The new pirate series Our Flag Means Death is another addition to the great lineup of comedies like Barry and The Righteous Gemstones. The series is based on the life of an 18th century aristocracy who decided to leave his life of luxury and become a pirate. He's not the best at it, but the antics of his crew eventually mean they cross paths with Blackbeard, played by Taika Waititi.
The show is based on real life exploits, and has become notable for being having queer representation, with an openly gay pirate in Nathan Foad. The representation has helped the show build up a fan base that has become enamored with the show as it has released new episodes. In particular, the queerness on display in the finale got everyone's attention, and the show's creators talked to Entertainment Weekly about the queerness that serves as the show's core.
As the season progresses, the relationship between the two pirates grows as they come to have a mutual respect for each other. If you're familiar with your romance tropes, you know where this is going as Stede teaches Blackbeard to use silverware and Blackbeard learns how to be a swashbuckling pirate. In the last episode, Act of Grace, the two pirates confess their feelings for one another and kiss on the beach. The reason to make the show was the blooming romance between the two, which was an initial part of the pitch to the network. It was a romance very quickly.
The opposites attract the energy of their characters and that is what drew them together. Waititi said that Blackbeard was attracted to him because he was looking for adventure in his life.
The pirate represented the freedom he couldn't find in aristocracy with his wife and kids. He said that the show perfectly captures different levels of being in love. It is hard to move on if you don't have that.
Things aren't as easy for Stede and Blackbeard now that they've declared their love for each other. During the finale, Stede travels back home to set things straight with his wife Mary. He can ignore the call of the sea and his heart, but he wants to go back to being a ruthless pirate like Blackbeard, who has since gone back to being cutthroat and ruthless.
If Our Flag Means Death gets a second season, we will know more about the aftermath of Blackbeard and Stede's relationship. If that happens, he told Decider, he's interested in what happens after a break up.
The full first season of Our Flag Means Death is available on HBO Max.
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