*Black Sails* This show basically can be boiled down to: `Season 1:` Action `Season 2:` Character drama and some great performances. `Season 3:` Intrigue added to all the best parts of the above, superbly balanced. The show is an extremely well performed, terse, drama on the 'high seas' with writing that brings real depth of performance amongst a shooting style that doesn't demand you to think about what the director might be trying to say. It's therefore immediately accessible, but has enough depth to pull you further. To say it's Deadwood on sea would be unfair, I think, as it's not quite as unforgiving with the protagonists and isn't quite so flagrant. However it's a half decent summary.
*Unreal* This is a show about a (reality) show where basically *_everyone_* on screen is a super-mega-cunt. For that reason alone you should put this in front of your eyes, however I think there's more that should keep you there. Shiri Appleby's performance front and centre is a good nuance. It's a person that absolutely embraces the cunt, and uses the abilities of being one that this brings, however there's a showing in the eyes that shows us viewers what we want to see of her character's personality. It's nearly up there with Michael C. Hall's portrayal of Dexter, and Riley Kaugh's as Christine in The Girlfriend Experience, and that's saying something. The machinations of the various principle cast members, and how they're weaved together by the writing team puts this right up there with the best stuff on telly right now.
Black Sails is fantastic. And after seeing Luke Arnold in this and then the INXS films (in which he portrayed Michael Hutchence)? Yeah, I'm a fan. Can't wait to see his transition to "pirate legend" Long John Silver next season.