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This is for me the greatest and most satisfying television programme I’ve watched and as I’m in my 50s, I’ve seen a few over the years to make a comparison. This does for pirates what Deadwood did for cowboys and Vikings does for vikings. A story so powerful it’s had a significance influence on some aspects of my life, inspiring me to research and read historical books on pirates thus increasing my understanding and enjoyment of the story, read Treasure Island for the first time, discover fine rum (Foursquare, Appleton, Mount Gay and Plantation highly recommended)and even seek out a pirate metal band called Alestorm, now well and truly my favourite group. I sought out podcasts and recommend the Afterbuzz ones. I’ve grown a beard but drawn the line at a tattoo of a wooden leg. X definitely marked the spot.As someone with no previous tangible interest in pirates despite exposure to Captain Pugwash as a child and Captain Jack Sparrow in later life I didn’t directly gravitate to Black Sails. I was drawn via the television adaptation of the first series of The Last Kingdom. It piqued my interest in historical drama that didn’t revolve around stately homes and so went the circuitous route of looking on ���غ��� for “customers who” and Black Sails and Vikings were the principle programmes recommended. Black Sails series 2 aired on television so I tuned in rather than purchase something not to my tastes but nearly gave up after 15 mins when one of the main characters said “going forward”, number one on my list of corporate claptrap. I’m glad I let it go. By episode three I was grapple hooked and immediately bought series 1 & 2 eager to understand the plot better and not be confined to watching just one episode a week : a wholly outdated and unsatisfying way to consume programmes. Its like listening to a music album one song at a time every week over two months.Having watched every episode at least four times and twice binge watched over a 2 week period all 38 episodes, it’s fair to say episode one, series one, is probably the weakest of the whole ensemble. But that’s not saying it’s a bad episode. Its simply chapter one, an introduction to character, lots of them, and plot, lots of those too, which carries over into episode two. Once the foundation is established it sets sail from episode three to become an incredible and complex voyage skilfully weaving the motivation of betrayal, humiliation, loss and strategic revenge through the transformation and rise and fall of the two main players, Flint and Silver. The casting of Toby Stephens and Luke Arnold could not be bettered and they excel in the roles but are not alone in doing so. The changing multi layered loyalties to those two is interwoven through the major supporting characters of Vane, Rackham, Billy Bones, Elena Guthrie, Mr Scott, Anne Bonny, Max and Madi. There’s brief but significant and influential characters such as Mrs Barlow, Gates, Blackbeard, Woodes Rogers and not forgetting Randall. These are strong male and female characters in a powerful story played out in stunning locations and grand sets. The battle scenes at sea are quite simply utterly exciting, epic and majestically awesome. Graphic and realistic fighting scenes without the modern scourge of unrealistic slow motion Kung fu. Historical research gave me a greater insight as to how pirates came into being, how they were democratic and equalitarian communities, voting for captains and issuing articles on how their communities functioned and how treasure was divided. They even gave equal status to slaves that were rescued from ships they plundered. They were ahead of their time and perhaps not the monsters portrayed by those that wrote their history.Melding actual historical characters and fictional characters with historical fact to create a realistic depiction of a fictional story. It’s epic and majestic, cinematic qualities integrating meticulous attention to detail with sets and costumes that look distressed and lived in : the lighting is exquisite at time, rays of sunlight and shadows giving a depth and ambience. The light in the captains quarters changes to reflect the external light source of clouds and the roll of the waves. It’s not just the big light that’s cleverly thought out with the positioning of candles in the background on shelves in some scenes that become noticeable with repeat viewing. I personally watch the programme by candlelight whenever possible. There are very many times if you freeze frame and study the image the attention to detail will leave you in awe and admiration for the creative process. Black Sails is best seen in high definition.This is Caribbean pirates for broad minded adults, not for the faint hearted and easily offended. There’s a lot of swearing and as one of the sets is a brothel, some nudity including graphic sex scenes largely in the opening episodes. They don’t really add to the programme and are unforgettable. There’s a nice touch of humour too particularly from SIlver and Randall. My favourite line from the programme, “my names John SIlver and I’ve got a....”I watched all 38 episodes last November and immediately wanted to watch it again. Can’t wait for this November.