Jack finds himself with one problem after another
Season 4, Episode 6
Air Date: Sunday, March 5, 2017 at 9PM E/P on Starz
Rating:
Shocking, devastating, suspenseful, and tragic are some of the words running through my mind after watching the latest episode of Black Sails. “XXXIV” follows up quickly after the suspenseful end of “XXXIII” when Woodes Rogers (Luke Roberts), along with the aid of a Spanish fleet, invades Nassau. As one can imagine, the worse circumstances befall the city, and not unlike the first time Nassau fell decades ago, many lives are again lost in “XXXIV.” Series creators Jonathan E. Steinberg and Robert Levine wrote the thrilling episode that completes the journey of some characters. Although I’m not against the change in direction with some story lines, I understand that for Nassau to become a haven for piracy once again, there must be great sacrifices. That said, “XXXIV” shows the cost Captain Flint (Tobey Stephens), “Long” John Silver (Luke Arnold), and Rogers are willing to pay to win the war.
The Devil’s Due
The last time I felt overwhelmed watching an episode of Black Sails, Captain Charles Vane (Zack McGowan) was hanging with a noose around his neck. “XXXIV” brings back all those feelings, and I’m almost at a loss to explain how beautifully this episode is shot, and how amazing the performances are. But first things first—if you’ve been following season four closely, you know it was only a matter of time before the first major deaths occurred; my only surprise is that it took so long.
Max remains a key player in Nassau’s fate!
In a heated scene, Max (Jessica Parker Kennedy) points out to Jack Rackham (Toby Schmitz), “A war against civilization? Civilization has been winning that war for 10,000 years against men richer, braver, stronger, and smarter than you…you can’t fight civilization from the outside in…” Her words hold weight, and emphasize the whole problem with the battle for Nassau. What Silver, Flint, and Rogers are fighting against is an ideal. What determines a civilized society? The only way for the war to end is to surrender, and it doesn’t look like that will happen any time soon. When the Spanish soldiers arrive on shore, all hell breaks loose, and his best laid plans become a nightmare for Rogers, who did not anticipate the ramifications caused by thwarting Eleanor (Hannah New). Then, there’s the matter with Silver, who is not excluded from the brunt of fate’s hand when agreeing to engage in the war. He, too, suffers a major loss that determines the first skirmish but in a surprise twist, news arrives that gives Silver and Flint another advantage against the British and Spanish troops.
Take a Bow
One of the elements I love about Black Sails is the way women are written to be empowered, smart, and cutthroat. Eleanor, Max, Anne Bonny (Clara Paget), and Madi (Zethu Dlomo) are some of the strongest female characters on television. Period. All of them are important because of how influential they are, both personally and professionally, with the men in their lives. It is that factor that makes what happens to Eleanor and Madi so tragic. There are a lot of casualties of war and some are worse than others. The greed and bloodlust Silver and Rogers share in their pursuit for power results in the loss of people who mean the most to them.
Overall
“XXXIV” is another powerful episode, but more for the emotional content than the action filled story lines. I suggest watching the episode more than once just to appreciate how well director Steve Boyum masterfully sets up a scene. The lighting and cinematography are beautiful throughout, but especially in the scenes between Madi and Eleanor who are hiding out in small house while the island is under attack. The lighting is perfect, and the choice of shots from Eleanor’s perspective aids in adding tension to her scenes with Madi. Aside from the visuals, the pacing is pitch perfect without dragging out any of the fight scenes. There is a brutal one on one that left me squeamish, mostly because of the blood loss. In actuality, the performances by the entire cast are amazing. My favorite moments occur when Madi and Eleanor are onscreen together due to the great chemistry Dlomo and New share. I wanted to know what their characters were like as children. I hoped for them to recount a story or two.
In the end, when I reflect more on this episode, I am haunted by what Eleanor asks Madi, “A life of isolation, uncertainty, as long as it is lived with someone you love…and who loves you back? It is possible, isn’t it?” Flint started his war against the civilized world because he lost someone he loved. Will the same hold true considering Silver and Rogers’ situation? Nassau has fallen, and it is going to be anyone’s game now.
Tune in to the final episodes of Black Sails, Sundays at 9PM E/P, only on Starz.
For more on the show, go to http://www.starz.com/originals/blacksails/
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) @LongLukeArnold (Luke Arnold/John Silver), @ClaraPaget (Clara Paget/Anne Bonny), @hannahnewuk (Hannah New/Eleanor Guthrie), @JParkerK (Jessica P Kennedy/Max), @fallofasparrow (Toby Schmitz/Jack Rackham), and @luke_j_roberts (Luke Roberts/Woodes Rogers).
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Connie Allen
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