No Looting, More Brooding. Retrospective: Black Sails - “II.”

Season 1, Episode 2

Airdate: Saturday, February 1st, 9/8c on Starz.

Rating: ★★★★★

[important]Warning: If you haven’t finished or seen this episode, there are spoilers ahead. [/important]

“Eleanor, this place is just sand. It cannot love you back. You know this; you must know this. Your father left you; your mother was taken from you; everyone you have ever loved you have lost and it terrifies you. But not me; I will never, ever leave you. I love you.” – Max

Admittedly, the latest episode of Starz’s Black Sails, “II.” starts a bit slow, but when it comes time to hit the hardline plot points, it definitely leaves an impression. Understandably, the series is establishing the fundamentals of its world so yes, there will be a bit of lag. The question, however, is if the ending pays off. Well, my friends, it sure as hell does. The last 20 minutes gets back to the heart of the matter: treasure, aka, Urca del Lima.

Love Like This (Max & Eleanor)

Early mornings in Nassau look good right now if you’re Max (Jessica Parker Kennedy), the beautiful and savvy prostitute whose hustling skills put many a pirate to shame. We start “II.” with Max in bed next to a very naked and awake Eleanor Guthrie (Hannah New). You can tell Eleanor has a lot on her mind judging by her expression, but who can blame the girl? She’s a woman commanding a large port on an island riddled by criminals and cutthroats during a time when most women are working on perfecting their needlepoint.

When Max finally wakes up, Eleanor reveals her fears for Nassau’s fate concerning the man o’ war from the British Navy. Max attempts to lighten the mood with some comforting words but it feels like nothing but false hope.

Max: “Perhaps you can buy this place? Hmm…Nassau could use an inn. Max could be your partner. There’s no finer host in the world.”

Eleanor: “And how will Mr. Noonan feel when he hears of this plan?”

Max: “I think…what Mr. Noonan feels will have no concern to me.”

If Max had an ulterior motive before, it doesn’t seem to be there any longer. You can see she truly cares a great deal for Eleanor by her subtle expressions and reactions. Whereas, some onscreen couples take time for audiences to emotionally invest in them, that’s not the case with Max and Eleanor. Kennedy and New have an amazing chemistry that brings out the best in their characters—a necessary element for many of their scenes in “II.” But none quite compare to the heartbreak Max endures when Eleanor decides to keep her life in Nassau versus one of freedom, especially since it involves working with Flint (Toby Stephens).

Catching Silver

Thank God Black Sails doesn’t wait too long for Captain Flint and his crew, Billy Bones (Tom Hopper) and Mr. Gates (Mark Ryan), to figure out “the cook,” John Silver (Luke Arnold), has the Urca del Lima’s schedule. Silver is the scene stealer of “II.” He’s witty, smart, and knows how to play his cards right. Not only does Silver manage to strike a bargain with Max to negotiate a deal with his pilfered schedule, he’s also working shady dealings with Captain Vane (Zach McGowan) and his unruly crew, Rackham (Toby Schmitz) and Anne Bonny (Clara Paget).

So, not only is Silver on the run from Flint who wants what’s his, but he has to answer to both Rackham and Vane as they negotiate an exchange of black pearls for the Urca’s schedule. Being in the crosshairs with two of the most brutal captains in all of New Providence Island will have some fallout, which is why the last half of the episode is an adrenaline rush.

In one of the most suspenseful and best scenes of “II.,” Silver meets Vane and Rackham for a nighttime rendezvous at The Wrecks, the cove area of the island that has rocky terrain. When the deal goes sour for Vane, we learn Flint has discovered their plans. Now we get a real chase scene, which is all the more intense at night because everything is unclear. Amid the chaos, Rackham falls over the edge of a cliff and into the sea after he uncovers a body. Thinking it’s Silver, he finds something horrifying instead. This mistake costs Rackham dearly because, of course, he’s the one carrying the pearls that are worth five thousand dollars, which are now at the bottom of the ocean.

But the most brilliant moment is Silver’s solution to his problems; a move that makes sense but is definitely the riskiest move he could take to ensure his safety. The only problem is seeing if he can pull off his plans with Vane and Flint believing him.

Ranger Danger

We get more scenes with Vane and Rackham this time around. Although, I really wish Bonny would have more substantial scenes. Seriously, other than mumbling and getting all stabby in “I.,” the girl is always whittling a stick or sharpening her knives. But the one who really stands out is Rackham. He seemed so weasley when we first met him in “I.,” but he’s turning out to be the real brains of the operation. While Vane, despite his cunning skills in looting and pillaging, is more the muscle. You see Vane’s insecurities when he attacks Max, and later when he stabs and kills another man. But little is known of him. As it stands, he seems like the equivalent of an angry beefcake jock, the kind who’s had one too many drinks at the bar. This isn’t to say Vane isn’t without weakness; there are moments where you see him looking hurt. Vane and Eleanor’s fallout remains a mystery, as does their history, and not just the sexual kind. When Eleanor recalls their past as being nothing more than a series of “fucks,” we have to remember Vane told her last week in “I.,” “I loved you once.” Something tells me we’re not done with these two. Seriously, New has chemistry with every person she works with in Black Sails, which leaves you wondering who she’ll wind up with in the end. Suffice it to say, it seems her first loyalty is to Nassau, then to herself.

Memorable Quotes:

“He must really want to get laid!” A sailor’s reaction to Silver jumping overboard from the Walrus to get on the first boat ashore.

“I want her to say it. I want to hear her say that she will sit there and watch as you beat the answer out of me to save this place.” – Max

Memorable Moments

Dufresne (Jannes Eiselen), the accountant on the ship Walrus, cautions the crew about spending money they haven’t earned yet. It’s amazing he doesn’t get jostled around. Watching Duefresne—who looks as dull and nerderific—among Flint’s male crew is a visual contrast to what’s happening behind him; some of the crew are literally pissing on Singleton’s (Anthony Bishop) dead body. It’s disgusting, disturbing, and sends a clear message that the thieves (among thieves) on board will meet a grisly end.
When Max breaks down after she orders Eleanor out of her room. Kennedy really brings her A game to this scene, and I felt as emotional as her watching it. To love and be betrayed by someone is never easy. Max’s reaction and ability to jump back up from the fallout just works.

Overall

I really loved ”II.” I watched it twice realizing there are a lot of references to Treasure Island, especially the cave scene where Rackham tries to act like he’s not scared of the howls emanating from within. It reminds me of Ben Gunn. Later, the chase for Silver gave me flashbacks to the latter half of the book, so that was a nice touch.

Also, Mr. Scott (Hakeem Kae Kazim) is one of the best, and most understated characters. Whenever he makes an appearance, no line is wasted. I love how he reminds Eleanor that the men on the island are not there for her but her father’s wealth.

“II.” moves a lot faster and the characters are developing strongly as Black Sails progresses. Although Kennedy’s accent has improved, it does slip occasionally, throwing the scenes she’s in off slightly.

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

Follow the series on its official site: http://www.starz.com/originals/blacksails/ and http://www.pirates-wanted.com/ 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,@mfernandezLA, @ScrambledLuke (Luke Arnold/John Silver), @ClaraPaget (Clara Paget/Anne Bonny), @markryan243 (Mark Ryan/Gates), @hannahnewuk (Hannah New/Eleanor Guthrie), @JParkerK (Jessica P Kenned/Max), @Zach_McGowan (Zach McGowan/Captain Vane), @fallofasparrow (Toby Schmitz/Rackham), @seancmichael (Sean Cameron Michael/Richard Guthrie), @Tomhopperhops (Tom Hopper/Billy Bones), and @hakeemkaekazim (Hakeem Kae-Kazim/Mr. Scott).