The thrilling pirate saga Black Sails concluded, but the legend of Long John Silver (portrayed masterfully by Luke Arnold) was far from over. Serving as a gripping prequel to Robert Louis Stevenson’s timeless classic, Treasure Island, Black Sails charted the tumultuous journey of Captain James Flint (Toby Stephens) and his infamous pirate crew. Long John Silver emerges as a central figure throughout Black Sails and Treasure Island, evolving from a cunning ship’s cook to Flint’s trusted quartermaster and ultimately, one of the most formidable pirates to ever sail the seas.
Treasure Island picks up years after the dramatic finale of Black Sails, hinting at a rich tapestry of events that have shaped Silver into the character we meet in Stevenson’s novel. As Silver recounts his plan to mutiny against the Hispaniola’s captain and seize Flint’s buried treasure, it becomes clear that much has transpired since his alliance with Flint dissolved. The narrative of Treasure Island is punctuated by significant moments in Long John Silver’s life that occurred after Black Sails, leaving readers to piece together the intervening years and the pirate’s transformation.
Related: How Black Sails Connects to Treasure Island
Black Sails masterfully sets the stage and bridges the narrative gap leading directly into Robert Louis Stevenson’s celebrated novel, Treasure Island, enriching the characters’ histories and motivations.
1. Reunion and Rivalry: John Silver’s Inevitable Clash with Billy Bones
Before Treasure Island, Long John Silver and Billy Bones must cross paths once more.
The conclusion of Black Sails leaves John Silver and Billy Bones (Tom Hopper) in a state of disarray, far from the dynamic required for the opening scenes of Treasure Island. Treasure Island begins with Billy Bones, self-proclaimed “Captain,” seeking refuge at the inn owned by Jim Hawkins’ family, clutching a vital treasure map and issuing dire warnings about a one-legged pirate. In stark contrast, Black Sails concludes with Billy abandoned on the desolate Skeleton Island. Interestingly, in Stevenson’s original novel, Ben Gunn (Chris Fisher) was the crew member marooned on the treasure island.
It’s plausible that during his isolation, Billy unearths Flint’s hidden treasure, meticulously charts its location onto a map, and is eventually rescued. Subsequently, fate must orchestrate another encounter between Billy and John, where Silver learns of Billy’s treasure map. The fractured relationship between John and Billy, evident throughout Black Sails, explains their palpable animosity in Treasure Island. A final confrontation, where the remnants of their shared history with Flint surface and Billy vows to safeguard the treasure from Silver, would seamlessly set the stage for the events to unfold in Treasure Island.
2. A Pirate’s Vow: John Silver Marries Madi
Black Sails strongly suggests Madi will become Long John Silver’s wife.
While marriage between Madi and John is not depicted within Black Sails, the narrative strongly implies their union occurs sometime after the series finale. This implication stems from John’s later references to Madi as his wife.
Black Sails enriched Long John Silver’s character by introducing Madi (Zethu Dlomo), his romantic partner, a character inspired by a subtle dialogue exchange in Treasure Island. In Stevenson’s novel, Silver mentions his wife, describing her as a woman of color, to the pirates he is recruiting for the Hispaniola mutiny. Given that John and Madi do not marry during the timeline of Black Sails, it is reasonably inferred that their marriage takes place afterward, explaining Silver’s later references to her as his wife. Furthermore, Silver entrusts Madi with managing his assets in Bristol, indicating a deep level of trust and partnership, knowing he might not return after the planned mutiny aboard the Hispaniola.
Although not directly based on historical pirates featured in Black Sails, Madi’s parents, known as Mr. Scott (Hakeem Kae-Kazim) and the Maroon Queen (Moshidi Motshegwa), draw inspiration from historical contexts. Madi’s initial encounter with John occurs when Flint’s crew lands on Maroon Island, leading to their capture by the community of escaped slaves governed by Madi’s mother. Madi plays a crucial role in forging an alliance between her people and the pirates. It’s evident that Madi and John’s partnership extends beyond Black Sails, suggesting they remain together, navigating a life intertwined with crime and adventure.
3. A New Harbor: John Silver’s Life Ashore in Bristol
In Treasure Island, Long John Silver is recruited in Bristol, England, for the Hispaniola voyage.
Jim Hawkins and the ensemble of key Treasure Island characters are introduced to John Silver in Bristol, England. Here, Silver operates a tavern named the Spyglass, a seemingly respectable front until Jim and others approach him with the prospect of joining a treasure hunt. It’s hinted that Silver orchestrated the delivery of the black spots to Billy Bones, motivated by a desire to locate Billy’s treasure map; Jim’s arrival in Bristol appears to be the opportune moment Silver had been anticipating.
This scenario suggests that after the events of Black Sails, John and Madi relocated from the Caribbean to England, embarking on a new chapter of their lives. At the end of Black Sails, Nassau is under the unofficial leadership of Max (Jessica Parker Kennedy), John’s former confidante with whom he shares a complex history. The decline of the Golden Age of Piracy, marked by the grim fates of Jack Rackham (Toby Schmitz) and Anne Bonny (Clara Paget), might have spurred the couple’s decision to leave. Regardless of the precise reasons, Silver evidently thrived in Bristol, establishing a legitimate source of income and a comfortable existence, at least on the surface.
4. From Sailor to Chef: Long John Silver’s Culinary Transformation
Long John Silver is initially portrayed as a dreadful cook in Black Sails.
In his initial appearance in Black Sails, John is a mere sailor aboard a vessel targeted by the Walrus crew. In a desperate bid for survival during the attack, John falsely claims to be a cook, hoping to secure a position among the pirate ranks. However, Captain Flint swiftly discerns John’s deception when confronted with his disastrous attempts at cooking. Despite this initial setback, Flint imparts some basic culinary knowledge to John, though Silver’s ambitions quickly transcend the role of ship’s cook.
Intriguingly, in Treasure Island, Silver is specifically enlisted as the Hispaniola’s cook, and his culinary skills are reportedly excellent. Therefore, a significant transformation must occur between Black Sails and Treasure Island, during which John genuinely masters the art of cooking. Perhaps the rudimentary lessons from Flint, combined with further tutelage from Madi or another acquaintance in Bristol, honed his culinary talents. While seemingly a minor detail about a pirate renowned for mutiny, this culinary expertise becomes integral to Silver’s carefully constructed persona, facilitating his subsequent exploits.
5. Polly Wants a Pirate: Acquiring Captain Flint, the Parrot
Long John Silver’s iconic parrot, named Captain Flint, makes its debut in Treasure Island.
Treasure Island is responsible for popularizing many enduring pirate tropes: the treasure map marked with an ‘X’, peg-legged pirates, and parrots as pirate companions. The latter two are directly attributable to Long John Silver. Billy Bones’ warning about a one-legged pirate casts Silver as an ominous figure from the outset. Adding to his mystique, Silver possesses a parrot perched upon his shoulder, which he has christened “Captain Flint.”
The parrot’s name is ostensibly an ironic jest, referencing Silver’s complex history with the infamous captain. He weaves an elaborate and likely embellished tale about the parrot to young Jim:
“Now that bird […] is, maybe, two hundred years old, Hawkins—they lives forever mostly, and if anybody’s seen more wickedness, it must be the devil himself. She’s sailed with England—the great pirate Cap’n England. She’s been at Madagascar, and at Malabar, and Surinam, and Providence, and Portobello… She was at the boarding of the Viceroy of the Indies out of Goa, she was […]”
This seemingly trivial detail, the parrot Captain Flint, becomes another iconic element intrinsically linked to Long John Silver’s persona. Furthermore, Silver’s fabricated history for the bird exemplifies his penchant for elaborate lies, a defining character trait consistently demonstrated throughout Black Sails.
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6. Gathering the Ranks: John Silver’s New Pirate Crew
Long John Silver recruits former comrades to aid him in Treasure Island.
Upon joining the Hispaniola’s crew, Silver discreetly contacts former associates, informing them of the impending voyage, and they too sign on. A pivotal aspect of Treasure Island‘s plot is that a significant portion of the Hispaniola’s crew are pirates covertly led by Silver, their de facto captain. Many of these men are former members of Flint’s crew, who have long coveted his legendary treasure. Silver skillfully informs them that the treasure map has surfaced, presenting them with a renewed opportunity to seize their prize.
It’s implied that some pirates, including members of Flint’s former crew, migrated from the Caribbean to England after Black Sails, and Silver maintained contact with them, enabling him to swiftly reassemble his pirate faction. Among them is Black Sails cast member Israel Hands (David Wilmot), Blackbeard’s (Ray Stevenson) former first mate, and a crucial ally to Silver in the prequel series. With Hands and others, Silver effectively forms a crew within the official Hispaniola crew, ensuring a loyal force ready to execute his mutinous plans.
7. Crafting a Legend: John Silver’s Invented Past
Long John Silver’s backstory in Treasure Island deviates significantly from the events of Black Sails.
One of the most notable deviations Black Sails takes from Treasure Island concerns the circumstances surrounding the loss of Silver’s leg. However, the most plausible explanation reconciling this discrepancy is that Silver fabricates the story he recounts to Jim in Treasure Island. Revealing that he lost his leg in a battle on Captain Flint’s ship would be imprudent, given his carefully constructed facade. Black Sails firmly establishes Silver as a master manipulator and liar; even Flint suspects that much of Silver’s self-proclaimed past is manufactured.
In Treasure Island, Silver claims to have lost his leg while honorably serving in the Royal Navy. In contrast, Black Sails depicts the brutal injury to his leg inflicted by Charles Vane’s (Zach McGowan) quartermaster, leading to the limb’s amputation. However, when interacting with Jim and the other Hispaniola crew members, Silver needs to project an air of trustworthiness and respectability. Therefore, he crafts a narrative, at least partially untrue, to align with the persona he wishes to present.
8. A Pivotal Encounter: John Silver Meets Jim Hawkins
Fate dictates that Long John Silver and Jim Hawkins, the protagonist of Treasure Island, must meet.
Adaptations of Treasure Island often amplify the affectionate bond between Silver and Jim, frequently portraying Silver as a surrogate father figure to the young Hawkins.
Of course, a defining moment in Silver’s post-Black Sails timeline is his eventual meeting and developing relationship with Jim Hawkins, the young protagonist of Treasure Island. Jim unwittingly comes into possession of Billy Bones’ map to Flint’s treasure, setting in motion the quest for the hidden fortune. Treasure Island emphasizes how effectively Silver deceives the other characters, who perceive him as exceptionally trustworthy. Jim, in particular, develops a deep and trusting bond with Silver during their shared voyage.
Adaptations of Treasure Island often amplify the affectionate bond between Silver and Jim, frequently portraying Silver as a surrogate father figure to the young Hawkins. In various interpretations, Jim’s father is either deceased or absent before the story commences. Within the context of Long John Silver’s life following Black Sails, Jim Hawkins is a significant future encounter who will profoundly impact his trajectory.
9. Mutiny on the High Seas: John Silver’s Treacherous Plot
The central conflict of Treasure Island is the mutiny orchestrated by Long John Silver to seize Flint’s treasure.
The core conflict of Treasure Island revolves around the mutiny spearheaded by Silver, intended to secure a larger share of the treasure for himself and his pirate cohort. Presumably, Madi, if incorporated into the Treasure Island narrative, is prepared to liquidate their assets in Bristol and abscond in the mutiny’s aftermath. Meanwhile, Silver launches a clandestine and violent campaign against Captain Smollett and those loyal to him.
In Stevenson’s novel, Silver commits cold-blooded murder, killing a sailor who opposes him, and leads a fierce assault against Smollett and Jim’s faction, resulting in casualties on both sides. He later takes Jim hostage while he and his pirates relentlessly search for the buried treasure. Silver himself narrowly escapes death on multiple occasions; notably, when the treasure is discovered to be missing, his enraged pirate followers turn on Silver and Jim, threatening to kill them for perceived deception.
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10. A Pirate’s Fortune: John Silver Claims a Portion of Flint’s Treasure
In Treasure Island, Long John Silver ultimately obtains a portion of the treasure he seeks.
Ultimately, the majority of Silver’s pirate crew are defeated and abandoned on the island by Smollett’s party. Ben Gunn, now allied with Smollett, facilitates the removal of the bulk of the treasure, which he had discovered during his years of isolation. They depart the island, taking only Silver as their prisoner. However, upon reaching a port in Central or South America, Silver cunningly seizes a portion of the treasure and makes his escape.
This marks the conclusion of Long John Silver’s known adventures, echoing the ambiguous fate of Anne Bonny following Jack Rackham’s execution. Again, assuming Madi remains a part of Silver’s story, he would likely attempt to rejoin her in England or instruct her to meet him in the Americas. Black Sails crafted a compelling and nuanced portrayal of Long John Silver, enriching the context of all his subsequent actions and adventures depicted in Treasure Island, casting his legendary status in a fresh and illuminating light.
