Network: NBC
Episodes: Nine (hour)
Seasons: One
TV show dates: May 30, 2014 — August 2, 2014
Series status: Cancelled
Performers include: John Malkovich, Yasmine Al Massri, Richard Coyle, Claire Foy, David Hoflin, Tracy Ifeachor, and Chris Perfetti.
TV show description:
This action drama is set in the year 1729 and takes place on the secret island of Santa Compana. Barbarous pirate Edward “Blackbeard” Teach (John Malkovich) reigns over a rogue nation of thieves, outlaws and miscreants.
Selima El Sharad (Yasmine Al Massri) is Blackbeard’s love interest and intellectual equal as they rule the island of pirates. Part shantytown, part utopia, and part marauder’s paradise, this is a place like no other.
Blackbeard has designs on the longitude chronometer, an invention that will change the world. During a massive attack on an English vessel, his most trusted pirates attempt to steal the device.
But on board is Tom Lowe (Richard Coyle), an English spy working undercover as ship’s surgeon. Lowe’s mission is to prevent the chronometer from falling into the hands of pirates — and to assassinate Blackbeard, should the opportunity arise.
Taken as prisoner to Santa Compana, Lowe must find a way to reassemble the precious chronometer, all while trying to uncover Blackbeard’s master plan. It’s a plan that includes a greater threat to the English throne than merely pirates.
Other characters include Kate Balfour (Claire Foy), Charlie Rider (David Hoflin), Nenna Ajanlekoko (Tracy Ifeachor), and Tim Fletch (Chris Perfetti).
Episode #9 — Blackbeard
To the shock of the island, Blackbeard returns from the voyage empty handed. Instead of trunks of treasure, his crew talks of injustice, spurned by the loss of Rider. They accuse Blackbeard of murder and demand he pay for the act, but their negotiation ends with a canon blast that rips through the wall – it’s Jagger, firing from offshore!
Fire rains down on Santa Campana as Jagger attacks with his full arsenal and decimates building after building. Despite Jagger’s men outnumbering the pirates by a significant ratio, Blackbeard rallies the island to fight off the invaders. An intense battle follows with high casualties on both sides, signaling to Jagger that he should reveal his secret weapon – Antoinette. While she screams the name of her former husband in an effort to lure him away, the war rages on, and the tide swings in Jagger’s favor. Lowe ends up surrounded by redcoats until an unlikely savior ravages through unannounced – Rider. The wounded warrior slices his way through the British forces, and suddenly Santa Campana has a chance to survive.
Jagger breaks away from the action to track down Blackbeard, and once they spot each other, both fire their weapons – and both bullets connect. While they limp and reload, Jagger mentions he brought Antoinette to the island, and they once again exchange bullets – with Jagger’s attempt ricocheting off Blackbeard’s nickel-sized head cap from his brain surgery. Unfortunately for the Governor of Jamaica, his enemy’s bullet hits its mark right between the eyes.
Meanwhile, Antoinette marches free across the island and locates Selima, who defends herself with a rifle blast that passes right through Antoinette’s shoulder… and merely slows down the ghost-like woman’s pursuit. Selima hides to no avail, and Antoinette disposes of her in short order, moments before the arrival of her true object of desire, Blackbeard. Covered in Selima’s blood, Antoinette walks to her former husband, smiling, transfixed… even as he plunges a sword through her body. She joins his second lover on the floor – both dead, both murdered in revenge.
With Rider’s help and Lowe’s leadership, the islanders defeat the redcoats and agree upon the final step to their own freedom – Blackbeard’s throne. Lowe finds the commodore in that very spot and challenges the weary pirate to defend the actions that slaughtered so many innocents. Blackbeard disagrees with Lowe’s assessment and refuses to relinquish his role, and thus fuels a brutal fight between the two. But Lowe now stands as an equal and outsmarts Blackbeard in the duel, leaving the legend bloodied and conquered.
Six weeks later, Lowe returns to Jamaica and confronts the new governor, threatening him with certain death unless he leaves Santa Campana alone. He offers a valuable item in exchange – the severed head of Blackbeard and, in turn, the promise of fame as the man who killed him.
Yet, on a deserted beach, a small sack in hand, stands a very alive Blackbeard, the deposed commodore, his eyes focused on a ship in the distance. The Reaver, perhaps? Was another deal struck between him and Lowe, a fake head for a real banishment? In any case, the world again believes the infamous pirate is dead, and so it shall seem forever… Or at least until his legend rises once more. Summary courtesy NBC.
First aired: August 2, 2014.
What do you think? Do you like the Crossbones TV series? Do you think it should have been cancelled or renewed for a second season?
I just can’t believe that crossbones is canceled, I have been waiting for season 2 and I find out somehow it got canceled. …stupidity! !!!!!! Bring it back!
Crossbones should NOT have been cancelled. Given the current programing that either recycles the same stale plots or is meant to appeal to the average 5th grader, something fresh and exciting — like Crossbones — was a real treat. Too bad that not enough of the public is watching TV in real ‘program’ time, rather than bingeing on mulitple episodes. Networks need to modify the way that their ratings are affecting programing. Most people I know don’t watch TV in real time, but on their own schedule based on their availability. This means that good inventive programing is removed from… Read more »
Crossbones Season 1 aired on NBC May – August 2014. It was brilliantly done: clever and intelligent story line with characters played by first rate actors. I happened upon it by accident. I watched the reruns of the first season on my computer. I seldom watch TV, shunning reality shows and comedies that go for the cheap shots. Crossbones was so enjoyable. The characters seemed real. The audience cared about them. It aired during the summer months and competed with reruns. Please advertise the show and BRING THIS QUALITY PROGRAMMING BACK.
Arrrrwhhh Matie,
What are you thinking…was I felt even better than Black Sail. Please bring back to all us Pirate fairing fans.
I would love to be one of the sexy older pirates. 🙂
Katerina Baroni
Give these types of shows a chance, especially when it had a good start. These shows have to stop being compared to ratings for, as an above comment said, the millions of stupid shows out there that keep getting renewed. Bring it back.
I was very surprised to discover just what a really entertaining series Crossbones turned out to be. For one thing, I’m not a great fan of John Malkovich, but I truly enjoyed his work in Crossbones and I enjoyed the choices for the other characters. Everyone seemed to work very well together and were able to perfect their own timing for humorous or dramatic scenes. The story was fun and interesting and the settings were very appealing and pleasant. I absolutely would have been on board for another season and I am disappointed that this was a short ride, but… Read more »
My husband and loved Crossbones and was hoping there would e a season 2!! We agree with the comments about networks putting out well acted, well written TV!! Please reconsider!!!!
I am so Not Happy! We loved Crossbones. Why on earth was it canceled ? It was about the best thing on tv last summer. Wtf ? So Not Happy ! So confused who would cancel tv series staring John Malchvich? Idiots, I guess.
I have been waiting for Season 2 to start and hadn’t heard anything, so I started looking on the internet. I am appalled at it’s cancellation!! It is better than some of the biggies on the premium channels. I just don’t get why you keep stupid shows and cancel good ones!!!!! Bring it BACK!!!!!
Please bring Crossbones back. Did you run I of potential scenarios for the show? Low ratings? John M. wouldn’t sign y for more episodes? At least give us a good reason for the cancellation of an obviously well-liked television show.
I was hoping to see NBC was planning another season of this very well written show. Mr.Malkovich played the part so very well as did the rest of the cast. I enjoyed it very much and hope someone with a little clout can convince the powers that be to bring it back. Quality television is in short supply on local network stations.
Canceling good well plotted,well acted shows like Crossbones is the reason people stop watching network channels. Please bring Crossbones back!!!!!
Sorry to hear at that Crossbones was cancelled. A show with drama and intrigue should stay while most of the mindless comedy (?) shows continue on…….go figure
Something good and you don’t bring it back.. I about ready to drop my local channels, they bring a show on that’s good, and they always dump it…
Finally, a TV series with an entertaining twist and it is Dumped …..go figure