https://pirates-forum.org/Thread-ThePirateBay-Want-Trusted-VIP-Status-Pink-Green-Skull-See-Here
I already know, but I feel like this post belonged here. Trust the skulls, I have usually found original seeders seeding the torrent alone for years at time (1 seeder) and they get the job done.
Green Skull, Pink Skull, Number of seeders column (what else?) are the things you should care for while downloading torrents.
Imo it kind of never was but it does serve as a beacon of hope and takes a lot of the heat.