After a thrilling four-season run, “Black Sails” fans have said goodbye to a lot of drama and warfare on the high seas. The 2014 Starz premiere of the series features a crew of pirates in New Providence in the early 1700s, led by the charming and renowned Captain Flint (Toby Stephens). The show provides something that has been adapted several times its own unique spin. It acts as a prequel to the well-known Robert Louis Stevenson novel “Treasure Island.” Similar to previous seasons, it wraps off the characters’ journeys by providing a number of little details and callbacks to the beginning of the narrative.
The climax of Season 4 premiered in April 2017, and it was praised for keeping the narrative focus while other programmes seemed to have lost it. The tension between Flint and Long John Silver (Luke Arnold) increased because Zethu Dlomo’s Madi (Long John Silver) was a rose between two thorns. The final episode of the programme is undoubtedly worthwhile to see, even though it might have been argued that supporting characters like Anne (Clara Paget) and Jack (Toby Schmitz) could have been given more prominence. Board the ships once more as we take you through every aspect of the “Black Sails” Season 4 finale. Watch out for spoilers.
Choosing love over war is disappointing
Oh, war! What does it accomplish? The obvious fix is to enhance “Black Sails'” climax for the fans. Since the show said its final goodbye, fans have questioned whether the finale’s strategy was actually the best one. One Reddit thread said that “Black Sails”‘ devoted following was tarnished by an inadequate finish. One fan claims it’s because the Silver and Flint story eventually prioritises love over conflict, perhaps creating a happy conclusion to preserve the connection Silver once had with Madi.
It seems logical that viewers would favour drama over a neatly wrapped-up conclusion. Due to their shared past, Flint and Silver are more likely to reappear in future “Black Sails” spin-offs, which also provides for more engaging television. As user blue mutagen accurately notes, there was never going to be a suitable answer that the creative team could provide supporters. The best way to wrap up the four seasons would be to “retire” Flint, but is it something we really want to deal with?
Flint’s end can be viewed in two ways
As is the case with numerous great TV adaptations, the story we see on screen is likely to differ from the source novel. In “Black Sails,” Flint takes the brunt of the metamorphosis. The show’s co-creator, John Steinberg, made reference to Flint’s first lesson in a statement to Collider. “When you read the novel, you’ll discover that Flint died in a manner that was incredibly precise and didn’t immediately suggest a narrative. He spent some undetermined amount of time alone in a very gloomy environment after the amazing events.” On the other side, changing Flint’s story immediately leads to some uncertainty.
It may be argued that ambiguity was considered when the decision was taken to have Flint vanish from view rather than murder him off totally. If the notion of resurrecting “Treasure Island” is possible, Flint must live on. Silver’s narrative of the events preceding to Flint’s “retirement” demonstrates there is more tension there than we are led to believe, in stark contrast to photos of Flint in lush farmlands. Flint compares himself to Odysseus in the first episode of “Black Sails,” citing the green pear as a metaphor for a “gift of the Gods.” Whether Flint has been sent to pasture or has received the grand rewards in the climax seems to be up to us.
Silver wrestles with his alter ego
The legend of Long John Silver is one we are all too familiar with, and “Black Sails” demonstrates how Silver’s path is pointing toward even greater things. From the beginning of the series, Silver is portrayed as someone who appeared out of nowhere and is drawn to people who live quite different lives. In addition to the fact that Flint and Silver naturally view the world in very different ways as a result of this, this causes Silver to struggle with the legendary reputation that he has built for himself. One of the primary traits that set Silver apart from Flint in “Black Sails” is her ability to exercise a personal decision that Flint is unable to.
Silver is portrayed as being both taken and repulsed by his own fame in the Season 4 finale. Flint realises that his current condition won’t be enough to satisfy him, so Silver looks for what he previously left behind. It’s a decision that would give a season of a “Treasure Island” spinoff a stronger sense of purpose, given the constraints of his reunion with Madi in the Season 4 finale. The main concept of the “Black Sails” series—that no matter how hard you try to hide who you are, you’ll always come back—is firmly backed by Silver’s story.
Madi and Silver’s reunion only goes so far
The Season 4 conclusion of “Black Sails” features the long-awaited reunion of Silver and Madi. The duo changes from being allies to lovers throughout the course of Seasons 3 and 4. They initially work together to form an alliance before eventually falling in love. Silver learns in the heartbreaking conclusion of Season 4 that his love with Madi will never be enough to support him. Flint repeats what he tells him to his face, causing a severe rift between the two of them, in the episode’s ending shots, which feature a gorgeous horizon behind them.
According to co-creator Robert Levine, this design effectively conveys the intricacies of their relationship. “Even though they are in the same frame when you see them at the conclusion, they are yards apart. They had come as emotionally near as they will ever get.” It’s unlikely to be a pleasant ending for fans as some viewers start to realise Silver’s self-serving objectives as the show comes to a close. In Silver’s instance, this is accurate because a leopard cannot change its markings. Their frosty breakup doesn’t necessarily mean that their romance won’t be continued in subsequent spinoffs, but it is likely to send Silver in a very new direction.
Flint and Silver’s endgames were planned from the beginning
There is a lot we still don’t know about our two major protagonists, Flint and Silver. The series’ climactic episode, “Black Sails,” depicts a resolution that feels both conclusive and unresolved. The crew believes Flint died on his own in the Savannah as a result of his strange “retirement,” but it is still unclear whether Silver actually fired the gun. Given that the programme is based on such a well-known text, their results are in some ways predictable. But according to authors Levine and Steinberg, the resolution of Flint and Silver was already predestined from the start.
Steinberg makes the following remarks to Inverse: “For a very long time, Flint and Silver have been known to us. The outcome appeared more obvious at first: They would develop a hatred for one another and become antagonists in one another’s stories. We made the early decision that you should see these two individuals, who are as close to one another as anyone in the world, but who are unable to connect on any level, as it would be more terrible and profound.” As a result of the events of the Season 4 finale, David has overcome Goliath, but neither of them is leaving “Black Sails” in the best shape.
Reunions and defeat make for happy fans
When it comes to ending an episode on a high note, “Black Sails” seems to have done a few things mostly right. Even though there has been much controversy about Flint’s personal fate, many fans have expressed their reasons for thinking that the Season 4 finale was the perfect finish. According to Reddit user stgeorge78, the finale has upheld the show’s high standards of drama and excellence while launching the pirate genre into entirely new television terrain. Although the show’s focus is still on the individual journeys, the finale’s emphasis on relationships was a significant contributor to its popularity. Whether it’s watching Silver and Madi spare each other’s feelings or discovering what happens to Jack and Anne, getting through the difficult moments is a successful strategy for everyone.
It makes sense that some fans could still be unsure of what the Season 4 finale revealed. The best climaxes leave us wondering or unconstrained in drawing our own conclusions, and “Black Sails” makes extensive use of this strategy. Although the revolt was certain to come to an end, it is still unknown if “Treasure Island” will live to see another day. Who is to say that Flint won’t return once he finds happiness?
Did we see enough of Anne Bonny?
The character arc for Anne Bonny in the final episode of “Black Sails” season 4 may be the simplest of all. She and Jack are the only two pirate leaders to completely avoid detection; they are reunited after surviving the battle that concludes the episode. The route from point A to point B is straightforward, which puts the focus on the action between Flint, Silver, and Madi. The decision was logical, but some fans are now questioning if Anne was adequately portrayed in the drama of the season finale.
Given how much the show promotes character arcs and emotions, it’s a little odd that Anne gets the short end of the stick.
Some fans contend that this is because the female characters in “Black Sails” are frequently much weaker, despite the fact that Anne is one of the most well-developed female characters. Others claim that even Jack and Anne can’t be wholly trusted in a world of pirates and that “the complexity and peril” of her story aren’t fully appreciated. Allowing the pair to truly sail off into the sunset and cleanly tying off their story to create place for more important storylines may be the straightforward solution.
The final episodes stay character-rich
However, it is also true that “Black Sails” keeps a strong focus on its characters. The plot never loses sight of the pirates’ end aim, no matter where our favourite characters are in their various journeys. In his conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Steinberg uses the films Flint and Silver to demonstrate how this naturally manifests itself. “We had to realise that there would have to be some things that weren’t said aloud but existed in context, performance, and subtext for it to be honest. That felt right. When I watch it, it appears like they are dealing with a lot that is going on beneath the surface, at least to me. But you also want it to play straight, don’t you think?”
Even as the season finale continues to deliver on fleshing out the legacy of Silver, Flint, and other characters, fans have commended the show for continuing to live up to expectations. Nic727 praises “Black Sails” in particular for doing an excellent job of finishing up the narrative development, while Reddit user IronMaximus believes that the show is one of the best of all time in terms of character development. It’s easy to say that “Black Sails” proved its value throughout, in contrast to many shows that collapse near the end.
The blueprint for Treasure Island is laid out
For some viewers, “Black Sails”‘ four seasons may not have been quite enough. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Steinberg explains how the team came to the conclusion that the project needed to be abandoned. “It seemed as though all the endings we had wished to witness were drawing nearer and nearer during season four. We momentarily debated whether we were done at the end of season four, and decided that we were.” But the overlap between “Black Sails” and “Treasure Island” has also been clear from the start. Never say never, but there’s a chance that our favourite pirates will return in a fresh spinoff.
Den of Geek claims that a “Treasure Island” series has surely been thought about. “We might be able to come up with our own version of a story for young readers, however I’m not sure if it would match the children’s story “Treasure Island.” The “Black Sails” adaption, “The executive producer, Dan Shotz, commented. Instead of ordering a fifth season of the show, picking up where “Black Sails” left off makes the most sense; the fact that so much time has passed since the final episode only helps a prospective spinoff.
Partnership-turned-friendship-turned-enemies?
The only part of “Black Sails” that truly matters is the friendship between Flint and Silver. Despite many obstacles in their path, viewers can watch them change over the course of the show’s four seasons from a hesitant alliance to a blossoming friendship. Their relationship seems to have become nasty by the time fans of the Season 4 finale see them together. Without taking everything else into account, there is a clear warning sign that leads viewers to ponder if Silver shot Flint in the face. It is debatable whether Flint ever found happiness with Thomas (Rupert Penry-Jones), but he comes near. Silver, though, seems to have returned to his Season 1 starting point.
Due to the fact that “Black Sails” is a drama about the highs and lows of pirates on the open seas, it is inevitable that Silver and Flint’s relationship will eventually degenerate. Their erratic relationship remains true to the core of their difficult friendship, which not only heightens the drama but unquestionably makes the show’s denouement more exciting. What more than a lady stands between two men and the potential for promised bliss?
The thought of Max and Anne stays in our minds
Only by having major LGBT representation could a gripping pirate drama be improved. When we first meet Anne in Season 1 of “Black Sails,” she is madly in love with Max (Jessica Parker Kennedy) while trying to figure out her feelings for Jack. By the time viewers reach the conclusion of Season 4, Max and Anne’s relationship has experienced a dramatic change and left behind a number of iconic moments. Even if the two have grown apart and are on the edge of becoming enemies, there is still a chance that Anne will find both the man and the woman she desires. Despite the fact that she chooses the man in the final seconds of the show, fans are not to blame for hoping for a little different love resolution.
The Season 4 finale’s inclusion of a scenario when Max gets to pursue the woman she loves has been praised by fans. It’s even more tragic that Max and Anne don’t remain together forever and that true love—the one we always knew would win—wins. Steinberg was reported by The Hollywood Reporter as saying that he was startled by the movie’s popularity “I believe that Max and Anne’s relationship evolved in a way that had unanticipated emotional impact. That taught me how crucial it is to let stories unfold naturally in order to notice all the wonderful things.”
Could we ever see a Black Sails reboot or spinoff?
Since the first season of “Black Sails” finished in 2017, one issue has gone unanswered: will there ever be a reboot or spinoff? We are aware that there have been discussions about bringing the programme back, even if there aren’t any concrete plans to do so right now. The most likely scenario in this situation is a narrative transition into “Treasure Island,” with the Season 4 finale skillfully establishing the plot where the well-known book picks it up. Steinberg discusses why connecting the two was so important to Flint and Silver’s story in an interview with Inverse. “His tale in this show closes with the hope that he can get away from it. This provided the idea that “Treasure Island” was a significant sequel about a dramatic shift in that character. It wasn’t predetermined, but Flint had predicted it.”
However, some fans disagree with the direction a potential spinoff is going. Viewers would benefit more from a prequel to “Nassau” than a new “Treasure Island,” claims Reddit user Blackthroat39. The show, which is set ten years before the beginning of the programme, has a rich character breadth thanks in part to its exploration of the heydays that came before “Black Sails.” The possibility of a spinoff has always been present, particularly in light of the large number of ancillary characters that the series has not yet thoroughly explored.
