Our Flag Means Death Season 2 Episode 6 Review: Calypso’s Birthday

The element of Our Flag Means Death that made Season 1 so enjoyable was the crew’s ability to be completely unhinged in the silliest of ways. This hasn’t shown up much yet, but that all changes with the storyline of Our Flag Means Death Season 2 Episode 6, “Calypso’s Birthday.”

The crew realizes they are bored with how things have been going since Blackbeard/Ed came back from the dead content with not pirating much at all and with Stede supporting that decision. However, Archie talks to them about her recent birthday party, which gets them to think they need a party to liven things up.

This concept of putting on a party harkens back to Season 1 when the crew put on a show for Blackbeard or dressed up to impress some French aristocrats.

United in Leisure

On Our Flag Means Death Season 2 Episode 5, “The Curse of the Seafaring Life,” the crew determined that Stede needed to put Blackbeard on probation. Now, seemingly a day later, the crew has cast aside their desire to punish Blackbeard/Ed and instead focuses on how he and Stede can get them the party supplies they need.

It’s a bonding moment for the crew who have still seemed a bit disjointed despite agreeing to trust one another just a few days prior. It shows that no matter your beef or history with someone a party or celebration can and will put the brakes on such issues.

Not only that, this endeavor is a chance for Blackbeard/Ed and Stede to work on the fledgling relationship that they re-established at the end of the prior episode. They need the opportunity to be alone together in public so they can talk and just be together.

Stede: Did I just see you give that child a knife?

Blackbeard/Ed: Poison into positivity. Don’t pirate kids!

Going to the village to get supplies allows Stede the opportunity to teach his co-captain how to turn his negative acts during their separation into beautiful moments for the crew and others around him. It’s a perfect depiction of how these two vastly different men can come together and balance each other out.

Blackbeard/Ed has a memorable moment on the island with a couple of young kids — played by Taika Waititi’s daughters — where he gives them a ton of money and some knives. Stede tries to subtly tell him he doesn’t think that’s a good idea but, Blackbeard/Ed turns Stede’s words back on him before moving on.

Found Family Creates Loving Community

The biggest takeaway from this episode is the element of found family coming through its loudest and clearest of the whole series. Not only have Stede’s crew always seen each other as family, but now they’ve fully embraced all of Blackbeard/Ed’s crew as well — including Izzy.

The inclusion of Izzy throughout the night is one of the most heartwarming moments this show has ever given the audience. In the span of a few episodes, this character has gone from broken and alone to being completely accepted and surrounded by love.

Not only that, we get to see Izzy shed his walls and allow his heart to really shine through. He allows Wee John to teach him the ins and outs of creating a beautiful drag face, which he wears proudly onto the top deck and starts singing for his crew; his family.

This time last season, Izzy would’ve shoved anyone overboard for suggesting he put on makeup let alone sing a love song. However, now, he’s short one leg, but he’s gained his authentic heart.

There is just something so validating for all the LGBTQIA+ viewers in seeing Izzy not only be accepted as he is by his crew but find it in him to accept himself as well. It’s a journey that we never expected to see, but are so glad the writers decided to give it to us.

Stede’s Learning Curve Stalls

While Stede has been making waves (pun intended) with his newfound confidence and competency as a captain, his refusal to really take pirating seriously has never really allowed him to fit in outside his circle of crew members. Now that Blackbeard/Ed is taking a step back to assess what he wants out of his career and his life that quality has made him comfortable with Stede.

Unfortunately, that means Our Flag Means Death has to create some friction in that area to, hopefully, allow the two characters to continue to grow. This means good news for Stede, he finally takes action against a threat, but bad news for those around him.

His crew’s ability to trust him and have faith in his leadership skills hinges on the fact that he’s never going to be as vicious and cruel as Blackbeard/Ed was at his worst. Point blank, Stede’s crew can trust that he will never officially hurt or kill another person because he’s much too kind for that.

So, when Stede takes that step across the threshold — ignoring Blackbeard/Ed’s warning — it’s clear that a shift is starting in the dynamic between him and his crew. There is a clearly defined shift between him and Blackbeard/Ed because he knows the consequences of such actions and only wants the sweet, lovable Stede he loves to remain untainted by the darkness that death brings.

Discord is Brewing

And while the crew and Blackbeard/Ed both end the episode supporting Stede’s decision, it’s quite apparent that in the harsh light of day, things might be shifting into a much different territory.

When Blackbeard/Ed came back to Stede and agreed to give them a chance he told Stede that he didn’t want things to move too quickly. And while it’s clear their decision to have sex is a mutual one, there are going to be hurt feelings and regrets once they’ve both slowed down enough to think about their actions.

While it’s great to see them be physical with one another, I can’t help but feel like it’s all a bit too rushed.

Stray Thoughts:

• LuPete having sex for a full 24 hours uninterrupted is couple goals. Good for them! 
• The announcement that LuPete are engaged is another reason why this episode is so silly and wonderful. 
• Wee John as Calypso is everything I could have ever wanted and more! Nairn’s background as a drag artist really comes out in this episode
• Zheng teaming up with the noseless Prince is NOT good. 

 

 

What did you think of this episode of Our Flag Means Death? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

Our Flag Means Death airs Thursdays on Max.

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

‘Young Royals’ Season 3 Clip Teases What’s Next for Wilhelm and Simon