Major Jack Sparrow & Barbossa Plot Hole in Pirates Of The Caribbean Remains Unresolved After 17 Years

The Pirates of the Caribbean series has captivated audiences since its inception, though the storytelling often left much to be desired. One particularly notable plot inconsistency arises in At World’s End, the third film in the franchise. Originating with the 2003 hit The Curse of the Black Pearl, the series defied expectations, especially when considering that pirate films had generally flopped in the cinema during the ’80s and ’90s. The success of the first film was a pleasant surprise for producers and fans alike.

While subsequent sequels achieved financial success, they struggled to capture the critical acclaim of the original. A significant factor for this decline was the increasingly convoluted plots of the sequels. Loaded with betrayals, shifting alliances, and numerous factions all battling for dominance, the narratives became complicated puzzles. This trend culminated in At World’s End, which introduced the Brethren Court—an assembly of Pirate Lords from different territories.

Jack: Pirate Lord of the Caribbean; Barbossa: Lord of the Caspian

Barbossa’s Territorial Confusion

Upon closer evaluation, the structure of the Brethren Court raises questions, particularly regarding the dominion of its Pirate Lords. Jack Sparrow serves as the Pirate Lord of the Caribbean, while Captain Barbossa is purportedly the Lord of the Caspian Sea. This delineation is problematic, as Barbossa’s activities predominantly occur in the Caribbean, raising eyebrows among attentive viewers. One could speculate that he engages in territorial disputes, yet his title seems misaligned with his actions.

Furthermore, although Barbossa occasionally ventures beyond the Caribbean, he never appears to engage in any activities in the Caspian Sea itself. Given his established base of operations, this inconsistency appears glaring. The franchise has its share of inconsistencies, but this predicament stands out as particularly egregious.

The Dilemma of Pirate Lord Leadership

Conflict in Captaincy

Adding to the confusion is Barbossa’s relationship with Jack Sparrow. Each of the other Pirate Lords is depicted as a captain commanding their own vessel, a logical requirement given their extensive authority. However, Barbossa’s history complicates this narrative. Initially, he served as Jack’s first mate on the Black Pearl before staging a mutiny. Thus, one must consider the implications: when one holds the title of Pirate Lord, yet simultaneously serves under another, contradictions abound.

This dynamic leads to an absurd scenario where either Captain Jack or Barbossa occupies the captain’s position, leaving the other as a Pirate Lord without a ship. Their continued rivalry further complicates the premise, especially considering the camaraderie showcased in later films such as On Stranger Tides and Dead Men Tell No Tales.

The Brethren Court: A Convoluted Concept

Inconsistencies in the Brethren Court

Captain Barbossa biting an apple in Dead Man's Chest

The Brethren Court was intended to add depth to the franchise’s lore. However, its actual functionality within At World’s End remains unclear. Despite the significant screen time allocated to their assemblies, the customs and rules governing the Court do not align with the overarching narrative of the series. This misalignment detracts from their potential impact in what should have been a captivating expansion of lore and character interactions.

Movie	Release Year	Rotten Tomatoes Score
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl	2003	80%
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest	2006	53%
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End	2007	44%
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides	2011	33%
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales	2017	30%

Notably, the Brethren Court fails to play a critical role in the movie’s climax, despite their significant presence throughout. Key moments of the final showdown are driven by characters like Will, Elizabeth, Jack, and Tia Dalma, with the Pirate Lords relegated to mere background figures. This underutilization ultimately disappoints fans who anticipated the exploration of these intriguing characters’ potential.

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