#black sails season 2 finale

[gibsonsgirl]

“Strange pairs, Lieutenant… They can achieve the most unexpected things.”

—Thomas Hamilton, Black Sails in X.

[micamicster]

Do you think they would really do it… try a woman for piracy?

[riverdale-retread]

Riverdale re-retread with a new appreciation for Archie??

This ask gave me what can only be described as a really bad brain itch as soon as I saw it. I've had to confront the fact that I've been sleeping on Archie Andrews, and there are 137 episodes of TV for me to watch like it's new! Dunno about doing a whole manic write up of every episode like I did during the pandemic but the retread urge is fully activated.

Personal aside: I've been looking for a new show to get into, documented on my mainblog @storkmuffin (Hi everyone, this is a sideblog), and it just hasn't been working out, leading to the conclusion that, perhaps, Riverdale is actually the only tv show for me.

[purplespacecats]

also i started the og gay pirate show, and after episode one I don't have many feelings about the dudes (though I definitely respect John Silver for shamelessly lying on his resume), but I am fully in love with Eleanor and Max and am therefore delighted that they're lovers

[emberphantom]

The hardest thing about watching Black Sails with someone who hasn't seen it yet is definitely getting through season 1 but ALSO like not spoiling everything that makes l stuff in season one actually hit on a rewatch. Like especially the whole scene with Miranda and Flint when he confronts her about the letter. And every time they talk about Thomas. And how fucking GOOD the relationship between Flint and Silver is like you don't yet understand the journey you're on but TRUST ME dude.

[bookwyrminspiration]

and i was scared they WOULDN'T pull off establishing flint as a character the audience/the crew would want to follow but uh they definitely did. they absolutely did. i was joking when i was crafting a response to the episode at the beginning (as the barrel rolled up and everyone was standing in the cabin in tense silence: "haha explosive") but genuinely it is such an explosive beginning to the story. like put me in the media critic box i will write so much prose we will both turn purple it is SO INTERESTING and there are so many characters but they are all so distinct that you're able to kind of keep track.... and it's THE PILOT. I AM SO DELIGHTED BY THIS SHOW QUIL

It is! It feels like you've been dropped into the middle of the story almost, except it can be the beginning because everything can be a beginning. It could've started earlier, we could've watched these characters make themselves into who they are today (watched Flint work his way up to being the most feared pirate, watched Eleanor establish herself on Nassau, etc.) but that's not what this story is about. They've already become those people, now it's about what they do with it, that's more what the story is focusing on.

Which leaves you with a very interesting and dramatic start, because there's things to catch up on but also the present to experience, which makes for a very rich world when done right. And they did like everything right with Black Sails.

And there are so many characters who are simultaneously living very unique but connected lives! Each one is in complete service of their own story, thinking they're the main character and making choices for their own purpose. No one ever does anything because its convenient for another character's story or the plot, basically everything is a genuinely action on their part and it just makes it all the more compelling.

And that was just the pilot!! That was just the tip of the iceberg of what this show can and will do! You are about to be hit in the head with a battering ram repeatedly and you are going to love it! I am also very delighted by this show so I'm very glad you are too <33

[spidermanifested]

heres MY rambly black sails analysis for the day, after watching the show twice in as many months i wholeheartedly believe in the "long john silvers quote unquote missus in treasure island is max, not madi" theory

the most obvious thing, as others have pointed out, is that in treasure island long john silver runs an inn with his wife, a black woman, in bristol, which is absolutely not madi behavior-- i cannot imagine madi would take him back in the first place much less move with him TO ENGLAND-- but IS maxs exact area of expertise. but theres so many other things that cement it for me

as early as episode 2, max tries to convince eleanor to buy out the inn and run it together with her when england takes nassau back. this is her dream-- to share power over her life with a woman she loves, free of the pressures of the outside world. (youll note this also happens to be silvers dream for himself and madi. the parallels)

in season 4 shes faced with the suspiciously similar option to take a husband to be the face of her business, completely on paper, for the sake of the public eye. and she refuses! she doesnt want to give a man that kind of power over her. not only that but she desperately wants to retain some kind of truth in her identity-- she admires anne for her honesty, her courage. these are things she can rarely afford to express. in refusing a marriage of convenience, she asserts her autonomy.

But. black sails tells us over and over again that an oppressive society will always find ways to batter down these private boundaries. there is no island safe from colonial rule. mirandas peaceful house in the interior is burnt to the ground. the maroons are forced to accept a freedom that comes at the price of abandoning those still enslaved and taking part in their continued subjugation. the things it takes to make these spaces are terrible, and unsustainable, and when it comes to being gay in the 1700s there is a tightrope to walk between privilege and privacy, one that destroyed flint and the hamiltons, thats even narrower to max as a self-made woman of color.

given all that, i do not believe she can girlboss her way out of her circumstances no matter how many lessons she took from what happened to eleanor. nor do i think the show believes it. i think the political-marriage-offer plot point is another illustration of that theme-- maxs desire, and silvers desire, to build a warm, happy room in the middle of the imperial machine, without meaningfully striking out against the machine itself, is destined to be futile no matter how strong they are as individuals.

max and silver are mirror images of one another. each of them is essentially the narrator of one half of the story. it is absolutely agonizing how BOTH of them tried to convince their lovers to abandon their ambitions, to settle for a quiet life with them, and in doing so saw that relationship destroyed by their own fear of an uncertain future....

....And its even MORE agonizing to imagine them finally securing the trappings of a domestic life... but without the love. and they know the love was what mattered! theyre always going to know!!!

it bookends PERFECTLY with their alliance at the start of the series. theyre right where they started, trusting no one, pretending to be humble and harmless, planning to steal the EXACT SAME TREASURE, except now theyre 50 years old and jaded and bitter and both pining after their lost loves. silver probably pictures madi whenever he tells people about his wife. when he and max have time to themselves they talk solely about finances and nothing else. its honestly impressive how miserable this is for every single person involved. im losing my mind

[sapphiresaphics]

I love that Mel is a painter, but more importantly I really like how her artwork in season 1 teases her arc in season 2.

When we see her painting initially it’s a gorgeous view of Noxus with giant red sails on the boats. Not only is this our first glimpse of what will become Ambessa’s attack on Piltover in the season finale, but this is also an example of Mel trying to live up to the Merdarda standards.

Mel has spent her whole life feeling like a failure to her mother. Her idealistic perspective on life got her sent away and disowned by her family. She desperately wants to live up to her mother’s love and respect, but she doesn’t have the ruthlessness and disrespect for life that Ambessa has. These paintings are a way for her to vicariously live up to her imagined potential.

But then the events of season 1 play out and Mel does not want to go along with Ambessa’s plans for war. She’s horrified at what her warmongering has done to Jayce and she is shocked to learn that her mother sent her away because her idealism “weakened” Ambessa.

When we cut back to the painting, it’s been vandalized by Mel. She’s painted gold swirls and whip like lines of golden light all over the painting. It flows in and out between the ships. It’s both a rejection of her heritage, but also foreshadowing for Season 2.

Because as we learn, Mel was not just any daughter. She was a planned WEAPON of Ambessa. An illegitimate child born with Arcane abilities because her mother had a fling with a mage. A child who has so much power she could take on the Black Rose themselves. That’s why Ambessa sent her away, not because of weakness but because she needed to keep Mel safe for when her powers truly unlocked and could be used for her benefit.

This also means that Mel’s desire to live up to Noxus principals and heritage is partially a lie. There’s a WHOLE OTHER SIDE to her heritage that’s been denied to her and that she wasn’t aware she had connections to. This is why her attempts to live up to Noxian standards always fell short. She’s only HALF Noxian. There’s a whole side of her family/life that she’s only ever been vaguely aware of.

Which is why I love going back to that painting. The golden magical swirls and lines overtaking the Noxian ships isn’t just her rejecting Noxian society, but also an indication of her dual heritage.

[runawaymarbles]

top five reasons people should be watching black sails

1. It is a four season story arc that ended when the writers thought it should end, and didn't get dragged out or cut off though season 4 should have been longer.

2. It sticks to its fucking themes all the way through so that when it circles back to them in finale it feels like a concluding paragraph and not a last minute grab for meaning.

3. The character arcs are beautifully consistent and all the main characters get a complete story, regardless of where that story ends. They're also informed but not exclusively characterized by their demographics in a way I appreciate-- no one is there to be The Gay or The Black Guy or The Woman, and no one "just happens to be X": their experiences of being gay and/or Black and/or women impact how they see and interact with the world in ways that are unique to each character's personal experiences.

4. The women have varied and complex relationships with each other as friends and lovers and rivals and mentors (supportive) and mentors (derogatory) and enemies and allies, and those relationships are key to huge swaths of the plot. Even the character archetypes that are traditionally Smurfetted (the #girlboss, the One Of The Guys) are just. Surrounded by other women. It's great. Especially since Treasure Island has no women on purpose.

5. They show boobs but they also show dicks and that's equality.

[etoilesombre]

Hi im a new here i finally watched black sails after someone convinced me. And im changed. I'm. Yeah. I'm not who i was before. It's a bizarrely good show?

I'm so so so glad that so many ppl on ao3 agree with me that flint and silver need to fuck. Have fucked. Will fuck.

This will be all i think about for the next month or so.

If you have fic recs do let me know. I'm in dire need.

Hi my friend and welcome to hell! It's the best, right? ("Month" is a HIGHLY optimistic estimate about how long this will consume your brain...)

So honored that you asked for recs! I don't think I've ever compiled a general list of favorites, I had a great time and I think I'm happy with the results. This is by no means comprehensive, and obviously HIGHLY reflective of my own tastes, which are... uh.. I am known to not enjoy nice things very much. I invite others to reblog with their own favorites. Here we go...

Notes: These are in vaguely chronological order. I'm including word count and brief descriptions so you know what you're getting into but no warnings or anything, that's all on AO3. They are all silverflint and all explicit (I think, there might be one or two 'mature' in there but, this is the they need to, have, and will fuck list.) I didn't include any of my own work because presumably that's how you found my blog so you're aware, but I do have a pinned list, and if you want recs for mine or to talk about any of these just message, I will talk about silverflint all day.

Overall Recommendations:

The Most Unexpected Things by forbiddenarchives (~20k words) I think this one is a great starting point. It is very.. fic flavored fic, if that makes sense, in a great way. Hits the spot. The author's description is "season 2 if everyone were 5000% hornier" and that is accurate. Note this is marked as unfinished, but the place it wraps up feels totally reasonable to me.

As Good as Gone by spinninginfinityboy (~5.5k words) Complicated hot weird semi-hate sex on the way to Charles Town. A thing with a Spanish Dubloon that is emblazoned on my brain forever.

Combat by equestrianstatue (~10k words) A two part series, which I think captures the push-pull early frenemies vibe of s1-2 perfectly. Also the writing itself is stellar.

All alone in a moonlit shanty by PrimalScream (4.3k) Celebrating a good day hunting, Flint gets very drunk and tells the crew a dirty story. Silver tries to put him to bed, but he has different ideas. By far one of the lighter things on this list.

after the winnowing by princesskay (~14k) Set after Silver loses his leg, early in his recovery. Silk pajamas, multiple orgasms and overstimulation as well as their usual codependent fuckery.

What It Feels Like Not to Hurt by Robotboy (~9k) Another recovery fic. As the author says, it's 9k of slowburn watersports but really it's about Silver's pain and autonomy and humiliation and. Just. Even if it's not your usual cup of tea it's hot, give it a try.

vigia by doomcountry (~3k) A short, perfect rendering of their dynamic during early s3 raid times. Heartwrenching character study, excellent porn.

The Sack of James Flint by princesskay (~107k) So, yes, this is a novel length sub!Flint cock and ball torture series. I would make the argument that it is one of the best character studies in the fandom, for real. Absolutely worth your time, but fuck, it hurts your heart as much as your captain's balls in the end.

Concurrence by ember_firedrake (~2.5k) Mid s3. The first time they call each other by their first names. Now, that's not actually a thing I think they do, but, good porn and lower angst.

appreciation by nysscientia (~8k) Flint cultivates a certain aloof persona, but Silver sees right through it, and eventually they kiss about it.

Don't Fear The Ships (Fear The Black) by Farasha (~10k) - Silverflint use learning to sail as a coded way to flirt and talk about feelings (and eventually they kiss about it).

A Ship Is A Republic by Robotboy (~20k) A slow burn fic set during the inter-season sword training times. Love this dynamic, this author does power bottom Flint and sub Silver so fucking well.

deliverance is ours by the light of the stars by piratecaptainraven (3.1k) Flint sees Silver and Madi together, and doesn't stop watching when he should. They don't technically fuck in this, but its SO much pining, and the writing is poetic and gorgeous.

frail and fragile bars by ajaxthegreat (~21k) Possibly the hottest thing I've ever read, this rewrote my brain chemistry. Slow burn-ish. It captures that late season love and dependence and resentment and power struggle.

Cold, Dark, Depraved by notfelix (~10k) When fucking fixes absolutely nothing. This hurts in a way that feels, to me, similar to canon. I hate it (affectionate).

Opportunist by anonymous (~6.1k) This was part of the kinkmeme event (see below) and it fucking changed me. If I recommend one fic and only one fic to process the ending, it's this. It's awful. It's necrophilia and light cannibalism. It's the only thing I can imagine happening after, if Silver actually shoots Flint on that island. It makes me feel bad in the best way.

hand in unlovable hand by brinnanza, Jaynovz (~9.9k) Affectionately known as the worst ending AU, this is actually a great followup to the last one. How Silver copes, after Skeleton Island.

Bonus: AUs. I don't generally read AUs, but these two worked for me, in very different ways that still felt very silverflint.

did the twin flame bruise paint you blue by Jaynovz (138k) Novel length mod AU where silverflint broke up, and we see their relationship along two different timelines, before and after. Toxic fucked up goodness, lots of BDSM dynamics, bonus silvervane! All set in NYC.

holy ghost fire by ajaxthegreat (~52k) Appalachia horror au! The author clearly knows the area, and silverflint is already a ghost story, so it works really well. If you've ever been there you'll know how right it feels, if not, just trust me.

extra bonus: fic event collections and rec lists

kinkmeme

built on sand

beach blanket black sails

@jaynovz has also compiled a number of much more specific rec lists, which can be found at #jay's esoteric rec lists

[milieumarch]

Ol' Slippery John did not get out of this one

Watching Black Sails like "what will ol' Slippery John get up to this episode"

[hypacias]

It's like she's some sort of clock that's finally struck its chime and woken me from this dream we've been living, reminded me how many years separate me from a world I still think of home. How unrecognisable the woman I am would be to the woman I was then.

LOUISE BARNES as MIRANDA BARLOW BLACK SAILS SEASON 2

[andhumanslovedstories]

I started watching Black Sails in 2017 or 2018 on the recommendation of my good friends and also literally every gay person on the internet. I got thru seasons 1 and 2 and started 3, but I was like “god this is intense, I better take a small break.” And now that about seven years have passed which I spent diligently avoiding any spoilers and refusing to remember the ones I accidentally did see, I think I’m finally ready to find out what happens to those crazy kids.

[spacebagfullofstars]

Evolution X-Men meeting Deadpool for the first time

An idea for the first episode Deadpool would appear in the show. It'd take place during early season 2. I don't have enough ideas to write the whole thing but here's the introduction

After the Brotherhood fled and the old warehouse was empty once more, the X-Men could finally focus on their unexpected guest. Through the darkness where he stood, they could see him sheathing his katanas and stretching his arms.

"Phiii-ew! Nothing like a good workout after a mind-numbingly boring sail home!" He said, rolling his neck and shoulders. "Warms my cold, unfeeling heart to see the streets just as crime-infested as I left them!"

After a second, the man stepped towards them and into the light. The younger members of the X-Men couldn't help, but gasp when he revealed himself to them.

The person who joined their fight was wearing a red and black costume that covered his whole body, including his face. Outside of the twin katanas on his back, he had two gun pouches attached to the sides of a multi-pocketed belt. His white eyes stared at them with unclear intent.

"You?!" While Kitty, Rogue and Kurt were intimidated by his presence, Scott and Jean stood their ground. They appeared to be more disgusted than afraid. Surprisingly, the man seemed to recognise them as well.

"Jeanie! Scottie! Long time no see! Come here and give uncle Deadpool a hug!" He said, spreading his arms. Before he ran at them, Jean used her powers to throw him into the air. His enthusiasm faltered.

"Cold. I guess you don't want all the radical gifts I bough you abroad!" He said, starting to levitate upside down. "Do kids these days still say it? Do they say 'radical'? I hate that word. I hope it'll die out quickly."

"You know this weirdo?" Kitty whispered to them.

"He calls himself Deadpool." Jean stated. "He used to break into the Institute regularly."

"That's all you have to say about little ol' me?" Deadpool interrupted, then traced a line from his eye down his cheek. "You can't see it, but I just shed a sad tear. I thought we were friends."

"We're not-"

"As (I'm pretty sure) my pop used to say, if you want something done right, do it yourself!" The mercenary clapped his hands, interrupting her again. He kicked his legs and pushed himself back up so he could face them properly.

"I go by many names! Deadpool is one, but some prefer to call me the Merc with the Mouth!" He stated, pointing his thumbs at himself. "The world-famous mercenary willing to do any kind of job for a good pay, weapon expert, master of all known fighting styles and three times Champion of Hot Dog Eating in West Virginia! This city used to belong to me, but the merc job is unforgiving and I had to leave it for like twenty years!"

"We haven't seen you in two years." Scott corrected.

"It felt like twenty to me, so it must've been! Now I come back and see that you X-Dorks grew in numbers!" Deadpool continued, then crossed his arms and looked away. "Not that I'm bitter, or anything. I can do so much better than your little rich kid houseclub anyway."

"... Wait, he was an X-Man?!" Rouge asked, baffled.

"Professor tried giving him a chance once." Jean sighed. "He almost blew up the mansion."

"Like that old thing doesn't blow up every other week, am I right, guys?" Deadpool snorted and rose his hand. Outside of the distance between them, no one was willing to give him a high five. He waited a few more seconds and then high fived himself.

"Is it bad that he kinda reminds me of Kurt when he has too much sugar?" Kitty snickered.

"Don't even joke like that!" Kurt didn't like that.

"The only difference is that Kurt isn't..." Scott began, then whistled and swirled his finger around the side of his head.

"I believe the term you're looking for is 'able to think outside the box', three eyes." Deadpool overheard them and air quoted. Without any warning, he disappeared in a small flash of energy.

"What the-?!" Kurt cried out as they all stepped back in surprise. After a second, the mercenary reappeared behind them.

"And who those adorable new faces might be?" His voice startled them all. "No, no, don't tell me! You look like Jessica," He said, pointing at surprised Kitty. "Your super power is shrinking. You look like Bridget and you love being different!" He pointed at Rogue, making her scoff at him. "And you look like Elvis! You have an eternal bad hair day!" He said, pointing at Kurt.

"What?" The blue boy squinted.

"Deadpool, stay away from them!" Scott warned, flashing his visor in readiness. "Whatever you came here for, you're not getting it from us!"

"Look at you all grown up and shouting orders like a boss man! Relax, kid, I have no quarrel with you today. I just wanted to catch up and meet new people! Speaking of..." Deadpool said, then reloaded his gun that he suddenly grabbed. Something darkened in his eyes. "Where's Wolverine?"

The other X-Men could see Jean and Scott getting tense. It seemed that despite their distate, they were scared of the man after all.

Suddenly, Deadpool seemed to hear something and his head perked up a bit. They could almost see a smirk forming on his face.

"Right on the clock." He mused. He spun his gun in his hand, then without any warning, whipped back and fired a single shot.

Wolverine had entered the warehouse and managed to sneak behind them. He quickly released his claws and slashed the bullet mid-air. Before other X-Men could stop him, Deadpool switched, pulled out his katanas and teleported again. He reappeared right in front of Logan and took a swing at him. His weapons and the mutant's claws clashed.

"Kurt, get everyone outta here!" The X-Man shouted. The boy nodded. The kids came closer and he teleported them away, leaving the two alone.

"I had a feelin' I smelled a rottin' brain somewhere!" Wolverine growled.

"You're the one to talk, dog-breath!" Deadpool retorted, trying to slash him again. Wolverine blocked him. "Dog, or bear, or some other animal that smells bad! I don't want to say badger, because I feel like I'd be beating a dead horse at this point-"

"I miss the silence already!" Logan said. He roared and tried to throw a punch.

Meanwhile, the group reappeared outside.

"What does this Deadpool guy want with Logan?!" Rouge couldn't help, but grow concerned.

"They have... history." Scott explained. "I'm pretty sure they hate each other."

"Like he and Sabertooth?" Kitty asked.

"Honestly? We have no idea." Jean admitted. "It's best to just stay out of the way and let Logan handle it. He always does."

As soon as she said that, they heard an explosion that made them jump. Suddenly, Wolverine fell out of a window with a trail of smoke following him. Deadpool jumped after him and skilfully landed on the ground. When he stood up, the kids saw that he was holding a bomb with his face painted on it.

"He has explosives?!" Kurt shouted, tugging his hair. Logan returned on his feet, smoke from the explosion still dancing on his body.

"I thought you were done takin' bounties on me!" He shouted.

"I am, but it's an emergency!" Deadpool said, throwing the bomb from hand to hand. "I need this money more than I need food and water!"

"A sellout through and through!" Wolverine said, then charged back. Deadpool let him get close, teleported, and then tried to throw a bomb at him from the distance. Logan kicked it right into the ocean and it exploded in the water.

The mercenary quickly switched back to his katanas and charged with full force at his opponent. There was a lot of slashing, dodging and rolling involved. Neither of them managed to reach each other for a good while. Finally, Wolverine used an opportunity to pin Deadpool to the ground with one arm behind his back.

"Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow!" He cried. "That's foul play! You're disqualified for being a bad sport!"

"Cry me a river, Wilson." Logan tsked. "Whoever hired you must've not known that you always lose to me."

"Yeah. That might be true." The mercenary said, another almost visible smirk appearing on his face. Little did Wolverine know, his free arm was trying to reach for a hidden pocket in his costume. "By the way, don't think that I forgot to bring a souvenir or two for my bestest friend. Why don't you let me go so I can show it to you?"

"I ain't lettin' you go that easily, bub. You're gonna tell me exactly who sent you and what kinda money made you break your promise."

"Oh, I love to talk! Especially with you!" He quietly unzipped the pocket and reached inside. "But you know I can't talk about my employers. Merc 101. Buuuut, I can tell you all about the crazy places I've been to for the past two years! I learned like three different languages! Do you want me to say something in Chinese?"

"If you're tryin' to make me angry, it ain't gonna work. We've been doin' this song and dance long enough for me to know when you're lookin' for a distraction."

"Awww, you care about me enough to know my strategy! You so deserve that little treat I bought you!"

"Logan, look out!" Rouge shouted, but she was too late. Logan felt a sharp sting in his leg. He gasped and quickly pushed himself off Deadpool. He looked down and saw a dart sticking from his thigh. The X-Men were ready to intervene.

"Do not get involved!" Logan snarled, sensing their intent. His head was already beginning to spin.

"Yeah, you better listen to Papa Wolvie! This is between us adults!" Deadpool shouted, looking at them as well. The mutant suddenly fell to his knees, trying to fight whatever Deadpool injected into him, but it seemed stronger than his healing factor. His eyes started feeling heavy, and finally, he fell lifelessly on the ground.

"Logan!" The kids yelled. Jean was already floating whatever she could to throw at Deadpool.

"Don't worry, X-Kids! I promise to give him back as soon as I get my money! Follow your dreams and stay in school!" Deadpool gave them a peace sign before he kneeled in front of Wolverine and teleported away with him.

[sunfyredefender77]

HOTD S2 FINALE - SPOILERS:

Do NOT read ahead if you don't like spoilers.

Please be mindful that the source of this information has given spoilers the entire season and has always been CORRECT.

1. Rhaenyra takes back the Iron Throne.

2. Episode begins with Rhaenyra and Daemon meeting at Harrenhal, reconciling and plotting to take Kings Landing. Daemon has amassed a large army at this point and remains loyal to Rhaenyra despite his recent dialogue.

3. Criston Cole & Aemond discuss how, despite their best efforts, Daemon has prevailed in the River Lands. This now leaves the Greens with a lesser army than the Blacks

4. Aemond takes Vaghar and all his soldiers to retake Harrenhal from Daemon, which leaves King's Landing defenseless.

5. Daemon is informed of Aemond and Criston's plan, so he abandons Harrenhal. He flies to King's Landing with Rhaenyra and the Dragonseed Dragon Riders. Lord Corlys, the Hand, sails his fleet to King's Landing as well

6. Baela and Jace stay back to guard Dragon Stone

7. The Gold Cloaks remain loyal to Daemon, so the moment they see Caraxes above King's Landing, they betray the Greens and begin to capture and kill every one loyal to the Greens. They also prevent any warnings from reaching the Green Army.

8. Gwayne Hightower is captured and murdered.(sadly)☹️☹️☹️

9. The Gold Cloaks open the city gates and welcomes the Black Army/Navy.

10. Larys Strong smuggles out Aegon Targaryan before the Blacks can kill him. They escape on a fishing boat, later arriving at the Dragon Stone castle.

11. Baela and Aegon fight on their dragons.

12. Otto Hightower is executed for Treason. (They may save this scene for season 3 premiere and show Haelena dying in S2 finale instead. However, Idk how she dies.)

13. Rhaneyra orders a couple executions of treasonous ex-counsel members. Rhaenyra spares Alicent's life and doesn't execute her However, Alicent remains a prisoner.

14. Aemond arrives at an abandoned Harrenhal, and learns that King's Landing has fallen to the Blacks. Outraged, he executes Sir Simon Strong and all his kin. Aemond spares Alys Rivers and makes her his whore.

15. The remaining Greens meet with the Triarchy and form an alliance. They plot to sail their warships into the Gullet.

16. The Battle of the Gullet won't be shown until season 3 - however Rhaenyra does not lose King's Landing after this battle. Rhaenyra remains on the Iron Throne, but she will lose another son.

source: Desara_Nelson. 1 j on x

[familiar-smile]

I've been thinking about comedy and tragedy in Black Sails. I've been thinking about Silver and Flint and mutability. The thing that stuck with me most from reading Shakespeare in high school English was this: my teacher told us that what separates a comedy from a tragedy is the characters' ability to change. Mutability allows characters to escape tragic narratives, to work differently inside of them.

Silver is a comic character—that's how he survives. He comes into the show with no history, and he believes so strongly in his detachment from the narrative that out of everyone, he is the most surprised by his sacrifice for his crew in season 2. He wields his mutability consciously, and it makes him unpredictable and amusing.

But Black Sails is Flint's story, Flint's tragedy, and Silver gets sucked into it. There's so much talk of inevitability in Black Sails—"this is not what I wanted" over and over again. We've known from the very beginning that Flint wants to walk away from the ocean and find peace. Leave "Flint" behind. I think that's one of the central questions of the show: can Flint change? Can he turn away from his darkness?

Season 2 revolves around that question, draws us into that conflict around Flint's image. How close did he come to setting "Flint" aside and being unmasked? But after Miranda's death, there's no turning back. The timing of Flint's final descent into his own darkness matches Silver's first signs of being tied to something correspond so exactly. Does Silver lose his mutability in this moment? I wonder if the loss of his leg takes that away from him, too. It connects him to a past, implies a lived history...

By seasons 3 and 4, Silver has followed Flint into the darkness, but I'm really interested in the subtler shift from Silver as this comedic schemer/shape-shifter to someone who becomes trapped in a space where it seems there are few real choices. He forever sees himself as an outsider, but that final scene between Flint and Silver is equally tragic for both characters. Silver is so intimately involved with Flint's tragic arc that the story and the tragedy have become Silver's by the end.