Black Sails season 3 finale honors Barbara M. Steinberg (Dedication explained)

More than a decade since it first debuted on Starz, Black Sails has finally made its way to Netflix with all four seasons of the underrated gem getting the chance to reach an even wider audience! 

Just days after the series arrived on April 17, Black Sails has already entered the Netflix Top 10, which isn’t surprising at all. The series was criminally underrated during its time on Starz and definitely has a global appeal that is sure to help it become a hit among Netflix subscribers. New fans are already diving head-first into the series, and a lot of questions have come up for these first-time viewers.

Most of these questions have pertained to the plotlines of the episodes, but there is one particular question that the season 3 finale raises that might leave you searching for answers. As season 3’s final episode, “XXVIII,” comes to a close, the show pays tribute to Barbara M. Steinberg with a message that reads, “In Memory of Barbara M. Steinberg. September 19, 1947 - March 4, 2013."

Barbara M. Steinberg was the mother of Black Sails co-creator Jonathan E. Steinberg

If the name Barbara M. Steinberg did not immediately ring any bells upon seeing the dedication in the Black Sails season 3 finale, this is likely because she was not directly associated with the show as a member of the cast or crew. Rather, Barbara M. Steinberg is the late mother of Black Sails co-creator Jonathan E. Steinberg.

Barbara sadly passed away at the age of 65 on March 4, 2013, and the tribute was designed to honor Jonathan’s late mother. This is a common thing within media as many creators and lead writers will dedicate episodes of their original creations to loved ones who have passed away as a way to honor their memory and celebrate their lives.

It’s unclear why the dedication was reserved for the season 3 finale, which aired in March of 2016. It's possible it was a way for Jonathan to mark the three-year anniversary of her death.

In addition to her son, Jonathan, Barbara was survived by her daughter Mindy, sisters Susan and Carol, and grandchildren Madelyn and Andrew.

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