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tannihernandez
Reviews
Our Flag Means Death: Wherever You Go, There You Are (2022)
Painful but necessary
This is the stab-you-in-the-gut-and-rip-your-heart-out episode...and I mean that in the best way possible. The ending to this left me absolutely shattered, which is honestly just a mark of how good the storytelling was throughout and how much I came to love the characters. Although it's a painful episode to watch as you witness characters making mistake after mistake after mistake, it is very much a necessary one that brings needed growth and development to the characters and the story. But dang, does it hurt.
Despite the hurt, there are still some really funny moments here, because this is still a comedy, after all. We also get some of that heartfelt sweetness that makes this show so special, and I loved how Mary's character was portrayed and written here especially. A fantastic and fitting conclusion to the show's first season that will leave you desperate to watch the second season ASAP.
Our Flag Means Death: Act of Grace (2022)
Take that, queerbaiting!
If you weren't already fully aware of how beautifully queer this story is, this is the episode that will make you realize exactly how special what your watching is. I don't want to spoil the moment for anyone who hasn't yet seen it, but something magical happens here that makes the whole series worth watching alone (though there are a hundred other reasons to watch and enjoy it, too.)
Of course, this is s a story and all good stories need a conflict, so things don't stay perfect and magical and happy. But the ending twist is a meaningful one for the characters and sets up some really interesting (if painful) storytelling for the rest of the show and the second season.
Our Flag Means Death: We Gull Way Back (2022)
Favorite episode in the series, the ending scene is perfection
If I were held at gunpoint and asked to choose just one episode from this show that is my favorite, I think I'd have to pick this one. The character interactions and relationship dynamics at play are so well done here, and this episode really serves to solidify the relationship and what it means to each character. Will Arnet's performance as Calico Jack is an entertaining one. You absolutely hate the guy, but you're supposed to, and he's still hilarious to watch even though he makes you cringe constantly. There are definitely some more emotional moments to balance out the humor here, and it all culminates in what I think is one of the best scenes in television history at the end with a fantastic use of Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain." *Chef's kiss* absolute perfection.
Our Flag Means Death: This Is Happening (2022)
The sweetest, funniest episode
In true Our Flag Means Death style, this episode is so sweet and so heartfelt while also still managing to be totally hilarious. In an effort to keep Blackbeard entertained, Stede takes him on a treasure hunt, which turns into basically a first date (that neither of them know is a date) with Lucius third-wheeling and very much picking up on some romantic cues between the pair of them. The improvised scene about Blackbeard's imaginary bar and grill is a funny bit that really showcases the chemistry these two actors have with each other.
Meanwhile, the Swede has scurvy thanks to an inordinate use of all the ship's oranges, so the crew sets out to find some citrus on land. We get some great backstory for Jim here and some really sweet character interactions between them and Oluwande. Romantic developments for all! I love it.
Our Flag Means Death: The Art of F**kery (2022)
One of my favorite episodes
This is one of my favorite episodes of this entire show and perfectly encapsulates what this show does so well: striking a delicate balance between whacky humor and softer, more heartfelt moments that really make you empathize with and love the characters.
After listening to some spooky stories aboard the Revenge and witnessing one of Blackbeard's elaborate setups to turn an enemies own worst fears against them, the crew decide to attempt such a scheme themselves. Meanwhile, Izzy pressures Ed/Blackbeard to do what he said he would and kill Stede, but Ed isn't sure he wants to anymore. It's a fun, silly time until Blackbeard himself ends up terrified and experiencing PTSD, which leads to the most precious and adorable little character interaction between him and Stede. I was crying. They are so precious to me. The sword fight at the end brings back the lighter, more comedic tone of the show but leads to some interesting ramifications that set up the conflict to come. Great episode for character development, entertainment, and plot advancement.
Our Flag Means Death: The Best Revenge Is Dressing Well (2022)
The costumes, the moonlight!
This is such a great episode. The costuming department deserves all the awards for this episode alone. Everything on the fancy party ship is so elaborate and beautifully crafted and it really adds to the atmosphere and storytelling. I love the character development we get in this episode, especially for Ed/Blackbeard. We get to see parts of his backstory and the way he longs for something different in his life, but once he gets that he quickly realizes that it's not all it's cracked up to be. We also get to see what this kind of environment is like for Stede, who hasn't ever really fit in with the upper-crust society folks despite having been born into that society. The way the two characters interact here is a joy to watch, and it was that moonlight scene at the end that captured my heart and made me root for them even more.
I also love the "pyramid scheme" Frenchie and Oluwande create while aboard the ship. It's exactly the kind of zany, anachronistic fun that makes this show so endearing and hilarious.
Our Flag Means Death: Discomfort in a Married State (2022)
Top-notch character development
One thing this show does really, really well is balancing its whacky humor and ridiculous shenanigan's with thoughtful character development. This episode is a perfect example of that. We get a deeper look into Stede's backstory here, but we also get properly introduced to Blackbeard. In no time, we see what these two have in commo: a deep dissatisfaction with their lot in life and the very opposite roles they each fell into. We also can see what they have to offer each other, what they can learn from each other. And then of course there's the immediate chemistry between them and what promises to be a beautiful friendship. Of course, there are still ridiculous shenanigans and laughs aplenty, but at the heart of it all is the relationship between these two characters, and we really get to see that begin to shine in this episode.
Our Flag Means Death: A Gentleman Pirate (2022)
Enter Blackbeard
We have another phenomenal episode here as Stede and his crew continue their adventures. The one-liners and comedy bits in this one are great, and Leslie Jones makes an appearance as a side character who shows up a few times and is always fun to watch. This primarily takes place in the Republic of Pirates, and specifically at a bar called Spanish Jackie's. The sets are really well done and the setting is one of my favorites in the entire season. We also get to see a little more of our second lead character here, Taika Waititi as Blackbeard. He's shrouded in mystery at first but by the end of the episode you can tell things are really going to get more interesting as he and Stede meet and get to interact more. It was also a lot of fun to learn more about Jim as a character and to see their storyline gain a little more momentum. I was really curious about Jim and their story by the end of this episode, and it sets up nicely what's to come for that character.
Our Flag Means Death: Pilot (2022)
Off to a great start
I know this episode is considered to be one of the "weaker" ones of the series, but honestly, I was hooked from the moment our hilariously incompetent aristocrat-turned-pirate-captain, Stede Bonnet, proudly raids a small fishing vessel and comes away with only a very sad-looking plant for his spoils. Add in the scene where he gets his crew doing an arts and crafts activity like they're in kindergarten (complete with a lesson in sharing) and I could already tell this was going to be my kind of show. This episode may not be the best of the series (they're all excellent, IMO) but it does do what you want a pilot to do in establishing the premise, introducing characters in a memorable way, and setting the tone. The great part is that it only gets better from here!
Our Flag Means Death (2022)
Hilarious and heartwarming
When I first started this show, I expected a silly, fun little pirate comedy with exaggerated characters like you'd find in any good ensemble cast comedy. I absolutely got that, but this show delivers so much more. At its core is a heartwarming tale of friendship, self-discovery, camaraderie, and love. The comedy makes some of the more emotional parts all the more powerful, and the story strikes a brilliant tone between humor and more complex emotions that I haven't seen in many other stories before. The chemistry between the cast is brilliant and really makes all of the characters shine, particularly the two leads (Rhys Darby as Stede Bonnet and Taika Waititi as Blackbeard). I have rewatched this more times than I can count and I still enjoy it thoroughly every time. I absolutely cannot wait for season 2 because I need more of these characters and their story.