Black Sails: What does Flint’s romance with Thomas reveal about his character?

When viewers first meet Captain Flint (Toby Stephens) on Black Sails, he’s all mystery. One can only guess as to what drove this man to become the stern-faced and stern-hearted pirate captain he now appears to be. No one seems to know his story or his motivations, though there are plenty of guesses. Even when Miranda Barlow (Louise Barnes) comes into the picture, assumptions are made that she’s the force that’s steering him and holding all his secrets. But that’s not completely true either. Flint’s real truths aren’t learned until season two’s flashbacks. To most viewers’ shock, it is revealed that Flint had a romantic relationship with Miranda’s husband, Thomas Hamilton (Rupert Penry-Jones). This wasn’t just some torrid affair either; “Thomas wanted to clean up piracy in the Bahamas and make New Providence Island a British colony” (Jethro Nededog, TheWrap.com), and he needed Flint’s help as an officer in the British Royal Navy to do that. It doesn’t take long for Hamilton’s vision to influence Flint, and both share that dream of a better world that further enhances their love. But what’s most remarkable here is how this revelation changes the viewer’s perception of Flint.

Initially, Flint has an affair with Hamilton’s wife, Miranda. As Hamilton and Flint work together, one assumes Flint’s continuing his dalliance with Miranda behind Hamilton’s back. But oddly enough, once Hamilton makes his feelings for Flint clear (in front of Miranda no less), viewers bear witness to a rather complex love triad, one in which all three participants are loved and willing to boldly fight those who would condemn them. It’s their rebellious nature and willingness to pursue “pardoning the pirates in order to work with them for commerce to and from Nassau” (Jethro Nededog, TheWrap.com) that ends their romance and dooms their careers. Despite Thomas and Flint bringing out the best in each other and trying to make a difference and establish progress in England’s name, their relationship cannot be tolerated and all sides are severely punished.

Things seem hopeful when Miranda and Flint make it to Charlestown with their old friend Lord Ashe’s (Nick Boraine) daughter, Abigail (Meganne Young), who they rescued from a kidnapping scheme involving Captain Charles Vane (Zach McGowan). They’re hoping this peace offering will bend Lord Ashe to their wills, perhaps making him remember the past goals they all shared and their vision for Nassau’s future. But things don’t go well: Miranda deducts that Lord Ashe was the one who betrayed Flint and Hamilton, and that he did so for his position at Charlestown, which was orchestrated by Hamilton’s father, Lord Proprietor Alfred Hamilton (Danny Keogh). Miranda wants justice for her men, for the devastation of their lives and dreams. She wants Lord Ashe dead, and nothing less will do. Miranda is shot dead for her bold declarations, and what was left of Flint’s dreams and chance of happiness dies with her.

Flint is not the same man he was when he sailed into Charlestown; he was slightly broken, but he remained hopeful with Miranda and Nassau’s potential at his side. With her death, there are no more rules to follow, no more false hopes to cling to. He and Vane form an unlikely alliance, escaping their trials and authority, and sending Charlestown to its knees. Flint is changed forever and “destroyed as a person” (Jethro Nededog, TheWrap.com). With Flint, it was never just about gold, power, or glory; it was about becoming something more than himself, and delivering on a promise of a better Nassau. Toby Stephens puts it succinctly when he claims Flint “became himself with Thomas Hamilton. His potential was unleashed with Hamilton” (Jethro Nededog, TheWrap.com). Viewers can discern that Hamilton was the best thing to happen to Flint, providing both opportunity and self-discovery. Flint may have formed a man unjustly stripped of his naval career, robbed of his loves, and cheated by a corrupt and duplicitous system; but British authority created the pirate, and now they’ll have to deal with him.

Black Sails: How has the power dynamic changed now that Rackham and Anne have the Spanish gold?

Jack Rackham (Toby Schmitz) and Anne Bonny (Clara Paget) aren’t exactly on top of the world on the second season of Black Sails. They’re both shamefully without a crew and barely clinging to a brothel they don’t have much business running. So how do these two underdog pirates manage to rake in the biggest prize of all: the Urca gold? A lot of it is luck, and then there’s Max (Jessica Parker Kennedy), who becomes almost a guardian angel for the duo. Rackham and Bonny have changed things in Nassau, and “the balance of power is spinning” (TS Rhodes, DenofGeek.us). They’re undermining and challenging the whole operation, and many won’t see it coming until it’s too late. The only thing that remains certain is that they’ll have to fight to maintain their new positions, as Captain Flint (Toby Stephens) and Captain Charles Vane (Zach McGowan) have their eyes on the Spanish prize and will do what is necessary to get their hands on it.

Watching Rackham and Bonny attempt to run a brothel is a pitiful display. Rackham is utterly clueless that prostitutes aren’t divvying their earnings fairly, and is even less aware that certain special requests are priced differently than a prostitute’s usual services. Fortunately, Max points out the inconsistencies and money scams, quickly earning herself the position of madame. Once they’re finally earning a profit, Max continues to help Rackham and Bonny, and in a way they probably never anticipated. “As a madam, [Max knows everyone], and a lot about [them]” (TS Rhodes, DenofGeek.us). And by knowing Flint’s quartermaster John Silver (Luke Arnold), she’s able to set up Rackham and his new crew with the location of the Spanish gold, allowing them to be the first ones to take the prize back to Nassau. Max has proven to be more than a useful ally for these two and “a powerful force. She’s bought out other interests on the island, and she has the smarts to run things very, very well while not making a big deal out of her gender” (TS Rhodes, DenofGeek.us).

As Charlestown is demolished, two unlikely allies rise from its screams and ashes: Flint and Vane. The trials at Charlestown reminded both men that their rivalry is of little importance when their freedom is at stake. Flint and his crew have been on an obsessive quest to obtain the Urca gold for some time, only encountering obstacles and delays at every turn, which Silver has both contributed to and helped with. They’re not going to be pleased once they learn the gold is not only gone, but at the hands of one of their own. And Vane, while not directly in pursuit or interested in the Urca gold, will still want his share and won’t be willing to accept Rackham and Bonny as newly-minted power players of Nassau. This could spell “a profound shift in the politics of Nassau, as Vane and Flint team up for the first time, ready to take on the newly-rich Rackham-Bonny combo” (TS Rhodes, DenofGeek.us). It also spells danger for Rackham, Bonny, Max and Silver.

So, it’s Rackham, Bonny and Max vs. Vane and Flint. This could get ugly and interesting very fast. Vane and Flint are two very determined pirate captains with a lot of muscle behind them; they’ve both cheated death and overcome impossible odds. On the other end, Rackham, Bonny and Max have been countlessly underestimated by those around them, and they’re the ones who managed to capture the biggest prize the island has ever seen. They’ve risen from rock bottom with the potential to acquire even more power and influence. But are they rising too fast and will they end up falling just as quickly? If they manage to maintain their position, Nassau may end up looking and operating a lot differently. But they’re not considering the one thing that Vane and Flint are all too aware of from Charlestown’s events: English law is coming to Nassau, and pirate life may not be able to fight it off, at least not without a little help.

Black Sails: Will Silver’s betrayal to Flint and the crew finally cost him, or will he talk his way out of it?

John Silver (Luke Arnold) has a silver tongue. He’s a bit too clever for his own good. How else could he go from being a prisoner to reluctant pirate posing as a cook to quartermaster? One thing he understands all too well is survival; he knows he’s never truly safe and that death could potentially be right around the corner. Somehow, though, Silver manages to become an unexpectedly significant part of Captain Flint’s (Toby Stephens) crew. By committing a treasure map to memory and disposing of it, he turns himself into a necessary nuisance that can no longer be threatened with death. Without him, there’s no treasure. And treasure is the only thing holding Flint and his crew together. At the conclusion of Black Sails’ second season, “Silver’s betrayals and machinations are coming home to roost” (TS Rhodes, DenofGeek.us), as knowledge of his selling the Spanish gold intel to Rackham (Toby Schmitz) and his new crew will surface soon enough. Will this be the final straw that costs Silver his life, and if not, how will he get out of it?

One thing that manages to keep Silver alive is his choice of allies. He usually goes for the least popular person, someone who is a bit of an underdog and even pariah. Captain Flint’s operational methods aren’t too different from Silver’s; he too lies and manipulates, hoping his crew won’t ask questions and will trust in his command. However, when rough battles at sea are lost, gold isn’t delivered, and Gates (Mark Ryan) and Billy Bones (Tom Hopper) are believed to be dead by Flint’s hand, his crew’s loyalty wanes. Seeing that Flint could use a friend, Silver steps in and goes along with all of his plans (even ones that involve stealing Spanish war ships), smartly knowing this will prolong his lifespan. It’s established early on that Silver has a way with words, but he possesses true artistry when speaking with Flint’s crew. His words liven their spirits, encouraging them to believe and have faith in being a pirate again. He’s a bit like a siren, his words acting like an entrancing song they can’t shake or disregard. And most importantly, Flint takes notice of the effect and what Silver can do for him, as he’ll need all the help he can get in winning over his crew again.

Silver’s partnership with Max, while appearing beneficial, can often seem questionable. As the two plot and try to sell the schedule revealing the location of the Spanish gold, they don’t anticipate just how much trouble they’ll get themselves into. Silver knows that by working with Max, who has full access to secrets and valuable information, he has a leg up on his competition and easier access to riches. It’s by working with Max that he’s able to sell the location of the Spanish gold to Rackham, and at least dream of a life in which he’s not masquerading as a pirate. It seems safe to say that without Max, many of Silver’s plans would not amount to much. But both don’t seem to have much protection if anything doesn’t go according to plan.

At the end of the second season of Black Sails, Silver undergoes quite a transformation. During their trip to Charlestown, Flint’s crew is held hostage by Captain Charles Vane’s (Zach McGowan) men, and Silver is tortured when he refuses to give up names of the crew. He ends up losing his leg as a result. Silver’s sacrifice almost seems a bit out of character: Are viewers meant to believe that the greedy, manipulative Silver now respects and cares for his fellow pirates enough to lose a limb for them? It seems more likely that Silver put on this act of bravery, almost accepting the torture to win over the crew. If the crew discovers that Silver is responsible for sabotaging their attempts at retrieving the Spanish gold, he’s going to need them to remember what he did for them.

Maybe Silver is a brave character, brave in how he’s so willing to dive into dangerous situations. He plays with powerful people, undermines rules, and often it looks like there’s potential for things to go his way. But what if they don’t and something goes wrong? It’s probably going to cost him a lot more than a leg. Once Flint discovers Silver’s betrayal, how will he react? Flint may want Silver to finally pay for his many crimes and deceptions with his life, as Flint wanted him dead to begin with. Or Flint may remember how he lost his crew with all his lies and betrayals, and how Silver was able to win them over with his gift of words. How might the crew react to Silver’s double-crossing? Can they forgive a man who gave up a limb so they wouldn’t have to? It may be “that Silver has finally found himself in a place where he can’t talk his way out of a problem” (TS Rhodes, DenofGeek.us).

Black Sails: Will the women on Black Sails ever truly get ahead, or are they doomed to just survive?

The female characters that make up the world of the pirate drama Black Sails are unarguably strong, fierce, and relentless. The world they live in and adapt to is littered with murder, rape, betrayal, and deception. They know what they’re dealing with; they’re clever, and more often than not, far more clever than the men who make their lives all the more difficult. Whether they’re dealing with business matters, running a brothel, or scoring some serious loot, they all fall prey to the circumstances that surround them regardless of how strong they may be. The first two seasons of Black Sails have audiences accustomed to seeing these women seize power, have it taken from them, or watch them rise from nothing and ease into the greatness they’ve only dreamed of. So what’s in store for business-savvy Eleanor Guthrie (Hannah New), brothel-running Max (Jessica Parker Kennedy), and ruthless lady pirate Anne Bonny (Clara Paget)?

Eleanor Guthrie is an intriguing character on Black Sails. For the majority of seasons one and two of the series, she runs Nassau’s supplies and business dealings strictly and tightly, commanding a good deal of respect from most of the pirates and their captains. Many attribute her influence and power as a direct line from her father, Nassau Governor Richard Guthrie (Sean Cameron Michael). There is a good deal of truth to that, but most of the time Eleanor is running Nassau devoid of her father’s aid, and even rebelling against his wishes and orders. However, many resent her for her power and her father’s influence, along with her ability to punish those who don’t follow the rules, like her on-off lover, the fierce pirate Captain Charles Vane (Zach McGowan). There’s a fear there, even more potently felt because she is a woman.

By season two’s finale, we see Eleanor delivered by Captain Benjamin Hornigold (Patrick Lyster) and Dufresne (Roland Reed) to English authorities, as they’re unable to deliver who they really want: Captain Flint (Toby Stephens). Dufresne and Hornigold don’t just gain immunity from their piracy for delivering Eleanor; they’re taking down a pivotal, power player and her vision for stability in a land ruled by tumult and uncertainty. Eleanor is headed for the gallows at this point, her fate in the air. It’s possible viewers will see “Vane’s potential rage at Hornigold for turning her in…and it would drive [the] story if Vane went off on a mission to rescue her” (TS Rhodes, DenofGeek.us).

Max knows how to take advantage of any given situation. She goes from being a disgraced prostitute to brothel madame to essentially taking over Eleanor’s duties once she’s handed over to authorities. Not bad for someone quietly lurking in the background, cashing in on vital bits of gossip and intel that float around the brothel in Nassau. And as a prostitute, she’s good at luring just the right people to her bed. When it comes to Eleanor, it’s possible that Max’s heart is in it; but with Rackham (Toby Schmitz) and Anne Bonny, Max knows it’s a power game involving emotional manipulation.

As she ends up bringing both to her bed and laying her charm on heavy, she manages to separate two devoted companions, as Rackham leaves Bonny off his crew but keeps Max in the game. Max has even managed to team up with a more manipulative partner than she: John Silver (Luke Arnold). Now, with John Silver’s intel, resulting in Rackham and Bonny’s successful retrieval of the Spanish gold, Max is sitting pretty. She “will get her share [of the Spanish gold], and now she owns a powerful lot of island business” (TS Rhodes, DenofGeek.us). However, she and her accomplices need to remember that Vane and Flint won’t stand for the mind games, and they’re going to want their share (if not all) of that gold.

Anne Bonny is dangerous. She’s the only female on an all-male pirate crew, and she can hold her own. More than anything, Anne is a fighter, and has killed more men than she can count protecting her companion Rackham. But as devoted and connected as Anne and Rackham seem to be, when promised his own crew through Max’s machinations, he leaves Anne in the dust. Once betrayed, Anne loses something that quietly grounded her. The inner storms brewing within her that she’s always managed to slightly tame burst forth, and she recklessly starts killing and falling apart.

Everyone fears her, except for Max. She at least seems to understand what Anne’s going through, and wants to help her. And Max seems to be Anne’s one true weakness, able to penetrate her soft spot. Or she’s playing Max’s game, and merely enjoying the physical benefits. What needs to be remembered about Anne is she’s unpredictable and a force all her own, but she’s also a valuable asset or a formidable enemy, with the potential to harness some serious power as a result. Without her help, it’s unlikely that her cohorts would have gotten their hands on that Spanish gold.

These women are clearly strong and able to harness considerable power when their scheming works. But even like the men who make up their world, they’re always going to be victims of their circumstances. Whether in Nassau or Charlestown, there’s always going to be a power struggle, and an endless one at that. What’s really going to earn these women influence, power and the freedom they endlessly seek is their own fortitude. They’re all survivors and able to withstand plenty of abuses and lethal threats; they just have to be willing to fight and not accept defeat as an option.