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Sarah here, teaching English around the world. Living life and seeing things.
HBO Max’s newest period comedy adventure series, Our Flag Means Death, Episode 103 left us on a cliffhanger, not fully introducing us to the fearsome Edward Teach, aka Blackbeard (Taika Waititi). But now we get to see him in all his glory and it is… quite unexpected. These episodes star Rhys Darby, Waititi, and Con O’Neill.
Beware the Flag
Our first look at Blackbeard shows us a more imbalanced yet softer character than what we may know. He is conflicted, lost, and adds to the lighthearted humour of Our Flag Means Death. Waititi plays an excellent part, and you’re never quite sure what’s happening with him.
Episode 4: “Discomfort in a Married State”, directed by Nacho Vigalondo and written by Eliza Jiménez Cossi, gives us a greater understanding of the Gentleman Pirate himself, Captain Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby). Through feverish dreams, we get to know about his life and what led him to abandon his wife and family for a life of adventure on the high seas. Derby’s comedic timing is, as ever, perfect, but he has a skill for using his humour to really express the discomfort and unhappiness in his marriage.
We also experience the crew coming to terms with Jim’s (Vico Ortiz) little secret, and the frustration that Jim feels at their endless questions. Once again, Ortiz is fantastic and frightening, and now that they can use their voice, it only adds to the character.
The two Captains quickly start to learn from each other, and it’s easy to see that an unusual friendship is forming, especially when they need to combine their skills to outsmart the Spanish. It is simple, funny, and a light story to keep you going.
A Dapper Dilemma in Our Flag Means Death
An unlikely friendship starts to bloom between the two captains, and they start to trade their own tricks to change their lives. Stede starts to learn more about being a fearsome buccaneer, and Blackbeard wants to explore a more elegant lifestyle.
Stede may not be the fastest learner, but Blackbeard fancies his chances, and there just so happens to be a pompous party travelling by. Episode 5: “The Best Revenge is Dressing Well”, directed by Fernando Frías and written by John Mahone, sees some of our crew take to a classier situation, while Izzy (Con O’Neill) starts to slowly lose his mind with the crew of The Revenge.
Blackbeard may be the most fearsome pirate on the seven seas, but he quickly learns the power of words. Through highs and lows, he sees how to truly mingle with the high flyers in society. Kristen Schaal and Nick Kroll are part of a group that is perfect in creating some of the most unlikable characters, and it’s fun to see how our favourite pirates navigate a new situation.
This episode is a perfect example of how the show merges comedy with some bigger issues. While the Captains are busy trying to woo their hosts, Oluwande (Samson Kayo) and Frenchie (Joel Fry) take it upon themselves to swindle some of the gullible guests. The jokes come in fast through the episode, but the ending really does hit a little harder. Kayo and Fry work together so well, and their energies complement each other fantastically.
The Old Razzle Dazzle
The tables are turned in Episode 6: “The Art of F**kery”, directed by Fernando Frias and written by Simone Nathan, as it’s Stede’s time to put his new knowledge to good use. An oncoming merchant ship gives Stede the perfect opportunity to show everyone just what he has learnt from Blackbeard. And he plans to do it in style!
A ridiculous idea for an episode that is executed perfectly and feels unusually natural for this particular show. The company crew really shines in this episode, with each one taking up the role of a lifetime. Particular favourites here would be Wee John Feeney (Kristian Nairn), who is purr-fectly chilling, and The Swede (Nat Faxon) who seizes his time in the spotlight in a mesmerising way.
Con O’Neill is a real shining star throughout the series; he never falters from his formidable style and he adds a fantastic juxtaposition to every other character. While the rest of the cast sometimes feel like they know they’re in a comedy series, O’Neill’s foul-mouthed character Izzy Hands doesn’t seem to have gotten that memo, and it works phenomenally well. And now that he is taking a new turn, one which will change the course for our comical captains, he could really crush their barnacles!
Weigh Anchor!
We’re truly moving with these three episodes, and the action is about to get really intense. The whole cast is still on top form, and the comedy is hitting perfectly. Things can only go up from here, and I just hope that, as we enter the main events of the show, it doesn’t get too ridiculous.
Our Flag Means Death Season 1 Episodes 1-6 are now available to stream on HBO Max!
Sarah here, teaching English around the world. Living life and seeing things.
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