The Bold Rebellion Unveiled: Unlocking the Essence of “Our Flag Means Death”

Our Flag Means Death: Exploring Radical Freedom on the High Seas

A Period Comedy That Challenges Societal Norms

October 5, 2023

By Judy Berman

What a long, strange voyage the first season of Our Flag Means Death was. A period comedy that delves into the life of Stede Bonnet, the so-called Gentleman Pirate, it initially provided mild amusement with its Monty Python-esque episodes. However, as the season progressed, it evolved unexpectedly into a tender queer love story between Bonnet and the notorious Blackbeard. Now, the show returns for a second season, aiming to navigate the complex interplay between liberated freedom and moral responsibility.

The Setting: A Pirate Ship in the Year 1717

The year 1717 presents a rich setting, both humorous and profound, for an exploration of freedom. At this time, the Golden Age of Piracy coincided with the Age of Enlightenment, when philosophers like John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Thomas Hobbes contemplated the balance between individual liberty and a social contract necessary for civilization. However, despite these intellectual discussions, society at large remained repressive. Loveless marriages, the punishment of sodomy by death, and the reliance on chattel slavery within the British colonial economy were just some manifestations of this repression.

Creator David Jenkins takes this historical reality and weaves it into an unmistakably fictional narrative. He acknowledges the despicable actions of the real Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet, but instead of portraying them solely as psychopaths, he presents them as misfits molded by their difficult upbringings and societal roles. Their unconventional love story transcends societal expectations, illustrating that freedom is not solely about romantic relationships or sexual identities.

Queerness and Gender Nonconformity

Our Flag Means Death creates an anarchic and cutthroat pirate world where queerness and gender nonconformity are readily accepted and embraced. Through the characters of Big Pete, Lucius Spriggs, Jim Jimenez, and others, the show challenges traditional gender roles and fluidly explores gender expression. Love and relationships are celebrated in this fantastical world, with romantic connections forming between diverse characters regardless of gender identities.

Radical Freedom and the Pitfalls of Nihilism

While love sparks a sense of liberation for the characters in Our Flag Means Death, it also exposes them to new challenges. The show explores the complex nature of freedom and the responsibility that comes with it. The character Ed falls into nihilism when his love interest, Stede, goes missing, highlighting the existential crisis that can arise when one has all the freedom in the world but no one to share it with. This exploration of the darker aspects of freedom adds depth to the narrative and prevents it from descending into mere fan service.

A Balancing Act: Conflict and The Risk Of Filler Episodes

If Our Flag Means Death wants to avoid becoming mundane or fan-driven, it needs genuine conflict and flawed characters who make both terrible and healthy decisions. In the second season, the absence of conflict results in a couple of filler episodes that detract from the show’s daring and liberating essence. While still enjoyable, these episodes lack the same impact as the best moments of the series.

Our Flag Means Death is a show that thrives on embracing radical freedom, but it also acknowledges the challenges and complexities that come with it. By intertwining history with fiction, queerness with love, and liberation with moral responsibilities, the show transcends traditional narratives and creates a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition. As the new season sets sail, audiences eagerly anticipate the twists and turns that will navigate through the contrasting realms of freedom and responsibility.

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