Captains


Say you're a pirate on New Providence Island during the golden age. Which captain from the show would you rather serve under: Flint, Vane, Rackham, or Teach? For me it's a toss up between Rackham and Vane. Jack just seems like a fair and decent captain to work for, but I always admired Vane's philosophy on freedom and his will to succeed. Even though he was ruthless he treated loyal men with respect.

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Fun question

Teach for me! He seems more organized and his men seemed to have more fun on the beach

Rackham's cool and i'd love him but not respect or not trust him to get the job done right. I wouldn't have the stamina to join Vane's world-class swimmers. And I'd shoot Flint before trusting to follow him.

No Hornigold?

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We never really get to see Hornigold acting as a true pirate captain in this series. He's either leading a militia or acting as pirate hunter for most of his screen time. I agree with you about Flint, he's a good man to have on your side but I would hate to sail under his leadership.

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Should this be based on real historical figures or characters from the show...? I'll go with real ones, seems more fun.

Real Rackham, a minor pirate actually, initially Vane's quartermaster, caused a chaos on the Vane's Ranger managing to persuade men to vote against Vane, calling him a coward, removing him from captaincy and taking his place...all because Vane wouldn't continue an attack on what turned out to be a French Man-O-War (!) - or at least that was Rackham's official reason. All who voted against a suicidal attack, like Vane, were ousted as well. His capture was also less than heroic. So I doubt he'd be my first choice.

Vane was ruthless and brutal, an overkill. Known to have enjoyed torturing merchants and captured sailors. He was also treacherous and dishonest, to his own men as well, which isn't really something you'd want from a captain. He did refuse pardon and made some bold moves and actions, but made some decisions that questioned his leadership as well.

So, Teach I guess. Much more balanced and stable leader.

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Yeah I'd definitely have different choices if it was the real people, I was just basing my picks on the characters. To be honest they were all most likely pretty bad people to sail under in real life. One of the interesting changes the show made was Jack and Vane's relationship and the way in which Jack became a captain. It's kind of ironic that the show portrays Vane as the one who is always ready to fight first while Jack usually looks for non violent ways around a fight considering how the real mutiny went down.

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If we're going by historical accounts, i'd want to sail under blackbeard. He reportedly never resorted to more violence than was necessary to capture a prize, and never murdered or tortured captives. He was actually said to be quite cordial to captains who surrendered to him.

As for captains on the show... Vane. I love jack, but he just doesn't seem like captainy material.

"Cinema was made for fantasy, rather than normal types of stories." - Ray Harryhausen

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If we are talking about the characters in the show, then cap. Charles Vane 100% and exactly for the same reasons: his philosophy on freedom, his will and strength.

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