May contain spoilers ***** I must say, I wasn't sure what to expect with this series. I had high hopes since I enjoy period pieces and I think John Malkovich is an excellent actor when he puts himself into a role. I think his try at Blackbeard (or the Commodore as he is called on his island) is the best thing he has done in years. I was not disappointed! IN fact the whole cast was amazingly good, the pacing pretty good, the twists and turns believable and the writing well done. There was just the right mix of action and suspense in most episodes (one or two may have been a tad slow). It was captivating and engrossing like a really nice book. The main characters were well defined. I would give it 10 stars for effort and accomplishment. I really hope they do a second season and if the quality stays high a 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th seasons - why not? Probably the only fuzzy point if you want to get really picky was Blackbeard's first wife and his nightmares or visions of her (it was kind of weak), otherwise a solid, entertaining season. I recommend it to anyone who likes pirate movies/TV shows or adventure/drama movies/shows.

It took few episodes to get interested in the show. A pirate/period drama seemed so out of place in contemporary culture (British series are exempt). Admittedly, I don't watch a lot of TV and have only recently heard of 'Black Sails'.'Crossbones' grew on me with the very solid acting - 10 stars for most of the leading cast - the writing was intelligent, with high ideals shining brightly through all that history (accurate or not). Richard Coyle and Claire Foy were outstanding. John Malkovich's performance was uneven and that was unfortunate as everyone's eyes were on him. It was a complex role and he could have done a lot with it.Mid-way through the series, I looked up the reviews. I was curious whether it was building a following. While I didn't think it would (a pirate/period drama built around complex characters set in a peripheral episode in history), coming across an open dislike was unexpected. It seemed that the series was doomed right from the start. It's a shame. I came to enjoy the characters and look forward to the next episode. It was interesting and entertaining, with minor flaws.

Meh. Watched the first ep today. Gotta say it did not captivate me. Acting was fine, production values were very good but the writing was at best derivative and, well, kind of pretentious. Plot devices are clichéd beyond words and you could predict pretty much every single thing that happened.Having said that, there is a crap-ton of talent associated with this show. The settings are wonderful, costuming is excellent for a broadcast television production. I am going to try and hang in there with this one to see if things can pick up a bit. Stranger things have happened, Agents of Shield is a great example of what can happen when everyone gets their act together. So here's to keeping the powder dry and my fingers crossed.

A favorite show and on a short list of DVR recordings for me. I find Crossbones to be very well written with a clever mix of characters. In general, a ripping good yarn. The casting and acting are exceptional. Unlike other reviewers I'm not concerned with absolute historical accuracy and realism in a show that clearly does not claim to provide such. This is historical fiction, not a reenactment. One must unpucker one's analytics a bit.Back to the characters: This mix of characters, their personalities, and their interplay is irresistible. The back-and-forth between the worthy adversaries of Blackbeard/Teach and the doctor is central. Clearly the two admire each other despite vastly different motives and intentions and that is compelling.The plot twists are so good for a TV show that my only concern is they will not be able to keep them up.Oh, and it doesn't hurt that the ladies are totally beautiful. Caire Foy is an impeccable, perfectly fetching, everything-I-want-from-an-English-actress ... unburied treasure!"Exposition"? Really? I'm not worried about exposition.