Captain Flint
Background
James McGraw, aka, Nathaniel James Flint is the captain of The Walrus in the West Indies. His father was a carpenter. Flint was originally a lieutenant in the Royal Navy.
During the events of Black Sails: Season 1 Episode 1 I. played by Toby Stephens
The Walrus attacks a merchant ship. The Walrus catches up to the merchant ship and a barrel rolls towards the door and explodes and most of the remaining sailors on the merchant ship are killed. Captain Parrish shoots at Singleton, but instead kills his own man and as Singleton is about to kill Parrish, Flint stops him. Flint shows Gates the Captain's Log, but Gates notices the page with the schedule is torn out. Dr. Howell tells Flint that Mr. Duffy has died. Singleton is about to torture Parrish when Gates pulls him away and Flint asks Parrish where the schedule is. Parrish tells him that he doesn't know and the pirates are forced to flee when the Royal Navy ship The Scarborough is spotted. Gates tells Flint that Singleton has the votes to remove him as captain. The pirates then land at Nassau on New Providence Island.
Flint and Billy Bones go to Harbour Island to see Richard Guthrie. They are let inside by the Servant and Flint finds out from Billy that the crew thinks he is weak. Flint tells Richard about Vasquez who had sailed with La Casa del Contracion in Seville. Vasquez was tasked with getting an escort for the L'Urca de Lime, the largest cargo ship in existence. Flint asks Richard to help him recreate the information from the stolen page, but Richard refuses. Flint grabs him by the arm and starts to break Richard's fingers and Billy pulls his pistol on Flint. Captain Hume suddenly arrives with two seamen and asks Richard what sort of business he is conducting with Flint. Richard lies and says Flint is a sugar merchant and Hume orders Flint, Billy and Richard taken into custody and Billy grabs one of the seamen's rifles and the seaman fires, hitting Richard in the shoulder. Flint then grabs Hume and slams his face into the table and Billy knocks the other seaman unconscious.
Flint and Billy put Richard on a boat and Billy gets angry with Flint for lying to the crew. Flint tells Billy that a war with civilization is coming. They arrive at The Walrus and Gates tells Flint that the crew has gathered to vote on who will be captain. Flint speaks to the crew that includes Morley and apologizes for their small hauls and tells them the truth of what they have been chasing. He says that a crew member discovered their plans and betrayed them and accuses Singleton of being that person. Gates tells Singleton that he has a choice, a trial or combat and Singleton chooses combat. Flint and Singleton fight and Flint ends up beating Singleton to death. Flint seemingly pulls a piece of paper from Singelton's pockets and hands it to Billy to read. Billy opens the page, which is blank and lies to the crew and says it is the stolen page. Flint tells the crew that he will make them rich and they cheer him.
During the events of Black Sails: Season 1 Episode 2 II. played by Toby Stephens
The pirates continue to cheer Flint and Logan excitedly yells that they will have rum and women for them all. Dufresne advises them not to spend money they haven't earned yet. Flint tells Gates and Billy that the schedule is on the ship and one of the pirates is a thief. Gates realizes the only one that wasn't searched was John Silver. Gates and Billy start to search for Silver, who sees them looking for him and Silver jumps into the water. Flint, Gates and Billy land on the beach and Gates asks where Silver went and they are pointed in different directions.
Flint walks into Eleanor's place and asks to speak to Eleanor Guthrie. Flint tells Eleanor that Richard is a fugitive and he has him on The Walrus. Flint tells her and Mr. Scott about the L'Urca de Lime. Flint explains his plan to Eleanor to increase the security of the island and for the pirates to become farmers. He continues that he is looking for peace and the door opens and Gates tells Flint they found the schedule. Flint, Gates and Billy enter Max's room and Max tells them where the schedule will be delivered. Billy and Flint arrive at the Wastes and they all begin to chase Silver. They catch Silver and he tells them that he burned the schedule after memorizing it. Flint rides to the home of Miranda Barlow and she tells him to take off his boots and she will boil him some water.
During the events of Black Sails: Season 1 Episode 3 III. played by Toby Stephens
Flint wakes up and goes to the kitchen where Miranda is at. She fixes his bandages and tells him that a neighbor must have seen him and a spy has been planted near the scrub pine. He then tells her that he found the schedule. Flint gives Miranda a book by Middleton which he found on Parrish's ship and she tells him that she was hoping he would be able to spend more time with her before he left again. They hear a horse neigh and go outside and Gates has arrived with a wagon and Richard inside. Silver finishes writing what he memorized from the schedule and hands the paper to Gates. Flint reads it and notices Silver left some details out. Silver admits that he left some parts out as he figured they would kill him and offers to join their crew for a piece of the prize. Flint asks him why he doesn't think they will kill him when they get the L'Urca de Lime and Silver tells him that he assumes they will be friends by then.
Flint tells Eleanor that he will need another ship and lists off a series of other things including a dozen 12-pound cannons. While Dufresne and Flint are going over how much items the crew has, Gates tells Dufresne to leave. Gates suggests to Flint that they ask Captain Charles Vane to take part in the attack instead of Gates leading a crew. Eleanor, Rackham, Vane, Flint and Gates have a meeting and Flint immediately brings up that Vane killed Mosiah. After some haggling each party comes to an agreement on terms. Eleanor hears Max screaming and runs out of Vane's tent and sees Hamund raping Max. Eleanor declares that Vane's crew from now on will be cut off from the island and its resources unless they elect a new captain and join Flint. Anne Bonny starts to walk towards Flint, but Vane threatens her. Eleanor tries to comfort Max, but Max tells her that Eleanor is the cause of everything by not leaving with her. Max then walks to Vane and says she will stay until her debt is paid.
During the events of Black Sails: Season 1 Episode 4 IV. played by Toby Stephens
Gates tells the crew that Billy will be their new quartermaster. Billy tells the crew that they will need to careen the ship. He asks the crew where they should do it and Muldoon suggests somewhere where there is plenty of rum. Froom asks if they will have a tent for fornication and Billy mentions that it is something they can discuss later. Billy asks De Groot his opinion and De Groot says The Walrus is unsuitable for the task of careening the ship and asks to find a more suitable beach. Flint says they cannot delay the careening or they will lose their chance at catching the Urca. Billy calls for a vote and all but Morley agree to it.
Miranda tells Flint that she misses her life with her former husband Thomas. Flint rides to the beach and De Groot tells him that they are ahead of schedule of cleaning the ship. Flint overhears Muldoon accuse Silver of feeding him bad pork. Flint puts a piece of pork in his mouth and tells Muldoon it must be something else. After Muldoon leaves, Flint spits out the piece of pork and tells Silver to get another pig. Silver overhears Morley complaining to Billy and tells Flint that he thinks Billy might be feeling uncomfortable about lying to the crew.
Logan brings Eleanor to Flint and she tells him about the successful meeting with Captain Bryson. The wind starts to make the palms pull away from the sand. As everyone is running away from the ship, Randall sees Betsy hiding under the ship. Randall goes after her and the ship leans slightly and starts to crush Randall. Morley and Flint run to help Randall and Betsy runs away. They then start to dig the sand under Randall. Silver runs over and throws his butcher knife to Flint who starts to hack at Randall's stuck leg. The ropes are cut and the ship lurches, Flint manages to pull Randall away, but Morley is crushed under the ship. Flint asks Silver what Billy and Morley were talking about and Silver tells him that they mentioned the name Barlow. That night, Eleanor and Flint see the Andromache fleeing and Flint decides to go after the ship.
During the events of Black Sails: Season 1 Episode 5 V. played by Toby Stephens
As Flint and the crew of The Walrus are chasing the Andromache, Billy tells him how fast and at what direction they are heading. Flint tells Billy that he knows that Billy doesn't trust him and Billy says that he knows that men have and are about to die for a lie. Flint tells Billy that the crew needs to feel their actions are based on certainties. Billy asks who Miranda is and Flint tells him that he lives with her and she is a Puritan that shares his love of books. Flint gets upset that The Walrus isn't catching up to the Andromache and orders all the sails be raised. De Groot warns against raising all the sails and Logan and Dufresne measure their speed. Billy agrees with De Groot, but then changes his mind when Flint stares at him. Gates then gives the order to increase the sails and they increase their speed.
Billy gives a speech to the crew including Joshua and tells them of Flint's plan of attack using Beauclerc. Bryson starts firing at The Walrus causing lots of injuries and damage to the ship. Beauclerc snipes Mr. Burnett the helmsman on the Andromache. Mr. Harris goes to take the helm and is also sniped by Beauclerc and the Andromache lurches and loses the wind. The crew of The Walrus board the Andromache and Gates tells Flint that Bryson is in a reinforced hold. A Slave calls for Flint and speaks in the Slave's language. Joshua translates for Flint that Bryson sent a message to the Scarborough before he left, where he was headed. A ship appears to their east and the Slave lights a bomb and charges at Flint before he is shot dead by Billy.
During the events of Black Sails: Season 1 Episode 6 VI. played by Toby Stephens
Lars sneaks towards the bunker, but is spotted by Hayes and shot dead. Gates tells the crew of the plan to have four men dangle over the side of the ship to cut a hole in it in order to place a charge inside. After getting no volunteers, Flint choose Paxton, Bobby, Dooly, and Logan. Logan argues with the order and tries to get Billy to stand up to Flint. Gates knocks Logan unconscious and tells the crew that while they are in battle Flint's orders are the law. A pirate whistles to Flint and shows him the rag the slaves placed in the porthole. The crew of The Walrus start to rhythmically chop at the Andromache and the slaves attack and kill their guards and then charge into the bunker. Mr. Scott opens the door of the bunker allowing The Walrus crew to come in.
As a couple of The Walrus crew are gathering supplies they accidentally set off Bryson's explosives. Flint worries the Scarborough might have seen the explosion and orders The Walrus to take off even with only a few cannons loaded on board. Flint and Billy go to cut the spire of the Andromache loose from their ship and while they are doing it, Flint asks Billy what was in the letter. The Andromache starts firing at them and Flint yells man over board and tells Gates that Billy fell into the water. Dufresne lists the dead including Old Jim Carver, Sebastian Frakes, and Billy Bones and their bodies and a sword are dropped into the ocean.
During the events of Black Sails: Season 1 Episode 7 VII. played by Toby Stephens
Eleanor asks Flint how the Scarborough knew where to find his ship. Flint tells her that Richard betrayed them and Eleanor says that Miranda must also assume some blame. She tells him about the new trading system she has set up and tells him that Silver helped her and she agreed to defend him against Flint. Gates asks Flint when he is going to confront Miranda about Richard escaping. Gates confronts Flint about the letter Miranda wrote in which she thought Flint would betray them.
Flint tells Gates that he thinks Miranda wants to leave and is desperate enough to say anything in order for him to leave too. Gates accuses Flint of getting rid of Billy Bones. Gates says that he is bringing his concerns to the crew and Flint tells Gates that he plans to take a portion of every crew members loot and that everyone is lied to. Gates then tells him that he will help attack the Urca, but will then part ways with Flint. Flint goes to Miranda's house and yells at her for the letter she sent. Eleanor finds Flint drunk and tells him it unwise to get drunk so close to their mission. Eleanor tells Flint she believes in him and he kisses her forehead. The Walrus and the Ranger leave port.
During the events of Black Sails: Season 1 Episode 8 VIII. played by Toby Stephens
Gates, Silver and Flint have a meeting in Flint's cabin and Flint has Silver write down the last of the Urca's schedule. Flint compares what Silver wrote down to notes of inlets he has and realizes the course leads to Division Bay. Flint then hands Silver coordinates to give to De Groot. Flint and Gates have a drink together and reminisce about old times. The Walrus and Ranger arrive at Division Bay and Flint briefs his crew. Once they get view of the bay. no ship is there. Dufresne tells Flint that the crew has agreed to dock the ships and send out search parties for the Urca. Logan spots sails and yells it to the crew and yells out that the ship is a Man-o'-War. Flint comes up with a plan to make it appear like the Ranger is attacking The Walrus and then ambush the Man-o'-War as it gets closer. Gates tells Flint he needs to speak with him and they argue about the plan. Gates tells Flint that he is taking the Ranger and tells Flint about De Groot and the others plan on hanging Flint. Gates tells him that when they return to Nassau that he will have Flint and Miranda secretly taken to Boston and as Gates is leaving Flint grabs him and breaks his neck.
Flint leaves his cabin and tells Dufresne that Gates has died of a heart attack. He tells Logan to tell Mr. Thompson on the Ranger that he is in charge and to sail north. Silver yells at the Man-o'-War that they are being followed by a pirate ship and points at the Ranger. He tells the Spanish Officer where they came from and the Man-o'-War continues on its way. As Flint is about to give the order to fire on the Man-o'-War, Dufresne pulls a pistol on him and accuses him of tyranny against the crew. Dufresne holds up the letter Gates gave him which details Flint's crimes against the crew. De Groot pulls a pistol on Silver. As Flint goes to fire a cannon, Dufresne shoots him. Silver fires one of the cannons at the Man-o'-War and Flint tells Dufresne not to waste the moment. Dufresne freezes and the Man-o'War fires at The Walrus and Dufresne orders The Walrus to open fire. The Man-o'-War opens fire again and The Walrus is obliterated. Flint falls off the ship and starts to sink in the water. He wakes up on the beach next to Silver who tells him that he and Flint have been charged with what has happened. Flint asks Dufresne why he didn't kill him and Dufresne takes Flint and Silver to another part of the beach where they look at the shipwreck of the Urca and its chests of gold scattered along the beach.
During the events of Black Sails: Season 2 Episode 9 IX. played by Toby Stephens
Flint, Silver and Dufresne watch as the Spanish crew continue to pile up gold on the beach. Dufresne tells Flint that his trial has been postponed in the hopes that Flint will help him steal the Spanish gold. Flint refuses to help Dufresne at first and then when back at camp starts to tell The Walrus crew his plan. Logan angrily yells that they should be cutting Flint's lying tongue from his head and Dufresne tells the crew to listen to Flint. Flint suggests they steal the warship and then take the gold. He continues to tell his plan of sending two people to kill any sentries on the ship while the rest of the crew readies an assault. De Groot gets upset with listening to Flint's plan and Flint volunteers to be one of the men to kill the sentries and Silver volunteers to be the other.
In London in 1705, a younger Flint meets Thomas Hamilton who tells him the history of the pirate issue in Nassau. He says that he has a plan to rid Nassau of the pirates and worries that Flint might be more interested in rising in his career than in accomplishing the goal. Dufresne explains to Flint what signals to use and that even if they are successful that Flint and Silver will be expelled from the crew. Flint and Silver then start swimming towards the Spanish ship after Silver is shocked that Flint's plan didn't involve them just escaping. In the past, Flint takes Hamilton to a pirate hanging and tells him that the difficulty in changing the world is fighting against everyone else who want the status quo. Flint and Silver sneak onto the ship where the crew are sleeping. As Flint and Silver are sneaking around the ship, Silver sees a boatswains whistle and steals it, which wakes the sailor up and Flint stabs the sailor in the neck. Flint is about to kill Silver when he tells him that he is the one who dragged Flint onto the beach. Silver calls the watchman down and Flint kills him, but in the process wakes the crew who surrounds him.
Spanish Boatswain tells Flint and Silver that he could torture them to find out information, but he offers to pay and release the person who tells him what he wants to know, and the other one shall be killed. Silver tells him everything. Silver is released and as Spanish Boatswain is about to shoot Flint, Silver hits him in the head, and he and Flint fight and kill the two guards. They bolt the door and Ranking Spanish Sailor tells the crew to find something to break the door down. Joshua breaks the door down and he and the rest of The Walrus crew kill the remaining Spanish crew. They then manage to steal the Spanish ship and escape. In the past, Miranda tells Flint that she remembers what it was like meeting Thomas for the first time and Flint tells her his real name. She tells him that great men are invincible due to their relentless pursuit of creating a better world. Dufresne tells Flint and Silver that The Walrus crew voted 17 yea versus 15 nay votes to commute their sentences and they will be brought back to Nassau.