I.

it's a good start to the series . i liked it the sea , ships and pirates .

if you like pirates and chases you will enjoy the show .

first episode is exciting and you will enjoy watching it . can't wait to see the next episode to know what will happen .

rating 8.5/10 .

For a pirate show this isn't as entertaining as it should be. That probably isn't helped by the fact that it looks like it was written using a checklist of features a show like this should have, maybe, uh, borrowed by Game of Thrones: the violence, the prostitutes, the lesbian sex scene (because of course there has to be a lesbian sex scene), the political intrigue, a lack of "safe" characters and the duel. Other elements are directly borrowed from the pirate tropes checklist. It does feel like the writers were sticking to a checklist as this pilot episode comes across as too mechanical, using well-worn tropes without putting its own spin on them. The duel, for example. It has some tension as it feels like either dueller could genuinely die. But it's a barebones duel. Nothing is done to make it more memorable than any standard duel we've seen on TV. Compare it to the duel on Game of Thrones between the mountain and the viper and it's clear which one's better, which one's more exciting.

The characters are a mixed bag. Captain Flint is one of the better ones, with sufficient depth to make him someone to care about. John Silver is the opposite of that, the handsome pirate who the show clearly wants us to root for without giving us a reason why. Eleanor Guthrie is the token Strong Female Character whose speech is peppered with as many f words as possible, because hey there's nothing stronger than a female character who swears all the time. Oh and she openly talks about masturbating, the true sign of a confident, liberated woman. Sigh.

The main plot isn't actually half-bad. I mean it's not Game of Thrones, but despite my initial doubts, by the end of the episode I was intrigued. It has to do with a missing page and Bones's final test of loyalty involving it proved this show can do character development. If in future it can focus on the deeper characters it could be great. If John Silver becomes the main character without being fleshed out more that'll be a shame.

One thing I was surprised about was that for a pirate show it didn't do a huge amount to make a pirate's life appear exciting. Hopefully it'll do so in future episodes because I was disappointed not to find it thrilling. The visuals were pretty, although that's kind of expected these days.

For a pilot, it could be better. But maybe it takes some time for Black Sails to find its footing.

When this aired, I was into Game of Thrones Penny Dreadful and The Expanse. I always wanted to try Black Sails and finally did last night. What a letdown. Is it 1715 or 2015? 1715 was the Golden Age of piracy. What is this? Typical 21st century showrunners forcing their misplaced wishlist in a period where it doesn't belong. A feisty blonde is the boss on land and orders around a bunch of unruly violent pirate men. A cartoonish-tough brunette wears a captain hook-like hat low over an eye to look dark and menacing as she runs with some bad, bad pirates. A scheming hooker with a distracting accent outsmarts pirates. Her acting is so terrible - you can't ignore it. Captain Flint's buff right-hand man (Tom Hopper) and the new curly-haired "cook" exchange longing glances so cue the man-on-man loving. If not these two, it'll be in the show, I bet. Too much forced women-on-women action with all the hot horny men running around. There's a side plot about a hidden book page (schedule?) and a duel for King Captain. Pirates are lawless seamen who conquer, pillage, trade, and rape. Why are they chilling at this Nassau joint, letting a pretty blonde keep them in line? There's no intriguing storyline. None of it felt like 1715 or authentic pirate life. Besides the opening scene, I was bored and fought off sleep.

IS this a joke series? "Hes gotta go see blackbeard, Oh does he? He is just a cook. Sorry mates, rules are rules. Every new shipmate has to go see blackbeard.

Blackbeard is 6 prostitutes at once?..ugh, Youre telling me that a ship full of pirates has a rule that every new crew member gets 30 mintues alone time with these 6 women? Ugh. Pirates are so nice to each other, wow. Is this a show for kids? Like 14 year old kids? Feels like it.

I was actually enjoying the show for the most part. THe whole prequel thing adds nothing other than you know that the cook will not die. It makes it too easy, too simple.

(Shortened summary in the bottom of the review)

Fun, deadly and gritty start to what i would call maybe the first good pirate show on the small screen, with great cast and compelling story already getting me hooked within the first 5 minutes.

The show does also not look afraid to do what it wants, giving us some wild adults scene here there, while also not being afraid to show the merciless side of the Pirates of the Caribbean, what of all that is not to like? I mean really... its just so great already and so thought provoking, that i cant wait to get started on the next episode.

(7/10) Definitely binging this show!!

Shortened summary: (Black Sails) starts quickly out with lots of action already in the first few minutes and then going on to slowly give a really interesting story and cast to like and follow throughout this great pilot episode.