Our Flag Means Death Season 2: A Love Letter to Fans

Ahoy, shipmates! Gather ’round as we set sail once more with the crew of the Revenge in the highly anticipated Season 2 of Max’s original series, Our Flag Means Death. Crafted by the talented David Jenkins, this show made quite a splash back in 2022, captivating hearts worldwide with its unique storytelling, diverse cast, and remarkable LGBTQ+ representation. Now, as the second season is about to unfurl its sails, it’s time to dive back into this tumultuous yet endearing world of queer pirates!

If you’re new to the story, Our Flag Means Death chronicles the adventures of the 18th-century would-be pirate, Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby), and his crew of misfits. Stede, once a refined and courteous man, embarks on a daring journey to become the pirate captain of the Revenge, facing the daunting challenge of earning his crew’s respect without having an iota of knowledge of what it means to be a pirate.

Yet, the heart of this tale lies in an unexpected connection between Stede and the notorious Captain Blackbeard (Taika Waititi). Amidst high seas, salty air, and lessons in both etiquette and piracy, love blossoms between these two disparate souls, giving rise to one of the purest and most beautiful love stories we’ve seen in recent times. But unfortunately, not everything is always hunky-dory, and as the Season 1 finale revealed, love’s course did not run smoothly for these two, leading to the couple’s fallout.

But this new season seems to offer a fresh opportunity for love to triumph. So join us as we follow the treasure map that the team behind this show brilliantly laid out for us and find out what makes Our Flag Means Death Season 2 a remarkable sequel.

PSA: this review does not contain spoilers, so read on freely.

Our Flag Means Death Season 2, charting a new course for love

Our Flag Means Death Season 2 opens with the aftermath of Stede and Blackbeard’s heart-wrenching separation – there’s heartbreak, anger, pain, hope, and love… lots of love. As the tides of emotion swell, the duo find themselves trying to piece together their shattered relationship while fulfilling their respective pirate duties. 

Listen, a lot can be said about what transpires between these two characters this season, both good and bad. However, until the show officially airs for most of y’all, we’ll just say that love truly wields immense power – interpret that as you will.

In this new season, the show delves deeper into the romantic and queer aspects of its narrative. It’s not just a tale of pirates seeking to make a name for themselves; it’s a captivating story of people finding love, strengthening bonds, mending what is broken, and forging new relationships. The emotional rollercoaster that Stede and Blackbeard navigate strikes a perfect balance between the deep emotional dives and the comedic highs that this show is known for.

The show’s tagline for this season “Prepare to have your ship wrecked” holds true. Storm clouds loom on the horizon, but the winds are constantly shifting, and patience will see you through. So yes, you’ll laugh, cry, and curse at the screen, but you’ll also feel deeply for the characters. 

In fact, this is one of the highlights of this show – the connection it manages to create between its viewers and its characters. No matter who you are, how you identify as, or what your opinion is about the decisions these characters make, you will undoubtedly be moved by their stories.  

Darby and Waititi once again shine as Stede and Blackbeard. Their chemistry crackles like lightning on the open sea. Darby brings an endearing innocence to Stede’s deeply affectionate character, while Waititi infuses Blackbeard with an unhinged yet poignant portrayal of heartbreak. Their on-screen dynamic is nothing short of mesmerizing, tugging at heartstrings and invoking both tears of laughter and deep emotion. If your expectations for these two are high in anticipation for this new season, we recommend raising them even higher. They really are that good together.

But Our Flag Means Death Season 2 isn’t solely about these two charismatic and whim-prone co-captains. The spotlight also turns towards the rest of the crew, who remain incredibly endearing and funny, emphasizing the importance of found family and human connections.

An expanding crew and an always respectful humor

Our Flag Means Death Season 2 introduces a host of new faces to the tumultuous journey, from new crew members and old acquaintances, to pirate royalty, this season has it all. In fact, since Season 1, one of the most remarkable strengths of Our Flag Means Death has been its ensemble cast of well-developed characters. 

Why, you ask? Because having a large group of characters not only offers diversity but also provides the audience with a plethora of relatable folks to connect with. Each character brings their unique quirks and stories to the table, ensuring that everyone can find someone who resonates with them.

This diversity allows for a wide range of storylines, and Our Flag Means Death Season 2 continues to explore them in unexpected and delightful directions without losing the essence of the show’s charm. Unlike other television shows with numerous supporting characters that contribute nothing to the story, the stories of this set of pirates add depth and heart to the show; turning what could be a weak point into a treasure trove that not only pushes the narrative forward but also serves as comic relief. 

So if you’ve been wondering if you’ll get answers to the myriad questions you were left with about the fate of many of your favorite characters after Season 1, you can rest assured that you will. Trust us on this one.

The show’s pacing is another thing we would like to highlight because unlike Season 1 where the first few episodes were a bit slow, this new season gets it right from the get-go. It keeps the audience hooked with a well-balanced rhythm, smoothly transitioning between outrageous comedy and deeply heartfelt moments.

Moreover, Our Flag Means Death Season 2 once again stands out for its respectful approach to humor. The show ensures that the physical appearance, sexuality, origin, ethnicity, beliefs, and other defining aspects of the characters are never used as punchlines.

This commitment to sensitivity serves as a reminder that you can create comedy centered on marginalized individuals without resorting to stereotypes or mockery to elicit a laugh – a testament to the show’s thoughtfulness and inclusive spirit. It’s a lesson that many creators out there could learn from this show. 

But that’s a discussion for another day. 

A remarkable Season 2 

Our Flag Means Death Season 2 defies expectations and transcends its initial premise as an outrageous pirate comedy. While it remains a hysterically funny pirate show that keeps the audience in stitches, it’s also a touching and sweet romance between people who find in each other exactly what they’ve been unknowingly looking for. 

The depth of the romantic aspects of this season is truly exceptional. All those cheesy tropes that characterize the rom-com genre are beautifully woven in one way or another into this season’s narrative and we loved every moment of it. Romantics at heart, we spent the entire season screaming with excitement into our pillows.

But that being said, Our Flag Means Death Season 2 isn’t just about the romances (yes, plural), it masterfully balances humor, romance, and drama, keeping viewers thoroughly engaged. While the laughs provide a rollicking good time, and the specks of romance give hope, the high-stakes emotional moments anchor the audience in the narrative. 

Every aspect of the story is meticulously crafted, resulting in a show that can make you laugh heartily one moment, gasp in surprise the next, and then move you to tears in the following scene. At its core, it remains a comedy, but as it unfolds, it gradually reveals itself as an emotional tale of reinvention, self-discovery, found family, friendship, loyalty, heartbreak, hope, and love.

Our Flag Means Death is a show with an immense amount of heart, and that heart permeates every facet of this new season. It’s as if Jenkins and the talented cast and crew that make Our Flag Means Death what it is, had taken a page from Stede’s book, penned a heartfelt letter to the fans, sealed it in a bottle, and cast it out into the ocean for the world to read. 

Our Flag Means Death Season 2 is not just a love letter to its fans but a testament to the power of storytelling that can both entertain and touch the soul. We seriously can’t wait for y’all to share with us your thoughts on this new season. But until then, assemble your crew, provision your vessel, and get ready to hoist the anchor for another epic voyage.

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The first three episodes of Our Flag Means Death Season 2 will be available to stream on Max on October 5. Subsequent episodes will be released weekly in pairs until the season finale on October 26.  Follow us on X and Instagram for all queer stuff!

Featured Image: Courtesy of Max