amuseoffyre:

James McGraw’s story utterly ruins me every time I rewatch Black Sails.

Here was a man who started out with nothing, child of a carpenter, and became a “rising star” in the Navy. Here’s a man who educated himself to better himself, despite knowing he will be seen as a jolly-jump-up, reading for pleasure and illumination. He fought his way up the ranks, rising as far as Lieutenant despite his humble origins, and was seen as a man of great potential by the admiralty. He elevated himself by his intellect, his skills, his bravery.

He was considered suitable as a partner for Thomas Hamilton, as a pragmatic, sensible and direct counter to Hamilton’s optimism and overly liberal perspective. It should – would – have been a perfect arrangement, because they shared ideas, discussed and changed and amended plans. If only…. if only they hadn’t fallen in love. James’s affection for both Miranda and Thomas was his downfall: he physically lashed out in front of Hennessy when Miranda was insulted, and then again with Alfred when Thomas’s intent was called into question.

Because he cared too much for both of these people, he made himself a powerful enemy. Because he loved both the Hamiltons – but especially Thomas – he became the lynchpin that could be used in their downfall. Alfred needed an excuse both to shut Thomas up and sweep that liberal branch of his family under the rug. James was… useful. It’s one degree of shame to say your son was driven mad by his faithless wife abandoning him, but to have his family name connected with sodomy? “It is too profane”.

So James, by falling in love and being true to himself, lost everything. The rank and respect he had earned in the Navy. His position in society. Even the support of his own country. He was driven out. He lost everything but Miranda and I can’t help thinking that there would be helpless resentment on both sides for a long, long time after their forced departure: him because he let her convince him not to rescue Thomas and her, because if he hadn’t been so bold and so overt and loved Thomas as much as she did, maybe, maybe, maybe this wouldn’t have happened.

And now, just when he reaches the point where he’s finally ready to move on, to set aside the monster he has been forced to play to see Thomas’s vision is fulfilled, to be with Miranda, to finally have peace, she dies. Right in front of him. Again. Betrayed by the same person who betrayed Thomas. And once more, he is helpless to save her, helpless to protect the one person he still loved.

And all that’s left without the people he loves is the monster he was forced to become and the grief and loss. And all because he fell in love.