Our Flag Means Death Season 2 Episodes 4 and 5 Review: Fun and Games / The Curse of the Seafaring Life
One of the great things about Our Flag Means Death Season 2 Episodes 4 and 5, “Fun and Games / The Curse of the Seafaring Life,” is that audiences are allowed to see all of the characters start to evolve and heal from their traumas in real-time. It’s something that needs to be explored, and the writers have now shown us that they completely understand that.
Whether it’s Blackbeard/Ed and Stede repairing their relationship or Lucius becoming more okay with his trauma, no one is left out. Even the rest of the crew are given the opportunity to create a safe space together and talk — it’s not the same level as Season 1’s, “talk it through as a crew,” but it’s definitely a start.
When comedies take the time to cover more dramatic storylines and allow the characters to show themselves as vulnerable, sensitive creations, it creates a healthy balance that allows the jokes to be that much more funny.
What is a Healthy Relationship?
On Our Flag Means Death Season 2 Episode 4, “Fun and Games,” Blackbeard/Ed and Stede end up on the shore together after the crew unanimously votes to banish Blackbeard/Ed for his crimes against them. Stede’s continued, unwavering faith in the goodness of Blackbeard/Ed is inspiring, but this episode shines a light on how damaging to their relationship that mentality can actually be.
By interacting with Anne and Mary, the two are shown that while they might have a complicated relationship at least theirs isn’t as dangerous to themselves — yet — as the two women’s is. Seeing up close that these two women stab and poison each other to keep their relationship fresh and exciting is eye-opening for Blackbeard/Ed and allows him to let Stede in enough to talk.
The chaos of Anne and Mary compliments the calmness of Blackbeard/Ed and Stede finally sitting down and having their much-needed heart-to-heart.
These two needed to be free to discuss their feelings for each other as well as their hang-ups. Stede and Blackbeard/Ed realizing that they both think they are simply a whim to the other says quite a bit about how they move forward.
The thing is, Blackbeard/Ed has every reason to hear Stede out and then walk away once more. Instead, he takes this as an opportunity to do their relationship properly — slowly and honestly.
An Illustration of the Changing Dynamics Due to Trauma
During Our Flag Means Death Season 1, the Revenge crew was the most excitable, happy-go-lucky crew on the seven seas. Now, due to a combination of being stuck on Blackbeard/Ed’s ship while he was a raving, murderous lunatic or being stuck on an island after being betrayed by Blackbeard/Ed, the crew is more skittish.
Through it all though, obvious leaders have broken through in surprising fashion. During Season 1, Oluwande had been appointed captain by his peers, and he didn’t accept it.
Now, he is the one leading the charge for the two groups to come together and talk things out instead of immediately suspecting them and turning to violence. Right beside him are Roach and Frenchie who have now become some of the most vocally sympathetic crew members.
One of the biggest dynamic changes comes during Our Flag Means Death Season 2 Episode 5, “The Curse of the Seafaring Life.” Last season, Jim was the one to pull the crew out of their superstitions and help them to see logic. Now, they are diving headfirst into a superstition that Stede’s new suit is cursed.
It’s probably the most drastic vibe change aside from Lucius — who has seen so many things so we can’t fault him. It leaves audiences with the urge to hug them and tell them they will be alright.
In the episodes to come, it’ll be interesting to see if Jim ever reels back on their more aggressive behavior or if this is just their new normal. Either way, seeing how they interact with Archie vs. Oluwande is like seeing two sides of the same coin.
Lucius and Black Pete Heal Each Other
This brings us to the most amazing performances of all of Our Flag Means Death Season 2 Episode 5, “The Curse of the Seafaring Life.” Lucius and Pete finally have the conversation they’ve needed to have this whole time.
Lucius is caught up in his trauma to the point that all he sees is revenge and making Blackbeard/Ed pay viciously for his crimes. However, this comes at a detriment to his relationship with Black Pete.
Matthew Maher gives the performance of a lifetime as Black Pete confronts Lucius about his traumatic revenge plot and sets him straight. The way Maher conveys Pete’s concerns for Lucius while also showing that Pete isn’t about to roll over is a balance that not many actors can successfully achieve.
Pete, who has always been a gung-ho pirate, and obsessed with violence/making himself seem overly important, manages to dial it back so much that he’s now the quiet, sympathetic boyfriend. When Maher delivers the ultimatum our hearts clinch because we don’t want this to be the end of these two men’s relationship, but we also know that it needs to be said.
It’s the words that Lucius needs to hear to pull himself out of his funk and be the attentive partner Pete deserves. When he asks Pete to spend the rest of his life with him, there isn’t a dry eye in sight.
Izzy and Stede Putting Aside Differences Is Growth
Between Season 1 and Season 2, both Izzy and Stede have grown enough in themselves to work together toward a common goal. For Stede it’s being able to ask Izzy for pointers on how to be a better captain. For Izzy it’s accepting that ask and willingly complying.
It’s a monumental move for their characters and allows audiences to see that these two can move beyond their personal traumas and issues to be friendly with one another.
Watching Izzy take Stede seriously for the first time is what makes Our Flag Means Death Season 2 Episode 5, “The Curse of the Seafaring Life,” so special. By creating a somewhat positive relationship, these two are opening the door for Blackbeard/Ed to successfully make amends with the entire crew.
After all, if the two most important people in Blackbeard/Ed’s life can work together and be on the same side, so can the rest of the crew. It’s this relationship that ultimately leads the crew to trust and respect Stede once more.
Stray Thoughts:
- I love that Buttons self-actualizing himself into a bird is what makes Blackbeard/Ed actually believe that people can change and become their truest selves
- Blackbeard/Ed’s inability to hide his infatuation/fascination with Stede even when he’s mad at him is adorable
- Fang being the one to truly heal Blackbeard/Ed’s relationship with his crew is huge
- WE GOT A REDO OF THE YOU WEAR FINE THINGS WELL! Blackbeard/Ed being the one to say the line this time shows the shift in the new way they will be approaching their relationship
- Wee John’s constant knitting in the background is so healing for me
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!
Mads Misasi
Mads is a part-time entertainment journalist and full-time marketing content creator. They love any and all TV Dramas with a few sitcoms mixed in. Join in the fun talking about TV by following them on Twitter: @dorothynyc89.