It’s All About Silver in the “Black Sails” Season Finale!

After this season’s first episode, I wrote that “On Black Sails, the Seeds of Treasure Island are Beginning to Grow.” Having watched the season finale twice, I think my initial observation was quite accurate. Above all things, this season was about the transformation of Long John Silver into the notorious pirate of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale.

Is Silver now the star of the show?

“I told Billy that your darkest thoughts somehow had the ability to manifest themselves upon our reality. Your anger over the murder of Ms. Barlow became the storm into which we all battled. Your despair over her death became the doldrums into which we all sank. In my defense, I had not had anything to eat or drink in a while. But the truth of it, I’m not sure it was far off. Your demons are a part of our reality. Such is the nature of the influence you wield. Some of those demons I’ve come to know, but the one in whose name this war is to be fought is still a stranger to me. Before this war actually begins, I’m asking where it actually began.”

Is Flint the noble hero?

“Before today I knew of two people who managed to truly know you. To gain your trust, to be your partner. And they both ended up dead while playing the role. . . . Now you’re telling me there’s a third member of this class, making it even less credible to characterize Mr. Gates and Mrs. Barlow’s deaths as bad luck. It would seem that those closest to you meet their end, not just during the relationship but because of it. And as I sit here I’m acutely aware there maybe no one closer to you in the world right now than I.”

“My association with you began out of necessity, but I’ve come to find a great deal of respect for you. Perhaps even friendship. . . . Which is why I find myself unnerved by the thought that when this pattern applies itself to you and I, that I will be the end of you.”

“Because it isn’t resentment. If you had disciplined him, he’d resent you for it. But towards me, I don’t believe he feels resentment. I believe he feels shame for having disappointment me. And a great need to redeem himself in my eyes. . . .

“I once thought that to lead men in this world, to be liked was just as good as feared. And that may very well be true. But to be both liked and feared all at once is an entirely different state of being. In which I believe at this moment, I exist alone. The men need to know they’re in good favor with me. They need it. And there is nothing they won’t do to make sure they have it. Mr. Dobbs will do what I ask of him.”

“Let us say there is some merit to your argument. Let us say that Mr. Dobbs will do what you ask of him. I will have to admit in that case the world has shifted beneath our feet in a most startling way. But in terms of our future and the danger that you believe you may pose to me, bear this in mind. I survived starvation, tempest, pirate hunters, just captains, mutinous crews, angry lords, a queen, a king, and the goddamned British navy. So to whatever extent you may be concerned that someday we will clash, worried that though today we be friends, someday you’ll have no choice but to be my enemy, I won’t worry too much.”

Did Billy Help Create a Legend?

“When he’s ready, he’ll step into the role we’ve created for him and lead an impossible army into an unwinnable war. And win it.”