Black Sails — “XXV” Review. No Risk, No Glory.

Flint returns to lay of Nassau!

Season 3, Episode 7

Airdate: Saturday, March 5, 2016, 9/8c on Starz

Rating: ★★★★★

All roads lead to Jack Rackham (Toby Schmitz) in “XXV” after his plans to steal Spain’s treasure from the wreck of the Urca de Lima prove successful. Unfortunately, those plans alter the course of some lives and dissolve once strong partnerships. If there’s a lesson to be learned from this week’s Black Sails, it’s that nothing in life is inevitable except for death.

With only a few episodes left this season, the momentum of the story lines grows more complex, so much so I can’t imagine who will be left standing by the end. That said, “XXV,” with all its dramatic turning points and beautiful production design, is somewhat of a slow burn with a satisfying cliffhanger. The tone is compelling through and through, from the very first scene of Max (Jessica Parker Kennedy) standing on a secluded patch of road, to the last with Anne Bonny (Clara Paget) revealing the price they must pay in order to secure Captain Flint’s (Toby Stephens) control of Nassau.

The fight sequences written into the script by Marc Berzenski and Josh Rothenberger are rich with violence and gore. In fact, “XXV” contains one of the most graphic murder scenes in the series’ history, which speaks volumes considering there have been other explicit moments in time. The one that immediately comes to mind is when Dufresne (Jannes Eiselen) ripped out a man’s throat with his teeth. Now, that was gory!

However, the real highlight of the episode is watching the growing character development while all hell breaks loose in Nassau. Eleanor, for example, is someone I thought I understood but after “XXV,” I can’t be sure anymore. There is also the issue about the theme, which in some ways is about redemption as well as good versus evil. The topic of villainy comes up, and is perfectly expressed by Rackham to Governor Woodes Rogers (Luke Roberts). “We’re all villains in Nassau…Don’t think because you’re new that you’re any different.” Moreover, have characters like Captain Charles Vane (Zach McGowan) and Eleanor changed? They both received a second chance to start new lives, but are drawn back to Nassau like moths to a flame.

May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor

Oh Rackham, your crazy schemes and relentless pursuit to create a legacy for yourself is going to cause more bloodshed. Once again, the Urca treasure is at the heart of everyone’s desire, with Rackham the key. Flint, needing some leverage to negotiate with Spain in order to secure Nassau as a pirate’s paradise, sets his sights on locating Rackham, who, with both Vane’s help, and Bonny’s later on, finds it may be trickier than he originally anticipated. I love the way Billy (Tom Hopper) concocts a plan to lure the men away from Woodes’ alliance with the announcement that Flint is alive. With John Silver (Luke Arnold) leading the mission, they head back to Nassau to send a horrific message to anyone who would dare defy Flint. The scene is undoubtedly unnerving…for the most part.

Max makes a surprising revelation to all the girls at the brothel!

The Head that Wears the Crown

I haven’t spoken much about Max this season but that’s not for a lack of caring; Max is a prime example of excellent character development and proof that anything is possible in Black Sails. It isn’t until “XXV” that Max’s story comes somewhat full circle, leading to one of my favorite story lines in the episode. The revitalization of Max from seasons past begins by transforming her from a victim of circumstance to a force to be reckoned with. The consequences of her actions are at the core of her story line this season. “XXV” underscores the cost of her ambitions, providing more loaded conversations with Eleanor that leave me wondering if we’ll ever see the two women as friends again—a girl can hope, can’t she?

Parker does an amazing job of interpreting Max in a quiet, understated way whether she’s giving Eleanor a stone cold stare or pensively gazing at the patrons of the brothel. I love how Max is in the same exact position as Eleanor, and finally sees how dangerous and complex it is to rule Nassau.

What a Girl Wants

Speaking of Eleanor, I’m not sure whether I believe her desire to be a better person. As cruel as Eleanor can be, I understood it because it was a means for her survival in Nassau; she had to be the bad guy in order to maintain control of the island. Then just when I was about to cave in and believe her, she pulls a stunt where she and Woodes share an intimate moment—the product of something Max tells her. The way director Rob Bailey sets up the scenes where Eleanor meets Woodes in his private quarters leaves a wide berth for interpretation. She informs Woodes she wants her “word to mean something.” I can’t help but feel a majority of Eleanor’s actions towards Woodes is the result of some feigned attempt at redemption. She is in as much denial as Vane when he proclaimed Nassau to be “dead.” Woodes even confesses he believes Eleanor will revert to her old ways because she’s back on the island instead of in a jail cell. Can Eleanor turn a new leaf? I don’t know, but so many of the qualities that define Eleanor have been compromised. The motivation for her words to mean something seems like a response to how she betrayed Vane, an act that was utterly brutal considering he’s probably the closest person to her, aside from Max, whom she could love.

Overall

“XXV” is another strong episode with plenty of thrills and shocking turns of events to keep viewers entertained. I particularly appreciate how the cinematography and Bailey’s direction capture the tone of the characters’ scenes— like the tension from Max’s perspective with a shot of her from behind as her hands grip the table. I also couldn’t get enough of how well Vane, Flint, and Anne work together to save Rackham; although it’s fueled by the treasure, I appreciate how cutthroat Anne can be to those she loves.

Now that the hunt for the Urca treasure has taken another form, it’s anyone’s game, and I can’t wait to see who makes it out alive in the next episode.

What did you think of “XXV?” Post your comment below or on Twitter @conallen.

Tune in to Black Sails Saturdays at 9/8c, only on Starz.

Follow the series on its official site: http://www.starz.com/originals/blacksails/, where you can also watch videos and clips of the episodes.

Follow Black Sails on its official twitter: @BlkSails_Starz, and don’t forget the cast and crew: @BlkSailsCreatrs (Black Sails Creators), @TobyStephensInV (Toby Stephens / Captain James Flint) @ScrambledLuke (Luke Arnold/John Silver), @ClaraPaget (Clara Paget/Anne Bonny), @hannahnewuk (Hannah New/Eleanor Guthrie), @JParkerK (Jessica P Kennedy/Max), @Zach_McGowan (Zach McGowan/Captain Vane), @fallofasparrow (Toby Schmitz/Jack Rackham), @hakeemkaekazim (Hakeem Kae-Kazim/Mr. Scott), and @luke_j_roberts (Luke Roberts/Woodes Rogers).