The season 1 finale of Black Sails served up explosions, cannon fire, and betrayal galore. Flint snapping Gates' neck was an unexpected twist but killing of a lead, especially one with an arguably stronger morality, is a surefire way to tug at the heartstrings of viewers. Max's rise from lady of the night to a quite savvy business woman is perhaps my favourite part of the development of the show's plot and characters. Flint has been shown to have "murdered" Billy Bones, but given the fact that Tom Hopper's Twitter shows him back in South Africa where filming for season 2 has begun and the fact that "lost at sea" is basically code for "we'll bring them back to create more drama," I'd wager we'll see Billy Bones again.

For season 2, I hope to see the show further develop its female characters, as their stories are often more compelling than the incessant greed and power-driven ones of the male captains. Though perhaps a little less Eleanor and more of Max and Anne Bonny. Max's story has developed quite nicely and gained great momentum towards the end of the season and it would seem that the writers have only scratched the surface with Anne. But that hard exterior would be great fun to chip at. John Silver's mischievous ways also proved fun to watch and given the legacy of that character, writers would do well to show more of his sneaking. Finally, I do sincerely hope to see Billy Bones return, not only because of my Merlinian sentimentality, but because of Billy's having one of the stronger morale compasses in a sea of characters with a propensity for shadiness. He could become the heart of the show if the writers would only choose to utilise and develop him further.

Black Sails will return on Starz for season 2!

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This episode of Black Sails sees several relationships, not necessarily romantic ones, falling apart. Gates and Flint argue over Billy Bones being lost at sea. Gates sees Billy as being like a son and has taken his loss very hard, being none too pleased about what he sees as Flint's indifference to the loss. Eleanor is displeased with Mr. Scott's betrayal and he points out the fact that she owns him when she questions his not running away. Then we get the ultimate patronising, slave-owning comeback: "You know I've never thought of you that way." Take a moment to roll your eyes at that one. Seeing Mr. Scott take up an offer to work elsewhere will be a strong and better choice, unless we see him return to his white master out of some misplaced sense of loyalty.
The fight scenes in this episode are strongly choreographed and executed. Having Vane confront his past and thus revealing to the audience that he was once a slave adds another dimension to the character. The symbolism of his being buried but then "rising from the dead" to kill his former master/owner and become the leader of his people was a nice touch. It will be interesting to see what sort of ruler he is. If he himself becomes tyrannical towards them, he'll no doubt struggle with it upon realising it. Finally, I am most interested to see what is done with the character of Max. Now that she has been returned to her former place of work (and residence), it would be utterly atrocious if she is put back into the "victim whore" trope. Perhaps we may see her take over the brothel as a Madame in the upcoming season? I'd love to see her take part in the power plays so prevalent on the show and gain some of her own.

Black Sails airs on Saturdays on Starz at 9PM.

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The highlight of tonight's episode is the fighting back. For one, we see the slaves (who are treated and referred to as cargo) work together to try to break out of their restraints in the hopes of finding their way home. Just when you think one of them has betrayed his fellow captives, he shows where his allegiance truly lies. Also important is the plot line of Max and Bonny. The incessant brutality inflicted on Max, the "whore" is lazy writing; there are other ways to assert the brutality of these pirates, if their brutality even needs to be proved in the first place. To see Bonny regret her actions and insist on making them right by conspiring to get Max out her predicament has been my favourite moment of the entire show. Bonny's been a largely under-utilised badass but perhaps this is but a glimpse of what's to come with her character. The moment where Max offers herself to Bonny as thanks for the rescue is also powerful. Max is someone whose only worth, in the eyes of others, is her body and sexuality. For Bonny to ask for nothing in return, especially when it's sex that Max is offering, it is an important moment for both characters. Though Black Sails seems to be striving to paint a more accurate portrait of pirates, stomping all over its female characters is wholly unnecessary and unwelcome.

Black Sails airs on Saturdays on Starz at 9PM.

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In this episode of Black Sails, viewers can be expected to experience a heavy dose of reality. Many of the brutalities of the pirate period pieces are often glazed over but Black Sails instead chooses to take these issues and run full throttle with them. For one thing, Max has an abortion. Given the fact that this show is set long before the time of birth control pills, it should come as little surprise that a lady of the night would find herself having to cope with unwanted pregnancies. The abortion scene is tastefully gruesome, neither lessening the magnitude of her experience nor exaggerating it to sell gore. The other main point of brutal honesty in this episode is when the crew's accountant is forced to join the pirates in their raid on another ship. Beforehand, he is incredibly anxious, telling Billy Bones that he has never been in battle nor fired a pistol. But when faced with his own mortality, he goes so far as to tear a man's throat out with his teeth. It's enough to make you wonder what you're truly capable of in the most extreme of circumstances.

Black Sails airs on Saturday on Starz at 10PM.

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This week's episode of Black Sails sees shifting in power dynamics and the usual sneaking and conniving. Billy Bones is promoted to quartermaster by Gates and manages to do a decent job in getting many tasks done and handling the increase in responsibility. It's a nice opportunity for the character to develop, though it's only just a tad. Of course young Billy can't be permitted to simply breeze up into higher rankings; John Silver seizes an opportunity to twist the conversation between Billy and Morley to try to tarnish his reputation to Captain Flint, but it doesn't seem to work - for now. If Silver's going to insist on targeting Billy, I'm hoping for an a proper brawl between them. I'm not one to ask for violence just for the sake of violence, but seeing as how Billy is not so brutish compared to the other pirates, it would be interesting to see him snap and truly lose his cool.

This whole business with Mrs. Barlow is too mysterious and has too many questions for me to formulate an opinion of her. Until more of her story unfolds, she'll continue to be an enigma. Eleanor appears to be on a bit of a downward spiral. With how hard she's struggling to maintain both power and control, it will be interesting to see just how far she'll be willing to go to keep them. The plot line with Max is one that's becoming rather problematic. While the brutality of pirates is both known and documented, the frequency and ease with which film and television incorporate violence against womyn is long past alarming. The fact that she's already stayed under the command of Vane, in a position even more likely to lead to rape, out of some misguided sense of pride against Eleanor is hard to wrap one's head around. But for the writer's to add an especially brutish member of Vane's crew to have a taste for "extra"-violent rape is simply adding insult to injury. Enough with the bashing against womyn. Get on with the stealing and adventure-ing.

Black Sails airs on Saturdays on Starz at 9/8c.

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Captain Flint has his wounds tended to by Mrs. Miranda Barlow. He asks her to watch Mr. Guthrie while he recovers.

Eleanor is told that her lover has run off with the help of another prostitute and she is less than pleased by the news.

John Silver provides part of the instructions to the group but they are angry for his not giving them more. He makes it clear that he is determined to survive and strikes up a deal. He says that he will give them the missing piece of how to find the Urca d'Lima if he is allowed back on the ship and given a fair share of the treasure. Billy Bones does not trust Silver but goes ahead and follows orders. He puts Silver to work with the previous cook of the ship. While working with him, Silver manages to get the cook to tell him of others with mutinous feelings towards the captain.

Eleanor's father is sick and bedridden. Their relationship is tense but she tells him that he has no choice but to help her. She needs money from her father and it was her hard work and skill that earned him his fortune to begin with. When her father meets Miranda, he questions her on who she is. She cryptically tells him to read the writings of Marcus Aurelius in order to understand who she is. She implies that she can help him rise to power and we are left wondering even more who Miranda truly is.

Rackham is able to convince Gates to team up with him. Rackham owes his crew money and Gates is seen as being too old so with these weaknesses, they realise they can benefit from joining forces in regards to the Urca d'Lima. They're able to convince their captains to sit down for a meeting and things are initially tense. Eventually, an agreement is struck amongst all parties involved.

Silver gives Billy Bones the names of three traitors, Randall, Morley, and Turk, in order to begin earning his trust.

Max is being held by Vane and his men and has been brutally used as a sexual object. Vane attempts to have her secretly let free, on the condition that she never return but is caught by Vane's men who brutally attack her yet again. Eleanor has sex with Vane yet again but afterwards, overhears Max being raped and jumps in to rescue her. Furious with Vane, the terms of the agreement shift in favour of Flint. She tells Vane's crew that they will be cut off from all necessary supplies unless they all pledge allegiance to Flint and work under him. Though Eleanor offers protection to Max, she refuses, believing Eleanor values money more than her. She tells Vane that she is still his until he regains the power that she has caused him to lose. Vane's crew abandons him, with the exception of Rackahm and Anne Bonney, whom he threatens to kill if they leave.

Black Sails airs on Saturdays on Starz at 10/9c.

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This episode begins with Eleanor all loved up with Max in her bedroom. The relationship between these two makes for a good source of drama by the end of the episode, since Eleanor is more focused on business than running away like a lovesick teenager. Things are further complicated by the fact that Max is a prostitute, yet Eleanor pays to exclusively own the rights to have sex with her. While I'd normally say that this isn't the last we'd see of their relationship, considering that this show only has 6 more episodes in this season, perhaps this truly is the end for them.

John Silver has finally been found out to be the thief by other lead members of the ship. His frantic escape and slippery methods are great fun to watch and hopefully there will be more to come of him on his road to becoming the John Silver which audiences are accustomed to in the Treasure Island story, of which the show is a prequel to.

Black Sails has had a bit of a slow start, but things are beginning to pick up with the chaos surrounding this missing page. Once people get on their way and head out on a quest for their treasure, viewers will hopefully be treated to even more excitement.

Black Sails airs on Saturdays on STARZ at 10/9c.

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The Internet has been buzzing with chatter about the new show, Black Sails, from Starz for several months now. The premiere episode was screened at SDCC 2013 and was renewed for a second season when the show was still months away from premiering its debut episode. The cast is now on Twitter, even if they weren't to begin with, and the overall social media presence is strong. With viral marketing campaigns and appearances at other cons, the anticipation has been building for people to finally see what everyone's been talking about. Top top it all off, Starz has now made the first episode, "I." available for viewing on their website, as well as YouTube.

Upon first glance, Black Sails has everything you already loved about pirates tails. Scallywags, swashbuckling, booze, sword fights... it's all good and fun, right? Before long, Black Sails reveals a darker, more serious tone. If your primary exposure to pirates in the visual media forum is the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, make no mistake, this is no Disney show. There are naked breasts (which is considered scandalous in America), more savage brutality in fight scenes, and a healthy use of the word "fuck." But putting these surface things aside, what truly stands out in Black Sails is that the pirates are particularly clever. To plan a mutiny involves scheming and plotting. One must be cunning to rise to power; the political dynamics in this first episode will strike a chord with those wary (or at the very least aware) of the abundance of  propaganda in political campaigning. There is a system in place with the Black Sails pirates much like the government systems one would see in today's societies.

Black Sails has action, adventure, and just might make you ponder about the politics at play that influence your way of life. Season 1 will have eight episodes in total, and Season 2's ten episodes have already begun filming and production in Cape Town, South Africa. Tune in for more adventures and John Silver cheek (he's no Jack Sparrow, but his sly ways are still bound to draw you in).

Black Sails airs on Saturdays on Starz at 10/9 c.

See the first episode of Black Sails for free here on the Starz website (x) or here on Youtube (x)

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SECOND SEASON ORDER OF THE ORIGINAL SERIES

“BLACK SAILS”

Production Slated to Resume in November 2013

on the Ten-Episode Second Season of the Pirate Adventure Tale

Executive Produced by Michael Bay

Beverly Hills, Calif., July 26, 2013 – Starz Chief Executive Officer Chris Albrecht announced that the network has picked up a second season of the original series, “Black Sails” from executive producer Michael Bay in advance of its first season premiere.  The announcement comes on the heels of the exclusive fan screening at San Diego Comic-Con several months in advance of its on-air premiere in January, 2014.  The eight-episode first season of the authentic pirate adventure centers on the tales of Captain Flint (Toby Stephens) and his men, and takes place twenty years prior to Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic “Treasure Island.”

“Black Sails” is executive produced by Michael Bay (Transformers, Armageddon, Pearl Harbor) and his Platinum Dunes partners Brad Fuller and Andrew Form, producers on The Purge and currently in production on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  The series was created by showrunner and executive producer Jonathan Steinberg (creator “Jericho,” “Human Target”) and Season Two executive producer Robert Levine (“Touch”).

The production is set to begin on the 10-episode second season at Cape Town Studios in Cape Town, South Africa in November.

“Michael Bay, Jon Steinberg and their teams delivered a spectacular first season of ‘Black Sails,’ and we are incredibly proud of everyone’s work,” said Chris Albrecht, CEO of STARZ.  “Based on the strong fan response to the preview screening at last week’s Comicon, we felt an early order for a second season would allow the writers, cast and crew enough time and space to continue crafting such unique and epic storytelling.”

Creator and Executive Producer Jon Steinberg said "We are thrilled to be receiving such an exciting vote of confidence from everyone at Starz and for the opportunity to carry the ‘Black Sails’ adventure into Season Two without missing a beat.  We couldn't ask for better partners in bringing our pirate world to life."

"We've had a fantastic experience working with Chris Albrecht and Jon Steinberg," said executive producer Michael Bay. "Brad, Andrew and I look forward to continuing our partnership with Starz on future episodes for this extraordinary show."

Flint, the most brilliant and most feared pirate captain of his day, takes on a fast-talking young addition to his crew who goes by the name John Silver (Luke Arnold).  Threatened with extinction on all sides, they fight for the survival of New Providence Island, the most notorious criminal haven of its day – a debauched paradise teeming with pirates, prostitutes, thieves and fortune seekers, a place defined by both its enlightened ideals and its stunning brutality. 

Toby Stephens (Die Another Day) and Luke Arnold (Broken Hill, “McLeod’s Daughters”) are joined by Zach McGowan (“Shameless”) as rival Captain Charles Vane; Toby Schmitz (“The Pacific”) as Jack Rackham, Vane’s right hand; Hannah New (Maleficent) as Eleanor Guthrie, a determined young woman who runs the smuggling operation on New Providence; Hakeem Kae-Kazim (“Strike Back,” Hotel Rwanda) as Mr. Scott, Eleanor’s retainer and right hand, Jessica Parker Kennedy (“The Secret Circle,” 50/50, In Time) as Max, a tortured young prostitute who sees the dark side of New Providence; Mark Ryan (Transformers, The Prestige, Charlie’s Angels, “Robin of Sherwood”) as Gates, Captain Flint’s Quartermaster and most senior member of his crew, Clara Paget (The Fast and The Furious 6) as the beautiful but cold-blooded Anne Bonny and Tom Hopper (“Merlin”) as Billy Bones, boatswain of Flint’s ship.

About Starz

Starz (NASDAQ: STRZA, STRZB) is a leading integrated global media and entertainment company with operating units that provide premium subscription video programming on domestic U.S. pay television channels (Starz Networks), global content distribution (Starz Distribution) and animated television and movie production (Starz Animation), www.starz.com.

Starz Networks is a leading provider of premium subscription video programming through the flagship STARZ^® and ENCORE^® pay TV networks which showcase premium original programming and movies to U.S. multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, and telecommunications companies.  As of March 31, 2013, STARZ and ENCORE serve a combined 56.7 million subscribers, including 21.6 million at STARZ, and 35.1 million at ENCORE, making them the largest pair of premium flagship channels in the U.S.  STARZ^® and ENCORE^®, along with Starz Networks’ third network MOVIEPLEX^®, air more than 1,000 movies monthly across 17 linear networks, complemented by On Demand and authenticated online offerings through STARZ PLAY, ENCORE PLAY, and MOVIEPLEX PLAY. Starz Distribution develops, produces and acquires entertainment content, distributing it to consumers globally on DVD, digital formats and traditional television.  Starz Distribution’s home video, digital media and worldwide distribution business units distribute original programming content produced by Starz, as well as entertainment content for itself and third parties.  Starz Animation produces animated TV and movie content for studios, networks, distributors and audiences worldwide.

About Platinum Dunes

Platinum Dunes was established in 2001 by Michael Bay, Andrew Form, and Brad Fuller with the goal of creating opportunities for first-time directors to make commercial, high-concept movies on modest budgets for a global audience. Recently, the company has broadened its horizons to include veteran directors and larger-scale projects.  They are currently in post-production on Vigilandia for Universal Pictures and in pre-production onTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for Paramount Pictures.

Platinum Dunes' first production was the 2009 remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, directed by Marcus Nispel. The movie won the Teen Choice Award for Best Thriller and was nominated for two MTV Movie Awards, and grossed more than $110 million worldwide. The second Platinum Dunes project, the 2005 adaptation of The Amityville Horror, directed by Andrew Douglas, also earned over $110 million worldwide.

Two more films quickly followed: the prequel The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning, directed by Jonathan Liebesman and a re-conceptualization of the 1986 thriller, The Hitcher. It was during this collaboration that Platinum Dunes signed a first-look production deal with Rogue Pictures.

In 2009 Platinum Dunes pumped out two more successful films; The Unborn, which has grossed $78 million worldwide to date and Friday the 13^th, which set the record for the biggest horror opening of all time with $40,570,000 million.  Most recently, Platinum Dunes produced their highest grossing film, A Nightmare on elm Street, which made over $118 million worldwide.

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