Change Your Image
razzapple_
Reviews
Our Flag Means Death: Mermen (2023)
incredible season finale
This finale was absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking. It felt so perfectly ofmd, hitting that lovely balance between fun camp vibes and a story that makes you sob violently for months, I loved it.
I've loved seeing the development of all the characters throughout the show and I think this episode shows their progress beautifully. Izzy's journey especially will never fail to make me cry, this ending was so bittersweet.
The final scenes of this episode really drove home that feeling of family and community that this show does so well, providing the most lovely sense of comfort.
This was such an amazing ending to the season, however I do believe it leaves room for another. I don't think either Stede or Ed's character arcs are complete, and with the plot they teased regarding Zheng, I think it's very obvious that this ending is simply breathing room and there's still plenty of story to follow. I truly hope we're able to reverse the cancellation, David Jenkins always intended on writing three seasons and he deserves to tell his story to its finish. OFMD has been such a creative, beautiful, heartbreaking, and overall genuinely phenomenal show. I absolutely love it so much.
Our Flag Means Death: Man on Fire (2023)
ouchy
Amazing episode as always. The way it showcases Stede's character arc as well as flaws that make room for some amazing character development is incredible. In many ways, he and Ed sort of switched personalities, and it's really interesting (although heartbreaking) to see Ed being forced to watch Stede make the same mistakes and go through the same process that he did, knowing that Ed now hates the person he became during that experience. It's really deep and touching, while still maintaining the comedic aspect of it.
Also, I will never shut up about Izzy's character development, it's absolutely beautiful. I love seeing the way he's grown and similar to Ed, the way he's now being forced to watch Stede go through the same thing.
And of course, the metaphors and symbolism will never fail to break me, they're always so incredible.
Our Flag Means Death: Calypso's Birthday (2023)
MY FAVORITE EPISODE <333
Oh my god I literally can't even begin to explain how much I love this episode. Literally everything was so perfect. This show is so unpredictable, what happened in this episode was literally the last thing I expected and I love it. It was executed so beautifully, when I say this show captures the feeling of love and community better than any other I've seen, this is what I mean.
Izzy's character development makes me sob oh my god, seeing him in this episode was THERAPY. It was so sweet and lovely, I adore it so much. And seeing Wee John get to shine as well?? So amazing, I love the constant focus on each character throughout the show, it really brings the whole concept of "as a crew" into light.
Another thing I love about this episode that kind of contrasts the rest, is how it marks the beginning of Stede's next era. Throughout the next episodes we see Stede take a bit of a turn, starting with the rather traumatic events of this one. I love how they managed to capture that idea, repeating the same flashbacks again and showing the distress that leads into the switch in his mentality and character development over the rest of the season, despite the episode being otherwise a light-hearted and joyful experience.
The execution of this episode was just perfect, the cinematography and set design was gorgeous, the makeup and costume design was beautiful, the acting was amazing (Con O'Neill's performance was especially outstanding) and everything else. This episode was genuinely perfect, I love it so much.
Our Flag Means Death: The Curse of the Seafaring Life (2023)
AHHHHHHHHHHHH /pos
GOD THIS EPISODE. Everything about it was pure gold. This episode really brought back some of those classic ofmd camp vibes with the single-episode plot and the focus on the crew all together, it's amazing.
I absolutely adore Izzy's character development this season, and I think this episode in particular showcases it really well. With the stupid fun jokes he's making, and the way he's bonding with the crew, specifically Stede, it's so sweet to see his journey from the beginning of the show to now, and in later episodes.
And of course, the final scene. I'm not kidding when I say I full on screamed the first time I watched it. Without spoiling, the parallels are insane, from small lines to the music and everything, that scene owns my entire heart.
Our Flag Means Death: Fun and Games (2023)
asbfhaksbvjk :')
Amazing episode. As always the emotion packed in this one was incredible, I loved seeing the anger and hurt still lingering in Ed and then the transition back to that adorable fairytale love. I think it's so sweet, and honestly very impactful in the broader story, how Ed can't help but turn soft and "just be Edward" whenever he's with Stede, even if he doesn't want to. And I think this was portrayed wonderfully, with incredible acting, writing and pacing. It's also lovely seeing the same episode parallels between this season and the last, (something that continues in future episodes as well) with Stede and Ed meeting at the end of episode 3, one of them being hurt, and then beginning to actually spend time together throughout episode 4.
My other favorite part of this episode was seeing Izzy's journey, hitting rock bottom and finally receiving love and support from the crew. (the unicorn symbolism is also so incredibly sweet)
Anne and Mary were also absolutely amazing characters in this episode, and Buttons' side-plot was gold.
Overall this was an extremely emotional episode, but also a very comforting one, genuinely incredible.
Our Flag Means Death: The Innkeeper (2023)
SOBBING
One of my favorite episodes, everything about this was a pure work of art. The sheer emotions that are displayed in the characters is so incredible. Without spoiling anything, everything about Ed's story was absolutely phenomenal. The build up, the reveal, the symbolism, the way the plot and events of this episode tied into prior events. It was all absolutely heartbreaking, gut-wrenching, soul-shattering, I could go on and it will never come close to describing the pain and beauty of this episode.
The pacing was brilliant, dropping clues to along the way that lead to a certain character's reveal, the crew's behavior and everything leading up to the climax of the episode.
And of course, the obvious part, that absolutely insane ending. Oh my god. Everything about that scene was perfect, the music made such an impact, the acting and writing was incredible, the cinematography was phenomenal, and the montage was the agonizingly beautiful cherry on top.
I also have to appreciate all the small details, from the parallels to the metaphors, i am so serious when i say this episode was perfect and could not have possibly been executed better. 10/10.
Our Flag Means Death: Red Flags (2023)
INSANE.
Oh my god, absolutely 10/10. This episode was so intense in the most beautiful way. It got so dark, I honestly forgot I was watching a comedy, and it was executed SO beautifully. To say it packed a punch is the understatement of the year, this episode absolutely beat me to a pulp and put me in a coma. So incredibly emotional, I adore it.
The actors' skills are really shown so well in this episode, every character's lines and acts were executed perfectly and built up the atmosphere so much, and the cinematography was also incredible. On top of that, the soundtrack was so amazing?? Run From Me was the perfect choice of song, it gave such an intense feeling to the episode.
Overall this episode will leave you in shambles in the best way possible, 10/10.
Our Flag Means Death: Impossible Birds (2023)
PERFECT start
This was such an amazing start to the second season, still showing us some of the incredible comedy but also diving a lot deeper into the darker side of things. It's absolutely crushing seeing the way Ed is handling the heartbreak and the way every character has progressed up until this point.
The new characters were all introduced so nicely, I've seen the second season multiple times by now and honestly I sometimes forget they hadn't been there the whole time, they fit in so well lol.
The storytelling was absolutely insane. I love how the metaphor of the "impossible bird" ties into the lighthouse symbolism that was so prevalent throughout season 1, it all just flows so nicely.
On top of that, the soundtrack, acting and writing was all so insane in this episode. Absolutely beautiful way to start the second season <3.
Our Flag Means Death: Wherever You Go, There You Are (2022)
ouch
10/10, absolutely beautiful, ouch. Such an incredible season finale, bringing together everything we've seen thus far into a beautiful and heartbreaking ending while also providing a perfect place to start the next chapter of the story. All other episodes had built up to this ending so wonderfully, exploring the characters' complex pasts and feelings and taking us through the journey of their development. This finale encompasses all of that and uses every concept previously introduced in the perfect way, it feels absolutely seamless yet still packs a gut-wrenching punch.
As always, the writing is perfect, and the actors' talent is phenomenal. Absolutely heartbreaking and brilliant episode and a perfect ending to the season.
Our Flag Means Death: Act of Grace (2022)
such an insanely good episode
Absolutely PHENOMENAL. This is the kind of episode that you never really stop thinking about, you'll randomly remember it and go through all the same emotions over again. And god it's emotional and so incredibly well written. The way all 8 of the previous episodes build up to the big event in this one is amazing, with the foreshadowing, the character development and the backstories, showing how each of their past trauma and experience led to this. I also love the way this episode calls back to certain aspects of their pasts, repeating flashbacks we've seen before and paralleling previous scenes. The script is incredible, with lines that tie heavily into both past and future events as well as fundamental concepts of the characters' personalities and mentalities and the actors are so amazing. Their delivery of these lines and the emotion they portrayed all throughout the episode was outstanding. Genuinely phenomenal episode i could talk about it for hours.
Our Flag Means Death: We Gull Way Back (2022)
incredible storytelling
This episode is so chaotic, with some of the most unhinged comedy we've seen yet balanced out with a seamless yet terrifying transition from events of previous episodes to the plot of the next two. I adore the way this episode further deepened the intricate personalities and relationships of the characters, showing Ed's contradicting feelings but also his end decision was amazing storytelling. Obviously the ending of this episodes begins to unfold the disaster that will take place over the rest of the season and lead us into season two and it's quite an intense transition, and yet it manages to feel perfectly smooth by tying in the ideas of both previous and later episodes. Coupled with the insane comedy, and of course that iconic ending scene, this episode is a masterpiece.
Our Flag Means Death: This Is Happening (2022)
so sweet
Incredible episode, and as much as I love angst I have to admit the light-hearted comedy of this episode was really nice. We finally got Jim's in-depth backstory which was extremely well written and the adventure was adorable.
I also loved how this whole episode revolved around oranges, seeing as they represent both eternal love and the afterlife. This was the episode where both Ed and Stede's relationship as well as Jim and Olu's were officially confirmed, even with the episode's title relating to that. On top of that, Jim's past and family are also massive themes in the episode and their tree has come to represent a sort of grave/memorial to their family, it all ties in really nicely.
Our Flag Means Death: The Art of F**kery (2022)
lovely
This episode will ALWAYS leave me in shambles no matter how many times I watch it, it's so painfully sweet oh my god. Finally getting a full insight to Ed's childhood and the way he views himself and Stede. The bathtub scene is so vulnerable and the way he used Stede's robes for comfort is the sweetest thing. Not to mention the symbolism of a confessional, with the two being super close and intimat yet still visually separated by appearing in different mirrors and being obstructed by shadows. I could talk about this for hours but the way this represents Ed's feelings about himself and Stede is so extremely poetic I love it. Plus of course, the foreshadowing and pacing is on point as always and this episode does such good job at blending the comedic aspects with the heavier parts, I absolutely adore this episode.
Our Flag Means Death: The Best Revenge Is Dressing Well (2022)
one of my favorites <33
This episode is absolute art I love it so much. Just like the last episode it does such an amazing job portraying the complexities and different angles of Ed's character, seeing him get so excited to go to the party and share Stede's experience. We also get to see a bit more of Ed's past, introducing the silk which becomes very important. Then of course, there's the silk scene itself which has never once failed to absolutely shatter me to my core despite watching it like 10 times, its so beautiful!!! The softness it shows and the way it depicts the progression of their relationship is so sweet. The symbolism behind the piece of silk as well as Stede and Ed's actions and the way it all foreshadows events in later episodes plus builds a foundation for future plot. Not to mention the parallels between this scene and episode 9 with Gnossienne No. 5, and season 2 episode 5 obviously, just the way this scene is consistently used throughout the show? It's so beautiful.
Our Flag Means Death: Discomfort in a Married State (2022)
absolutely incredible!!!
This episode is phenomenal in every possible way and i loved it so much. The pacing is perfect, and the way it develops characters and dynamics is incredible. After the first three episodes depicting Blackbeard as a mysterious, world-famous murderous pirate it was amazing seeing the switch-up of him getting all excited about every little detail of the ship, the crew and Stede, being completely enamored by the "soft and weak" things that Stede has been consistently harassed for. Furthermore, I love the way this episode begins to cover Ed's complex feelings regarding his life, showing that he isn't actually interested in the brutal killing of piracy and feels bored and trapped. I think the way he introduced himself to Stede as Ed rather than Blackbeard and even said he works for Blackbeard was genius foreshadowing and gives a really fascinating insight to the character. However, his plans for Stede are also important, as they contrast with the personality and opinions we've been given otherwise. This idea builds complexity in Ed's character and sets the scene for future character development. Genuinely amazing writing and execution.
Our Flag Means Death: A Gentleman Pirate (2022)
amazing as usual
I loved this episode, it continued to deepen the personalities and individual stories of the characters, giving us a better understanding of who they are. Particularly, episode three dives a bit further into Jim's backstory and their values, progressively building on what we know about the character and very nicely leading into other information revealed in later episodes.
Episode three also further pushes the overall plot, finally introducing Blackbeard and beginning to integrate him into Stede and the crew's story while still maintaining the air of mystery that gets the viewer hooked, and showing how everything we've seen so far is tying into later events and leading up to bigger story arcs
very well written episode!!
Our Flag Means Death: A Damned Man (2022)
amazing :)
The second episode builds off of the first wonderfully, further discussing the foundational concepts we were introduced to such as Stede's past, Jim's identity, etc. It builds up the characters' personalities and their dynamics, as well as sets up a path for the rest of the season to follow with very nicely paced progression.
We're also introduced to new characters and concepts to follow in a way that feels very natural and well executed.
On top of that, as always the comedy is incredible, the episode feels fun and entertaining while simultaneously deepening the intense topics related to complex backstories, mentalities, etc.
Wonderful episode :)))
Our Flag Means Death: Pilot (2022)
i loved it
This show is so silly its the definition of camp in the best way possible, but it also covers some really intense and dark themes whether that be literally or metaphorically and I love every part of it. I absolutely fell in love with the show the first time I watched it, and I've seen it close to 10 times now, I can and have literally talked about this show for hours on end, there's so much, it's all so beautiful and the community it's created is incredible.
Episode 1 introduces a lot of different key elements that are further explored in later episodes, such as the lighthouse symbolism, Stede's past, his future relationships, etc. As well as foreshadowing certain events that take place later on. Overall the pilot episode gives an amazing start to the show and sets up for many different concepts to be expanded upon later on in really creative and deeply thought out ways. I love it :)