Black Sails is a television show about queer wrath, and if you weren’t already aware of this fact, I can only assume you haven’t watched it yet. Beware: this post will include spoilers for all four seasons of the best television show ever made (in my entirely correct opinion).
Evangelicals and Captain Flint’s “Dragons” Speech in Black Sails
“They took everything from us, and then they call ME a monster?”
So, queer wrath. We are introduced to our protagonist, Captain James Flint, as a man set against England and civilization. He wants to establish a self-sustaining pirate community in Nassau, and he will hunt ships and steal gold to make his vision a reality. It’s all very stereotypically pirate until season two reveals his motivation. James McGraw (his name before he became an infamous pirate) was in love with an English nobleman. When their relationship was discovered, James was exiled and his lover Thomas was sent to an asylum, where he died(ish – unbury your gays!). To avenge his loss and to rage against this supposed “civilized” decision, Captain Flint became the terror we initially met in season one.
I think it is appropriate to stop for a second and think about how incredible it is that we were given a prestige television show about a queer man (fans read him as either bisexual or gay) who is powerful, angry, and righteous. Black Sails, man. Watch it!
“There is freedom in the dark.”
By season 4, Flint has tempered his personal injustice with a broader awareness of the oppression that “civilized” England forces upon multiple oppressed groups, including the African men and women who have escaped slavery and have now joined his fight against English rule. He has lost more loved ones, gained new allies, and dare I say, become wise. In the final episode of the show, he describes the problem with civilization and the freedom that comes from stepping away from its rules. It is a beautiful speech, and it changed my life.
“They paint the world full of shadows and then tell their children to stay close to the light. Their light, their reason, their judgements, because in the darkness there be dragons. But it isn’t true. We can prove that it isn’t true. In the dark, there is discovery, there is possibility, there is freedom in the dark when someone has illuminated it. And who has been so close as we are right now?”
Captain James Flint, Black Sails season 4 episode 10 XXXVIII
“Their light, their reason, their judgements, because in the darkness there be dragons.”
Every time I watch this scene or read these words, they hit a little deeper. I have shared my story on this blog before, but the important thing to know is that I grew up evangelical and happy to follow all of its rules. The imagery Flint uses is especially poignant, since Christians are fond of using “light” metaphors to describe being close to God and therefore “safe.” Anything beyond the behavioural limits described in the Bible was considered not only sinful but dangerous. Outside of God’s protection, there be dragons! I was constantly told that non-Christians were to be pitied because their lives were empty (oh man, admitting this is causing me so much embarrassment); they were all seeking corrupted pleasures to fill the void that was the lack of God in their life.
One of the most significant light/dark dichotomies was, obviously, sexuality. Christians approved of lifelong monogamous heterosexuality within the context of marriage, and…nothing else. But practically, this strict boundary was made flexible for several culturally accepted sins like remarriage or sex before marriage (as long as you felt bad about it). The things that were truly sinful were any sexual act that wasn’t heterosexual or monogamous. I was warned against these my entire life, or as Flint says, “They paint the world full of shadows and then tell their children to stay close to the light. Their light, their reason, their judgements, because in the darkness there be dragons.“
It is easy to maintain this worldview if you stay inside the evangelical bubble. Although I pushed against my upbringing in many ways, it wasn’t until I moved to Vancouver and became a part of friend groups who were not Christians that I truly experienced stepping into the “darkness”…and realizing it wasn’t dark at all. I found people who created community, who thought deeply about the world and who cared about helping those who needed help.
“In the dark, there is discovery, there is possibility, there is freedom in the dark when someone has illuminated it.”
I was surrounded by queer couples who were married, partnered, and dating. I found myself in a queer relationship, and the thing I noticed was that they were fundamentally the same as the monogamous heterosexual couples I’d grown up with. Yes, there were couples who struggled in a variety of ways, but there were those in the church that raised me too. Overall, though, I found the same love, the same care, the same devotion. In fact, in many ways, queer couples seemed healthier than the ones I grew up around – the mutual submission I defended in seminary against complementarians was suddenly expected. When gender roles cannot be assumed, conversations about family roles, desires, and strengths become the norm. As Flint says, “In the darkness there be dragons. But it isn’t true. We can prove that it isn’t true. In the dark, there is discovery, there is possibility, there is freedom in the dark when someone has illuminated it.“
This is my small attempt to illuminate the darkness. To tell those who create their own stories of light and dark that the things they fear so much are not actually scary. In fact, I think evangelicals could learn a lot from the queer community! And honestly, I think the queer community can also learn from evangelicals. When we create lines that separate, we lose the ability to learn from those who see things differently from ourselves and can offer a perspective that reveals something new and important for our own lives.
Let’s follow Flint’s lead and illuminate the dark spaces that people create out of fear, hate, and ignorance. It’s Pride Month, baby, so let’s be proud of the dragons we are!
Do you love Black Sails? Check out our in-depth reviews of each episode.
Given the open-ended prompt of “can you write and/or talk about greatest show of all time Black Sails”—an ask I’ve been lucky enough to receive a few times since I fell for the show and started evangelizing for it five years ago—it’s hard for me to pick just one area of focus.
If I don’t start by zeroing in on a specific character (Thomas Hamilton!), I usually jump first to Black Sails as a post-colonial text, refashioning the historical record as a political act, and centering the marginalized to reclaim those histories from their oppressors. But that leaves me wanting to talk about the broader themes of narrative manipulation, the meta-ness threaded throughout the show: characters in the story repeatedly talking about how they’re characters in a story, the way they deliberately play with the idea of “character” as they reinvent themselves.
Of course that then leaves me wanting to talk about pirates—narrative was what Golden Age piracy was all about! Real pirates didn’t actually do a ton of fighting: garner a fearsome enough reputation, and crews of the ships you’re raiding will surrender without spilling a drop of blood. But real pirate history just leads me to a wider history of the period, the actual rabbit hole I tumbled down when I was at the height of my Black Sails fandom: English history around the turn of the 18th century, imagining how the politics and social conditions of the late Restoration would have fundamentally shaped these characters’ lives.
But when this particular “can you write something about Black Sails” ask came in, I was falling hard for another show—one that, on its surface, doesn’t have very much to do with 18th-century pirates. AMC’s Halt and Catch Fire is a drama about technologists at the dawn of personal computing who are always on the cusp of the next big thing; it begins in Dallas, Texas in 1983, and follows the characters over the course of the next decade. Coincidentally, HACF aired at the same time as Black Sails—2014-2017—and also like Black Sails, its fourth and final season brought the story to an intentional (very satisfying!) conclusion.
Those are surfacey coincidences, of course. But digging a little deeper, parallel elements and themes run through them both: their ideas about reinvention, or the way they handle their protagonists’ queerness, or the way they show a broader spectrum of human relationships than a lot of media I’ve encountered, particularly the idea of partnership as romance. So when I was asked to write about Black Sails and half-joked, “As much as I love Black Sails, it’ll be hard for me to think about another show right now,” I was delighted when I was encouraged to actually write about them both: a letter of recommendation for HACF for people who love Black Sails.
Halt and Catch Fire was pitched as “Mad Men but computers in the 1980s,” and its first few episodes carry the clunkiness of that premise—the main characters are attempting to reverse-engineer an IBM PC, and critics were quick to draw on that conceptually as they accused the show’s writers of trying to reverse-engineer Mad Men, which was still on the air and was, of course, one of AMC’s biggest hits of all time. But halfway through the first season, it starts to shuck off that premise and free its characters from the archetypes that initially bound them—and by the second season, it starts to truly come into its own, shifting from a show about computers to a show about the people working on those computers.
Though it becomes a true ensemble show, the ostensible protagonist of HACF isJoe MacMillan, played by Lee Pace (if I wrote a “letter of recommendation for HACF for people who love Lee Pace,” it’d simply read, “Seriously you haven’t watched this yet??”). Joe is the aforementioned queer protagonist—he’s bisexual, written and portrayed in a beautifully nuanced way, especially with one particular storyline in the final season that’s my favorite of the entire show. A slick-talking salesman with grand visions for the future of technology, Joe initially brings together hardware engineer Gordon Clark (Scoot McNairy), a sort of sadsack failed-genius type, and software engineer Cameron Howe (Mackenzie Davis): a young, brash gamer who’s able to write such beautiful code that she never feels like she has to compromise on anything.
The early trio eventually breaks apart, and in the second season, Gordon’s wife, Donna (Kerry Bishé) is elevated from her season one role of “Gordon’s wife” to an equal fourth slot in the ensemble—also a hardware engineer, she enters into a working partnership with Cameron at an early online gaming start-up called Mutiny. Their partnership—and the enduring one between Gordon and Joe—are the heart of the show, even more than the characters’ configurations in traditional romantic relationships (in addition to the Clarks’ marriage, Joe and Cameron’s on-again, off-again relationship is a beautifully entertaining train wreck).
HACF leans into the theme of work-as-romance; it partly feels fueled by the technology industry itself and the mythos around start-up co-founders, but it’s partly about the specific way the show privileges the emotional depth of these working partnerships: what it means to love the person you’re collaborating with, and how the fracturing of a partnership can be as emotionally scarring as any romantic breakup. And because they’re all working around the same technologies and the same ideas, their romantic relationships complicate their work, too: it all leaves you beautifully frustrated by how much potential they could have, the things they could create, if only they could actually manage to work together.
Black Sails plays with similar configurations of overlapping platonic and romantic partnerships: where HACF leans into duos, Black Sails loves a trio, from Flint and the Hamiltons to Flint, Silver, and Madi, or the original Ranger trio followed by Max, Anne, and Jack. The murky spaces of these triangles offer some of the greatest pleasures of Black Sails: sorting out interpersonal desires from actual shared ideals and goals, and the sort of push-and-pull between them, as each side of the triangle brings traits that balance out the others.
The shows’ shared themes of reinvention feel both parallel to each other as well as contextually specific—where Black Sails plays with reinvention in its meta-exploration of narrative, HACF is working within the overarching ethos of the tech industry, where the cycle of failure, pivot, and reinvention are so elevated and romanticized that they’re essentially a Silicon Valley cliché. All the characters shift a great deal over the course of the decade-long timeline of the show, but none so much as Joe: there is a wholly new Joe MacMillan every season, each 180 a pleasure to try and untangle, as you sort the artifice from the genuine. On the surface, these shows feel somewhat distant, audience-wise: my friends who love Black Sails tend to like genre fare, and my friends who love HACF like, well, other AMC dramas. But I think that the complexities of each of these shows—and the ways they overlap thematically—create plenty of space between the two. If you love Black Sails and you’re looking for a show that portrays a full and complicated array of intimacies between characters, I highly recommend Halt and Catch Fire. (Plus, a reminder: Lee Pace!)
Elizabeth Minkel (she/her) is a writer, editor, and consultant who focuses on digital technologies and fan culture. I’ve written about fandom (and other topics) for the New Statesman,The Millions, The Guardian, The New Yorker, and more. (See “clips” for a full(er) list.) I co-host a podcast about fandom called “Fansplaining” with Flourish Klink, and I collaborate with Gavia Baker-Whitelaw on “The Rec Center,” a weekly newsletter featuring fandom articles, fanart, and fic recs, which was a finalist for a Hugo Award in 2020.
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For those fans who become interested in historical pirate history because of Black Sails, The Republic of Pirates by Colin Woodard is generally agreed to be the best place to start your research. It’s an excellent work of non-fiction on its own: chaptered in roughly year-long periods within which we focus on the stories of four or so men, its very readable and easy to follow. But for fans of Black Sails, this is a treasure trove of “Oh my gosh, that was REAL?”
The Republic of Pirates focuses primarily upon pirates Bellamy, Hornigold, Blackbeard, and pirate hunter Woodes Rogers. We also get a substantial amount of Charles Vane, and the tiniest, but delightfulest, of tastes of Calico Jack Rackham and Anne Bonny. Of these, Bellamy is the only historical pirate that does not make an appearance in Black Sails, although his Robin Hood-esque anti-England mentality lives on in our main man, James Flint.
Although the timelines shift and the events are obviously not exact, I was impressed by how much the show’s characters mirror reality. For example, Hornigold really was an old-school pirate who was one of the first to accept an English pardon, and he did in fact become a pirate hunter as a result. Blackbeard is larger than life both in history and in Black Sails, even down to his famous bandolier of pistols. I was just as distraught by his death in this book as I was in the show, and though the manner in which it happens was not the same, it is equally as epic. Woodes Rogers is almost entirely the man we know from the show, a privateer governor (though historically he was also a slave trader) who scrambles to establish his authority and is eventually bankrupted by his efforts.
Charles Vane is just as much of a “proper pirate” in history as in the show, refusing to accept a pardon and taking down former brothers who abandon the cause. He’s also presented as the most ruthless of the pirates (most of the pirates killed very few men on captured ships), which brought to mind Eleanor’s comment about the crew of the Ranger being animals. Although they are not in the book very long, I loved the historical story of Jack Rackham and Anne Bonny. When they ask governmental permission for Anne to annul her marriage so that she can marry Jack, Woodes Rogers refuses, saying that if they move forward with this, he will jail Anne and force Jack to whip her. In answer, they renege on their pardons and turn pirate again!
I was also delighted to learn that the Urca de Lima was a real Spanish ship that was wrecked, along with her massive defense ships, littering beaches with gold for the taking. It is not quite the story presented in Black Sails, but the same desperate scramble for gold is there.
All of this is excellent, but by far my favorite part of this book was the description of what life in England was like during the early 1700s, especially for sailors. The gross pay disparities, the forced work, the violent punishments for small infractions – it really made me understand why piracy was so appealing to so many “normal” men. It wasn’t a desire for hedonism so much as an escape from tyrannical rule. My empathy grew even greater once I understood the historical context for their actions.
The one downside to this book is the appalling lack of women, which I suppose isn’t surprising given that history largely ignored the roles women played. One more reason why Black Sails is excellent for intentionally giving women a place and a voice!
I highly recommend lovers of pirates or Black Sails read The Republic of Pirates by Colin Woodard. Enjoy!
A tie. Well not really, Team Sorto was deemed to be the greatest courtesy of the massive hoard of points on their bench. But glancing at the scores, 126.32 – 126.32 is quite an accomplishment. Luckily we don’t have to wait long for these teams to play again.
the replacements vs Purple Moose
Amy managed to right the ship this week, putting up 141 points to beat the Purple Moose and secure their playoff spot.
Beards vs Fire Pandas
For a long time this weekend it looked like the Beards were ready to be ignited. Instead, the Panda’s soft glow highlighted the the manicured facial landscape that was the Beards’ week 14 performance.
Real Slim Brady vs Eurasian Collared Doves
Krista had two of her key players return to form and lead Real Slim Brady to victory with Kamara and Chase turning it on just in time for the playoffs. I doubt John noticed that his team lost last week as he was busy welcoming the newest member of his family to the world. Baby Mermista…sorry, Mallory, you have joined us just in time for playoffs! Will your first word be (an incredibly early) coo?
Bad News Bears vs Battling Finger Puppets
It really looked for a while like Kupp and Connor might pull off an unlikely win for Carrie. Unfortunately, the rest of the team just left too much work to be done, and Jonathan was victorious once again. The chart lied, but are we really surprised?
Final Regular Season Standings
Dear Falkowski, this blog has made a lot of fun of you and wished for your demise on an almost weekly basis, but I would like to take this opportunity to say congratulations on finishing first in the regular season! Your masterfully drafted and crafted team tore through the competition like a bear through a fly sheet. Your two losses pale in comparison to your mighty hoard of twelve wins. I would like to award you with…oh wait, we’re in North America, there is no trophy for the arguably harder task of finishing first in the regular season, it’s all about the playoffs here! But still, good job!
Preview of This Week’s Games
Seacows vs Team Sorto
One of them will win, one of them will lose, they will perhaps draw again. The battle for number one (pick) begins.
Eurasian Collared Doves vs Bad News Bears
Russell Wilson is back in at QB for the Doves and many of their players have been trending up. The Doves will need to be firing on both wings to bring down the Bad News Bears and keep the playoff dream alive.
Purple Moose vs Fire Pandas
These two teams are tied at one win each in their regular season matchups. Memorably the Fire Pandas broke the Moose’s win streak in week 4 and most recently in week 12 the Moose got their revenge. This meeting will break the tie and decide who will progress to round 2.
Beards vs Real Slim Brady
Another team that is tied in regular season matchups, the Beards won the last meeting in a landslide, but the projection favors Real Slim Brady.
Replacements vs Finger Puppets
The replacements strategy should now be to score all the points all the time and they will need to – the Battling Finger Puppets are projected to score 130 points and are the favorite in this match up.
Since Week 12’s recap was cancelled due to final exams, Rachel has generously summarized each matchup with a single word:
One Word Week 12 Matchups
The replacements vs Seacows: Seacows!
Battling Finger Puppets vs Real Slim Brady: Felted-Finger-Puppets-of-War! (& Top Score)
Beards ‘R Us vs Bad News Bears: Excessive!
Team Sorto vs Eurasian Collared Doves: Coooo!
Purple Moose vs Fire Pandas: Gory!
Last Week’s Games
Seacows vs Real Slim Brady
Seacows win! For the second time in a row, with top score of the week…what is happening?
Team Sorto vs Bad News Bears
A close game decided by less than 3 points, Jonathan further pads his den with wins.
Battling Finger puppets vs Purple Moose
The second meeting between these teams this year. The Finger Puppets seem to have found their playoff form, while the Moose are saving it all for the final rounds. Carrie leads the series between these teams 2-0.
Replacements vs Beards
We all remember last time these two teams met, how Amy reigned supreme? Well this time it was Jayse’s turn! Sharing victories, how sweet. Except the team that lost this game is in danger of missing the playoffs…
Doves vs Pandas
Panda > Dove. if only there was some kind of chart that could track the greatness of the animal based teams…
Standings After Week 13
The Chart (of Almost Certainly Truth)
All season I have been calling this chart a liar, and I’m not about to stop today! The chart has gathered so much data by this point in the season, its accuracy is pretty much a 15 yard field goal with 2 seconds on the clock… but will it doink?
If it doesn’t doink (aka if the chart is true) it will mean that Carrie of the Battling Finger Puppets will beat the Bad News Bears by 6 points this week (the necessary margin to split the tie).
If it doinks (aka if the chart failed to truly value an underdog (or in this case Undercow) comeback narrative), the replacements will slip to 9th and the Seacows will rise from the murk to 8th and sweet sweet playoff football.
I shall be cheering for a doink!
Preview of This Week’s Games
Seacows Vs Team Sorto
The first step in the process of the chart doink is for the Seacows to secure a win in this game. If they fail, the Seacows and team Sorto will spend a total of one month playing each other to see who will have first pick next year.
the replacements vs Purple Moose
Step two of the chart doink is for the Purple Moose to be victorious over the replacements. Only if the replacements lose can the Seacows sneak in to the playoffs. Will Amy shut the door on a manatee that has been gathering momentum the last two weeks?
Beards vs Fire Pandas
The app thinks there is still a chance the Beards won’t qualify for the playoffs. I’m not sure how it works this out, but the only way to truly know is if the Fire Pandas torch the Beards, by as many points as possible. Burn Beardy Burn!
Real Slim Brady vs Eurasian Collared Doves
The most civilised game this week that has no implications for playoff qualification and only a mild impact on Krista’s playoff match up…it must be nice.
Bad News Bears vs Battling Finger Puppets
BATTLE OF TITANS! If you have never watched another team’s game before, now is the time. This matters (kind of), this is for all the marbles (not really), this is for justice for all teams who lost to the Bad News Bears this year and that’s pretty much all of us. Put on your fuzzy felted hats, raise your tiny weapons and release your battle cry: Bad News, Bears! Punctuation matters!
There are a multitude of reasons to love Black Sails and to proclaim it “the best show of all time,” as the fans so often do, and one of those reasons is that it rewards analysis. Black Sails is many things: a manifesto demonstrating the power of solidarity between the oppressed in the fight against white supremacy; a commentary on how the history of the marginalized is a narrative manipulated by those in power; and a story about stories–to name only a few. But its open awareness of all of its themes is partially what makes it so powerful, self-referential, and multifaceted. That is especially true when it comes to analyzing the depth and complexity of the dynamics between its main cast of characters, nearly all of whom are explicitly or subtextually queer.
The need for more queer representation in media is an ongoing and popular conversation topic. More recently, many of the public discussions tend to revolve around people’s opinions that surely there must be One Superior Way to depict queer relationships and identities. For most, that superior way is considered to be “explicit representation,” often defined more or less as “queer content so obvious and loud that even cisgender heterosexual people can’t argue against its validity.” Interestingly, different people have different ideas of what, by this metric, constitutes as “good enough.” As a result, the goalposts seem to always be moving, and are based on the shifting sands of personal opinions. No single person has the authority to decide what “counts,” but that doesn’t stop many people from trying anyway. It is a debate fundamentally doomed to failure, because its basic premise is a flawed one: the value of queer representation should not and cannot be measured by the thoughts of those who misunderstand it at best, or act as queer oppressors at worst. To futilely attempt to measure it in such a way is to try to bend queer content to honor the impossibility of cisheteronormative standards or requirements, while seeking unwinnable, universal cisheteronormative approval.
So truly, what does it mean to be “queer enough,” either personally or narratively? Is it using a specific label to describe oneself? Proclaiming romantic love openly, in so many words? Visibly being in a romantic relationship with someone of the same sex, and defining it as such? Holding hands? Kissing? Having sex? The point is that there is no single or correct answer, and queerness as an umbrella concept is somewhat less about what one is specifically, and rather more about what one is not (namely, cisgender and/or heterosexual). Queer identities, relationships, and experiences are as diverse as every visible and invisible color in the wavelengths that make up a rainbow. Having enough variety in media to even scratch the surface of portraying that diversity should be the ultimate goal.
Black Sails is the rare piece of media that understands this concept, and embodies it to a groundbreaking and incomparable level. Because the writers built its narrative on central queer themes, Black Sails exists in an extraordinarily unique space: it includes explicit textual representation that meets the most popular mainstream standards, but it also includes subtext and queercoding to inform and enrich the story’s layers. Having the former meant the writers had the hard-won luxury of not feeling an obligation to sacrifice the latter, as well as the brilliance to recognize that there is value in and a need for both forms of representation to coexist.
The writers did not give into the false dichotomy that drags down so much of the common circular debates, as people argue that surely there must be only one correct way to depict queerness properly. Instead, by choosing to show a myriad of queer relationships both explicitly and subtextually–with no pressure to openly define all or even most of them by cisheteronormative standards–the show not only did right by its characters and what was best for its narrative, but it also exemplifies the very principles the story is about. The characters live and love diversely, while simultaneously acting as mirrors of one another in the literary sense. As they reflect and reveal each other’s traits, the resulting parallels between the more openly queer and the more subtly queer relationships highlight what the deliberate similarities can tell you about both. Underlining those similarities through these methods also effectively emphasizes how many of the characters are alike in more ways than they differ–or at least, in the ways that count the most.
As Charles Vane says to Billy Bones, “They can’t tell the difference between you and I.” The pirates are all defined in the same way by their oppressors, labeled as uncivilized monsters because they dare to fight for freedom, and love, and freedom to love without restraint. It demonstrates why solidarity amongst the oppressed is both valuable and essential. The various undefined examples of queerness that the show sets also take it a step further: true freedom is arguably being allowed to coexist authentically, beyond the constraints of expectation or the requirements of definitions. The diversity of such portrayals, depending on context, can even act as a commentary on the variety of real life queer experiences. Queer love, identities, and relationships are no less valid or impactful–or, in the case of fiction, no less canonical–for sometimes remaining somewhat undefined or understated. Simultaneously, when care is taken to define them, there is power in acknowledging such specificity without losing sight of how it does not or should not compromise the solidarity found in the community.
This is the value in subtext and queercoding as deliberate media languages. Such tools of the trade were invented to and are still used to navigate around imposed restriction and censorship of stories. If one knows or learns to stop seeing heterosexuality as the default, a whole world of depth comes to light, particularly when and where one can factor in precious knowledge of authorial intent. There should be no standard these media languages must be beholden to, or no requirements that they must adhere to, in order to be “good enough”; they can be placed with intention to be seen and understood, and if we see and understand them, then that is inherently enough in its own way. This remains true even when overt restriction and censorship are not present, such as was presumably the case in regards to Black Sails. These media languages are originally by us, for us, and there is beauty and power in their subtlety and complexities, as well as the shared community of understanding that they encourage. While explicit representation is undeniably important, overemphasizing it as the only valid way of canonically conveying queerness runs the risk of devaluing the inherent, inarguable canonicity of other methods–or losing acknowledgment of what makes them beautiful and valuable to include at all.
Including subtext and queercoding in stories encourages mutual conversations rather than passivity–conversations between a piece of media and its audience members, between one audience member and others, between one audience member and their internal self, and so on. Black Sails’ creators understood that intimately, and used it to inform and enrich their story, while also doing justice to their characters’ situations and dynamics with realistic–and thus, sometimes understated and complicated–portrayals. The result is some of the truest, most profound, and most nuanced depictions of queerness in a fictional narrative of all time. How apt it is that such a narrative was created by people who clearly both understand and revere how stories work.
This show is many things, but ultimately, it is an invitation and a challenge to look deeper. But like any invitation or challenge, the choice is left in the hands of the viewers. Black Sails is, of course, an entertaining piece of media even from a surface level perspective, and how deeply a person examines the media they consume is always optional. This show’s explicit queer representation also means that looking deeper is not a requirement for queer recognition, yet its creators still understood and exemplified the value of multifaceted queer portrayals. To consciously oversimplify this show and its varied subtext–or, worse yet, disregard those who highlight its complexities–does its creators, their work, and the points that this story is carefully conveying a disservice.
While the show mirrors its characters and relationships, it also holds up a mirror to viewers in a variety of ways. This topic is only one, and it connects to how the show makes us repeatedly aware of the power that stories hold, as it reminds us that the show itself is a story too. It asks us questions: This is a story, and stories have power, so what do you see in this? What do you take from it? What do your experiences tell you about its characters, and in turn, what do its characters reveal to you about yourself?
In the eternally applicable words of Jack Rackham, “It’s the art that leaves the mark. But to leave it, it must transcend. It must speak for itself. It must be true.” As a body of work, Black Sails speaks for itself quite clearly in multiple avenues. It has a lot to say, explicitly and subtextually alike, and demonstrates the power in and necessity of both.
It’s simply up to us how much we choose to listen.
Char Q (they/she) identifies as multiple passionate interests stacked in a human shape, often says they don’t know how to casually like things, and believes that storytelling is part of what it means to be human. Graphic designer by trade and writer by hobby, you may find them inadvisably writing character-counted media analysis as Twitter threads like it’s an extreme sport. Very occasionally, they write a longer piece elsewhere, as a treat.
Little known fact about me: I went to seminary! I love thinking about the theological messages that are implicit and explicit in the media I love, and Black Sails has some VERY interesting things to say about religion in general and Christianity in particular. In the following four discussions, we’ll dig into what the characters of Pastor Lambrick and Thomas Hamilton reveal about the Black Sails theological framework.
Season 1, Episode 3: Miranda Barlow and Pastor Lambrick
Pastor Lambrick: I’m afraid I’ve become a burden. Miranda: Far from it. I look forward to our conversations. This week’s sermon? PL: Your thoughts are always enlightening.
From their first lines together, we see that Pastor Lambrick frequently visits Miranda and asks her opinion on his sermon notes. Taken charitably, this shows his willingness to accept a woman’s spiritual leading. This is something that is fought about today and perhaps shows the spiritual freedom of 1715 Nassau away from “civilization’s” influence. Cynically, this is Pastor Lambrick’s excuse for spending time with a beautiful woman or a desire for external validation. Since one of Black Sails‘ theological themes is the concurrent sinfulness and saintliness of every man and woman, I like to think that his motivations include all three.
Miranda: Easter. Is it Easter already? ‘It is Christ’s love of sinners that gave him the strength to endure agony. This, the truest form of love, love through suffering.’ Do you believe this? Pastor Lambrick: It’s not to be believed or disbelieved. It’s God’s gospel truth, is it not? M: ‘Thy navel is like a round goblet which wanteth not liquor. Thy belly is like a heap of wheat set about with lilies. Thy breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle. Thy stature is like that of a palm tree and thy breasts like clusters of grapes. I will go up the palm tree and take hold of its fruits.’ God wrote that, too. True love shouldn’t require suffering. And you don’t have to take my word for it.
Over and over again, we will see that Lambrick’s faith is simplistic. When Miranda asks him if he believes what he has written about Christ’s love and suffering, his reaction is one of confusion. It is truth, and not to be questioned. Interestingly, Miranda’s argument is not so much about the statement’s truth, but about its totality.
In quoting the erotic love poetry of Song of Solomon, she reminds Lambrick that love, as explained by God, has many forms. Christ’s suffering is one form, but it is not the only way that love exists, and we should not exalt it as such. In effect, she calls Lambrick out on picking and choosing Scripture to suit his message. She is here, I believe, a wonderful example of a systematic theologian.
Pastor Lambrick: I must confess there is an ulterior motive for my visit today beyond the content of my sermon. Miranda: Is that so? PL: There are whispers among my flock that a ship of the Royal Navy docked in Harbour Island recently. The Scarborough. They say the king means to reassert colonial rule here. Perhaps soon. Judgment in this world, not the next. For those who are a part of my flock when that judgment arrives, their righteousness will almost certainly go beyond doubt. M: It’s not quite that simple for me. PL: Is he keeping you here? M: Good day, Pastor.
In the final part of their exchange, Lambrick further reveals the motivations for his visit. Before I discuss the negative implications of what he says, I do want to give credit for his asking if Captain Flint is keeping Miranda in the house against her will. More faith leaders would do well to look for and address potential instances of domestic violence among their parishioners. But let’s delve into his assertion that his church will be spared when the British arrive to reassert their dominance.
To begin, his words have an air of paternalistic protection that Miranda clearly has no interest in. It’s telling that she just demonstrated a greater understanding of Scripture than he has, so his sudden switch to “I’ll protect you” contains hints of reasserting power over her.
Far more damning is the way his words bely an exclusionary view of Nassau, one in which his “righteous” flock will be spared. The implication, of course, is that the heathen pirates will not. Although we do not yet know Miranda’s full story, or her opinion of the pirates of Nassau, her disinterest in his proposition is our first hint that she might not see the world so divided.
Ultimately, Lambrick is pretending to be a leader, though one whose leadership is granted through capitulation to England and “civilization.” This is a theme that has yet to be fully fleshed out in the show, but it is important to note going forward.
In our first scene that explicitly discusses theology, we are treated to two drastically different theologians. One is primarily concerned with upholding the status quo, both spiritually and culturally. The other questions what is “obvious,” thinks deeply, and refuses to benefit from the advantages of living under the status quo. It remains to be seen which of these theologians we are meant to admire and imitate.
Season 1, Episode 7: Pastor Lambrick Preaches to an Empty Field
The seventh episode begins with Pastor Lambrick practicing his Easter sermon to an empty field before he is interrupted by a messenger on horseback tearing through his oration.
“Easter is upon us, an opportunity for renewal and rebirth both in spirit and the flesh. And yet we may also ask ourselves, ‘When the spirit is renewed and the body resurrected, what becomes of the sin?’ Will not a trace of it linger to mock and torment us, to remind us of the roiling pit of despair that awaits the unrepentant beyond this life? And yet does it not often feel as if life itself is the pit?”
It’s a short bit of preaching, but it’s fitting in an episode focused on Captain Flint’s plan for Nassau and the partners who fail to support his vision.
For what is Flint’s plan if not one of renewal and rebirth, one in which a wealthy Nassau can allow pirates to become soldiers and farmers? But Lambrick’s sermon asks us to consider this rebirth – can pirates-turned-farmers truly leave behind their old ways? Is a renewed Nassau possible, or will it forever be marred with the sins of corruption, greed, and violence?
Flint believes that, in the words of Lambrick, Nassau can be reborn without sin. But he is very much caught in the “roiling pit of despair” that Lambrick worries is a hellish current existence. Flint tells Miranda that he has made enormous sacrifices for his cause, some of which he is experiencing in this episode as Gates and Miranda abandon his vision. We later learn that James McGraw created the persona of Flint to accomplish Thomas’s plan, and that he hated this persona (aka himself) a little more every day. For ten years. In pursuit of the dream of a renewed Nassau, he lost Thomas and then Miranda. He murdered Gates, his closest friend. He endured mutinies and sent his crew to their deaths on innumerable occasions. He partnered with men he despised and attacked innocent men. His life truly is a hell on earth, but astonishingly, he continues to hope for a hell-free future.
Season 3, Episode 9: Pastor Lambrick and Charles Vane
When Lambrick visits Vane before his execution, his attempt to offer peace and repentance is rejected.
Lambrick enters and offers Vane bread, which coming from a clergyman seems pretty obviously to symbolize Communion. But bread is only one half of the grace of Communion, just as the peace Lambrick is about to offer is not complete. He wants Vane to feel fear for what is coming so that the mighty pirate will need a pastor’s solace.
Lambrick: Men who’ve never experienced fear are said to know it for the first time. But in this moment, there is quiet. An opportunity to find some measure of peace. Vane: Get many takers, do you? For the kind of peace you’re offering? Lambrick: It is a different experience to what you may imagine it being. Surely a man like you has faced death before, but never so nakedly.
Lambrick’s pretense is revealed when Vane shows zero interest in accepting what he offers.
“I can help you do that. To repent.” “I have nothing to repent for with you.”
Tellingly, Vane does not say he has nothing to repent for. He just doesn’t want to repent to Lambrick, later insisting that “whatever I have to say to God, I’ll tell him myself or not at all.” We know that Vane has begun to see the wider ramifications of his kill-or-be-killed worldview. When fighting the Spaniard in 305, Vane realized that everyone isn’t fighting for the glory of fighting. Some fight simply so that their dead bodies will be evidence enough to provide their families with food.
But whatever sins Vane believes he has committed, he has no interest in sharing them with someone like Lambrick, who will use them as evidence to distance himself, a “good” man, from “monsters” like Vane.
“Don’t you? I understand you believe your violence is justified in the name of a defiance of tyranny, but there are mothers who buried their sons because of you. Wives widowed because of you. Children awoken in their sleep to be told their father was never coming home because of you. What kind of man can experience no remorse from this?”
“What kind of man” reveals that Lambrick shares civilization’s instinct to make pirates inhuman. Vane clearly sees Lambrick as representative of the people he hates, those who would willingly enslave themselves to England, and an English worldview, for a bit of comfort and security.
Lambrick: I am a shepherd sent to help you find a path to God’s forgiveness. Vane: A shepherd? You are the sheep.
Sheep are consumed by fear, and a shepherd leads them into a new world of freedom and hope. Vane sees Lambrick’s hypocrisy and therefore wants nothing from this man of God who is blind to his own failings.
Ironically, although Lambrick did not get what he wanted, Vane does leave their conversation with peace. He has seen himself as a shepherd capable of leading people into freedom, and as such he delivers one hell of a last speech. It probably wasn’t quite what Lambrick intended.
Pastor Lambrick and Thomas Hamilton
There are two main characters in Black Sails whose actions are explicitly motivated by Christianity: Pastor Lambrick and Thomas Hamilton. Together they represent the best and worst of their religion, with one embodying its privilege and the other its sacrifice. This duality is perfectly expressed in the metaphor of a shepherd and the sheep. A shepherd leads people and challenges the status quo for the betterment of their flock, even at personal risk. The sheep follow people and fearfully accept the status quo out of a desire to maintain their privilege.
Pastor Lambrick believes he is a shepherd, but his conversations with Miranda and Vane reveal his inner sheep. As I mentioned earlier, Lambrick has an exclusionary view of Nassau that separates his “righteous” flock from the heathen pirates. This becomes even more obvious in his conversation with Vane, which ends with him implying that Vane is inhuman. He sees his connection with civilization as something that elevates him above others. We have never seen him try to create a better life for the men and women of Nassau in the present, and when forced to interact with a pirate, the only hope he offers is a fear-based call to repentance in hope of a better life to come. One imagines Vane might have been more open to repenting to Lambrick if he had seen the man fight against slavery and injustice rather than enjoy a comfortable life in the island’s interior. Lambrick’s power is entirely based upon capitulation to England. He believes he is a shepherd when in reality, he is a sheep.
Miranda: In some ways he [Thomas] was like you, a shepherd to his flock.
-Episode 106
Unofficially, Thomas Hamilton established himself as a shepherd to men and women in England by hosting salon conversations with the goal of seeing “the yoke of shame lifted from your shoulders,” a habit that seems to be grace incarnate. Both in word and in deed, Thomas believes that his social and political privilege is something to be sacrificed, not clung to. In episode 201, he gives money to the poor, which seems to be a regular occurrence. His plan to offer pardons to the pirates of Nassau is done out of a desire to inspire England to live up to its Christian ideals (204) despite the possibility, and eventual reality, of it costing him everything. Thomas passionately lives out his ideals, leading others into freedom as their shepherd.
Lambrick, the sheep, sees monsters where there are men, and he wants people to change in order to better serve England. Thomas, the shepherd, sees men where others see monsters, and he wants England to change in order to better serve people. There is no question as to who is more fully living out Christ’s belief in inherent human dignity and His willingness to sacrifice privilege for others’ gain. The fact that Black Sails chose to show Christ embodied in a rich white queer polyamorous man opens spiritual doors that some churches currently keep closed, and I personally find that incredibly beautiful.
Second Blog Off: I have my final for the course I’m taking next week so won’t be able to write the Week 12 review. If anyone else would like to submit a week review, sent it to roarcatreads@gmail.com by Thursday Dec 2nd.
Last Week’s Games
Seacows vs Bad News Bears
Sad news league, the Bears aren’t in hibernation yet. They stopped on the way to the den for one last snack, and it was Seacow flavored:
*like this but if the salmon was a Manatee
Scapecow of the week continues with the theme of “I would have done better if I’d started no one,” with the proverbial algae on the Seacow hide, turning what should be a graceful cruise into an arduous slog…Tyler Bass with -1 points.
Eurasian Collared Doves vs Beards ‘R Us
It was a close game between two teams fighting to stay out of the basement (a feat that is almost assured). The mutton chop formation got mixed up after Aaron Jones got shaved due to injury. While Dalvin Cook, Keenan Allen and Mike Evans coordinated their 20 point scores, James Robinson gave the formation it’s off-kilter look with only 11:
The Doves survived Monday night and secooored their 4th win.
Real Slim Brady vs Replacements
The replacements were due for a quiet game but Real Slim Brady were taking no chances and brought it all to this match up claiming top score of the week! They needn’t have, however, as the replacements did not waiver from their ebb and flow, ebbing only 86 points.
Fire Pandas vs Finger Puppets
Johnathan Taylor brought the heat and set the Finger Puppets felt to melting. He was, however, the only Fire the Pandas brought to the game. Carrie and the Finger Puppets firmly gripped the fire extinguisher and doused all fiery hope, claiming sole possession of top spot in the Plucky Underdogs division.
Purple Moose vs Team Sorto
The Purple Moose guaranteed themselves a spot in the playoffs with a win over Team Sorto. Moose caught a couple of the hotter performances of the week from Herbert and Swift and ended the week with a very respectable 141 points. Like much of the season, nothing went right for team Sorto in week 11. With the Doves win over the Beards moving them another game ahead, playoff qualification is all but out of reach…but there is still a chance.
Standings After Week 11
Division leaders and bitter rivals, Bad News Bears and Battling Finger Puppets line themselves up for a meeting in the playoff finals. Can they hold on to their top spots in the few remaining weeks?
The Chart (of Lies)
With each passing week the chart of lies becomes more truthful. There is no way now for the Seacows to prove it wrong without totally tanking and claiming tenth place…that’ll show you chart.
Preview of This Week’s Games
The replacements vs Seacows
86 points last week for the replacements means 140+ this week. The Seacows know which way the tide flows and will be along for the ride this week.
Battling Finger Puppets vs Real Slim Brady
One to watch here, as two top teams who may well meet in the playoffs will get to test each other before the knockout rounds begin.
Beards ‘R Us vs Bad News Bears
Get em’ Bears…said no one except the Seacows with playoff hopes (currently 8%). The other 92% of Seacows and possibly the rest of the league want the Beards to slow the Bears roll. The first snow has fallen in the prairies, Christmas decorations are going up in my house, so seriously, when does hibernation start?
Team Sorto vs Eurasian Collared Doves
Here it is, the thing with feathers, right in front of Team Sorto…catch it, beat it, take its feathers and make them your own.
Purple Moose vs Fire Pandas
A rematch of the unbeaten streak snapper from earlier this year. Now the teams have equal records, and both teams have qualified for the playoffs, so this one is just for pride and the title of greatest animal-based team!
Literally EVERYTHING. This is Top Flint, from his insistence upon healing his relationship with Silver, to fighting giant Billy and winning, to seeing through Jack and Silver’s betrayal, to THAT SPEECH THOUGH. And then, either in truth or in fiction, his absolutely beautiful reunion with Thomas. God. This rewatch has only confirmed without question that I love Captain James Flint beyond anything.
TODAY’S RUNNER UP
Madi! She outsmarts a man who would murder her, she is thrilled to see that the revolution she risked death for has survived and even defeated the man who kept her captive, and then…she dresses up like a pirate when her lover betrays her and tries to tell her a story to make it all better. MY LIFE FOR A STORY WHERE MADI RE-STARTS A REVOLUTION.
LOL MOMENT
Max, about to lockdown a deal with Grandma Guthrie, interrupted by:
Jack: Just one more thing. Max: *eyeroll*
WELL-FORMED THOUGHTS
I love this show for presenting two endings and letting its viewers decide which is true, while at the same time telling us that they are both true, though in different ways. It is my personal reading that Silver killed Flint, but it is my personal belief that Silver sent Flint to reunite with Thomas (and my favorite fanfiction involves James and Thomas either escaping or reforming the prison farm together). Obviously, both events cannot exist simultaneously…but in story, they can. That is the beauty of art, that it can create and sustain paradoxes that are somehow bigger and more beautiful in their contradictions than in either version told separately.
FRAGMENTED THOUGHTS
The opening at the Nice Farm Prison opens up SO MANY things to think about, especially that civilization defines itself by the things it excludes, but that it is JUDGED by how it treats those that are excluded.
It’s incredibly sad that their idea of “protection” is that a man “must cease to be in order to find peace.” Silver bought this line of reasoning in his attempt to unmake Captain Flint. Season 2 Flint would have agreed. Now, at the end of all things, do we?
Billy sees Flint trying to save someone, and shoots the Someone. Honorable Billy would have shot Flint regardless of the consequences from Woodes Rogers.
Sulky Featherstone, pissed that Jack’s drive might be compromised, is so cute.
In telling a version of the story to Jack, Flint is protecting Silver (by not saying that Silver was willing to give up the cache) and Madi (by not saying where the cache is until she’s safe).
Flint refuses to use the ship’s guns because it puts Madi’s life at greater risk, and only NOW does Silver realize Flint was never betraying him. The difference between them is that Silver cannot stop being a pirate – betraying and assuming betrayal. The irony is that Captain Flint, Pirate of Pirates, really means his offer of friendship to people that he has decided to love and trust.
After twelves minutes of silence, Silver’s first sullen words are, “He’s right, and you know it.” That’s the show!
“Please know I was so conflicted about all this when it began. I knew it would be difficult to separate them, Flint and Silver. They’d grown so close, it was hard to know where one ended and the other began. I worried that the act of separating them might destroy them both when what I wanted was to remove Flint. And I saw no other way. But the things I’ve done in the pursuit of it were intended to honor my oath. But somehow, here I am now. What I’ve just done, there’s no coming back from that.“
Poor Billy. He got caught up in something much bigger than himself, and he wasn’t emotionally strong enough to either fully adapt or to keep himself away from it all.
Madi’s dead stare as she is forced to listen to her would-be murderer monologue about his problems is haunting. But in the midst of it, she’s thinking faster than he is.
“I do not wish to board her. I wish to cause confusion and terror amongst her men. I wish to shatter their spirits. I wish to break them. And then I wish to board her.”
Just in case we needed one last reminder of how evil civilization can be when it decides to use its power against its enemies!
Flint using the mast and sails as cover and giving just enough information to others to prove how brilliant he is EXCELLENT.
Flint knowing ships so intimately that he can cut one rope and change the battle entirely is EXCELLENT.
Flint fighting giant Billy after four seasons of build up and kicking him off the bottom of his shoe like an nuisance is EXCELLENT.
I loved seeing Silver use his crutch as both shield and weapon.
When Silver is confronted with his past self/persona in the form of a cowardly cook, he chooses NOT to kill the man. That feels important.
MADI’S ALIVE, and the twist in the music from tragic to romantic is stunning!
I love Jack, but I’m glad Flint had to help him defeat Woodes Rogers. There’s no way it would have been realistic otherwise, and anyway, Jack’s strength has never been in his physicality.
Madi comes out of the hold and immediately sees Flint. Silver sees Madi’s helpless smile at Flint’s victory.
Jack and Silver are partnering against Flint, and watching Flint’s sad expressions is heartbreaking. He knows, but he goes along with them.
“This war. Your war. Her war…As long as you and she stand for it, as long as the treasure powers it, nothing can stop it from beginning now…This is what it would be. Time after time after time. Endlessly. The measuring of lives and loves and spirits so that they may be wagered in a grand game. How much ransom can be afforded for the cause? How many casualties can be tolerated for the cause? How much loss? That isn’t a war. That is a fucking nightmare.”
Silver is tired, of this version of himself he’s created, of this life of pain and struggle. But he’s tired because he’s seen this as a “grand game” rather than a life or death situation in which the only hope for a better future where black or queer men and women can live without shame and without abuse is by fighting this war.
The thing is, Silver CHOSE to align himself with revolutionaries, he is clearly drawn to friends and lovers who are passionate and dangerous. He could have avoided all this long ago and let them have their war without him. But he inserted himself into their narrative and then took it apart around them. I love that he is not made villainous in this moment, but he IS made complex and pitiable and small.
“This is how they survive. They paint the world full of shadows, and then tell their children to stay close to the light. Their light. Their reasons, their judgments. Because in the darkness, there be dragons. But it isn’t true. We can prove that it isn’t true. In the dark, there is discovery, there is possibility. There is freedom in the dark once someone has illuminated it. And who has been so close to doing it as we are right now?”
GOD, THIS SPEECH. Everyone (rightfully) loves it, but I am continually struck by the beauty of Flint’s hope. He has now fully abandoned his shame, confident that the worst of him, whether that be the love society condemned or the rage inspired by their punishment, is all part of a greater story that can illuminate the darkness. Stunning.
Both Flint and Silver had no real vision of a better world, but they both fell in love with people who were Visionaries. James was changed by Thomas, but Silver was not changed by Madi. Another fundamental difference between the two men.
“All this will have been for nothing. We will have been for nothing. Defined by their histories, distorted to fit into their narratives until all that is left of us are the monsters in the stories they tell their children.”
Is there a more tragic moment in this episode than when Mrs. Hudson reads “General History of Pirates” to her children, thus confirming Flint’s greatest fear?
Framing Treasure Island Long John Silver as a man haunted by regret is masterful. “Someday, you will [care]. The comfort will grow stale, and casting about in the dark for some proof that you mattered and finding none, you’ll know that you gave it away in this moment on this island.”
Jack says, “Captain Flint is gone,” as a candle is extinguished. WOW THE METAPHOR, because Flint was a light to illuminate civilization’s created darknesses, but no more. It is very hard not to see Jack and Silver as the bad guys here!!
The show makes it explicit that it is the former slaves who would have been emboldened to fight for freedom by a story of Flint’s death, and Jack and Silver took even that away from them. They are…super selfish.
And then Madi is reduced to being “a few scattered objections” to the treaty with England that she repeatedly felt was worth dying to oppose, and UGH. I’m very unhappy with Jack and Silver (and to a lesser extent, though it’s very much in her characterization to do so, Max) taking the easy way out.
After the emotional devastation of the showdown between Flint and Silver, it is such a palate cleanser to experience uninhibited joy at Anne and Jack’s reunion.
And it is lovely to see that Jack’s victory comes by writing Woodes Roger’s story.
How much of Silver’s story about Flint’s fate for Madi, and how much is him trying to make himself feel better?
You can see Madi want to believe him, and hating herself for wanting to believe him.
However you see the ending, as truth or fiction, watching James realize he is seeing Thomas is So Fucking Beautiful.
AGGGHGHHHHH. I always cry at their reunion. It’s just stunning.
“You didn’t just betray my trust. You have planned to betray it all that time. Get out.”
Silver’s final story is ineffective. The show ends with the unmaking of both Flint and Silver.
Madi returning to Silver, albeit at a significant distance, says a lot about love overcoming pain and betrayal. But clearly their relationship can never be what it might have been, and I like to think this is also the regret that motivates Silver to return to his past in Treasure Island.
Jack, interviewing a new pirate: And that’s my whole life story! Wait, what did you ask?
The fact that the pirates are allowed to continue because their existence lines the pockets of civilization is…super disappointing. They’ve given up their power and their honor. Can’t help thinking Charles Vane would be super disappointed in Jack…
Anne’s look from “Mark” to Jack is 100% “Are you shitting me? You don’t realize you just invited another woman on our ship?”
“What’s it all for if it goes unremembered? It’s the art that leaves the mark. But to leave it, it must transcend.”
Black Sails definitely transcended. I’m so grateful for the True stories it tells, and I can’t wait to rewatch it a third time.
Not done reliving the episode? Listen to Daphne and Liz’s podcast at Fathoms Deep!
The Beards’ mutton chop formation got the job done against a lackluster Seacows effort, though not without a possibly impactful injury to Aaron Jones. Jones makes up a key piece of the Mutton based offense and will have to be shaved off the starting line up for 2-3 weeks. It will probably be fine for the Beards and their two game cushion over the Seacows, but there is still hope and it is not a thing with feathers, it is Manatee-shaped.
Scapecow of the week is the Cincinnati Defense. Congratulations you did it, three weeks in a row! But wait, the Cinci D wasn’t in the Seacows line up! True, however, their appalling performance led to rash decisions that resulted in me playing a defense that actually did worse than Cincinnati’s -2 points.
Fire Pandas vs the replacements
Predictable as always, the replacements came out big this week and recorded the second highest score of all teams. The only team to score higher were the Fire Pandas. Patrick Mahomes is back and Pandas are aflame and riding high on the tire swing that is the replacements week to week performances. Adorable.
Eurasian Collared Doves vs Purple Moose
There was much squawking and ground stomping but not much point scoring in this match up. It seems that when sharp beaks meet sharp antlers they kind of look at each other and go ‘man that looks sharp, I don’t think I want to go near that’ and the Las Vegas defense dig themselves a -7 point hole to hide in. The most stompy hoof was Travis Kelce. The stud tight end put up his biggest numbers since week 2, and this subdued the coos. Two in particular seemed to be intimidated: Younghoe Koo and the bird-based Cardinals defense scored 3 points each and then headed south for the rest of the game.
Bad News Bears vs Real Slim Brady
The beast is slain! The streak is ended! The beginning of the end is begun!
McCaffery was back for real this week and with great effect. The kicker battle on Sunday night all but decided the outcome, and even a modest performance from Stafford was enough to serve the Bears their second loss of the season. Aaron Rodgers started for the Bears and, bad news, the difference between his projected score and his actual score made the difference…one might even say he owned the bears…
Battling Finger Puppets vs Team Sorto
Team Sorto had another decent score that would have beaten more than half the teams in the league, but the Finger Puppets were not among them. Carrie, you did great as always. It is all but guaranteed the basement dwelling Team Sorto and the Seacows of Liquid Squalor will squabble over who will get first pick next year. However, Team Sorto is only one game behind the ECD. Perhaps hope is a thing with feathers…a thing to be caught and surpassed a week before the playoffs.
Standings After Week 10
Stagnation. The plucky underdogs division remains the same. The Grizzled veterans division sees Real Slim Brady make a move towards finishing first and the replacements upset their rhythm falling to .400.
The Chart (of Lies)
With only 4 weeks remaining in the regular season, the Chart of Lies might not be so full of lies after all. The Finger Puppets are still projected the first place finish with the Bears one spot behind. The Fire Pandas and replacements swap places after last week’s game, and the Beards are demoted to 9th…get back here Beards, I can still beat you vicariously!
Preview of This Week’s Games
Seacows vs Bad News Bears
Good news league, the Bad News Bears are beatable! But are they beatable by literally anyone? We will find out this week when the Seacows go on the hunt for win #3.
*like this but if the salmon was a Manatee
Eurasian Collared Doves vs Beards ‘R Us
The Doves will look to stop their 3 game losing streak against the Beards who also have a 3 game streak, but of wins! Will razor sharp beaks and a desire to line nests with downy beard hair be enough to see the Eurasian Collared Doves soar to victory? Seacow nation will be cheering for an ECD victory, get those Beards or possibly join me in the left behind bracket of the playoffs.
Real Slim Brady vs Replacements
Amy’s equilibrium has been disturbed. I don’t know what happens now; will she break out and show her true playoff form or will it be a discordant dissent into madness and losing? Krista will find out, fresh off slaying the beast. Top spot in the Grizzled Veterans league is within her grasp!
Fire Pandas vs Finger Puppets
Oooh this one matters. All season the top of the Plucky Underdogs’ division has been a murky glut of teams sharing the same record, but finally the leaders are playing each other and we shall have clarity! Are Pandas freaked out by finger puppets? Are finger puppets flammable? We’re about to find out.
Purple Moose vs Team Sorto
Having extended their lead over the ECD and team Sorto, the Purple Moose might be tempted to think they can cruise to the playoffs. The ESPN app would probably give them a 99% chance of qualifying, however that 1% chance depends on a (projection favored) Team Sorto victory this week…
I don’t WANT to be the sort of person who is aroused by Flint singlehandedly murdering three people at once, but. Here we are.
The man is unstoppable.
TODAY’S RUNNER UP
Madi! She isn’t given a lot of screen time, but what she has is incandescent. She refuses to play Woodes Rogers’s game, confident that her fight for her people is more important than any personal desire she might have. And just so he’s very clear, she refuses to play the bad guy, insisting that he alone is responsible for his wife’s death, not her, not Flint, not the war. I LOVE HER.
LOL MOMENT
“He just dropped.” “Mmhm.” *foot nudge* “Mmhm.” “Should we…” “Mmhm.”
LOL, poor Jack. He was so close to living in a drama, but life keeps insisting that he’s in a comedy.
WELL-FORMED THOUGHTS
I am far less invested in Flint and Silver’s relationship during this rewatch than I was the first time through, but WOW did this episode bring all the feelings back. Their flashbacks remind us of their early season 4 friendship while simultaneously framing their central conflict of the season (“What are you looking at?” “Nassau. Can’t you see it?”)
Throughout the series, we have built their partnership into something supernatural, something that, when united, can accomplish anything. The crew members of the Walrus also believe in this supernatural relationship, assuming that Silver can intuitively divine which way Flint went in the forest. But theirs is a relationship as human as any other, and these flashbacks reveal the cracks that will eventually split their trust in each other. Not all of the supernaturalism is removed, however, since the breaking of their partnership really does have catastrophic effects upon their world (RIP Walrus).
Flint can never fully trust Silver’s lack of a backstory. Not only is he saddened that Silver would continue to lie to him, he realizes that Silver sees the world in a fundamentally different way than he does. Silver wants to remake himself as though the past has no influence, and for Flint, the future he is trying to will into existence is entirely influenced by the past. They are both storytellers, but only one believes in the power of story.
Silver can never fully trust that Flint will see beyond his war. He is the more subtly emotional man, desperate for attention and affection. His greatest betrayal by Flint is from his captain’s “arrogance” and “indifference” when he thought they’d been equals. He, more than Flint, values individual relationships, and while he mostly talks about his fear of losing Madi, it is clear that some part of him is hurt that Flint will always choose the war over him, too.
No matter how close they were, no matter what they accomplished together, Flint and Silver’s partnership was always doomed to falter at some point. Their complementary skills (visionary/practical, idealist/realist) are what made them so powerful together, but under the strain of war and lost lives, these differences prove to create mistrust between them.
Despite how dark this is, there is hope. Flint still believes in reconciling with Silver, seeing in Silver’s grief and desperation an echo of his own season 3 rage. He knows it can pass, and he believes that if Madi is saved, his partnership with Silver can be restored. In fact, he believes this so strongly that he kills Dooley, a man wholly committed to Flint, so as not to lose Silver, who is actively trying to kill him. One side of the partnership is committed – we have one final episode to determine if this feeling will be reciprocated.
FRAGMENTED THOUGHTS
FLASHBACK #1
These are filmed surreally, both in lighting and music. It’s almost dreamlike, but everything in the episode encourages us to read them as true memories.
“The men, I have to manage how they see me. I understand that’s part of my job. But for pride to be an issue between you and I, well, I think we’re plain past that by now, don’t you?”
Silver shows more vulnerability in front of Flint (by taking off his artificial leg) than anyone else, but future flashbacks will force him to take that vulnerability to uncomfortable levels.
Flint’s enemies talking about how unkillable he is is very erotic.
Rogers: Which one of them is going to prevail? Billy: Silver has the men, and Flint is on his own out there and disadvantaged. That said, Flint’s been on his own and disadvantaged countless times since I’ve known him. And here we are.
Silver knowingly sends three men to their deaths solely to discover Flint’s whereabouts. The apprentice has truly matched the master, huh?
FLASHBACK #2
Flint trusts Silver so much that he forgot he doesn’t know Silver’s past!! And the annoyance and heartbreak that flashes across his face when he realizes that Silver is STILL lying to him!!
In the midst of this emotionalism, I have to admire Flint’s ability to subtly throw shade by saying, “I assumed if you ever became someone worth knowing…” But isn’t that the whole thing? Silver tried so desperately to be a person worth catching Flint’s attention. Now that he has it, he doesn’t want to risk it by revealing anything Flint might dislike.
Flint takes down the first three men in a scene that VERY MUCH sets up the ominous Flint Ghost of Treasure Island.
I have to imagine that Flint was rolling his eyes and muttering, “oh, come ON” at having to pretend not to hear these bungling idiots snap tree branches as they sneak up on him.
Madi, a captive, utterly showing up Woodes Rogers, a governor, is BEAUTIFUL. She is unimpressed by his White Man Pain, giving one of the best speeches of the series that is, tellingly, audibly punctuated by Eleanor’s ghost.
“But I hear other voices, a chorus of voices. Multitudes. They reach back centuries. Men and women and children who lost their lives to men like you. Men and women and children forced to wear your chains. I must answer to them, and this war, their war, Flint’s war, my war – it will not be bargained away to avoid a fight, to save John Silver’s life or his men’s or mine. And you believe what you will, but it was neither Flint nor the Spanish raider who killed your wife. That, you did.”
Madi is put in the exact same situation Silver was in, but her decision is the exact opposite. She has a vision of a world that is worth fighting for, even at the cost of the person she most loves. Silver has only followed that vision because the people he loved believed in it; once they are threatened, his true loyalty to individuals rather than a hoped-for future is revealed. Just as this difference between Flint and Silver is exposed in this episode, we are led to question how Madi and Silver’s relationship can survive such differing values.
FLASHBACK #3
“”The truth is there is no story to tell.” “No one’s past is that unremarkable.” “Not unremarkable, just without relevance. A long time ago, I absolved myself from the obligation of finding any. No need to account for all my life’s events in the context of a story that somehow defines me. Events, some of which no one could divine any meaning from other than that the world is a place of unending horrors. I’ve come to peace with the knowledge that there is no storyteller imposing any coherence, nor sense, nor grace upon those events. Therefore, there’s no duty on my part to search for it. You know of me all I can bear to be known. All that is relevant to be known. That is to say, you know my genuine friendship and loyalty. Can that be enough and there still be trust between us?”
Silver believes that his past is “without relevance,” which just sounds to me like the hope of a hurting man. Much has been made of his comment about the world being full of “unending horrors,” and I lean toward the camp that believes he perpetuated many of those horrors (remember his 105 comment to Eleanor: “Guilt is natural. It also goes away if you let it.”). As much as he wants to be who he is right now without acknowledging the past, Flint and I agree that the past will exert its influence, with or without his consent.
Jack is SO CLOSE to having everything he’s ever wanted, a “true victory, freedom in every sense of the word.” But because he is our only bastion of comic relief in a very emotional episode, his beautiful speech is cut short by the death of the only man who can get him his victory.
Ben Gunn looks at his future island prison. Mr. DeGroot gets a really beautiful line before all hell breaks loose: the Walrus is set on fire, he calls for the men to abandon ship, and then he’s shot in the head while trying to escape. Dangers in the dark, indeed.
“There are no monsters in the dark, though there are dangers. Let’s take care to tell the difference.”
Nooooooo Joji!! Flint’s facial twitches reveal that he too is saddened by the fact that he has to kill him. I love that their fight is so close, and then Israel Hands comes in, and Flint takes him down with very little effort. RIP Joji. You were amazing.
Flint is so confident that if Silver will just trust him, they can both save Madi and continue the war. Silver is still annoyed with the same thing that frustrated him in 201, that “right now it matters far less to you whether she lives or dies than it happens your way, on your terms.” They’re both right, and that is why this can only get worse.
“Even if you could kill me, even if that somehow helped you see her alive again, how are you going to explain it to her? She believes in this as much as I do. You know this. If it costs the war to save her, you’ll have lost her anyway. Even you cannot construct a story to make her forgive you that.”
If this were another show, Silver would have immediately replied, “Challenge accepted!”
But it’s a horribly depressing show, because instead Flint kills Dooley to prevent his loyal crew member from killing the partner who is trying to murder him!! AHHHH, why can’t Silver see that Flint really values him??
And oh shit, DOOLEY IS THE SIXTH MAN. We know from Treasure Island that Flint killed six men, but in the last episode Israel Hands was one of the six going ashore. We know he has to live because he’s in the book, and I thought it was just a little hand-wavey, but NO, IT’S DOOLEY!!! Agh, this is so sad.
Flint and Silver fight, and the Walrus explodes! And DeGroot dies!! And Billy spares Ben Gunn but shoots another former brother. THIS IS TOO MUCH.
FLASHBACK #4
Silver tries to convince Madi to trust Flint, and it’s so crazy to remember how skeptical she used to be of the pirate alliance. Now the triumvirate has switched, and no matter how much Silver believes he’s helping Madi, we know she is very much on Flint’s side.
“Can’t you see it? It isn’t utility that’s behind his investment in me nor necessity, nor dependency. I understand you fear a false motive. But this much is clear to me now: I have earn his respect. And after all the tragedies that man has suffered, the loss of Thomas, the events of Charles Town, I have earned his trust. I have his true friendship, and so he’s going to have mine. As long as that is true, I cannot imagine what is possible.”
Not done reliving the episode? Listen to Daphne and Liz’s podcast at Fathoms Deep!
It has been brought to my attention that a part of last week’s blog entry was factually incorrect. This terrible oversight has shaken me to my core. How could I be so careless, how many lives were affected by my inaccurate reporting, what damage has been done to my integrity and that of this fantasy football community?
I wish to set the record straight. I implied that the Beards won their week 7 match up against Team Sorto but they did not. They lost. They lost by 15 points, points that were not on their bench. They never could have won that game and to say that it could have been otherwise would be false.
My deepest apologies, Sports Ballers, sometimes it is hard to see through all the liquid squalor, but that is no excuse! I shall wipe the green crap off the inside of my tank and report only the truth and my wildly fluctuating opinion on our collective attempts to play fantasy football.
Last Week’s Games
Purple Moose vs Seacows
The Moose rallied a valiant 123 points in this game with good performances from promising players. They have shaken off the slight stumble and continue to hound the Fire Pandas and Finger Puppets in the underdog division.
On the other side of the ball, it was all flipper injuries, disappointed booped snoots, and the power of Loving to throw short passes and interceptions.
Seeing as there was not a decisive Scapecow of the week last week, apparently I decided to let them have another week to sort it out (I have definitely not become so despondent on what is now a month without a win that I forgot to swap out my defence) and the result is:
The Cincinatti Defence! Congratulations, I would have done better if I had kept the roster spot empty. It shouldn’t be possible to win two scapecow awards in a row, but you did it! Can you make it 3? Will I let you? …let’s find out next week.
Bad News Bears vs the replacements
There are three guarantees in life: Death, taxes and that the replacements will follow a monster week with a nap.
The Bad News Bears add another win and several more pounds to their winter bulk, and are looking sleepy.
Team Sorto vs Fire Pandas
Polite messages were exchanged in the chat, broken hearts and exuberant cheers were kept behind closed doors, feelings were stuffed deep deep down…I’m only kidding, when a psychologist and a counsellor battle for supremacy only well adjusted humans emerge.
Real Slim Brady vs Beards
CMC returned but appeared to be easing back in rather than going full hulk smash, at least there was some consolation for Krista that the Patriots won that game.
Those Mutton Chops tho… a coordinated 15.2 each for the RBs and an average 16.85 for the WR, Damn. Volume and luscious texture provided by a sweet 19 points from the New England defence, my my Beards.
Battling Finger Puppets vs Eurasian collared Doves
Both top scores in this game, Doves’ 142 would have beaten anyone else but Carrie who had 187 – more than the combined score in the Bad News Bears/replacements game.
ECD found a suitable replacement, and Carson Wentz played heckagood.
The Battling Finger Puppets’ stack came out with 50 points and inspired the rest of the team. James Connor took full advantage of the opportunity an early injury to teammate Edmonds presented and racked up 40 points.
Standings After Week 9
There was some movement on the table this week but don’t get excited, it’s just the Seacows sinking below the Beards.
The Chart (of Lies)
The chart has a new favorite! Battling Finger Puppets are projected top spot, displacing the Bad News Bears.
Preview of This Week’s Games
Sad Fluid Squalor Seacows vs Beards ‘R Us
If the Seacows are to have any hope of turning their season around and making the play offs, this game is a must win against division rival Beards. The same could be said for the Beards. Riding on the back of a 2 game winning streak, they will be looking to mow down the Manatees without getting their facial hair damp.
Fire Pandas vs the replacements
The replacement pendulum is expected to swing up, and the Pandas, playful creatures that they are, love tire swings and will attempt to hop on. The result: an adorable Panda on a tire swing or an adorable panda falling off a tire swing?
Eurasian Collared Doves vs Purple Moose
An honorable animal battle, where deadly sharp beaks and air superiority shall battle deadly sharp antlers and a sturdy four feet on the ground. The prize: a win and legitimacy to the claim to be the greatest animal team in the league.
Bad News Bears vs Real Slim Brady
Will this be the week someone stops the Bears? Perhaps if Krista named her team the ‘Actually Vaccinated Rogers.’ He loves owning the Bears…
Battling Finger Puppets vs Team Sorto
A depleted finger puppet back field might give team Sorto a chance for an upset in this game. The projection is against them, but another good performance from fellow underdog New York Jets could make the difference in this one.
A rescue plan threatens to divide Flint and Silver. Max learns the true price of freedom. Rackham seeks his prey. The Walrus enters uncharted territory.
Oh MAN is it rewarding to get back to basics – Flint telling a story and earning himself an ally. It’s fitting that here at the end of the show, Flint gets explicit about his storytelling habit. By spinning a story, fictional or true, the storyteller can control a situation while being above the influence of the story itself. This is Flint at his best, controlling the narrative and getting shit done!
TODAY’S RUNNER UP
Max! She gets everything she has wanted – a partnership with a powerful woman that guarantees her control of Nassau. But she rejects it, realizing that it isn’t, in fact, everything that she wants. Power without love turns out to be more hollow than she expected, and she gives up the most powerful position in her world on the off chance that she might someday reconnect with Anne. I can’t think of anything more romantic, and it’s no wonder that Anne extends her hand to Max, both symbolically and physically.
LOL MOMENT
Grandma Guthrie asks Max, “How well did you know my granddaughter?” and you can literally see the panic cross Max’s face as she imagines their more elicit activities being made known to Eleanor’s grandmother.
WELL-FORMED THOUGHTS
Israel Hands explicitly tells Silver that “the crown cannot be shared.” Although Silver initially denies this, the episode itself seems to support this claim. We’ve been led to believe that Flint and Silver are equal partners, but until this point, they’ve never really disagreed. Now that their goals are diametrically opposed to each other, it seems that their partnership was just another iteration of Flint as captain and Silver as quartermaster.
The deeper question is this: does the show want us to believe that this is inevitable? Can any partnership truly be equal? To be sure, the most reliable relational characteristic of this show is that partners will betray one another. There is, however, one glaring exception to this pattern: Jack and Anne. Every time one of them “betrays” the other (Anne sleeping with Max, Jack accepting a captaincy without Anne on the crew), they forgive each other, accept their new reality, and recommit themselves to the other. But this kind of partnership is extremely rare, both in Black Sailsand in real life.
FRAGMENTED THOUGHTS
Billy told Woodes Rogers that he would find Avery’s journals in Flint’s cellar. How in the world did Billy know they were there? Never mind, I can imagine that the MOMENT Billy had control of Flint’s house as a home base, he scoured through every single one of his possessions.
I do admire Rogers for making his ambivalent feelings for Billy very clear by almost shooting him in the head.
Silver asks Flint what lies beyond the war, afraid that, “What if the result of this war isn’t beyond the horror? What if it is the horror itself?” The answer Flint gives is one of the most beautiful lines in the show.
“If we are to truly reach a moment where we might be finished with England, cleared away to make room for something else, there most certainly lies a dark moment between here and there. A moment of terror where everything appears to be without hope. I know this. But I cannot believe that that is all there is. I cannot believe we are so poorly made as that, incapable of surviving in the state to which we are born, grown so used to the yoke that there can be no progress without it.”
Flint is, at heart, an optimist. This is why he is so compelling a protagonist. Even when he’s doing horrible things, even when he loses his hope, we know that it’s there – a belief that something better than what currently exists can be attained. God, I love him.
Flint has no aspirations to be king, making explicit his apparent lack of concern about Silver’s new title. He sees Silver and Madi as leaders of the New Nassau, leaving us to understand that perhaps he is once more dreaming of walking inland to a place in which oars are mistaken for shovels…or dying in the process of getting them their power.
Which, okay. Is Silver the best of them? Really? I’ve never really been a huge Silver stan, so…am I missing something? The Madi love I entirely agree with (“She’s as wise as her father, she’s as strong as her mother”), but this statement about Silver seems hyperbolic.
“Why are you doing this? Talking about us like it’s a thing? A future? I don’t know who broke it first, but it broke. And there ain’t no putting it back together again.”
I love Anne’s honesty, and later we learn that Max does too!
“The defense of civilization is not your responsibility, sir!” shouts government lackey, which made me realize that Woodes Rogers and Flint are fighting a war of ideals, while people like this dude and Max are all, “Okay, but what about making money and just staying alive?”
I love Flint’s eye twitches as he evaluates Billy’s survival and what this means for him.
By openly defying Flint’s orders, Silver is testing whether or not Flint actually trusts Silver the way Silver has trusted Flint. Based upon Flint’s infinitesimal head shake and body scan of disgust, things don’t look good. Kudos to Silver, I guess, for really believing that Flint will eventually come to see his side of things because of their partnership and friendship.
The minor characters are getting some extra time! We’ve got Mrs. Mapleton, Mrs. Hudson, Ben Gunn, Mr. DeGroot, Idelle, and even a mention of Charlotte!
Anne being unable to slice bread on her own is such a perfect scene of a powerful person made weak.
“Despite the world reminding her every day of her life that she’s undeserving of being given anything by it, that she was unworthy of what little she’d managed to take from it – despite all that, she never believed a word of it. That woman has been fighting the whole goddamn world since the day she was born. She’s a breath away from winning that fight. For whatever reason, she wants to share the spoils with you, and you’d walk away.”
Idelle puts her hatred of Anne away because of her love of Max.
Grandma Guthrie and Max have the same conversation James and Thomas once did about civilization needing the pirates.
Max has officially replaced Eleanor, even if this is “the wrong river, the wrong woman.” She has everything Eleanor fought for. How lovely that later, Max doesn’t boast of this to Anne, but admits that Eleanor tried to teach her one final lesson – that all the power in the world isn’t worth anything if there is no love.
Grandma Guthrie lays out the profound limitations of a woman’s power in this world, that even the most intelligent woman has to hide herself behind a man in order to wield it. But being reminded of all “the humiliations and the sacrifices and the defeats and the illusions maintained at so great a cost to your sense of self” inspires Max to make a bold decision – she says no, because she doesn’t want to risk being unable to be with Anne.
“You are the bravest person I have ever known. The truest person I have ever known. And I betrayed you, and it sickens me. I am so sorry for working so hard to protect the wrong things, for failing to see that there is nothing important that does not include you.”
Now THAT is an apology. Every episode makes me like Max more and more!
When Anne extends her brutalized hand toward Max, she is offering her the most vulnerable part of herself. Reminds me of season 2, when she bares her scarred back to both Max and Jack when asking them to join in a new relationship with her. She leads with vulnerability, which is amazing for such a taciturn, gruff woman.
TREASURE ISLAND!! It’s getting piratey up in here!
I love that Silver tells Israel Hands that there is no hidden message about not killing Flint – he learned his lesson from season 2 when he accidentally ordered his fellow plotters to murder someone.
And Israel Hands obeys, even saving Flint and Dooley when they steal the cache, because he wants Silver to see Flint for what he is. What he is is a mastermind, WHY DOES ANYONE STILL QUESTION HIM? He’s made it clear that he will save both the cache and Madi, and why does Silver feels this is so unlikely? C’mon, keep up your blind trust!
I’ll give Silver this, though. He’s brave to offer himself to Woodes Rogers in order to protect Madi. Even if I hate that his admission that he’s sent men to kill Flint must make Billy feel so smug.
Flint the storyteller is back, and I’m shrieking with delight at my laptop again!
Not done reliving the episode? Listen to Daphne and Liz’s podcast at Fathoms Deep!
A big thank you to our contributors from last week! The look inside the mind of a beard was fantastic: the second guessing, the self doubt and crushing defeat all backed up with statistical analysis! Although I am surprised there was no link to a 45 minute video on the saddest ever punt or something. And the Doves did us all proud. You may not know anything about football and still perhaps can’t name three players on your team, but you certainly can write a blog post (and break the soul of a manatee).
Last Week’s Games
Sad Fluid Squalor Seacows vs Fire Pandas
The Fire Pandas were all fired up for this local derby (it’s a British term for when two teams from the same city play each other, which warrants an excessive police presence to keep the opposing fans from fighting each other over a game that is otherwise meaningless)! Unlike the streets of British cities, however, the Mc-Adams household was not strewn with burning garbage after the points were tallied. Surrounded by liquid squalor, the Manatees try to remember what it was like to win a game instead of booping their snoot against the glass of disappointment.
While the Fire Pandas picked up an easy win, there is some cause for concern. A misfiring Patrick Mahomes in the line up and a benched Tyler Lockett made the Fire Pandas beatable…just not by the Manatees.
Scapecow of the week: It was a close one this week. Emanuel Sanders delivered a big ol’ 0, but no, this week The Cincinnati Defense wins the infamous title by scoring 1 point against the freaking Jets!
Bad News Bears vs Purple Moose
Johnathan was rather active in the chat on Monday night when this one was decided. After all, he does have a winning streak to defend, and the Purple Moose gave the bears a run for their money. If this were a nature show narrated by David Attenborough (or who ever the Canadian equivalent is), we would see a bear chasing down a tired moose…a slippery rock, a misplaced hoof, a stumble and a blood stained bear muzzle! “Misfortune for the moose means this bear won’t be going hungry, he has gorged himself for the coming winter and will soon go into hibernation.”
Misplaced hoof, thy name is Travis Kelce, who has been so reliable for so long, outscored by Harrison Butker and his very well placed kicking paw.
the replacements vs Eurasian Collared Doves
In an otherwise low scoring week for the league in general, this battle of relative titans contained the two highest scores of the week. A real contest then! Well no, it was another drastic over-compensation from the replacements after losing last week, racking up 160 points and leaving nothing on the bench. Way to stay at .500 Amy. Lull them with a false sense of security one week and then Hulk Smash the next!
The Doves remembered to start Koo and managed to peck up 126 points of bread crusts and other assorted garbage. Puff chested they raised their beak to the sky, but were cut off by a conversed foot launching them into the losing column and loosing an undignified squawk.
Beards ‘R Us vs Battling Finger Puppets
The Beards had some solid performances at RB 1&2 and WR 1&2, like a set of fine mutton chops that highlighted the underperforming, clean shaven chin of QB Kirk Cousins. Thankfully, the answer to last week’s preview question was ‘really itchy’. The beards win this one by a whisker to go 2-6.
More little buttons or whatever might be needed to inspire Nick Chubb and James Robinson next week, so I expect you can find Carrie at Michael’s this week stocking up, or else out back of the barber shop picking up more stuffing…
Real Slim Brady vs Team Sorto
Another team who picked up a much needed win was Team Sorto in another home town show down with Real Slim Brady. Josh Allen came through with a big game for Adriana, right when she needed it the most!
Real Slim Brady had some weapons in their line up with Ekler and Godwin combined for 53.4 points. Unfortunately the rest of the team could only manage another 56.5 combined. Better weeks ahead for Real Slim Brady with the return of Christian McCaffrey imminent.
Standings After Week 8
Bad News Bears claim sole possession of first with Real Slim Brady just behind.
Finger Puppets and Fire Pandas are battling it out for third; the Moose have dropped back to 500 with the replacements who are poised to make the playoffs.
Eurasian Collared Doves are trying to get off the ground at 3-5.
3 teams are tied for last…I mean, making the rest of you look good… at 2-6.
The Chart (of Lies)
Lies Lies Lies all the way down. Viva la revolución!
Preview of This Week’s Games
Purple Moose vs Seacows
Tom Brady, the only viable Seacow, is on Bye this week, so the Purple Moose are probably feeling pretty good about this match up. But wait, in a show of sea mammal patriotism the Seacows have picked up Tua of the Dolphins! Rise, you creatures of the ocean!
Bad News Bears vs the replacements
In the wax and wane cycle that is the replacements week by week performance, this week should be another win for the Bad News Bears. Will this be the week Amy bucks the trend? Or will the Bears continue to gorge themselves on wins?
Team Sorto vs Fire Pandas
Both teams are on the rise with QB’s who have struggled at times this season. The Fire Pandas might have more wins, but Team Sorto has it all to play for! This match up between secretly competitive but very polite people will be one to watch this week.
Real Slim Brady vs Beards
He’s back! CMC has returned, but for how long? The Beards hope less than 5 minutes, Real Slim Brady hopes forever, and we will know by 11 am on Sunday who gets their wish. Zooming out to the teams as a whole, the projection has this one for Real Slim Brady by 14 points. Will the Beards keep Kirk Cousins in the line up and rely on their mutton chops once more?
Battling finger puppets vs Eurasian collared Doves
A tough bye week for the ECD with both regular QB’s sidelined. The Battling finger puppets setting up for victory with their Baltimore QB/WR stack, look out doves, those aren’t crumbs your pecking at, they are indigestible little buttons!
When Silver finds out Madi is alive and emotionally believes that he can give up the cache for her without undoing the revolution, Flint steps in and confidently claims that they will get everything that they want. And like, I GET why Silver has trust issues where Flint is concerned, but I trust him 100%!!
TODAY’S RUNNER UP
Jack! He is so good in this episode! He’s caring and tender with Anne, proud and then disappointed about the reality of the pirate legacy he has so long pursued, respectful of Grandma Guthrie, and humble and smart enough to invite Max back into the game. He really shines when paired with women, huh?
LOL MOMENT
Every time Jack tries to fill in awkward silences and Grandma Guthrie calmly puts him in his place is an utter joy to watch.
WELL-FORMED THOUGHTS
We’ve made an emotional turn in the show. Although it has always included both of these themes, we seem to be distancing ourselves from the cycle of violence (although it is explicitly referenced in this episode) and instead, my attention is focusing on the theme of Short Term vs. Long Term planning.
This is seen most easily in two scenes, one between the Maroon Queen and Julius, and later it is mirrored in a conversation between Madi and Woodes Rogers. In the first, both the Queen and Julius have security as their goal. But whereas Julius is satisfied with months or years, the Queen is willing to sacrifice personal happiness if it ensures long term security for her people and their descendants. Similarly, Woodes Rogers offers freedom to the current escaped slaves if Madi promises that any future refugees to their island are returned “to the law.” She refuses this offer, knowing it will likely lead to her death, because she will not accept short term freedom at the expense of broader, long term freedom.
It is fitting then, that with the philosophical divide thus established, our leading men are beginning to have the same conversation. Silver is willing to give up the cache to save Madi, whereas Flint admits he is willing to give up her life to pursue a greater victory. As the episode ends, we see they have created an uneasy and untruthful compromise, but where it will go from here remains to be seen.
FRAGMENTED THOUGHTS
For an episode all about grief, it is a refreshingly light episode after six hours of dark material.
The scene between Silver and the Queen is so lovely. They are both grieving Madi, and her mother knows she can trust this boy who claimed to love her because he describes her as, “curious and strong, not made to be hidden away from the world.”
Flint is so tender with Silver! “How is she?” “Breathing.” “How are you?” It is continually astounding to realize that the rage that drove Flint through the first two seasons and especially the third has vanished. He has a purpose now, has allies, and this has freed him to care for and trust the people around him.
When Julius balks at the idea of their Caribbean revolution expanding to include all of the New World, Silver is the one to go Bad Cop. This is the exact opposite of the Quartermaster we used to know who could make Flint’s crazy plans palatable to the crew by selling it with a smile.
Part of me is annoyed that the only female pirate is the one who can’t seem to recover from her wounds, but it also gives us Jack the Nursemaid, so I can’t be mad for long.
Anne is pissed that Max wouldn’t apologize, but also admires her for not pretending.
“You have plenty of time to murder her another day, but right now you need to rest.”
Woodes Rogers is interrupted in blaming Mrs. Hudson for Eleanor’s decision by realizing that Eleanor was pregnant. I would be sad for him, but he remains an asshole.
Jack mimicking Max’s French accent is A+ delightful.
Featherstone claims that Max hasn’t crossed anyone who didn’t cross her first. Is this true? Did Jack and Anne cross her? Can someone rewatch the whole series real quick and validate this statement?
The Queen: I once thought like you. That because I had reason to mistrust the pirates, that it necessarily followed that I must mistrust them. But it is not so. For there is also reason to see common interest with them. I have fought alongside these men. Julius: I have fought alongside these men, but I did it so that I might find security. What they are now arguing for does not sound like security to me. There is no lasting security to be had here. Q: We’ll fight to change that. J: Nothing is lasting. But months, years, that is meaningful, and it can be had here. … Q: No one has ever been this close, this near a chance to change the world. J: No one changes the world. Not like this. Not all at once.
I love this conversation between the Queen and Julius! They both make good points, but I have always been, and still remain, Team Long Term Planning. And the Queen is sounding quite a bit like Flint at the end there, huh?
Silver is emotionally where Flint was last season, and it’s beautiful to see their roles reversed. Flint is such a good partner to Silver, laying out their past and their present, warning him that his emotions will cloud his judgment (is he remembering a certain storm?) but that Flint will be there beside him, guiding him. And when Silver regrets his harsh words to Julian, Flint calmly reassures him that it’s alright. There’s obviously going to be a significant turn in their relationship by episode’s end, but this moment is really beautiful.
Flint says multiple times, “Trust me.” Is it crazy that I do? He’s ambitious, determined, and unafraid to change allies at the drop of a hat. And yet, if you believe in the same thing that he does, he is hard to resist trusting.
Jack enjoys the notoriety of being identified as a pirate in Philadelphia by a wide-eyed teenager, especially when his name is listed right after Edward Teach. But his mood quickly sours when he realizes the world wants to sensationalize their stories rather than seeing them as human beings.
“Charles Vane was my closest friend in the world. He was the bravest man I ever knew. Not without fear, just unwilling to let it diminish him. And loyal to a fault. And in a world where honesty is so regularly and casually disregarded–” “I heard he cut off a man’s head and left it as a marker in the sand to anyone who would cross him.” “It was a little more complicated than that.” “I heard he sometimes butchered his enemies for amusement, made stew of their flesh. He was truly an animal.” “Stew? For what possible–I beg your pardon, but do you believe this?” “I read it in a newspaper.” “Charles Vane was a good man. What I told you was the truth. Put down the newspapers and read a book.”
This is the whole points of Black Sails, adding layers of depth to the hype of a Pirate Show.
Grandpa Guthrie is dismissive of Jack’s plan, BUT GRANDMA GUTHRIE. She and Jack immediately bond because they both know what it’s like to be underestimated and to use that to their advantages.
Eleanor fought to create space for her family, but Woodes Rogers destroyed it because he didn’t trust her. Even if it feels a little out of place for this show, I’m glad Eleanor’s corpse is supernaturally judging him and crying because of him. It is Very Effective, and he deserves it.
Billy is alive and a defector. It made me think of Baby Billy who was tortured by the British and swore to fight against them as a result. I suppose it must be very painful that his own allies wound up doing the very same thing to him.
Jack bought a fancy new coat while in Philadelphia.
Although Jack shows a lot of respect for Max by bringing her to meet Grandma Guthrie, GG demands more when interrupting his introduction with, “Does she speak?” I cannot believe that this television show about pirates thought, “You know what we should do now that we only have four episodes left? Let’s introduce another awesome female character!”
I have thoughts about the Cat Cycle at the end under spoiler warnings.
Max: In Nassau, slaves have seen too many of their own find freedom amongst the crews. It costs less to pay wages than to replace defectors, or worse yet, to pay guards to watch my door as I sleep. Grandma Guthrie: That isn’t the only reason, though, is it? Max: No, it is not. In my life, I have been bought and sold. And as I would be no slave again, nor would I be a master.
Max shows both logic and emotion in her decision to pay former slaves wages. She’s also learning that there is value in vulnerability, and I like her more than ever before. (Relearning? It’s possible that she stomped down her vulnerability after asking Eleanor to flee with her in the series beginning and being refused.)
We learned earlier in the episode that the cache no longer matters to Spain, yet Rogers demands its return in order for Madi’s release. Why? Out of spite? Oh wait, he super needs the money. It’s personal now.
Silver is blinded by his emotion, but the Queen can see through hers. Both she, Flint, and Madi agree that one life, however beloved, is not worth forfeiting the cache and their revolution, but Silver…he just wants her back. Hmm.
Woodes Rogers goes to Madi for comfort, which is gross. He tries to convince her to sign the agreement by being monstrous, which is ineffective. Dude is flailing.
“Eleanor died fighting. As will I.”
YEESSSSS, Madi!!
Jack and Anne’s separation is so sweet. In exchange for her alliance, Grandma Guthrie has demanded that Jack kill Flint. When Anne asks how he’ll do it, he lays out a litany of physical obstacles. But she presses him, asking, “How could you be someone who would do that?” Anne has been the secret heart of this show! And this is so sweet, but Jack answers her concerns with the equally sweet, “I do it for us. That’s how it started. That’s how it’s going to end.” I LOVE THEM.
Silver says, “He’s confident in his plan, as am I.” He’s got a backup, because of course he does, and what’s going to happen next???
We had almost seven episodes of these two being an unstoppable and surprisingly caring partnership. Too short!!
FINALE SPOILER WARNING
While I love the connection that the Cat Cycle story creates between Grandma Guthrie and Max, it strikes me as odd that their solution to the cycle of violence is…one final act of violence. And if we fast forward to the finale, it seems to be that the dual ending engages with this problem. The easiest solution to stopping everything is undoubtedly to kill Flint, and that is one way to read what happens. But what if someone were to catch the cat and send it somewhere else where love would heal the wound it’s trying to heal via violence? That’s the other way to read the finale, and I like that we are offered one final philosophical question: Which value do we want to believe in most? Ending the cycle of violence with violence or with love?
Not done reliving the episode? Listen to Daphne and Liz’s podcast at Fathoms Deep!
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