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Our Flag Means Death: Mermen (2023)
So we're Innkeepers?
The final episode of Season 2 is perfection. There is suspense, action, love, love, love, tears, joy, and surprises. Without summarizing the plot, there are so many wonderful moments and Act 2 ends with us feeling great while also wanting revenge for some important events that occurred. At the time of this review, MAX has not confirmed a Season 3 sparking the fandom into a frenzy where a campaign to reverse their decision is ongoing. David Jenkins, the creator of the show had envisioned a 3 season story and there are so many questions left unanswered with this finale. Stede and Ed are reunited and in love. There is a wedding, there is a shocking death, and there is a revenge to plot. Zheng wants to team up with Blackbeard and Stede to go after Minor Prince Ricky. The Revenge sets sail under a new captain, Spanish Jackie and Swede have plans to open a new bar, Buttons is still a gull, and Izzy needs to be revenged. WE NEED A SEASON 3 to fully have the story told.
Our Flag Means Death: Man on Fire (2023)
Fishermen and Pirates are Nothing Alike
The episode begins with Stede and Ed enjoying the morning after. Ed throws out his leathers and brings Stede breakfast in bed. Ed expresses his feelings about how Stede saved his life by coming to him as a sparkly orange Merman. Once docked at the Republic of Pirates, the guys eat at a fish shack together and it becomes apparent that Stede has a new reputation since he offed Ned Low. Ed enjoys seeing Stede as the hero and they head off to Spanish Jackies to meet Stede's newfound fan base. Ed gives Stede advice about handling the new popularity and Stede begins his night of celebrity. Ed is obviously pulling away from piracy and is even more set on leaving the life just as Stede is blowing up in pirate notoriety. They seem to be on different pages and Ed goes off to contemplate his future. When Stede finally finds him, they end up having an argument and Ed storms off to become a fisherman instead of a pirate. Stede goes back to Spanish Jackie's where he ends up in a fight with Zheng where she comes close to destroying him. The episode has a shocking ending when the British blow up all the ships in the bay due to Minor Prince Ricky sending large clocks to all of Zheng's ships. The ending leads viewers going into the season finale knowing that ships have been destroyed, Ed and Stede are apart again, and the British have taken over the Republic of Pirates. Is season 2 going to end with another cliffhanger where Ed and Stede are star-crossed? The show continues to charm us and keeps us on the edge of our seats.
Our Flag Means Death: Calypso's Birthday (2023)
Calypso's Birthday is OUR birthday gift.
This episode is a real gift to the viewers. Stede helps Ed to heal by suggesting they turn "poison into positivity" by letting the crew have a party for Calypso's Birthday. We are treated to seeing Taika's two daughters on screen playing two little gutter rats when they go to buy party supplies. It's hilarious seeing Ed (Taika) hand his daughter's knives and bags of money while he tells them not to become pirates. The party is a big success with Wee John dressed as Calypso and Izzy wearing beautiful makeup so he could also have a "look." Ed and Stede look over the crew celebrating and bask in the idea that Ed has successfully turned poison into positivity. Just as Stede and Ed seem to be headed to the dance floor, the ship is under attack by Pirate Ned Low who is angry that Blackbeard broke his record of consecutive raids. Ned is known to torture his conquests and proceeds to lead his mercenaries on to this end. Throughout the torturing, Ed protects Stede and tries to get Ned to only go after him and not Stede. Stede uses his wit to charm the mercenaries who turn on Ned Low. The scene has changed and now Ned is the captured one and he expects Blackbeard to revenge him. Instead Blackbeard refuses and says he isn't worth the poison. After Ned Low insults Blackbeard, Stede gets so fired up about the torture of his crew and the insults toward Ed and uses his sword to force Low out on the plank. Ed warns him not to do it, but Stede gets so emotional that he throws Ned's fiddle at him causing him to fall into the water and die. Stede is so upset that he leaves for his quarters, followed shortly later by Ed who goes to check on him. While Izzy is singing a beautiful rendition of La Vie En Rose, Stede grabs Ed and pushes him to the wall where their passion is finally unleashed. The ending scene is everything the viewer has wanted. Ed and Stede are together. Bring on Episode 7.
Our Flag Means Death: The Curse of the Seafaring Life (2023)
It's a SAFE SPACE SHIP
Ed is back on the ship and he gives a heartfelt speech to the crew where he thanks them for accepting him back on the ship for a probation period. He is wearing a cat collar with a bell so he can't sneak up on anyone. The entire crew with the exception of Lucius seems very accepting of Ed's remorse and they get back to their pirate duties. Even Izzy if fine with Ed being back on the ship which annoys Lucius who can't seem to rile anyone else up to continue hating Ed. Stede and Ed talk about what Ed has to do to repair his reputation and how Stede can carry himself as the strong captain. Ed suggests to Lucius that he can push him off the boat, but that does little to help Lucius forget what Blackbeard did to him. The episode follows two different stories: Fang and Ed go on a fishing day while Stede gets lessons from Izzy to be a better pirate. When they practice Stede's new skills, Stede finds a beautiful red suit on a ship they are plundering, but since everyone on board was dead, the crew is convinced the suit is cursed. The episode is hilarious as the crew tries to get Stede to get rid of the suit and he refuses to let it go. Eventually, Stede has to follow Izzy's suggestion that he must get rid of the suit because once [a curse} takes hold . . . It takes hold. Meanwhile on the fishing trip, Ed learns from Fang that Blackbeard did a lot of horrible things to his crew. Ed is really sorry and is surprised that Fang is over the things he did. Fang bets Ed that he can't be quiet long enough to catch a fish and Ed takes on the challenge. Later under the moonlight, Ed and Stede reunite to talk about their days and viewers are treated to a beautiful and memorable scene where their relationship is officially sealed with a romantic kiss. The show continues to be the perfect gift. The writing is superb. The cinematography is stunning. The set design is remarkable and the soundtrack music is perfect for every single scene. The acting is so good that every scene is sheer perfection. Taika Waititi and Rhys Darby are so talented and have the viewer biting at the bit for them to get together and become an official couple. This show is one of a kind and I don't ever want it to end.
Our Flag Means Death: Fun and Games (2023)
Please Take the Blanket Off
After going through Blackbeard's Kraken period and the Gravy Basket, we have an episode with a lot of humor and finally see Ed and Stede make progress toward repairing their relationship. After Blackbeard is banished from the Revenge, he lands on an island where he runs into our pirate mates: Anne Bonney and Mary Read. At the same time, Stede has joined Buttons to the island to learn more about Ed's visit to the Gravy Bowl. When Stede shows up, Ed is noticeably annoyed to see him, but softens in time when they converse in the parlor. One of the best scenes occurs during dinner when Ed learns that Stede had gone back to Mary leading him to excuse himself from the table and knock over things before retreating to the parlor hidden under a blanket. The next scene is what we've all been waiting for: Stede and Ed finally talk and Stede declares that he loves being with Ed and enjoys breathing the same air. Finally, Ed softens a bit. Their conversation is interrupted when Annie and Mary begin laughing and making fun of the two lovebirds leading to the women pirates into having a fight. Craziness ensues and Annie lights the house on fire leading Stede, Ed, and Buttons to leave the house. The episode ends with Buttons turning himself into a bird while.the Alessi Brothers "Seabird" plays. Stede invites Ed back to the ship and the two run off together into the forest. It's the first time during Season 2 where we can take a breath and feel like the boys will finally get back together. The romance is ON again.
Our Flag Means Death: Red Flags (2023)
Run . . . .Run . . . . Run . . . Run
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.
Our Flag Means Death: Impossible Birds (2023)
Did everybody get cake?
After the long wait for OFMD to return, the season 2 opener did not disappoint. It continues to balance the drama along with comedy, and sensitive moments without skipping a beat. Blackbeard is in a dark place and is raiding ships daily and then throwing the treasure out to go on another raid. The crew is in a dark place and realize that things are no longer happy on the Revenge with Blackbeard in so much pain. Meanwhile Stede, united with the rest of his crew, is trying to save money to buy a ship and reunite with Ed. He is aware that things are bad because he reads the Wanted signs about Blackbeard's elevated piracy attacks. Evens, Ed refuses to believe that Ed is not the man he loves, and continues to endlessly plot to find a way back to him all the while writing letters and sending them off in bottles. The episode continues showing the progression of both Ed and Stede ending with both groups having a dramatic change. Stede's group tries to steal a chest from Spanish Jackie and gets caught and sold off to the Pirate Queen while Blackbeard gets so enraged when Izzy challenges him about his feelings for Stede, that he shoots him and makes Frenchie the First Mate. In one of the final scenes, the episode cuts to both Ed and Stede in the moonlight in different places thinking of each other but in two very different ways.
Our Flag Means Death: Act of Grace (2022)
Think up some new names . . . cool ones.
Still reveling in the ending of the last episode where Stede and Ed are reunited only to be in the hands of the British who sentence Stede to death by firing squad by saving Blackbeard by turning him over to Izzy Hands. I really don't see how this show keeps getting better and better, but it does. I also don't see how they can put so much into 25 minutes and have me craving for more at the end. This was another stellar episode watching Blackbeard give up his own freedom to save Stede and sign on to serve the British. He even seems relieved to be off the ship, done with piracy and with Stede. Stede, however, is asking how to escape only to learn that Ed is ok with the current situation. What we've been finally waiting for happens when Ed declares his feelings for Stede in a romantic moment on a sand dune. I melted when I saw the magical kiss leading Stede to also admit that Ed makes Stede happy too. An escape plan is in motion and suddenly there is excitement brewing as Blackbeard runs off to get a boat and Stede is nervously awaiting their meet up. Of course there is a major confrontation between Badminton and Stede leading to another accidental death. Stede does not show up to the meeting place as Ed paces all night long and sadly rows off in the morning alone with A Perfect Day playing on the soundtrack. It cuts away to Stede returning home to his wife and then to Ed climbing on board the Revenge asking for tea in his quarters. They are apart and the viewer has been quickly destroyed after much anticipation for their romance to officially begin.
Our Flag Means Death: We Gull Way Back (2022)
You Came Back . . . Never Left.
This episode begins with a visit from a former shipmate of Blackbeard's played by the hilarious Will Arnett who is wild to say the least. He is an extreme partier using rum, whippies, and yardies to bring craziness onto the Revenge. Stede is really taken back by the dynamics between Ed and Calico Jack, but agrees to try and like him based on Ed's relationship with Calico. There is a hilarious scene on the beach that is so ridiculous that even Stede walks away and returns to the ship. Things get heated leading to a show-down between Stede and Calico where Stede bans him from the Revenge. Surprisingly to Stede, Blackbeard leaves telling Ed that this is who he always was. Heartache continues as we watch Stede pine for Ed while he observes the antics on the beach through his telescope. Things progress and Ed learns he was betrayed by Izzy and that the English are on the way to destroy Stede. In the most romantic and sensitive scene so far in the series, Blackbeard returns to the Revenge to be with Stede as they are invaded by the British. In a touching improv scene, Ed touches his foot to Stede's while they are both face down on the deck, hands tied behind their backs. Even though this seems dismal, the two are together again. Cue The Chain and the soundtrack has once again melted our hearts.
Our Flag Means Death: This Is Happening (2022)
Blackbeard's Bar and Grill
How can I have another favorite episode, but here we are. This one is titled "This is Happening" in reference to the budding romance between our two captains. They may not fully realize it, but they are both enchanted by the other and the scenes on their treasure hunt portray the genuine affection they have for each other witnessed by Lucius who is the first to really connect that romance is brewing. There is also a lot of character development about Jim where we learn their background that has led to a life focused on revenge. There are great scenes on St. Augustine while the group is trying to find oranges and Jim's nana. One of the highlights of this episode is the improv work between Taika and Rhys while they are eating snake and chatting about Blackbeard's restaurant. It's fun and shows their blossoming romantic gestures with each other. The ominous ending warns us that trouble is headed to Stede and that makes us all the more interested in getting to the next episode. Another quality episode.
Our Flag Means Death: The Best Revenge Is Dressing Well (2022)
Practicing Massive Aggression
This is one of my favorite episodes as we explore Stede and Blackbeard's newfound collaboration to teach each other what they know best. We get to see Stede, Blackbeard, Frenchie, and Oluwande attend an aristocrat party where the craziness explodes. The dialogue is witty and pulls the viewer into some of the funniest scenes to date. The episode switches between scenes on the Revenge where Lucius and Izzy are having a power struggle to the party where Jeff the Accountant dazzles the aristocrats with his vivid stories, music, and dancing. Frenchie and Oluwande's con game taking place during the party adds to the bedlam on board. The ending scene in the moonlight is the first realization by both pirates that they are feeling something for each other during the often quoted "you wear fine things well" moment. Taika's acting continues to impress as he shifts from different moods and layers of his character development. Another nod this episode goes to the costumes, makeup and set designs. Every detail is perfection.
Our Flag Means Death: Discomfort in a Married State (2022)
Can You Keep a Secret?
This episode has it all. There is adventure, comedy, character development, flashbacks, exceptional dialogue, and crew relationships. After having seen the entire series, I can say that some of the brilliant writing, metaphors, and symbols are appreciated even more with each re-watch. This episode really shows Blackbeard's state of mind with regards to his piracy life, while Stede is trying to start the life that he perceives Blackbeard has. Their differences seem profound, yet they are both genuinely intrigued by the other. Their chemistry is sincere and obvious by watching them interact in their chatty conversations. The scene in the hidden closet when Stede finally learns who Ed really is, is perfection. Both Taika and Rhys are perfectly cast as a couple to really get behind. I can already feel how badly I want them to work out.
Our Flag Means Death: A Gentleman Pirate (2022)
You've Heard of Me?
This show is hitting its stride and I am here for all of it. We find our captain trying to sell his hostage on the Republic of Pirates where he stands out like a sore thumb. There are cameos and much action in Spanish Jackie's establishment where a nose jar collects noses from people that wrong her. It's a wild scene on the Republic of Pirates and we meet a new character Izzy Hands who is the first mate for Blackbeard. The anticipation of how and when Stede and Blackbeard will finally meet is building as the episode teases Blackbeard's fascination with this new Gentleman Pirate. When Steed refuses to meet Izzy's captain, we can tell something is brewing. The episode closes with our first look at the famous Blackbeard and it definitely does not disappoint. Can't wait for the next episode.
Our Flag Means Death: A Damned Man (2022)
What's a Vacation?
I loved this episode for a variety of reasons. Character development continues as we learn more about the crew and its bumbling inexperienced captain. The representation of diversity is cleverly woven naturally into the interactions. Instead of hitting us over the head with representation, it is simply a natural part of the show. What a concept! The story line is clever and charming. I laughed so many times during the dialogue and have already found myself invested in what is going to happen in this story. There is a capture, a trial, a confrontation with an enemy, and development of new relationships. This show is going to be a gem and I'm here for the ride.
Our Flag Means Death: Pilot (2022)
Quirky Piracy at its best
I fell into this pilot because I heard that Taika Waititi and Rhys Darby were involved. Anything they do, I will give it a go. I found myself laughing out loud and pleasantly surprised by the premise. I hadn't heard of Stede Bonnet before, so I quickly looked him up and learned that he really was a land-owning aristocrat who left his family to become a pirate. The whole idea is pure insanity and the show does a terrific job in setting the stage for hilarity on the high seas. I was sold within 10 minutes and by the end of the episode I couldn't wait to see more. I especially loved the ship and the costuming. The characters were diverse and I can imagine that the development will continue as the season continues. It's not like any typical pirate show I have seen before, but that makes it really intriguing. I'm in. I was also really struck by the music. The episode ends with High on a Rocky Ledge and I had never heard it before but quickly downloaded it and loved it.
Our Flag Means Death: The Innkeeper (2023)
Come back to me Ed
Every single minute of this episode is perfection leading up to a heart wrenching moment that simply takes your breath away. The parallels between Stede's search for answers about where Ed is with Ed's search for answers while in the Gravy Bowl keeps the viewer invested in every single moment. The writing is a masterpiece of linking beats and pieces together while keeping viewers on the edge. There is drama, comedy and many deep and reflective heartfelt moments. The final scene going back and forth between the drowning Ed with sparkly Mermaid Stede and Stede holding Ed's hand while begging him to come back is so powerful thanks to the acting of Taika Waititi and Rhys Darby. The romance, the drama, the love between them can be felt completely while the beautiful music wraps it all together. I will never forget watching it for the first time and my desire to watch it on repeat ever since. This episode is emotional and raw. When the last note plays, it feels like there can be a happy ending down the road. This show, this episode has everything a viewer could want in a show. It is truly perfection.
Our Flag Means Death (2022)
A REAL Pirate's Treasure
Season 1 was a delightful start to a show that has taken over my heart. The comedy is fresh and dives into a loose historical interpretation of 1700's piracy in a way that captures you before you realize that you are invested in the antics of every single cast member. The story line is based on Stede Bonnet, a landed aristocrat, who leaves his family and wealth to lead a life as a pirate. Notorious pirate Blackbeard (Edward Teach) hears about the Gentlemen Pirate and becomes obsessed with tracking him down to satisfy his curiosity. Once they meet, the two opposites end up becoming friends and confidants. Their chemistry grows quickly into romantic feelings drawing in the audience as their biggest supporters. This show is so unique for many reasons. The two lead characters (Ed and Stede) are both on a journey to become their.best selfs during their middle aged years. They both have dreams that are leading them in different directions, but both realize that they have a deep love for each other. Ed wants a life without piracy while Stede was escaping his life to begin a life of piracy but by the end of season 2, the two have found a way to be together giving all the fans of the show the happy ending they desired. The show is casted perfectly and the characters become a found family that loyally lives together in their adventure filled life on the high seas. The writing, directing, cinematography, costumes, sets, makeup, New Zealand filming location, and everything else that has given this show such a feel good atmosphere has stolen the hearts of the fans and cast members. There are on-line communities for fan art and discussions that cover everything from plots, character development, and love for the show. I highly recommend this show. It is ground-breaking, has diverse representation and is full of joy as well as having some drama that will bring you to tears. This is a romantic comedy that happens to take place on the high seas. Taika Waititi and Rhys Darby's performances are as perfect as can be. Waititi's Blackbeard is incredible as he goes from the tortured and maniac pirate to the sensitive and vulnerable man who wants to walk away from his life of piracy. Darby's Stede is Mr. Positivity who sees Ed for who he really is and accepts every part of him unconditionally. They lead the way for all the other characters that make up this emotionally touching story. There are so many other favorite characters and stellar performances on this cast that you simply must watch the series to experience the reason this show has become a fan favorite.