Black Sails: XXII Recap

Synopsis: Flint and his crew face a new threat. Eleanor receives an intriguing proposition. Vane and Teach hatch a daring plan.

Rating: ★★★1/2☆☆

Flint and his crew eagerly bathe and drink from the clear streams of the lush tropical land they have made landfall on. While considering what’s next for their crew, Silver comes to the realization that if the Governor hopes to retake Nassau, he will likely offer pardons for all interested. However, Flint reasons that the fight is likely already over and did not last long. Flint and Silver have such an interesting dynamic and when the two work together, they truly make a formidable power duo.

The Walrus crew soon learns they are not alone though and they are all taken hostage by an overwhelming number of natives. They learn that these natives are actually maroons, a community of escaped slaves, and they are taken to the maroon’s waterfront village. The former slaves have created what appears to be a thriving community of young and old. The group’s queen questions Silver as to how they came to be on their beach. While Silver insists it was entirely by accident, she remains wary, believing their community’s location to be at risk, and they begin interrogating the crew one by one to corroborate their stories.

Back offshore of Nassau, the Governor thanks Eleanor for her successful plan regarding Hornigold and the pardons. He proposes that Eleanor assume the role of his senior councilor/advisor, much to her surprise. However, Eleanor fears what the people of Nassau will say about her if seen by the Governor’s side, but he insists that they move forward, despite what anyone says about either of them. I’m beginning to think the Governor may desire Eleanor for more than just her insight on Nassau.

Rackham, Vane, and Anne take up refuge in the fort as they are besieged by men wishing to retrieve the bounty on Vane’s hold. Practically every man in Nassau is after Vane. Rackham believes the fight is already over and begins planning their stealthy escape. Rackham reveals to Vane that he has put aside some of the gold and that he will make his own destiny again with Anne.

While Rackham provides a diversion, Vane makes his exit. With Teach’s help, the two battle and put down all opposition standing in their path and make haste to Teach’s ship.

While awaiting interrogation, Flint’s crew begin to learn more about the maroon community, including the existence of the Queen’s absent husband and their daughter, Madi. Silver, with his inquisitive personality, believes their best likelihood of survival lies with finding a sympathetic ear in the community, rather than attempting to escape.

Back in Nassau, Mr. Scott makes his entrance, apparently siding with Hornigold for a pardon. Scott offers his assistance to Hornigold by locating those against him, but Scott appears to potentially have ulterior motives.

Vane, now reunited with Teach, begins to formulate a battle plan for retaliation and ultimately escape. To Vane’s utter surprise, he finally learns of Eleanor’s presence and believes she is the reason behind the bounty on his head and his alone. Teach presses Vane regarding his loyalties and his feelings towards Eleanor in the face of pressures, but Vane insists their end goal comes first.

Meanwhile, Silver is taken in for questioning by Madi and it sounds as if the Walrus’ crew and Madi’s people are not so different after all. Both parties desire vengeance against England, but Silver claims Flint would rather make England fear them, rather than Madi’s people fear England. Silver returns to their cell and confirms to Flint that there is internal conflict among the maroon community.

Under the guise of the night, a lone ship slips through the harbor of Nassau and approaches the Governor’s ship. Before the Governor can react, Vane masterfully lights the approaching ship on fire and sends it straight into the path of the Governor’s ships. With the enemy distracted, Teach and Vane launch their remaining ship and escapes into the dead of the night undetected, while the Governor scrambles to process what has happened.

Flint shares with Silver that it was he who helped created universal pardons for the pirates of Nassau long ago and Flint questions whether the pardons are actually the answer he has been searching for all along. Flint knows the community’s queen will not let them leave alive, even if they are able to somehow use Madi to their advantage. From the looks of it, Flint is burning out and without Silver’s help, Captain Flint may be no more.

Madi pleads with her mother to reconsider the men’s fates, but her mother will not reconsider reason, believing so deeply that the pirate’s knowledge of their location threatens their hidden community. As she speaks of her husband, it is revealed that his identity is Mr. Scott of Nassau.

As Scott attempts to help slaves escape from Nassau, he is shot by British forces and quickly ferried away by his remaining men. Here’s to hoping that Scott will arrive back to their community in time to reason with his wife and save Flint and his men before it is too late.

Back in Nassau, the Governor will likely take a hard loss for letting Vane and Teach escape from his grasp. If Vane and Teach are able to meet up with Flint, the three would make an incredible formidable retaliation team. All in all, this episode provided some much desired back story to Mr. Scott and his motives and next week promises even more answers from the looks of things.