Black Sails: Complete Series Two [Blu-ray]

Its been said before, but this truly is one of the most criminally under-rated shows on at the moment.Though it hides its brilliance under bawdy excess and a less famed network producer than your typical box set blockbuster, Black Sails is a show that succeeds in surpassing every expectation I had for it when I first sat down to watch it.Rather than simply coasting on genre cliches as it might so easily have done, Black Sails reaches deep and conjures a world of richly drawn characters, bound together in a sea of shifting loyalties, political intrigue, moral ambiguity and mystery. It's a story that uses piracy not just as stage dressing, but as a living, breathing world. as a setting to play out essential human themes of trust, loyalty, lust and power.Whilst slower paced than your average hollywood swashbuckling flick, the pace is not idle, but deliberate; exploring and building a world of substance, so that when it does jump into action (which it does with some breathtaking intensity), it has a meaningful impact on the characters and the world of the show.Season 2 of Black Sails see's some serious dramatic pay off on the character/world building of Season 1. We see the character of Captain Flint (viciously well acted by Toby Stephens) fleshed out in truly astonishing fashion. From the start Stephens has played Flint with a grim determination and dark charisma that has been riveting to watch, but in Season 2 he's given so much more emotional meat to sink his teeth into. The charm and the madness of Flint is given a greater emotional depth and the speculation and mystery surrounding his character is paid off with interest. Other characters like Jack Rackham and John Silver are also given time to grow and develop, transforming from entertaining diversions from the main story into riveting characters in their own right. All in all Season 2 feels like a much richer ensemble cast, with both writers and actors more comfortably inhabiting their skins and hitting their strides. Season 2 also does a better job of balancing its long term arcs with self-contained episodic storylines, so if you felt Season 1 took too long to get anywhere you might find Season 2 more to your taste.All in all Season 2 of Black Sails keeps everything Season 1 did right and makes it even better. A must see if you have any love of great drama or pirates or both.

I can't rave over this series enough. It's gripping, thrilling, and full of surprises. Easily the best TV show I've seen in years. An absolutely stellar cast, there's not a weak link among them. Although undoubtedly a slightly romanticised version of pirate life, it is miles ahead of the fluffy, flowery Hollywood stuff we're normally exposed to. It has a sense of gritty realism that really keeps you hooked.HOWEVER. I suggest you watch it on Prime if you can, rather than buy the DVDs. I was halfway through series 2, when my internet went down. Luckily, a relative had bought me the DVDs, so I fired up the player, opened the case.... and discovered that there is no episode list anywhere on the case or on the DVDs themselves. You just have to guess which episode is on which disc. I wanted to watch episode 8. It's on disc three, by the way. But it's not called episode 8, it's called episode 16 (or XVI to be more accurate) and to make matters even more confusing, there is no scene selection option on the DVDs! You just have to put an episode on and fast-forward it!!! Like you're watching a VHS!! Seriously, if you have a more reliable internet connection than mine, watch it on Prime.

Weakened and bought season 2, despite not being entirely persuaded by season 1. Series appears to have found it's feet (they ALL need to do this). Much more money has been spent, special effects have improved, the ludicrously irrelevant sex has been minimised and much more effort has been devoted to fleshing out the characters. If you REALLY hated s1, then nothing you see here will change your mind, but if you were on the fence on this one then I suggest you try the second season. Toby Stephens no longer looks like he'd like to behead his agent with a cutlass.

For those interested, the UK R2 Platform Entertainment releases of Black Sails came with no subtitles whatsoever.As is often the case these days, the USA region 1 Anchor Bay release did come with English SDH & Spanish subtitles.If u require subtitles & have an unlocked/multiregional DVD player capable of playing USA region 1 imports then import the American Anchor Bay release instead.

Great drama combining characters created by Robert Louis Stevenson, with real life historical people. The look of the drama is great. Incredible cast, with outstanding performances, in particular Toby Stephens powerhouse portrayal as Captain Flint. Toby Schmitz as the scheming,charismatic Rackham.

This is great TV. In Season 2 every episode is unmissable and drives the narrative forward with lots of plot strands developing and capitulating. Toby Stephens brings much presence as Captain Flint. Guts, glory and not for the easily offended. For those who baulked at seemingly random swearing at the beginning of series one and the amateur playing of some characters (me included) - I suggest you stick with it, it gets very very good. At last 'pirates' are well catered for in the world of entertainment. An absolute blast.

Continues to hold my interest. A gripping story...full of twists and turns. The sets, locations and costumes are spectacular. I love the interplay between familiar (John Silver) and newly invented characters. The series just transports you to a different time and place with plenty of humour; things that would make your aunty blush and some gruesome bits. Have a cushion handy!

Absolutley amazing stuff! series 1 is great but a series 2 is even better. Aside from the unimaginative swearing (these are pirates for goodness sake!) this is unbelievable, and seemingly nobody has heard of it!