Home > Crossbones > Season 1 « TV Series Page Crossbones: Season 1 (2014) Want to see Episode List Season 1 Crossbones Critics Consensus John Malkovich's show-stealing performance keeps Crossbones partially afloat, but an overly serious tone and choppy editing make this a leaky vessel for his talents. 59% TOMATOMETER Critic Ratings: 29 53% Audience Score User Ratings: 108 NEW More Info × Close Want to see Super Reviewer Submit Super Reviewer Edit Review Episodes 1 The Devil's Dominion Air date: May 30, 2014 An important device called the Longitude Chronometer is stolen by pirates in the series premiere of this adventure that centers on notorious pirate Blackbeard (John Malkovich), who rules over a rogue nation in the Bahamas. More 2 The Covenant Air date: Jun 6, 2014 Blackbeard's master plan faces obstacles when a popular pirate captain arrives. Elsewhere, Tom Lowe becomes an instrument of Blackbeard's designs. More 3 The Man Who Killed Blackbeard Air date: Jun 20, 2014 Kate is captured on a trading voyage, prompting Blackbeard and Lowe to join forces to rescue her. Before long, Lowe discovers that Blackbeard has a hidden motive. More 4 Antoinette Air date: Jun 27, 2014 Selima tries to seduce a suspicious Blackbeard. Meanwhile, Lowe launches a risky plan to locate a map of Blackbeard's scheme of attack, and Blackbeard sets out to build an army. More 5 The Return Air date: Jul 11, 2014 Lowe tries to report back to spymaster William Jagger (Julian Sands) after discovering Blackbeard's scheme. But Lowe soon learns Jagger may be more sinister than even Blackbeard. More 6 A Hole in the Head Air date: Jul 18, 2014 Lowe plans to kidnap Blackbeard and take him to English authorities, hoping the move will save the Santa Compana people from the unhinged wrath of William Jagger. Meanwhile, Jagger searches for the key to triumphing over Blackbeard. More 7 Beggarman Air date: Jul 25, 2014 Nenna plans an escape, putting Lowe in peril. Meanwhile, Balfour forms an unlikely alliance that could cost him and Lowe their lives. More 8 Crossbones Air date: Aug 2, 2014 Crew loyalty is tested as Blackbeard sets sail and spins his endgame in motion. On Santa Compana, Tom Lowe receives a startling request from Kate. More 9 Blackbeard Air date: Aug 2, 2014 Blackbeard risks everything against William Jagger's frenzied attack in the season finale. Also: A torn Lowe must make crucial choices. More Crossbones: Season 1 Photos View All Photos (36) Tv Season Info In the year 1715, the notorious pirate Blackbeard (John Malkovich) rules New Providence, a rogue nation in the Bahamas. His absolute power is threatened, however, when the British government hires an assassin to infiltrate his marauding band of outlaws and kill him. Genre: Network: NBC Premiere Date: May 30, 2014 Creators: Neil Cross, Amanda Welles Exec. Producers: Walter F. Parkes, Laurie MacDonald, Ted Gold, Neil Cross, Ciaran Donnelly Cast John Malkovich as Edward "Blackbeard" Teach Richard Coyle as Tom Lowe Yasmine Al Masri as Selma Yasmine Al Massri as Selima Claire Foy as Kate David Hoflin as Vane Tracy Ifeachor as Nenna Chris Perfetti as Tim Fletch Julian Sands as William Jagger Peter Stebbings as Balfour Show More Cast Episodes 1 The Devil's Dominion Air date: May 30, 2014 An important device called the Longitude Chronometer is stolen by pirates in the series premiere of this adventure that centers on notorious pirate Blackbeard (John Malkovich), who rules over a rogue nation in the Bahamas. More 2 The Covenant Air date: Jun 6, 2014 Blackbeard's master plan faces obstacles when a popular pirate captain arrives. Elsewhere, Tom Lowe becomes an instrument of Blackbeard's designs. More 3 The Man Who Killed Blackbeard Air date: Jun 20, 2014 Kate is captured on a trading voyage, prompting Blackbeard and Lowe to join forces to rescue her. Before long, Lowe discovers that Blackbeard has a hidden motive. More 4 Antoinette Air date: Jun 27, 2014 Selima tries to seduce a suspicious Blackbeard. Meanwhile, Lowe launches a risky plan to locate a map of Blackbeard's scheme of attack, and Blackbeard sets out to build an army. More 5 The Return Air date: Jul 11, 2014 Lowe tries to report back to spymaster William Jagger (Julian Sands) after discovering Blackbeard's scheme. But Lowe soon learns Jagger may be more sinister than even Blackbeard. More 6 A Hole in the Head Air date: Jul 18, 2014 Lowe plans to kidnap Blackbeard and take him to English authorities, hoping the move will save the Santa Compana people from the unhinged wrath of William Jagger. Meanwhile, Jagger searches for the key to triumphing over Blackbeard. More 7 Beggarman Air date: Jul 25, 2014 Nenna plans an escape, putting Lowe in peril. Meanwhile, Balfour forms an unlikely alliance that could cost him and Lowe their lives. More 8 Crossbones Air date: Aug 2, 2014 Crew loyalty is tested as Blackbeard sets sail and spins his endgame in motion. On Santa Compana, Tom Lowe receives a startling request from Kate. More 9 Blackbeard Air date: Aug 2, 2014 Blackbeard risks everything against William Jagger's frenzied attack in the season finale. Also: A torn Lowe must make crucial choices. More Critic Reviews for Crossbones Season 1 All Critics (29) | Top Critics (15) | Fresh (17) | Rotten (12) In Crossbones, low-tech fight scenes are a welcome relief from the customary mind-blowing special effects. Mostly, however, the reason to watch is Malkovich. Jun 2, 2014 | Full Review… Joanne Ostrow Denver Post Top Critic All in all, Crossbones is about as believable as Casanova in a seminary. May 29, 2014 | Rating: C+ | Full Review… Ed Bark Uncle Barky Top Critic It's never lost time when you're watching Malkovich and Coyle. May 29, 2014 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review… David Hinckley New York Daily News Top Critic An oddity with additional oddness in the form of Malkovich. But as summer diversions go, this looks to be a good one. May 29, 2014 | Rating: B | Full Review… Verne Gay Newsday Top Critic Full of odd pauses and volume modulation, Malkovich's big acting holds our attention even when the show's fuzzy plotting and minor absurdities are distracting us. He doesn't steal scenes so much as rape and pillage them. May 28, 2014 | Full Review… Tom Conroy Media Life Top Critic Too much of Crossbones takes itself overly seriously, especially when Malkovich is off-screen. Serious music, serious glances, serious lines, serious people -- it's a Pirates of the Caribbean movie without Jack Sparrow. May 27, 2014 | Full Review… Brian Tallerico RogerEbert.com Top Critic Crossbones struggles to keep things interesting. Jul 3, 2018 | Full Review… Jessica Johnson Time Out Chicago Even if NBC's Crossbones was not the second pirate TV show this year, after Starz's Black Sails, Crossbones would still be a disappointment. Jun 2, 2014 | Full Review… Rob Owen Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Costume dramas with first-rate actors don't come along every day on broadcast television, so I'm inclined to grade NBC's Crossbones on a curve. If only for the pleasure of John Malkovich's company. Jun 2, 2014 | Full Review… Ellen Gray Philadelphia Daily News I'm happy to be along for the ride. I just hope Crossbones knows where it's going. Jun 2, 2014 | Full Review… Tim Surette TV.com View All Critic Reviews (29) Audience Reviews for Crossbones: Season 1 Dec 13, 2014 Great series. Love Malkovich. Sad that it's been cancelled. Örjan F Sep 22, 2014 The best use of the English language in any TV show ever, with enough heart to win one over to whatever the cause of the protagonists might eventually be proven to be (the final mystery). Laurence H Sep 14, 2014 Complicated and riveting plot Cory J Aug 09, 2014 usual Hollywood unwatchable rehash of who knows what script, a living old bald Blackbeard without a beard, the usual annoying power women, strutting about and being 'tough'. Garbage, could not face episode two Edward T Aug 03, 2014 Everybody started watching this show was for John Malkovich as the great pirate Blackbeard, that was the prospect and that what you get for the most of time... but the intriguing story wasn't there even when tried to spice it up with Coyle - Tom Lowe - the English spy on the island it was great for the first couple of episode then it went away, as the show evolved it became unclear where they are going with it :/ ... The finale was great! but still, the future is unknown ... I liked for the most of it, I get what I was signed up for, John Malkovich performance is great! I was impressed with Richard Coyle, I didn't like the story that much, I don't think it will be renewed for a second a season :/ but if it is I'll be here next year :) I'm going to give it a 7/10 M A Jul 26, 2014 Loved it! Why are all the good ones cancelled? Jennifer M Jul 20, 2014 Great acting, interesting complex characters and a period drama featuring Malkovich as legendary Blackbeard. Some will still prefer to watch half baked reality shows or another spinoff cop drama, but I sincerely hope Crossbones gets renewed. Beatrice L Jul 05, 2014 A bit slow at times, CROSSBONES brings a strong cast led by John Malkovich to tell a historical story that will entertain many. Billy S Jun 28, 2014 Stor skuffelse, både med hensyn til historien, som er ren Hallmark-farvelade, og (især) med hensyn til Malkovich, som slet ikke lever op til, hvad man kan tillade sig at forvente af manden, der udødeliggjorde Cyrus the Virus. Stod af efter afsnit 3. Hvis du ikke kan undvære sørøver-soaps, så se Black Sails i stedet. Den er ikke perfekt, men meget bedre. Niels S Jun 27, 2014 Crossbones premise is so bad it overshadows what little good there is to see. The protagonist is a Super Secret Agent Doctor that apparently has the mental acuity of Stephen Hawking, the charm of Don Juan, and the Healing Factor of Wolverine. He was literally shot in the chest and then less than 24 hours later he is going for a dip in the ocean with another man's wife. And I understand that Black Beard is incognito but why did he disguise himself as John Malkovich? 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