Oh Captain, My Captain, Black Sails is Done...

        Oh Captain, my captain, the pirates have won.  Tonight, we raise the black for the final time.  While the series finale of Black Sails has not yet aired (t-minus 5 hours and 42 minutes), I have no doubt in my mind that it will be stunningly beautiful and heartbreakingly moving, because that is what this show does.  When Black Sails first came to air, Game of Thrones already had two seasons under it's belt and so it was impossible for fans and critics not to draw comparisons between the two, calling it a combination of  Pirates of the Caribbean meets Game of Thrones.  And while I suppose that is an easy explanation for those who have never seen the show, it is an incredible disservice to such poignantly written and crafted show.  The creators, writers, and directors have taken a world in which humanity has been brought up to know as ignoble thieving, violent, law-breakers who deserve death and imprisonment, and turns it upside-down; showcasing the humanity of these pillagers and plunderers who are so lost and broken in a society that strives to keep them downtrodden.  It takes these glorified brutes from history and fabled stories and turns them into the antiheroes of the New World.

        While there is no doubt that the creativity of the writing and the scope of vision that goes into each episode is unparalleled, the vision and execution of this cinematic bombshell would not be complete without the fantastic cast to play these beloved characters that fans have come to know and love.  While I admit, most were unknown names to me, they soon became those artists of which I compare others to.  Led by the infallible Toby Stephens, who in my opinion is no less than a god, they breathe life into these characters.  But beyond this, they each take their characters and make them relatable to the audience, making it capable for us to find characteristics they possess, within ourselves.   I wept with their sorrows, cheered in their victories, and shouted at their injustices; and for one hour every Sunday night, I counted myself as part of their brethren.  So thank you to the brilliant creators, poetic writers, visionary directors.  Thank you to the dynamite crew who I'm sure worked endless hours to create perfection.  And thank you to the fierce, unwavering actors for bringing such beautiful cinematic experience to life.  Pirates until the end.  Raise the Black.