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Hello. I& #39;m here to talk about how #BlackSails& #39; use of subtext is revolutionary, & how the fact that #Silverflint is KEPT AS SUBTEXT was not only a deliberate choice but the right one.
This thread no one asked for is brought to you by Steinberg& #39;s quotes validating my thoughts.
This thread no one asked for is brought to you by Steinberg& #39;s quotes validating my thoughts.
While digging into content about this show, I& #39;ve noticed a (VERY) small corner of fans who hate that Silverflint is "only subtext" & think it was some cardinal sin. They& #39;ve missed... several points. After yelling in DMs I& #39;m tweeting to get it out of my system & in one place.
& to make sure there& #39;s no misunderstanding: Silverflint IS CANON via subtext. Steinberg& #39;s quotes & the show both demonstrate that. The feelings are reciprocated & shown via parallels & actions, but the characters can& #39;t discuss it.
WE& #39;RE meant to see it. It& #39;s making a point.
WE& #39;RE meant to see it. It& #39;s making a point.
I trust that if you& #39;re reading this, I don& #39;t need to elaborate on the subtext between Silver & Flint, or the multitude of cues we& #39;re given to define it as romance. Y& #39;all already know lol. But here& #39;s one of my favorites, & the most obvious one.
https://freedom-in-the-dark.tumblr.com/post/615306521323143168/imaginingpleasantnonsense-john-silver-waiting">https://freedom-in-the-dark.tumblr.com/post/6153...
https://freedom-in-the-dark.tumblr.com/post/615306521323143168/imaginingpleasantnonsense-john-silver-waiting">https://freedom-in-the-dark.tumblr.com/post/6153...
(To Silvermadi haters: that ship was absolutely built up in the story, its existence doesn& #39;t detract from the subtext of Silverflint & it& #39;s irrelevant to why it is kept subtextual. Plus, parallels to Silvermadi were used to blatantly highlight Silverflint as romantic, & the OT3.)
Now of course, in typical media, subtext is what makes people say "queerbaiting." But that term doesn& #39;t apply to Black Sails & anyone who uses it here doesn& #39;t know what it means.
Queerbaiting is when creators hint at queer representation & then never include any of significance.
Queerbaiting is when creators hint at queer representation & then never include any of significance.
Black Sails physically CANNOT BE queerbaiting, because the entire show& #39;s premise is queer (& it ends with UNBURYING A GAY).
Its subtext is important because it had queerness so central that it transcended the normal need of "a queer relationship hinted at must have a kiss."
Its subtext is important because it had queerness so central that it transcended the normal need of "a queer relationship hinted at must have a kiss."
Deliberate subtext that services the narrative, informs the story, & is true to the characters& #39; repression (mostly Silver) & the complexity of the situation they find themselves in (A WAR) is actually brilliant. In & of itself, it& #39;s a commentary on different queer experiences.
To claim Silverflint "isn& #39;t canon" does the whole thing a disservice & is an oversimplification. It remains undiscussed because to portray it as easily resolvable would& #39;ve been out of character, AND made their inevitable necessary split more tragic. Steinberg knew that.
They could not have the conversations needed; & because of who they are, with no conversation there could be no kiss; & if there& #39;s no kiss, then Silver delivering Flint back to his first love is less tragicâ& both the split & reunion were blatantly foreshadowed for a long time.
Of course, you can argue that Silver & Flint never discussing the depth of their feelings outright is part of the tragedy of their split. I& #39;d agree with you! But it& #39;s unequivocally GOOD STORYTELLINGânot "queerbaiting," cowardice or bad writing. It& #39;s purposeful & uniquely genius.
Black Sails exists at a point that almost never happens in the entertainment industry: it had the luxury of doing right BY THE CHARACTERS & STORY ITSELF, because it depicted so many iterations of queer sexuality.
That& #39;s a standard to aspire to & why its subtext is revolutionary.
That& #39;s a standard to aspire to & why its subtext is revolutionary.
Bonus: Silverflint is the most blatant example of queer subtext in this show, rightfully so. But there& #39;s at least one other place that applies, less centrally: Charles Vane & Jack Rackham.
Subtext was just one of many ways to add layers to the story; again, a deliberate luxury.
Subtext was just one of many ways to add layers to the story; again, a deliberate luxury.
Tune in next time for when I talk about how the same people who inaccurately claim "queerbaiting" have a problem with how there& #39;s no m/m sex scene. (Spoiler alert: it& #39;s AGAIN about what fit story & characters, & no, it doesn& #39;t diminish the representation)
Thanks for reading
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Thanks for reading
