User Reviews

Not only was Izzy physically not in this episode as much as last episode, but he loses a limb. My boy didn't deserve to lose a leg and then have people making out over the limb!

With lack of Izzy to discuss, I will talk about the other things this episode had to offer.

1. Zheng is an amazing addition to this story. Was she around during this time period in real life? Lol no! Am I mad about it? Absolutely not. That said, my boy L. A. Meyer already had a story where she was portrayed as a queer pirate queen in one of the later Bloody Jack books. So having her be portrayed as straight here is weird to me, but I'm not mad at it. Olu is great and he deserves all the love.

2. Rhys Darby has really come into his own as a leading man this season and he continues to be a delight to watch. This is one of those rare shows where everyone has amazing chemistry with everyone else and Rhys Darby's Stede continues to be the heart of this extremely wholesome show.

3. Joel Fry is really shining this year. He is really funny yet he conveys discomfort and fear so well that you're genuinely on edge whenever he has scenes with... 4. TAIKA WAITITI! Edward Teach is a mess and Taika Waititi is pretty masterful at balancing humor and darker elements in his performance. His scenes with Con O'Neill in particular are really effective.

5. Can we talk about the hair and makeup for this show? It continues to be by far and away some of the best on television. The wigs are AMAZING.

This episode is so much. The reason I didn't rate this or the previous episode 10 starts is because they hurt so much to watch. The things Blackbeard does and says, jesus christ. The ending is... I don't have the words. But if you've watched it, you know.

Both the beginnings of Jim and Archie, and Olu and Zheng are so cute, yet it gives me so many conflicting feelings, because you want Jim and Olu to be together, and it had seemed like that is where they where going by the end of the first season, but then they do this. At the same time too. And it's cute but also WHAT ARE YOU DOING WE GOT LUCIUS BACK !!!!!! I never doubted it for a SECOND and I was SO HAPPY, it was the perfect reunion.

The beginning of Sea Witch Buttons arc too LET'S GOOOOO All the things Jim told Archie in the hidden basement too, after the... leg.. thing.. iykyk, god, it's everything I wanted and needed to hear.

So yeah, you aren't ready for this episode.

Ed's self-destruction is delivered pitch-perfect by Waititi. The oscillation between the soft-spoken, understated terror he exudes and the unravelling chaos is hard to watch, but necessary for Ed to go through. And Waititi and O'Neill's scenes together are beautifully, horrifyingly toxic, right until the bitter end of the episode.

The crew's reunion with Lucius is a bright spark of hope in their storyline. His trauma with Ed's murder attempt and the other things that have happened to him since then are handled with real heart and sympathy, which also makes it possible to find space for the comedic moments. Nathan Foad delivers a wonderful performance.

And Stede's growing understanding on how far Ed has gone, coupled with his insistence on that he still isn't lost beyond hope mirrors beautifully the audience's view of him. We, too are in love with this man, and we, too are not ready to give up on him.

One of the lighter highlights are the new cast members and characters! Just as it was with season 1, every single new character is an instant new favourite. Oluwande's storyline with Zhang Yi Sao and Jim's with Archie are both wonderful.

I can't believe I've just seen this with my own two eyes. The emotional turmoil of Ed hits just a tad too much near home. There is no one I love more than Izzy (it's probably untrue, but for now he's occupying the entirety of my heart) and the scenes between Ed and Izzy are just the most nerve wrecking, hurtful in a good way, anxious inducing and wonderful ever.

My love for all the other characters have also been rewarded, especially Buttons (Sea witch? What is going on? I want to know mooooore pls), Lucius who has a very interesting story line (also hello Lucius!! We've missed you), Frenchie to wich I relate probably a bit too much, Olu and Jim.

As episode 2 starts, we are quickly revealed to that Lucius lives, and the reunion is so sweet and delightful... until we learn the absolute hell he has been through. His character is processing a lot and dealing with immense trauma. Rhys Darby's acting has just been blowing me away this season. Taika Waititi is also absolutely incredible this season. This episode really steers hard into the darker parts of what everyone has experienced and the result of that. The build up to the Revenge moving into the storm, with Timber Timbre's song "Run from Me" building as things rage is chilling. I don't think any previous episodes from season 1 up to this point have felt this harrowing before.

This is an incredible instalment. The scenes on Zheng Yi Sao's ship are funny and moving, and alive but angsty and angry Lucius is beautifully played by Nathan Foad. The reunion is heartfelt but it's clear that it doesn't make everything right again, because Lucius is traumatised and deservedly angry over what has happened to him, and the rest of the crew don't understand. Meanwhile the scenes on the Revenge meet new heights even as they plumb the depths of despair. Blackbeard continues to spiral out of control, leading to a dramatic denouement. But really, this episode belongs to Con O'Neill. The anguish and anger in his scene with Blackbeard, and at the last, his despairing intervention on behalf of the crew, is portrayed with such force and so much feeling as to be utterly compelling. It left me breathless.

Oh MAN! Susan the Soup Seller was Zheng!!! She's so badass and funny and compassionate! I LOVED HER SO MUCH!!

AND SWEDE BECAME HUSBAND NUMBER 20!!! (Although if Jim killed Husband 20, and Gerardo died last season, then he should've been husband 19, so she must've taken on another husband off screen).

I did question Olu messing up the filing and war map. The man could clearly read if he was looking at the back of Blackbeard's wanted poster. And he'd know enough to know what the little pieces on Zheng's map meant. So I wondered if that was intentional to throw them off the scent of the Revenge to protect Jim?

Ed has gone too far, but I love him and have hope.

More Zheng, please! Even if she hates Olu!

Content warning for this episode, also partial spoiler: suicidal ideation and attempts (by proxy). Not going to lie, this episode is dark, folks. It's brilliant, artistic, at turns hilarious and heartbreaking, and it's dark. It's more directly gory than other episodes, but also just psychologically a heavy hitter. It's necessary and narratively brave, in my opinion, to go that hard so unflinchingly.

LUCIUS REUNION. What a scene, the whole crew gets roasted for their emotions and then they absolutely lose their minds over Lucius, confirming all the above. Though his obvious loss of faith in people is saddening. In fact Lucius' lines are written so well to increase the concentrated dread collecting over in the narrative aboard the Revenge. This whole episode is a crescendo.

Ed's hairstyle in this ep deserves its own acting credit. The costume department deserves a tender kiss on the forehead fr that, and a payout for their DELIGHTFUL use of Chinese silks aboard Zheng Yi Sao's ship. Yet again the music choices absolutely slap. That 'Run From Me' is used twice in the episode in completely antithetical scenes is amazing.

LUCIUS MY BELOVED!!!! The song run from me is used in such an excellent way here not once but twice! The use of music in this show is seriously a cut above the rest the music supervisor deserves a raise! I adore this episode buttons my favorite sea witch meeting auntie, ed's messy bun to better see his beautiful neck, "heyy was someone injured" to PPANTO, stede helping lucius, getting to know archie, ed's updo and neck, stede missing ed, zheng and olu, ed's beauty and updo have i mentioned that yet? Stede's unwavering love for ed. The soup! I have eaten more ramen in the last month than ever before because of the soup in this and the next episode! Roach is so real and so is love.

Holy heck this episode was something else! Absolute best ep in the entire show for me and I will be watching it on repeat!

Firstly, I have to say that it definitely needs a trigger warning. There is a on-screen su1c1de attempt that had no warning before the show, so go into it with that in mind. If you are sensitive to that, please take care of yourself.

The reveal of Zheng is so good and seeing Stede and his crew mingle with them is a delight. Each character gets their own moment and it is lovely! We have characters we thought we lost in season 1 return and another amazing character introduced to us in full.

Zheng is a fantastic! Witty, smart and hilarious! And gorgeous!

Ed and Izzy are absolute peak in this episode! It is my absolute favorite due to how messed up it is, terrifyingly erotic and devastating! This is where that warning is needed tho. It goes darker than any of us ever imagined but it is so good! Taika and Con acted their hearts out in this scene and I hope they win awards for it. Best scenes in the whole show for sure!

In this episode, we see how Ed falls further into the darkness and eventually reaches the bottom. There's a lot of trauma and pain in this episode, but I really loved how they didn't hesitate and just went for it. It made me empathize with the characters in this show on a deeper level.

The highlight of this episode is the scene with Ed and Izzy, of course. The words, the facial expressions and the actions that were shared between these two characters bring us their untold history. We can feel and understand their complicated, yet powerful bond. I can't praise the acting in this scene enough. Taika Waititi and Con O'Neill have such intense chemistry. I love how it feels like in comedic scenes, Taika helps Con's comedic side shine a lot more, and in dramatic scenes, Con helps Taika's dramatic side shine a lot more. Ed and Izzy's dynamic has always been one of my favorite things in this series. It was fantastic in season 1 and it continues to be fantastic in season 2, and I'd say a lot of that brilliance comes from the chemistry between these two actos. Amzing stuff.

We knew he wasn't dead. I appreciate that they waited until episode 2, to drop this little gem. This was another incredibly written episode that was over too soon. Why are these characters so easy to love?? Kudos to Taika Waititi's Blackbeard. The emotional Rollercoaster that character has taken us on, only gets more and more fascinating. This episode felt like "the one where the family reunites," because now it really feels like the family is ready for its next adventure, adopting a few new members at a time. This episode left me wanting to peek into Izzy's character a bit more. I do hope we see more of him.

Episode 2 of 'Our Flag Means Death' Season 2 is a delightful continuation of the series, leaving audiences yearning for more and fervently hoping for a third season. The episode not only maintains the show's trademark wit and humor but also introduces compelling new storylines and characters that enrich the narrative.

Ruibo Qian's portrayal of Zheng Yi Sao is an absolute standout, showcasing incredible depth and strength in her performance. Not to mention, her stunning hair becomes a visual highlight, adding an extra layer of authenticity to the character. Qian brings a captivating presence to the screen, effortlessly commanding attention and becoming a compelling addition to the ensemble cast.

Rhys Darby's portrayal of Stede Bonnet continues to be a revelation. His comedic timing and nuanced portrayal breathe life into the endearing yet bumbling pirate character. Darby's performance is a testament to his versatility as an actor, bringing both heart and humor to Stede's journey.

Additionally, Taika Waititi's portrayal of Blackbeard, or my babygirl Taika, injects the series with a charismatic and enigmatic energy. Waititi's portrayal adds a layer of unpredictability to the character, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats whenever he graces the screen.

The episode seamlessly weaves together multiple storylines, balancing humor, adventure, and character development flawlessly. The writing remains sharp, keeping the audience engaged while setting the stage for compelling arcs to unfold throughout the season.

The show's production value continues to impress, with detailed set designs, costumes, and visuals that transport viewers into the world of piracy. Each frame is meticulously crafted, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

'Our Flag Means Death' Episode 2 serves as a testament to the show's ability to evolve its narrative, introduce captivating new characters, and keep audiences thoroughly entertained. It's a testament to the series' brilliance and leaves fans eagerly anticipating the potential for more adventures in a much-hoped-for third season.

Character development continues at a deeply moving pace. Taika Waititi's performance as Blackbeard is so dark, funny, disturbing, clever, pensive and every range of emotion you can imagine. He's dialed in completely as the Kraken Blackbeard mourning the loss of his love interest while pushing for his own demise. Meanwhile life on the Red Flags led by Rubio Quan's character Zheng is a more peaceful and organized pirate ship where the crew enjoys soup, jobs, and meditation practices. Con O'Neill is such a premier actor and his portrayal of Izzy has been great from the start of the series, and continues to shine in a role that has so much darkness and depth. Frenchie is played by Joel Fry is also balancing his loyalty to Blackbeard while harboring Izzy down below directly against the captain's orders. Blackbeard spirals downward until an ending where he is doing everything he can to end his life by forcing the crew to destroy him. The soundtrack coincides perfectly with the action leaving every viewer in a state of complete frenzy at the end.

S2 episode 2 comes in strong! LUCIUS IS BACK! And he's obviously traumatized by his near death experience at the hands of Ed, someone that he had come to trust. I love how this episode demonstrates the emotional consequences that stemmed from the season 1 finale. Lucius is tense and angry. Ed is heartbroken and riddled with self-hatred. Stede yearns to fix in mistakes. And finally, I love how the crew continue to look out for one another as things start falling apart. They even save Izzy, a much despised character in season 1, and protect him from Ed's abuse. It's amazing how a show that's designed to be funny also has the capacity to be so raw and so human.

This episode continues to effectively propel the plot towards the peak of act 1 of the season. Standout moments from the episode include Lucius' emotional reunion with the crew of the revenge, especially Black Pete, Stede and Lucius' conversation about the trauma Lucius endured while acting as a stowaway, the playing out of Ed and Izzy's complicated relationship while also exploring both of their damaged mental psyches, and the manic resignation that Ed displays when wrecking the ship at the conclusion of the episode. Overall, this episode digs deeper into character journeys introduced in the first episode, and it sets the stakes admirably high for Stede and Ed's eventual reunion and commiseration.