Our Flag Means Death Season 2 Episode 7 Review: Man on Fire

With Stede’s newfound fame comes some flow issues for the season as a whole on Our Flag Means Death Season 2 Episode 7, “Man on Fire.”

This entire season there has been an underlying rushed feeling to each story that comes along. However, the greatness of each story thus far has been able to push that feeling deep down to the point of almost not existing.

Now, that Blackbeard/Ed and Stede’s relationship seems to be falling apart faster than you can say fishing, the fast pace of everything else this season becomes overwhelmingly obvious. “Man on Fire” has its merits as an episode and the story being told is important to cover, but with such a short runtime the moments leave much to be desired.

Blackbeard/Ed and Stede Fall Prey To Whims — Again

At the conclusion of Our Flag Means Death Season 2 Episode 5, “The Curse of the Seafaring Life,” the two co-captains seemed to be on the same page about taking their relationship slow. Now, Stede has found himself swept up in the glory and excitement of single-handedly defeating a foe and thus allows himself to get caught up in whims.

While Blackbeard/Ed does say to Stede that their having sex was a mistake it’s clear from the look in his eyes that he doesn’t mean a word he says. Instead, because he lacks proper emotional maturity, he says the one thing he knows will allow him to escape Stede before it all falls apart again.

He knows that they are going way too fast — just like he’d mentioned previously — but he doesn’t know how to come out and say that to Stede. So, instead, he takes the coward’s way out and creates an opportunity to run.

As a result, Stede — who is also emotionally immature — turns to Blackbeard/Ed and says some hurtful things in response. It further pushes Blackbeard/Ed towards the life of a fisherman and protects Stede from hurting too much.

Communication Has Been Lacking

The two are meant to be together, but they need the time to learn how to communicate with one another. In fact, this whole exchange is the prime example of how rushed this season has actually been despite being able to ignore it until now.

If Our Flag Means Death could’ve had the chance to stretch out the season a few more episodes then maybe these two would’ve had room to grow as men separately before coming back together. Instead, they barely have time to recover from Blackbeard/Ed’s “death” before the story pushes them back together romantically without a full discussion of their emotions.

During Our Flag Means Death Season 2 Episode 4, “Fun and Games” it seems that Blackbeard/Ed and Stede are going to take the time to really talk out their past history before jumping forward together. Then one episode later they are kissing and holding hands, and we are emotionally excited about this development we forget they still need to talk.

Now, “Man on Fire,” brings that lack of communication to the very forefront because it reminds us that Blackbeard/Ed and Stede aren’t quite on the same page anymore. We first see it in Spanish Jackie’s bar when Blackbeard/Ed breaks away from Stede because he feels uncomfortable with all the attention Stede is getting.

They want to be together, but currently, Stede is allowing the good vibes of being respected by everyone to dictate how he approaches the world. Meanwhile, Blackbeard/Ed wants to pull away from that violent lifestyle, and so he’s hurt by Stede’s current obsession with it.

Unfortunately, neither of them have enough wherewithal to navigate these feelings of insecurity let alone communicate them to each other.

Trouble on the Horizon

Meanwhile, Jim and Archie are helping Oluwande reconnect with Zheng who is on the Republic of Pirates recruiting. This leads to more confusion on Stede’s part and creates unnecessary chaos and contention.

While Zheng seems innocent and honest in her feelings for Oluwande, it does seem a bit suspect that she just happens to create discord amongst Stede’s crew. Especially considering she’s recently teamed up with the Prince to go up against Stede and his crew.

The relationship between Zheng and Oluwande has always been sweet and lovely, but we can’t forget that Oluwande betrayed her trust and stole her prisoners away. This is not something the Pirate Queen is just going to forget in the name of “love.”

In the time it takes Jim and Archie to reunite Oluwande and Zheng the seeds of discord within a previously happy and united team grow a little too quickly. Which, again can be boiled down to rushed storytelling.

All of this is a very compelling twist on the story, but it feels a bit out of left field because we haven’t had enough time to sit with Zheng’s feelings about being betrayed. She is a very vengeful pirate, and we only get to see a few moments of her upset between Our Flag Means Death Season 2 Episode 3, “The Innkeeper,” and now.

It’s not enough time to really develop this wrath she has, but the building blocks are there as evidenced by how everything unfolds.

Stray Thoughts:

• Wee John the tattoo artist is everything I didn’t realize I needed
• Swede being a VERY attentive husband for Jackie is quite the glow-up for him
• I might’ve gotten emotional seeing Blackbeard/Ed drown his leathers and don Buttons’ outfit instead

 

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

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Our Flag Means Death airs Thursdays on Max.

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