That was my favorite show in a long time. It's what Game of Thrones should have been. Top notch storytelling. Really sad it's over.

Another reason to listen to victims is that we've learned shit about how the world works that none of you sweet summer children can fathom.

(Reacting to a scene. This show does a great job, especially in the second half, of analyzing themes about power.)

My gender is basically that whole thing Anne Bonny and Jack Rackham have.

Then there's Anne Bonny.

"Oh, you think my last outfit was cool? Well now I'm wearing a tapestry that's also a fucking trench coat, what yah gonna do about it??"

Another great thing about Black Sails is that every single featured character is extremely competent. They're all just really freaking good at what they do. So it's not about characters being foiled by their folly. Or bad luck. Or whatever rabbit the writers pull out of a hat. It's because someone else outsmarted them, in spite of their own wit.

The fact that the characters are also believably changing alliances regularly makes for just really great storytelling. You're never sure who will win, and you're rooting for everyone.

I was trying to decide whether this show is hopepunk, but I'd say with this scene, it clearly is.

(I'm a good way into the second to last season.)

Very fitting and inspiring for these here times.

"These men who brought me here today do not fear me. They brought me here today because they fear you. Because they know that my voice, a voice that refuses to be enslaved, once lived in you. And may yet still. They brought me here today to show you death and use it to frighten you into ignoring that voice. But know this. We are many. They are few.

"To fear death is a choice. And they can't hang us all."

— Charles Vane, Black Sails

Anyway, happy boycott day tomorrow!

I was not expecting to love Black Sails this much. As in, I really would rather it not end. Just a nice solid fun adventure series that doesn't come off hokey. Realistic, likable characters, every single one. Grim without being grimdark. Advanced woke without being didactic or peachy. Lofty thematic storytelling while remaining pure fun.

It's like a pulp serial come to life but through or more sophisticated modern lens, quality special effects and believable intrigue lending it credibility.

It's like if Game of Thrones left you feeling like you'd had a bit of fun.

Oh. I've figured out what archetype Captain Flint is. It was bugging me.

He's Walter White. Walter White of the sea.

This show is just really good at handling types of plots and relationship development not often covered, especially when it comes to women's stories. Like the moment a daughter gets hard-earned recognition from her father for her achievements, when he originally wrote her off because she wasn't a son. Or two women learning to navigate sexism and trauma together.

This show is extremely well written, acted, directed. I'm really enjoying it.

My heart is sailing with joy over the kinds of relationships they're depicting. And queer in ways you don't often see depicted.

(In some ways reminding me of my Seattle days.)

Holy crap it's not just a triad. It's an entire damn pirate polycule!