in Treasure Island, but the real Israel Hands was Blackbeard’s boatswain. I mentioned him in a previous post here, http://wp.me/p3aUdm-lO, recounting how Blackbeard shot him in the knee. Hands had served on Blackbeard’s crew a long time and may have colluded with Blackbeard to run aground his ship, The Queen Anne’s Revenge, off Beaufort Inlet. Some speculate Blackbeard did it on purpose in order to break up his fleet and crew and take off with what spoils he could. Many of his crew were left stranded in Beaufort. After Blackbeard’s death, in their attempt to discredit Governor Eden of North Carolina (Eden colluded with Blackbeard, offered him a pardon, and may have benefitted from the association, or at least, that is certainly what Governor Spotswood of South Carolina tried to prove in his attempt to take over the North Carolina colony), the authorities tracked down Hands in Bath and convinced him to testify against his companions and Governor Eden in exchange for his life.

In Treasure Island, Hands is one of Silver’s crew and ends up getting shot by Jim Hawkins. In this episode, we see him hold Silver captive in attempt to earn the ransom but he made one fatal error. Not tying Silver’s mouth. Silver is most dangerous when allowed to utter words and shackling up the silver tongued devil’s hands does no good.

Wenches Behaving Just Badly. Ugh. Someone get rid of Max already. Maybe Silver? Or Mario? Yes, Eleanor’s demise shall come by Anne’s hand and Max from Silver, Mario, or maybe even Madi. I like it. At least Silver recognized and called Max out on her own hypocrisy. What, she wears pretty dresses now, takes on airs, and we should believe she is righteous and just? Even Roger’s didn’t buy her brand of shit. Thankfully, we have our silver tongued devil to contradict her when she accused him of creating the shit storm roiling on New Providence. She and Eleanor shoveled plenty all on their own. Please. End my misery. I get Eleanor and her actions feel earned and she, at least seems to have some presence of mind for what she hath wrought and is maybe trying to atone in her own way, but we can’t forgive her, nope.

Romance or Bromance? Jack and Blackbeard can’t forgive Eleanor. The exchange between them and Anne ended the episode on a poignant and almost sentimental note, at least if Anne would have let the bros continue the Charles Vane adoration.

Deep Thoughts with Anne Bonny. Squee. Anne is great. Normally I give the best lines to Jack but Anne had the best arguments for why they needed to stay the course and go after Woodes Rogers. But would she still be able to maintain the same cool head if someone had taken out Jack? She even admits the same when retelling how Max tried to take him (Jack) away from her. I love these two. They slowly grew on me over the series as did Miranda, and then they shot her! Show, you are wicked.

Blackbeard is badass. How badass? We will find out I suppose. Woodes Rogers, rather deftly counted on them taking the bait so Eleanor could go running to her grand pappy. It’s no secret I’d sworn to hate Woodes Rogers but the man is growing on me and kudos to the writers and actor for bringing out the contradictions and subtlety that was this historical figure who brought the Nassau pirates to their knees.

 

 

 

Black Sails XXIX Recap

Black Sails has returned! For its final season 🙁

While I’m excited to see these characters again, I’m apprehensive about the fates of our scurvy crew. I don’t want to say good-bye yet respect goes out to the show creators for knowing when to end the story. More and more, shows tend to milk a series beyond its natural, respectable life and story and characters suffer for it.

If you haven’t read Treasure Island, the next paragraph contains some possible spoilers for Black Sails.

So last season wrenched my innards, seeing Charles Vane swing on the gallows and all, but well, he did in fact get hanged at Port Royal. And that is what makes me apprehensive about this season because nothing is going to end well for our cutthroats. The Golden Age of Piracy ends (pretty much with Woodes Rogers’s arrival in New Providence and Blackbeard’s death), but we also have the events of Treasure Island to consider. We’ve seen Silver transform into our beloved peg-legged Long John Silver. And Flint is already mad. He only lacks his stick. 

Seriously show make it so. And Billy? Billy Bones. Sigh. I don’t know if Black Sails will give us a glimpse of Treasure Island’s beginning in its series finale but wouldn’t it be cool to leave us with Silver sidling up to Jim Hawkins? I’d rather see that than poor Billy’s bones.

So much for endings. Our premiere gave us a roaring start. Who doesn’t love a good battle to get the blood pounding…and spraying. Yikes. Pretty clever that Woodes Rogers. Sinking ships to create a barrier unbeknownst to our brigands.

Romance or Bromance? One of the highlights of this show has been the dynamic between Silver and Flint, sometimes allies, and sometimes at odds, outwitting each other, Flint by pure force of will, and Silver by cunning. Their conversation before getting blown to bits deserves its place among the many fine bromances but alas, ‘tis not to last forever. Of course, we know Silver didn’t drown and he will rejoin our anti-heroes but will it be in time to save his romance from the bromance? I mean, seriously, what was Madi thinking when she revealed to Flint and Billy that Silver told her the treasure’s location. That never ends well for people, when they get in Flint’s way.

Pirate History Check: As much as I’d love to hate on Woodes Rogers, the man displayed incredible determination and courage. He stood up to some formidable pirates, established order in New Providence all without much support from his peers. He did, in fact, overcome much adversity and did get deeply indebted as a result of having to finance his campaign in the Caribbean. This is the man who was a privateer during the war with France and Spain, who led an assault against a Spanish city, and had circumvented the world. I honestly don’t know what motivated him to take the actions he did only to get crapped on by the lords proprietor (businessmen and nobility who basically administered much of the Caribbean and some of the colonies.). He did them a favor by driving out the pirates. Yes, he was governor but acted pro bono. Now before I completely romanticize the man, he was a slave trader. I’ll leave it at that.

Wenches Behaving Bad-ass-ly? Oh, how the mighty have fallen, but you know, I just can’t forgive Eleanor for her role in Charles’s demise. Seeing her knitting with the other wives was classic. At least the show acknowledged Eleanor’s knowledge of her own capitulation. She sold her soul. I’m curious how much of her soul may be left, the girl running down the beach filled with pirates, not giving a damn about any of them. (If you remember Vane’s description of her from Season One.) And Max, come on honey. At least Eleanor has accepted the futility of a woman’s independence and power in the face of true British aristocracy. British nobility is a bitch Max. Get used to it. Maybe you can darn some wool socks. At least we still have Anne Bonny.

Deep thoughts with Jack Rackham. This show has given some of the best lines to Jack Rackham. However, this episode Blackbeard got in a good line at Rackham’s expense, when Rackham asked Blackbeard if they should say a few words to rouse the crew for battle. Blackbeard’s response was perfect, and very in line with what the real Blackbeard may have thought or said. I haven’t always agreed with the show’s portrayal of Blackbeard (Iron Beard), but Blackbeard ruled his ship by action, not words.

I do love, btw, all the love thrown Charles’s Vane’s way, from Jack to Blackbeard. In reality, Jack and Anne mutinied against Charles Vane and marooned him on an island. He was eventually picked up by the authorities and sent to Port Royal to be promptly hanged. So there you go. I like the show’s version better.

Blackbeard is badass. That’s right mo fos. Don’t fuck with Blackbeard. I got chills when Rogers’s man, Captain Berringer, or Mario Batalli, said Blackbeard is a formidable opponent. That’s right. Blackbeard was a literal fleet onto himself. The only pirate to blockade a major harbor for two weeks (Charleston). And he will kick your ass Mario. I’m waiting for it. Make it so, show! Especially after Mario cut off De Groot’s ear. De Groot has not always supported Flint, but he ain’t no snitch against the brethern. Stickin’ it to the man!

I honestly don’t know why Silver didn’t just pretend to be dead and then grab a dagger or cutlass off a dead body and shank whoever it was going around killing off the men washed up on shore, but then we wouldn’t have our cliffhanger. But seriously will he make it back before Flint kills Madi because, really, her days are numbered.

Black Sails Episode XVII

The Natty Dreads were in full force this episode. I wonder, like Samson, if one were to cut off the dreads of Vane’s crew, would they too lose their bad-assery? Onward to Episode XVII and why there is no difference between you and me.

After a couple of slower, set up episodes, and Eleanor’s betrayal of Vane, yet again, the penultimate episode was a doozy and primed us for quite a finale, and with so many threads dangling, I wonder how I’ll even stand it until next week.

Long John slithers his way out of yet another flogging or keelhauling. Even Silver’s machinations were no match for Vane’s menace. Silver’s plan to “convince” Vane to turn over Flint’s ship didn’t work out so well for him, but Silver will live to swindle another day.

Number of Flint sneers. Not so many this episode as he was cozying up to his good old friend Peter Ash.

Flint is brilliant, delusional, or downright scaring the crap out of me. I think actually Ash scared the crap out of Flint, especially after his out of control, arse hole of a Colonel shot Miranda. Noooo! I didn’t like Miranda so much in season one, but this season she rocked it. Her back story fleshed her out and made her compelling. I am sad to see her go, but I think she had to die for Flint to lose the delusions and go full on scaring the crap out of me. So question is, will he completely ditch his plan to legitimize New Providence?

On deck shenanigans. So many of our cutthroats died when Vane took over Flint’s ship. The tattoed African dude. Is Mr. Scott still alive? We liked you Randall.

Wenches behaving bad-ass-ly. Miranda’s take down of Peter Ash was epic. Bastard took her clock. And Anne Bonny returned!

Eleanor…what to say? You messed up my man Vane. There is a certain hypocrisy in Eleanor. As much as she worked with pirates, she seemed to elevate herself above them. I suppose it came as a bit of a wake up call when Hornigold called her the “Queen of Thieves” (loved that!) then turned her in, confirming what Billy said on the ship to Vane. They don’t distinguish between the pirates and neither does the noose. Something Eleanor might discover. Miranda knew this. She knew that you couldn’t lord over people and break convention without it eventually coming back and biting you in the ass.

Pirate history check. Peter Ash’s Colonel Rhett, who shot Miranda, and set upon Flint like the rabid, scurvy dog he was makes me wonder if he is supposed to be the same Colonel Rhett who was sent by the Governor of South Carolina to hunt down Stede Bonnet. Bonnet was the gentleman pirate and had, on occasion, ridden along with Blackbeard. Bonnet wasn’t a very good pirate and was possibly a little loopy in the head. Rhett cornered him at Cape Fear and, after a cinematic showdown between Rhett and his two sloops and Bonnet’s sloop, Bonnet surrendered and was later hanged at Charles Town.

Episode MBP (most badass pirate). Once again Vane showed how he dominates by sheer force of will and strength. He led his men to take Flint’s ship and foiled Silver and his little henchman. His impassioned speech rallying the dreads to rescue Flint warmed the cockles of my heart. Dey gonna take down Babylon, de dreadlock Congo Bongos and chase dem crazy bald heads out of town. Honorable mention to Anne Bonny for saving Jack’s ass.

Billy Bones, Billy Bones is our true hero. One of my favorite scenes this episode was Billy telling his riggers they need to fix the broken rope (which Silver’s man cut). When they refused, after first having called them idiots, he called them good men and climbed the shrouds. It demonstrates Billy’s character, his commitment to his crew, and how ultimately he’s the man to get things done. Vane recognized Billy’s worth, tried to recruit him. And while Vane is a powerful pirate, Billy revealed to Vane his own short-sightedness, explaining how the British positioned themselves on a neighboring island to take over New Providence. He uttered the line, “There is no difference between you and me” referring to how the British viewed the pirates, which ultimately convinced Vane to rescue Flint.

Jack Rackham quote: In response to Max, when she asked him if he was hurt, he replied, “Mostly unscathed, thanks to Anne.” The relationship between those two is one of the best in the show. And thank you, Anne, for recognizing that Jack had little choice in excluding her from his crew. But all bets are off now and I look forward to seeing some on deck shenanigans when Anne and Jack take to the seas.

This episode earned ten blow my scuttlebutts for twists and turns and making me gasp when Rhett killed Miranda.

Until next week, I leave you with Natty Dread by Bob Marley:

Black Sails Episode XIV

Episode XIV raised the stakes in every way. I just loved it. The many intricate webs became even more tangled. Flint is juggling many flaming balls. It’s enough to drive one mad, unless you already are mad. So how did our scurvy crew do?

“Who shits for an hour?”

“I do.” Oh, Mr. Logan, I remember when you expressed concern for Billy Bones’s neglected cock in Season One, but when you charged off to the brothel against the wishes of crew and captain, I knew you were not long for this world.

Long John slithers his way out of yet another flogging or keelhauling. Silver missed his calling as a campaign manager. Anyway, Silver has to be nervous about the beloved Billy’s return, but it strengthens the epoxy of distrust binding him and Flint. Yet, Silver ain’t taking no chances. I just wonder how the secret between him and Max will play out.

Number of Flint sneers. We got some bloody sneers. Not only did Flint sneer at Hornigold, but he gave him some pretty obvious eye rolls.

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I’d sneer at Hornigold too. My fort! My fort! My little piece of turf. Can you dig it people! (Historical Spoiler: When the Brits eventually do take back control of Nassau, Hornigold takes a pardon from the new governor and serves as his pirate hunter. ‘Es a bilge rat, that one.)

Flint is brilliant, delusional, or downright scaring the crap out of me. So, after some initial confusion from Episode XIII shockers, I believe he’s bi-sexual, and truly cares for Miranda. Seeing him and Miranda together now, after all the flashbacks, makes their present scenes just crackle. Flint seemed to come to terms with his past and present and asked Miranda if she’ll take him back, and they agreed to be partners.

On deck shenanigans. The parts involving Rackham and his need to prove himself to his crew were some of the best of the episode. Much was riding on this one prize and he knew it. When Jack and rival pirate captain, er, Linus, er Charles Manson, sat down to divvy up the spoils, I half expected them to break out the tea. It was a great moment showing another side to piracy not seen in stuff like Pirates of the Caribbean. I was however, waiting for someone to draw a cutlass. Sure enough, our cutthroats didn’t disappoint. Rackham’s no Charles Vane, but our man Jack has his own strengths and after he killed Manson, he freed the merchant crew so they could help fight the other pirate crew. And when Jack asked who would join him…the goat was the first to step up. This goat wants its rights attended to. No fucking goats on this crew.Screen Shot 2015-03-01 at 9.13.16 AM

Wenches behaving bad-ass-ly. Anne Bonny on the rampage. So yeah, Mr. Logan’s dick got the better of him. Anne is getting herself more and more entangled in Max’s thighs. And honestly, I’m getting a little annoyed with our Anne. Jack did not betray her. His crew voted on the articles, and, if he is to be their captain, he has to respect what the men voted on. She’s a pirate and she knows this! I believe we are going to get some Anne back story so maybe we’ll see some traumatic shit that will explain her psychotic episodes, or we can just chalk it up to Anne’s dark and wild “it”.

Aaah! What is Eleanor thinking??!! Sigh.

Pirate history check. Vane doesn’t care about legitimacy, but he knows once London gets control of Nassau, the pirates will be driven out. And he’s right. I loved some of his lines to Eleanor: “When I take something from a man…I don’t hide behind the law.” He’ll die before becoming another man’s slave again. This is the Vane we know from history or a fictional semblance of him. When pardons are finally offered to the pirates, Vane wants nothing to do with it and becomes a de facto leader of the more hard core pirates. With forces closing in on him, he escapes New Providence, literally guns blazing.

Episode MBP (most badass pirate). In the last recap I wrote that I was going to give it to whomever wins the fight between Vane and Flint. Gosh darn it Eleanor! Bad form interrupting a good brawl. Now whom do I choose? Sigh. We know who Eleanor chose. As much as I like the push and pull between Vane and Eleanor, how their passion drives them together and their loyalties and agendas drive them apart, the new wedge between them saddens me. The chemistry between those two is great. Oh, yeah, badass pirate. My man Jack, all the way. And his first mate or quartermaster? Who is that guy? He’s awesome too. He had to tell Jack the hard truth over why the men chose him as captain, not for his bad-assery, but because of Max’s intel.

Billy Bones, Billy Bones is our true hero. It was so nice to see Billy welcomed back by his crew. He informed them the British Navy is camped close by. How did he get away, they ask? Oh, the captain wasn’t looking and I tore off the shrinking leather, broke the chains that bind, and…oh…so yikes! The Brits are coming folks and they want Flint’s head on a stake and Billy and some of his pardoned merry men will ride off into the sunset. Because that’s about as likely to happen as Flint and Eleanor’s vision for Nassau.

Jack Rackham quote to Manson, er, rival pirate about his ship, the Goliath: “Your ship is named after the greatest disappointment in the history of warfare?”

Too many scuttle butts to count. Great episode!

Black Sails Episode XI recap

So many exiting things happened this episode and they left us with Flint ready to fire upon Vane in the fort. I can’t stand it. So until then…

Long John slithers his way out of yet another flogging or keelhauling. Silver was pretty quiet this episode because of the focus on Vane, Flint’s return to New Providence, and more beheadings, but he did manage to convince Flint’s crew to forgo the vote on whether or not to go carousing on New Providence. Silver explained how sailing into the bay with Spanish markings on their canvas was maybe not such a wise idea.

Number of Flint sneers. One managed to sneak out when he was berating Eleanor for acquiescing to Vane. I believe Miranda might have sneered at Eleanor as well.

Flint is brilliant, delusional, or downright scaring the crap out of me. We learn he can be downright romantic. He leaves a book for Miranda with the words “I’m sorry” written on the inside cover. We learn their affair began over a Spanish copy of Don Quixote. Our sociopath is quite the man of letters. Not quite so romantic, however, when the New Providence pirates learned about Gate’s untimely demise. (Flint’s quartermaster who he killed in the first season.) Eleanor was pretty freaked out when she found out Flint had killed Gates. The pirates hold fine lines between brutality and outright evil fuckery and killing one of your own crew without justification falls into the evil f&%$# category as we learned after Anne Bonny and Jack killed members of their own crew.

Wenches behaving bad-ass-ly. Eleanor tried to get the upper hand on Miranda, calling her too unremarkable to warrant a mention from Flint, but Miranda has years of high-handed, British upper-class bitchiness under her belt and hands Eleanor her ass. Miranda knows what Flint’s demons whisper at night. I’d personally like to know what the both of them are smoking on that island, what local jimson weed causes one’s inner demons to whisper.

Miranda was quite the saucy wench. She basically seduced Flint back in London, showing up at his tidy apartment with very untidy thoughts. Back when women had little power, I hand it to those who took what they could, when they could. I especially liked when she told Flint about the whispers over her infidelities and how they didn’t bother her or her husband. Sooo, is she implying she has an open relationship with hubby? Or that hubby is oblivious? Time will only tell. Adding the flashbacks to Flint and Miranda’s past haven’t broken up the pacing at all and have only added more depth to these characters.

On deck shenanigans.

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Vane’s crew of natty dreads pictured above (these guys are impressive in their natty-ness) carried out quite the efficient suprizal, sneaking aboard New Low’s ship and taking out the crew. It was quite satisfying when Low called out for Mr. Holmes after he gave Vane some shade about having to come to his ship alone because his crew don’t respect him no more. Mr. Holmes don’t work here anymore. Boo yah! Well played Vane.

Pirate history check. When Vane shows Eleanor Ned Low’s hostage, Eleanor tells him how Peter Ash, the Carolinas governor…(I’m a bit confused at the Carolinas lumping here because I believe both North and South Carolina were split into separate colonies in 1712) Anyway, Ash had hung men he even suspected of piracy. It was actually pretty difficult for a colonial governor to try a man for piracy. Governors needed permission from the king to hold a piracy trial under their own authority. Piracy trials were under the jurisdiction of the Vice Admiralty so most pirates had to be shipped off to London. (This legal loophole was later resolved by legislators in London.) Some governors claimed the ability to act as representatives of the Vice Admiralty, but that was a stretch. In fact, Governor Spotswood of Virginia tried William Howard, one of Blackbeard’s quartermasters. Howard actually had a lawyer and called upon him, but through some legal shenanigans on Spotswood’s part, his lawyer was banned from the trial. Spotswood tried and convicted Howard, but later he was released as a result of a pardon. (From Blackbeard by Angus Konstam)

Episode MBP (most badass pirate).

Black Sails, episode XI, Charles Vane

Vane has quite the flowery script, he does. Writing in blood must inspire the inner calligrapher, at least I’m thinking that was his ink of choice.

I’m sad to see Ned Low go even though it appears he existed to serve as a plot device, but we have Vane to give us the occasional beheading and savage reprisal when needed. Early in the episode, Low told Vane how he was an irrational blunt instrument with an instinct toward the extreme. Episode X, we learned how Flint has a dark, wild “it”. So while Low and Flint are ruled by their “its”, Vane appears to be more rational and calculating in handling his “it” or blunt instrument, unless Eleanor’s involved. His “it” tends to get pretty fired up then. In fact, the romance writer in me has a theory about Vane, especially after Max asked him if he wanted to know how she stopped caring about Eleanor, and he responded with a very firm negative. Last season, Vane told the story of how Eleanor used to sneak out to the beach and flaunt her little, 13 year-old self in front of the pirates, casting demure smiles that said, I own you. Well, one of those smiles stuck on Vane. It’s possible Vane holds on to his affection for Eleanor to keep him from going full on Ned Low psycho. Whatever the reason, ‘tis very intriguing.

Billy Bones, Billy Bones is our true hero. We didn’t see him get more tortured, thankfully. But I did come across an interview with Tom Hooper, who plays Billy, and he provides some interesting insights into what is coming for our Billy. http://www.tvguide.com/news/black-sails-billy-dead-1079026/

Jack Rackham quote. To Anne Bonny, “She [Max] knows how to play the thing between your legs better than I.” I called the threesome! Starz didn’t disappoint. Max got Vane to do some public displays of affection so Jack and Anne could return to piracy. I enjoyed the scene in which Jack and Anne lovingly discussed building their own crew, acquiring a piragua. I wonder, ultimately, what Max’s stake is in all this. Is she really that into Anne?

So Vane now has Low’s prized plunder in his possession, the daughter of Governor Peter Ash of the Carolinas. Anyway, we glimpsed Charleston (Charles Town at the time), South Carolina in the season teasers. My second pirate book is partly set in the Carolinas around this time, so I’m excited to see Charles Town portrayed.

Eight blow my scuttlebutts because plot device Ned Low is gone, but overall awesomeness!

Black Sails is Back – Review

Season Two of Black Sails has begun and I shall savor it until Outlander comes back. The eight Outlander episodes did not even whet my appetite for some Jamie Fraser. Sigh. But dinna fash!! says my inner fan girl because we get this:Screen Shot 2015-01-24 at 11.03.06 PM

We have plenty o’ historical man flesh in Charles Vane, Long John Silver, Captain Flint…(plenty o’ woman flesh too 🙂

Last season’s final episode was fantastic. It was full of ass whooping and handing all around. Vane handed over Hornigold’s ass, Flint got some ass handed to him, and I’m sure Jack Rackham was concerned about getting anymore Anne Bonny ass after the New Providence pirates found out Rackham and Bonny murdered members of their own crew.

I’m waiting for my Billy Bones to come back. I know he will. He’s in Treasure Island. I know he will. (If I write it enough times, he will come)

I came up with what I hope is a more fun way of reviewing/recapping, all leading up to a final Blow My Scuttlebutt Rating for the episode. So onward to episode IX.

Long John slithers his way out of yet another flogging or keelhauling. This dude has more lives than a flea bitten feline. He volunteers to join Flint in capturing the Spanish ship (to which Flint sneers, see below), and while they sneak about the companionway where the Spanish crew are sleeping, he not only catches a bottle before it wakes anyone, but he steals the alarm whistle hanging right above a sleeping man’s head.

Number of Flint sneers. In watching the show, I found his sneers are in proportion to his current predicament. When he’s in charge and confident, it’s full sneer ahead. This episode contained about four sneers. A low count for Flint, but he’s fighting his way back to his captaincy. I particularly liked the one where he tells, Dufresne, that his former crew can F off for siding with a cowardly, sniveling shit of a mutineer. Those pirates were poetic. That just rolls off the tongue.

Flint is brilliant, delusional, or downright scaring the crap out of me. I’m going with brilliant this episode, but dude below is probably going with delusional, especially when Flint proposes they capture the Spanish warship anchored off shore. That is a serious scar tattoo, btw.

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Wenches behaving bad-ass-ly. Max has evolved quite a bit since we first met her in season one. From sex slave to throwing shade against her former lover, Eleanor, now she’s got her sights set on Anne Bonny. But her stunt in giving information to Ned Low about the Good Fortune (like, not!) was quite the play. Eleanor was banking on another pirate, Hallandale, getting that prize. Max is stepping up her game and show she’s not down with Eleanor’s power trip. Bring it on.Screen Shot 2015-01-24 at 11.08.56 PM

On deck shenanigans. Lots of them, from Flint raiding the Spanish ship to Ned Low’s massacre of the Good Fortune‘s crew. (Wow. What an unfortunate name) I mean seriously, steer clear of any vessel named Good Fortune. You’re better off sailing on The Misfortune, or like, The Bad News Pirates.

Pirate history check. So we meet Ned Low, who appears to be based off of Edward Low, and from the historical accounts, was just as much an unrepentant sadist. The real Low reputedly tortured some prisoners by cutting off their lips before killing them. But that was an amuse bouche really. (Ha, amuse bouche…) Afterwards, he massacred over 60 Spanish prisoners before fleeing north toward the American coast. Based on the Black Sails Low’s story of cutting out someone’s tongue, seems they plan to draw on the historical Low’s brutal reputation. You don’t need to make this shit up.

Episode MBP (Most Badass Pirate). It’s between Low and Flint with honorable mention to Vane’s derriere. Flint, with a reluctant, Silver in tow, boarded the Spanish ship and almost single-handedly took it over. The man just don’t mess around  And really, he looks quite dashing in His Majesty’s Navy blues. I’m excited to see his backstory, meeting Miranda, and what events led him and Miranda to New Providence.Screen Shot 2015-01-24 at 10.58.17 PM

Jack Rackham quote: He gets the best lines. After he gets the crap kicked out of him and the pirates, ah, relieved themselves on him, he encounters Anne in the brothel and tells her what happened, ending with: “They pissed on me.”

Billy Bones, Billy Bones is our true hero. Alas, Billy hasn’t shown up yet but who is this new dude playing Dufresne? Apparently, the actor is Roland Reed, replacing Jannes Eiselen. Something about this actor’s beady eyes that rub me wrong. The old Dufresne had puppy dog eyes that just drew me in even when he was plotting against my favorite sociopath, Flint.

9 out of 10 Blow My Scuttlebutts: eight for lots of action plus one for unconventional pirate urinary habits.

Pirate Shenanigans: Black Sails and Crossbones Comparison

black-sailsJust like a spicy glass of wine or pecan praline ice-cream, I couldn’t resist a comparison of Black Sails and Crossbones. Regardless of what I think of either show, it’s super exciting to have two pirate shows on tv that are attempting a more serious, grounded take than say, Pirates of the Caribbean (which is still enjoyable if only to see Depp and Rush as Sparrow and Barbosa). Another show called Port Royal was supposed to go into production, but maybe they dropped it. (I think it was HBO) So tons of credit upfront to the creators and producers for giving us these shows!

First, I offer kudos to both shows for featuring strong female characters. We have Eleanor Guthrie, Max, and Anne Bonny from Black Sails; and Kate, Nenna, and Selima on Crossbones. These women are working hard to survive and carve out some semblance of independence and strength in a world where women were treated like chattel. And at least, Black Sails doesn’t try to make these women necessarily heroic or independent of the male-dominated social structure. They have to survive within that society, including sleeping with men to get what they want. I don’t believe for a second Blackbeard on Crossbones would be keeping Selima around with her refusing to sleep with him. For someone like Blackbeard, she has nothing to offer that he doesn’t already think he can do for himself. So maybe there’s something else going on between those two the show hasn’t yet revealed.

Now the sheer nature of the pirate havens like New Providence and their looser hierarchies probably provided a smidgen more social space for women to be independent. Eleanor Guthrie is an interesting character, having taken over her father’s merchant trade and using that to gain power and influence. But she pissed off Charles Vane and I’m excited to see that play out next season. Max is a prostitute yet she climbed out of becoming a literal slave to the pirates to a powerful force, running the brothel with Jack Rackham.

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Anne Bonny from Black Sails

The historical, Anne Bonny, and her female pirate counterpart, Mary Read, were truly fascinating figures.
Historical records show Bonny left a fairly prosperous life to marry a penniless sailor. When her father disinherited her, she and her husband moved to the Bahamas. Continue reading

Front Yard: Everything is Awesome

front yardMore front yard high jinks by the chickens, yes, now the other chicken has decided to roam. I guess I need to take a new picture.

I’d like to take a moment to remember Harold Ramis. One of the Second City alums, he was involved in some of the greatest comedies ever, either as a writer, actor, or director: Stripes, Animal House, Ghostbusters, Caddyshack, Groundhog Day, Meatballs. Your contributions are noted sir and you will be missed.

Speaking of funny movies, I highly recommend you see the Lego Movie. Very clever, really poignant final act, and cool animation.  And I love the theme song, Everything is Awesome, by Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo fame, sung by Tegan and Sarah. For a movie about a toy, it did a great job poking fun at itself while highlighting what kids like about Lego, the creativity. My favorite Lego character was Benny the retro space guy.

Turned in first round of revisions of Necromancer’s Betrayal, so now to finish Necromancer’s Redemption so I can start writing my second pirate book! The Tucson Book Festival is coming up March 14 and 15 and I’m super psyched for the event and to be attending with a great group of authors.

Stay tuned in March when I announce a fun contest my writer’s group Desert Muses is going to run. A knock off on March Madness, we call it March Man-ness!! We’ll run the contest via our Desert Muses blog.

On to the the random stuff. Been faithfully watching Black Sails. While I can appreciate the slow build up, establishing characters, I was still waiting for those grappling hooks to catch me or anything for that matter. I liked the New Providence scenes, how the port town might have looked, how the pirates lived while it was their haven, and the inner politics of pirate life, yet those moments seemed to drag a bit. Let’s get to the good stuff! Finally, finally, Episode V arrived and the lines caught and hooked me. The tactical sea battle between Flint and Bryson was great. Got to see some ship maneuvering and nautical talk, and left us on a harrowing cliff hanger. Some interesting movement on New Providence. I’m starting to dislike Eleanor. She seems very self righteous and willing to betray anyone even her closest and most trusted ally. And did not appreciate how she treated Vane. A few words on Vane. I didn’t think I’d like him because the real Vane was a pretty brutal pirate, but one of the last hold outs against the British. But I’m loving this Vane more and more. I’d like to see him up one on Eleanor oh and what did he sail off to do at the end!!! I’m also really liking Anne Bonny and Calico Jack. So glad to hear they’ve ordered a second season already because I’m in!

If you haven’t heard of the upcoming new tv show called Penny Dreadful, check this out!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFXHfEqMcis. It looks so cool. I like the dark, gothic feel of the Victorian monster mix. And Eva Green is perfect casting. It premieres in May and I can’t wait.

Instead of a song, I must end with another trailer, this time for the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy movie. Looks like a fun ride. Do I dare say shaping up to be a mashup of Star Wars and Futurama??!! Marvel’s very own space heroes, the Guardians are a unique set of characters, one of my favorites being Rocket Raccoon, voiced by Bradley Cooper. And I really like the casting of Chris Pratt as Peter Quill / Star-Lord. He also voiced Emmett in the Lego Movie. Here’s a link to the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXAB9PQE1CU