Black Sails

Black Sails is a great surprise for me. I’ve always been interested in pirate-themed stuff and this series presents it in a really interesting way. It’s not always about frantic action. Quite the opposite, the plot is full of intrigue and politics, and it works very well. Plus, Captain Flint is played by Toby Stephens, which is another reason for me to be satisfied. I’m not so familiar with the rest of the cast, but I have to give credit to them. They are not trying to act, but really acting, so I have nothing to complain about. I’m just a bit baffled by how suspiciously short John Silver is. On the other hand, he does match the book in terms of sneakiness. This is my review of the first two seasons, I will add the rest of my reviews separately. (06/08/2016)

I have mixed feelings about the first season. As long as the creators really focus on the story and don't stray off the pirate theme, it's all good. The problem comes when they start thinking they're making soft porn. I do like women and if they happen to be undressed, I don't cover my eyes, but the creators could really take it down a notch with scenes like that. Nipple close-ups in every third scene tend to get boring. Anyway, I have to commend Toby Stephens' performance, he was great as Flint. (19/10/2017)

The first episode was pretty solid, and Toby Stephens was excellent as Captain Flint. However, I don't get why the show had to flaunt so much nudity right from the start. Starz and HBO could dial back on the naked scenes that add nothing to the plot. Sure, I appreciate the female form, but it seems like showrunners are using it as a lazy template, and it's getting a bit annoying. If you walked in during one of these scenes, you wouldn't know if you're watching Black Sails or Game of Thrones. (17/10/2017)

I'm starting to think this show should be called Black Sheets, since most scenes take place in a brothel or a bed, with very little focus on actual sails. That said, the negotiation between Flint and Vane was highly entertaining. (18/10/2017)

Finally, the creators managed to get some actual ships into this pirate show, and it really picked up. Plus, the plot on land was intriguing too, with more than just constant scenes of prostitutes — there was some power redistribution as well. (19/10/2017)

The episode wasn't bad at all, but it didn't quite match the quality of the previous one. The attempts to control the port were more intriguing than the events at sea. And I can't help but wonder: where did the spokeswoman for the slaves in Andromache's hold learn to speak English so well in Africa? (19/10/2017)

A great finale! There was constant action, more power struggles, and an intense naval battle. I gave it five stars, even though I didn't fully understand the ending. Why did the Spanish captain not follow through? What would Annie Wilkes say about that? (19/10/2017)

Season 2 clearly surpassed the first season. The intrigue and manipulation were more elaborate. Although the plot didn't rely on action but was mostly about various negotiations, it was very intriguing. When it did come to action, it was worth the wait. John Silver has risen to the top of the list of my favorite characters alongside James Flint, and I'm pretty sure he'll stay there. The creators also managed to get rid of some of the characters, and in the case of Miranda Barlow, I can’t thank them enough. An excellent season. (21/10/2017)

Another five-star episode, no question. Packed with action, cunning plans (as Baldrick would say), and devious intrigues, it keeps you on the edge of your seat. It's clear how much more engaging the show is when the plot unfolds on a ship rather than in a brothel. (20/10/2017)

There were way too many brothel scenes compared to the naval action, and way too much Miranda Barlow. I can't help but feel her character is pretty unnecessary and just adds filler to the story. (20/10/2017)

Not quite a five-star episode for me, but definitely worth at least a four. The negotiations were too intriguing to rate it any lower, and I loved seeing John Silver step up as Flint’s propaganda chief. (21/10/2017)

A decent episode, but, unfortunately, Miranda Barlow showed up a bit too often again. Plus, finding out Flint should be sailing under a rainbow flag was a bit much for me. (21/10/2017)

A very solid episode filled with spies, schemers, and surprisingly, visionaries. The creators wisely shifted the focus from action to both minor and major plans, which worked out well. The audience learns a lot in this one. (21/10/2017)

What a blast! The third season matches or even raises the bar set by the two previous seasons. The action looks truly authentic, and the actors continue to portray their roles excellently. Plus, I have to take back the only objection I had to the series. John Silver's height no longer matters, given that it’s explained how he came by his nickname at the end of the season. Great stuff – a clear 5 stars from me. (26/08/2016)

I have mixed feelings about this episode. For the most part, I enjoyed it — casting Titus Pullo was a treat, there was some action, plenty of intrigue, and new plans being hatched. But then the creators ruined it with a cheap anti-slavery agenda. I managed to cool down before rating it, but I still wonder who thought that was a good idea. (22/10/2017)

We finally saw some plans come to fruition, complete with a solid action sequence. It's likely that the next episode will focus more on setting the stage for the finale. (23/10/2017)

I can't complain — I got exactly what I expected. The creators focused on setting up the finale, but they did it in an engaging way. I have to admit, the resolution with Charles Vane surprised me, but I have to give credit where it's due. Well done! (23/10/2017)

The creators went all out and packed all the action scenes that the season had been missing into the finale. Given the circumstances, I had to give it five stars, even though the beach battle made me chuckle at times. What I enjoyed the most, however, was Billy's propaganda group working in Nassau. (23/10/2017)

The four-star rating doesn't adequately reflect my disappointment with the final episode. The whole season was excellent up to that point. I especially enjoyed Episode 6 which was near perfection. The show had its ups and downs, but it worked quite well as a whole and I really enjoyed it. I liked the pirate theme, and the story precedes the plot of Treasure Island which I absolutely loved as a kid. The only thing that could possibly spoil it for me is bad execution which the creators successfully managed to avoid until episode XXXVIII. (01/11/2017)

The creators kicked off the fourth season brilliantly. Right from the start, there was no doubt I was watching a pirate-themed series, with action unfolding both at sea and on land. The intrigue and power struggles were back in full swing. However, a lot of the characters looked like they were ready for a hockey playoff with their impressive beards! (30/10/2017)