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Reviews
Our Flag Means Death: The Best Revenge Is Dressing Well (2022)
It's a romance!
Stede seems to be getting over his aversion to the violence required for piracy now that his crush is the one doing it! Poor Lucius, not so much; he does find an enthusiastic new model for his drawing though, in lovely Fang, played by the wonderful David Fane.
Brilliant Frenchie is in his element conning greedy aristos with Oluwande's (initially baffled) assistance. In contrast, there's a kind of touching earnestness to Ed's desire to dress up fancy, talk about fashion, and generally be accepted in 'high society'.
The final moonlight scene is beautiful in all ways and lives rent-free in my (and many other people's) head <3.
Our Flag Means Death: Discomfort in a Married State (2022)
Superb episode about being seen
Blackbeard's abstract fascination with the Gentleman Pirate shifts into the beginnings of a real connection, and opens up the theme of being seen (or not) for all we really are.
Frenchie's initial resignation in the face of disaster is quietly devastating, but then he is an enthusiastic lynchpin in the plan that saves them all; likewise, Oluwande's optimism and deepening bond with Jim in the dawn is touching, and I really like that thread of people finding hope together.
Every time I watch this episode (and it's been many, many times now), I still feel the thrill of the lighthouse ruse. And then the bone-weariness that Ed feels, in continuing to live up to Izzy's image of Blackbeard, really hits hard after all that elation. Superb writing, acting, scenery, everything.
Our Flag Means Death: A Gentleman Pirate (2022)
Brilliant!
I think the choice to focus mainly on Stede and his crew for the first three episodes really sets up the main storyline well, as otherwise I reckon Blackbeard's character could have taken all the focus and made his and Stede's interactions unbalanced.
Loved Spanish Jackie so much; Leslie Jones makes her both funny and menacing, and it was great to get more background on Jim and Oluwande. Stede's unwarranted confidence is something to behold but then I guess that's the aristocracy for you.
Now, I hate the term 'meet-cute', but I make an exception for the end of this episode because, despite the violence all around, Stede and Blackbeard's first meeting is bizarrely cute and I love it.
Our Flag Means Death: Pilot (2022)
Give it a chance, you'll enjoy it
The more I watch this pilot episode, the more I love it. It does a good job of introducing a lot of characters and the background set-up without feeling forced, and the plot actually moved forward, which doesn't always happen in a pilot.
The comedy is a mix of styles which kind of makes it hard to pin down but I laugh throughout every time I rewatch, especially the whole "Raids are like snowflakes..." bit.
It's more moving that I originally expected too, which gives a clear taste of how the season develops. Also, the racist bully gets his comeuppance pretty quickly, which was very satisfying.
Our Flag Means Death (2022)
Funny, heart-warming, heart-breaking, healing
This show healed my little gay heart with its beautiful depictions of queer love and friendship. I watched it because of rave reviews about Vico Ortiz's performance, and they are brilliant, but I really fell for the show because of its touching central storyline. I cannot wait for season 2 - and then 3, because the creator, David Jenkins, has a three-season arc planned and we have to see it all!
Our Flag Means Death deftly and surprisingly balances comedy and drama, and all the characters are really three-dimensional and nuanced. As the first three episodes largely lay the foundations, I didn't fully appreciate them on first viewing, but with the context of the whole season I love them now.
I've rewatched so many times, and really wish that they would release a DVD so I can buy it to keep forever.