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Frustrated at having to wait until Game of Thrones is released on a format other than Sky Atlantic (I have but one rule... never give Rupert Murdoch money ever!), I looked around for other fantasy/historical shows and happened across Black Sails.

The pitch is basically a prequel to Treasure Island with actual pirates woven into the tale. Our main character is Captain Flint (played by Bond Villain Toby Stephens - possibly the most well known actor in the cast - 4th from left) who is fending off a potential mutiny while trying to track down a Spanish treasure galleon which is in hiding somewhere in the Caribbean.

At the start of the show, his ship attacks a merchant vessel with a clue to the treasure galleon's location contained within the Captain's log. The page is ripped from the log and ends up in the possession of one John Silver (2nd from right), who joins Flint's crew and then tries to abscond with the valuable information.

Our antagonists at the moment are the crew of real life pirate ship the Ranger, captained by Charles Vane (psycho - centre of pic) with the aid of his first mate, Jack Rackham (think Gaius Baltar - far left) and principle cut throat, Anne Bonny (another psycho - 3rd from left).

The pirates trade goods at Nassau (actual pirate port) which is run by the pretty if potty mouthed Eleanor Guthrie (blond in the centre) on behalf of her father. This appears to be the main setting of the show, though I'm only two episodes in so far.



First impressions? Well, Game of Thrones it is not. It's telling that the first episode is directed by Neil Marshall, as it reminds me of many of his films (Dog Soldiers, The Descent, Centurion) i.e. kind of entertaining, but not that well scripted or acted. Indeed, at least one actress has most definitely been cast for her looks rather than her acting ability. Some of the characters are vaguely annoying too (Silver and Guthrie), while others are just crude caricatures (Vane in particular).

However, Toby Stephens is fairly compelling as a desperate man who knows that the treasure galleon is his last roll of the dice and Anne Bonny is a treat as a moody assassin who peers sulkily out from beneath the rim of her hat before sticking a dagger in someone's gullet. Finally, it's pirates, with proper pirate violence and lesbian pirate sex. There's just not enough of that on TV



Verdict - 3 stars so far. Anyone else watched it?

I've seen the ads, but haven't made a move yet to actually watch it. It did look passable though, and should I find the time I may hunt it down. ...But I'm more one to just wait for a series to be over and buy the boxset than waiting for a certain time each week. Perhaps if I remember that this is a thing in a year when the retail version comes out I'll pick it up.

 Wyrmalla wrote:
I'm more one to just wait for a series to be over and buy the boxset than waiting for a certain time each week. Perhaps if I remember that this is a thing in a year when the retail version comes out I'll pick it up.

The whole of Series 1 is available on Blinkbox, but recommend buying the first episode to start with to see if it's your cup of tea. It's a definite enjoy it for what it is or leave the room while it's on kind of show.

Here's the credits. Again, not up to Game of Thrones standards, but they have a certain evocative charm...

After watching Deadwood I have been left with the presumption that all period dramas should involve plenty of hearty language in them. How does this fair as far as characters inferring that their fellows perform fellatio about one another?

Vikings has been my in-between show, and it's quickly surpassing Game of Thrones as my favorite series

I really enjoyed Black Sails, I think Anne Bonney was my favorite character. So surly and violent.

Vikings is great too. Lots of good shows going right now.

I have totally forgotten that Season 2 of Vikings is a thing. Guess I know what I'll be binging this weekend.

And I need to get back around to watching Black Sails. The Blackbeard joke in episode 2 got me.