Review Guide:
Episode 2.01 IX - Advance Preview
Episode 2.02 X - Advance Preview
Episode 2.03 XI - Review
Episode 2.04 XII - Advance Preview
Black Sails - XI - Review
After last episode "X" saw the return of Billy Bones, and Captain Flint regain his captaincy. This episode continues on with the use of flashbacks to tell Flint's back story about how he became Captain. We also see Vane come face to face with Low, which reminds us why he is biggest and baddest pirate there is.
"Mr Gates faith in the mission, his faith in me, was lost" - Flint
I continue to enjoy the use of flashbacks to tell Flint's back story from his transition from a noble officer to a pirate. This episode we saw a few flashbacks of Miranda Barlow and him. We learn Barlow is married to Hamilton. I continue to wonder what happened to Hamilton as he doesn't get mentioned in the present day by Miranda or Flint; it's something I'm hoping we will find out. We saw during the flashbacks the obvious chemistry between her and Flint, and she was very flirty toward him, and did finally make her move, in a carriage of all places. I must admit I'm not a huge fan of infidelity so to see Flint involved in it wasn't that great to see. I wonder if Hamilton might have eventually found out, and stripped Flint of his lieutenant ranking because of it or banished Miranda and Flint from England.
Speaking of Eleanor, this episode she appeared extremely desperate. Her running back to Vane all the time is starting to become noticeable, and not for the right reasons. It is becoming an act of desperation more than anything else. This episode she again decides to have sex with him even though she continues to make it public knowledge that she despises him. We saw Vane this episode give into helping Eleanor once again even though last episode he mentioned how she should stand up for herself, on her own.
He deals with her greatest and biggest problem that is Ned Low. Firstly, Low came to Vane to offer a deal, well more like a mutual understanding about Eleanor, and Lows plans. Vane agrees, but then in a clever twist he plots behind Lows back to remove him from Nassau. He boards Low's ship in the middle of the night asking for a partnership between the two crews. Vane cleverly begins to tell a story, as his crew board the ship and take out Low's men. It was a perfectly executed plan. Just as Low thought Vane had no loyal men... I was extremely glad to see Vane deal with Low, as if them two were to partner it would be devastating for everyone on the island. I am actually a bit shocked though as I would have thought Vane would choose power over anything else, and what better way to have power than to partner with another deadly captain. They would then be unstoppable, but I guess Vane wants to be the only pirate on Nassau that everyone is afraid of.
When Low and Vane ended up fighting it produced one of the shows best fight scenes between the two captains. It was brilliantly choreographed. Vane gets the upper hand, and manages to kill Low by cutting of his head. Vane proved again that he is a force to be reckoned with, there is only one captain you should fear, and it's not Flint nor Low, it's Vane. I was expecting Low to be around for more than 3 episodes as the show needs a big bad pirate, but I guess that honour will return to Vane once again.
"Do you not see that your judgement is clouded by her" - Jack
Jack this episode is attempting to obtain a crew, but no one will join him since he is known as a crew killer. We do see his name reinstated by Vane after he had an agreement with Max, her help for Jack and Anne's names to return to what they were. People you feared. Vane shows Jack public affection so everyone knows they are back on good terms. I can see Jack now captaining his own ship and sailing around, but what he plans to do, where he plans to go is not yet decided by him.
Anne this episode continues to struggle with her "relationship" with Max, the experience is new to her, and she doesn't know yet how she feels. This becomes painfully obvious when she invites Jack to join them. She loves Jack, but she also prefers the company of woman so is doing her best to please herself and Jack. Quite caring if you ask me.
Elsewhere, Silver became part of the crew, officially. They now show him respect. I have always said this, and will continue to stick by it, when will Silver become quartermaster? He is much more intelligent, and thinks on his feet. Whereas Dufrane used to be a coward, who has no clue what he is doing. I say get rid of Dufrane, and let Silver take his rightful place as Flint's number two.
Summary
It was another fantastic episode; the show continues to get better episode by episode. The writing on the show is fantastic, and the acting is even better. Definitely an improvement from Season 1. I enjoyed the flashbacks to Flint's past; I feel we are getting to know the real Flint which is good. The only down side I have to this episode was the killing of Low so early on, I don't know if Vane being the only bad pirate will be as thrilling since he was bad for most of Season 1, so we already know what he is like/what he can do.
As always, thank you for reading! Let me know in the comments what you thought of "XI". Be sure to check my preview out for episode "XII" coming later today!
What did you think of the episode?
ReplyDeleteYet to watch. Maybe in a few hours. I will surely chime in with my thoughts. So far, loving S2.
ReplyDeleteAlso thanks for the review thread. Gives us a chance to have some sort of discussion.
No problem, I thought I would review this episode since I didn't get to write a preview for it.
ReplyDeleteI've fallen in love with this show. Wow. Captain Jack Rackham is back!!! He is just awesome and I'm glad it was Max that helped him.
ReplyDeleteEleanor is walking a tightrope - I'm not sure where she should place her loyalty. I personally would have backed Flint over Vane, but she's in an impossible situation. I feel great sympathy for her character atm as all she wants is to preserve the island. Since when is doing the right thing so hard?
I'm sad Lowe has gone so soon. I was looking forward to a showdown with Eleanor. We need another big bad to pose a threat to Flint and Vane (I never thought the actor who played Lowe was imposing enough so maybe it's good he has gone).
Now, for next episode I would love Flint and Vane to fire on each other...that would be awesome. Though Eleanor is literally stuck in the middle which is a shame but great drama :D
Black Sails has become one of my favorite shows, I'm glad it's already got a third season!
ReplyDeleteIf I was Eleanor I would have backed Flint, you are right she is in an impossible situation, but she had opportunities to re-take the fort, but didn't. I feel that she doesn't want to due to her obvious feelings for Vane.
She knows he can get the dirty work done (get rid of Low), and wants to keep him on her side as it will probably come to be a huge advantage going forward. If she pushed him out the fort he would rain hell on Nassau, and her.
Maybe we might see another big bad pirate, as the show does need someone to pose a great threat to all parties, as it keeps things interesting.
Wow!!! What an episode!!!. Absolutely loved it.
ReplyDeleteFlint - As always, he was awesome. Knowing how to keep his men from getting ashore (so that they don't tell anyone of the beached Urca), and afterwards dumping the rations in the sea and laying the blame on Vane - wise and cunning at the same time. And the flashbacks that are being spread through S2 are doing a great job to flesh out his character (and now by extension Mrs.Barlow's too)
Heartwarming moments: Eleanor hugging Flint on his arrival. Flint leaving the book for Mrs.Barlow on her doorstep.
Most pleasant surprise: The first meeting and conversation between Mrs. Barlow and Eleanor. Even though it was a conversation fraught with hard words and threats, it was still awesome to see such strong women in a scene together.
Max - she has new found agency and power now. At least she used it to do something good for Jack and Anne (getting them back in good graces with Vane and the rest of the island). But, I still think that she has been way too hardened after her traumatic experiences and she may end up biting more than she can chew if she deludes herself to think that she is powerful now.
Vane - at last he did something good. At least he saved Eleanor from Low and dispatched him very cleverly. I loved his scheme and how he distracted Low while his men crept aboard and slaughtered Low's crew. Now he intends to ransom the Ashe woman - let's see where that will lead to. I wonder if Eleanot will help the woman or leave her to be captive among Vane's animals.
And now the three most important parts of the episode:
1) Eleanor - What will she do? Trust Flint? Or Vane? Or her own instincts? She's in a tough spot. On one hand are her feelings for Vane that has led her to deal leniently with him and let him keep control over the fort. OTOH, is her shared passion with Captain Flint to change Nassau for the better (with gold from the Urca). But there is a third angle to this - remember her scene with Vane in the S2 premiere where he puts forward the proposal that he takes the Urca gold from Flint and let her have half of it? Eleanor didn't say no at that time, so a slimmer of such an idea may be buried in her mind. Also, she is now a bit afraid of Flint after he told her about Mr. Gates.
2) Flint and Eleanor - great scene between them in Eleanor's office. I was surprised that Flint came clean about how Mr. Gates died. He must believe that Eleanor understands why it had to be done. There is a nice parallel here - Flint loved Gates but he had to kill him - do what was necessary so as not to endanger the plan to get the Urca's gold. Here, we have Eleanor caught in her feelings for Vane and now indebted to him for saving her from Low. Vane is now a threat to the Urca's gold. Will Eleanor have the courage to do what's necessary?
3) Flint - he is an amazing Captain and leader in general. He understands the importance of the fort and who controls it. He does not trust Vane for an instant ad he is right about it. So, it was awesome to see him rally his crew and Captain Hornigold (and his men) to take immediate action. The Spanish Man of War is a formidable ship with long range cannons. Does Flint intend to target the fort directly? Newt week should be awesome.
Just finished watching the episode and I have posted my thoughts. :)
ReplyDeleteEleanor should be on Team Flint. She needs to keep the larger picture in mind. Also, Vane may be brutal and feared but Flint is far, far capable, cunning and vicious ( if need be).
ReplyDeleteIt was a pleasant surprise to see a scene between Eleanor and Miranda, they are two very important woman in Flint's life, so to see them interact, even if it was a heated conversation was still good.
ReplyDeleteEleanor - I don't think she will stand by anyone, she may be with Vane currently, but in the end it's going to be about what's the best outcome for her. She is on team Eleanor, she will probably continue to trust her own instincts. I could actually see Flint retrieving the gold from the Urca, then Vane and her taking it from him and keeping it all to themselves. She will do anything if it means keeping the Nassau in the correct shape.
Flint - His backstory has been wonderful to see, it helps us get know the real Flint, and how he turned into a pirate from a officer. I think Flint and Hornigold despise Vane that much that they would be willing to destroy the fort if it means getting rid of him. Flint can't stand seeing him with so much power, and I do think that he will open fire on Vane.
Max is probably the shows biggest gameplayer, how she went from nothing to become someone now who is in a real position of power. She by no means has control over anyone, but people listen to her now, and the more she helps Anne and Jack the more they will come to trust her with more things.
With this episode, it just became a show I wish was on Netflix, so I didn't have to wait a week to see more and could just binge watch my ass off.
ReplyDeleteEleanor just backed the wrong horse in this race I think.
I also can't believe how much I am loving the Jack Rackham, Anne and Max storyline. It's real and complex in a way I did not think would come across well. Captain Jack is here baby!
Come on next week.
I know what you mean, I hate that we have to wait a week for it, as it's become a really great show. Jack is slowly becoming my favorite character, and I can't wait to see him captain his own ship, and to see where he goes. Should be interesting.
ReplyDeleteEleanor should have backed Flint, but she is probably too afraid of what Vane might do to her if she were to remove him from the fort.
I was disappointed to see Captain Glass Eye go out so soon. He seemed like such a badass.
ReplyDeleteIt's been strongly hinted at what has happened to Hamilton and we learned that he and Mrs. Barlow were married in the season premiere. I don't know if you missed this or what recapper?
ReplyDeleteYep, so was I. I had hoped he be around for more than 3 episodes. He seemed like a good villainous character.
ReplyDeleteI most likely missed it. I tend to not pick up on a few things.
ReplyDeleteI was totally wrong anyway, episode 12 proved my idiocy. Keep up the good work Robert.
ReplyDelete