Object

Pike's Cutlass

Pike's signature cutlass, a curved pirate blade wielded during the climactic battle in the church crypt. The weapon plays a critical role in the duel with Cherub, where Pike disarms and executes Cherub, and later in the chaotic final confrontation where Pike lunges at the Doctor. The cutlass is halted mid-swing when the Squire intervenes, allowing Blake to fatally shoot Pike. The blade's use reflects Pike's ruthless nature and the desperation of the battle, culminating in his death.

5 appearances

Purpose

Weapon for dueling, disarming opponents, execution, and attacking enemies

Significance

Pike's cutlass drives the crypt battle's violence: it disarms Cherub, ends his life, and nearly kills the Doctor, enabling Ben and Polly's escape, the Doctor's bargaining, and the Squire's sacrificial distraction that leads to Pike's defeat.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

5 moments

S4E4 · The Smugglers Part 4

Ben and Polly’s forced escape

Pike’s cutlass is the instrument of Cherub’s execution—disarming him of his sword, Pike drives the blade into his throat with merciless efficiency. Later, bloodied and enraged, Pike turns the cutlass on the Doctor, its swing halted only by the Squire’s intervention. The weapon embodies Pike’s brutal authority, shifting from a tool of duel to a symbol of his unchecked power in the crypt.

Before: Wielded by Pike during the duel with Cherub, used to disarm him.

After: Bloodied from Cherub’s kill, now turned toward the Doctor as Pike’s next target.

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S4E4 · The Smugglers Part 4

Pike kills Cherub and demands the treasure

Pike's cutlass is the instrument of Cherub's execution. After disarming Cherub and dodging his thrown knife, Pike closes in and runs Cherub through with the blade, sealing his fate. The cutlass symbolizes Pike's ruthless authority and his consolidation of power over the pirates. Its use in the execution underscores the finality of Cherub's defeat and Pike's unchallenged dominance in the crypt.

Before: In Pike's possession, drawn and ready for combat during the duel with Cherub.

After: Bloodied and sheathed, having been used to kill Cherub, now symbolizing Pike's victory.

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S4E4 · The Smugglers Part 4

Doctor bargains with Pike after Cherub’s death

Pike's cutlass, still bloodied from the execution of Cherub, serves as a visceral symbol of his brutality and authority. The weapon is wielded menacingly during the negotiation, its presence a constant reminder of Pike's capacity for violence. Though not directly used in the exchange, the cutlass looms as a silent threat, reinforcing Pike's dominance and the Doctor's precarious position. Its condition—dripping with Cherub's blood—underscores the stakes of the negotiation, as the Doctor must navigate Pike's volatility without provoking another outburst of violence.

Before: Bloodied from killing Cherub, gripped tightly in Pike's hand as he stands over the body.

After: Still in Pike's possession, though no longer actively threatening during the negotiation. Its presence remains a looming threat.

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S4E4 · The Smugglers Part 4

Pike’s Last Stand and the Squire’s Sacrifice

Pike’s cutlass is the weapon he wields during his final, desperate lunge at the Doctor. The blade symbolizes his ruthless authority and obsession with Avery’s treasure. Its swing is halted by the Squire’s intervention, allowing Blake to deliver the fatal shot. The cutlass scatters to the crypt floor amid Pike’s death, marking the end of his dominance and the shift in power dynamics.

Before: In Pike’s hand, poised for a lethal strike at the Doctor.

After: Scattered on the crypt floor amid Pike’s fallen body, no longer a threat.

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S4E4 · The Smugglers Part 4

Squire’s Sacrifice Enables Escape

Pike’s cutlass is the weapon of his final, desperate attack on the Doctor. As he lunges, the blade glints in the crypt’s dim light, a symbol of his ruthless authority and the immediate threat he poses. The cutlass is deflected by the Squire’s intervention, allowing Blake to fire the fatal shot. After Pike’s death, the cutlass clatters to the ground, scattering Avery’s treasure as it falls. The weapon’s role in this moment is both functional—a tool of violence—and symbolic, representing Pike’s unchecked greed and the brutal consequences of his actions.

Before: Gripped firmly in Pike’s hand, raised and ready to strike the Doctor.

After: Scattered on the crypt floor alongside Pike’s body and the treasure, no longer a threat.

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