Crossbones

:

Season 1
  • Network: NBC
  • Series Premiere Date: May 30, 2014
User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 55 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 55
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 55
  3. Negative: 9 out of 55
Watch Now

Where To Watch

Stream On
Buy on
Stream On

Review this tv show

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling

User Reviews

view
per page
  1. Smee
    May 31, 2014
    0
    John Malkovich's acting is pathetic.He talks like wearing dinosaur dentures.So Pilot episode mad with limited funds and lousy script.Casting also pretty bad ,bunch of mediocre actors and actresses This can't out run Black sails tv series.It's a joke someone think they can make PG13 pirate TV series,without having sex violence and foul language.This will surely face axe after first seasonJohn Malkovich's acting is pathetic.He talks like wearing dinosaur dentures.So Pilot episode mad with limited funds and lousy script.Casting also pretty bad ,bunch of mediocre actors and actresses This can't out run Black sails tv series.It's a joke someone think they can make PG13 pirate TV series,without having sex violence and foul language.This will surely face axe after first season ,or highly doubtful that they may even air the shooted episodes in Season 1.… Expand
  2. Charlemagne
    Jun 2, 2014
    0
    Unwatchable show trying to leach the success of Black Sails. Where Black Sails attempts authenticity, this has hip looking people forcing cheerfulness during battles and people with modern trendy hairdos pursuing a sci-fi 'MacGuffin'. The show actually has techno-babble... in a pirate show! I can't believe how bad this is. Some marketeers thought they could cash in and no doubt thoughtUnwatchable show trying to leach the success of Black Sails. Where Black Sails attempts authenticity, this has hip looking people forcing cheerfulness during battles and people with modern trendy hairdos pursuing a sci-fi 'MacGuffin'. The show actually has techno-babble... in a pirate show! I can't believe how bad this is. Some marketeers thought they could cash in and no doubt thought spending serious money on Malkovich would cinch it. It even has an Eleanor knock off that looks and acts a lot like her. I cringe.… Expand
  3. Cyliann
    Jun 5, 2014
    2
    Absolute rubbish. When I'm not completely taken out of the experience as Blackbeard actually looks like your run-of-the-mill bald, senile old retireé with bad front dentures while also boasting a WHITE BEARD, I'm instead constantly reminded of the shoddy acting brought on with a poorly written script, using not only dialects but also phrases and philosophies from the 1800-1900~th century.Absolute rubbish. When I'm not completely taken out of the experience as Blackbeard actually looks like your run-of-the-mill bald, senile old retireé with bad front dentures while also boasting a WHITE BEARD, I'm instead constantly reminded of the shoddy acting brought on with a poorly written script, using not only dialects but also phrases and philosophies from the 1800-1900~th century.

    Mix all that in with the fact that the show has no nudity and little to no bounds on realism and you got Crossbones.    … Expand
  4. TheMetacritiqer
    Jul 15, 2014
    3
    If you watched an episode or two of Crossbones then do your self a favor and watch Pirates of the Caribbean or read about who Blackbeard actually was. It's simply forgetful material put in a tropical setting.
    It doesn't deserve recommendation but instead simply ridicule.
  5. ReedBosgoed
    Aug 11, 2014
    3
    I tried to like it, but there's just too much cookie cutter stupidity. Why is it that in every single show that has married main characters, their spouse will cheat on them with their best friend/confidant? Can anybody use ANY OTHER plot device to have a character turn on their friend? Moreover, why does every character in shows set in this time period have a British accent? The blackI tried to like it, but there's just too much cookie cutter stupidity. Why is it that in every single show that has married main characters, their spouse will cheat on them with their best friend/confidant? Can anybody use ANY OTHER plot device to have a character turn on their friend? Moreover, why does every character in shows set in this time period have a British accent? The black female character is supposed to be an escaped american slave. Why the hell would THAT character have a British accent? Not to mention the way that Malkovich talks in this. What the friggin' hell kind of accent is that supposed to be? He sounds ridiculous! Like a cross of British and retard with a mouth full of maple syrup.

    The acting is weak all around.
    I did kind of like the whole tre-panning plot line, but otherwise it's just generic soap opera nonsense with the odd bit of swashbuckling thrown in for good measure.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

82
#82 Most Discussed TV Season of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
56

Mixed or average reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 23
  3. Negative: 4 out of 23
  1. Boston Herald
    Reviewed by: Mark A. Perigard
    May 30, 2014
    67
    Crossbones rises and falls on Malkovich’s inspired delivery and is under­cut by the show’s joyless, convoluted plotting, especially in next week’s episode.
    Read full review
  2. The Huffington Post
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    May 30, 2014
    60
    Everything around Malkovich is workmanlike and rather predictable, if competent.
    Read full review
  3. Philadelphia Daily News
    Reviewed by: Ellen Gray
    May 30, 2014
    70
    You might not want to sign on for a summerlong journey right away, but Malkovich's theatrical pirate probably deserves an hour or two hosting this after-dinner cruise before you decide if NBC's gone completely overboard.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »