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Our Flag Means Death: Thread 2. Still utterly brilliant and we are still obsessed!

976 replies

TriceratopsRocks · 16/05/2024 17:53

Ahoy there mateys! Hop aboard our ‘safe space ship’ thread 2, where we can continue to wax lyrical about our favourite show.

If you haven’t yet seen Our Flag Means Death, what are you waiting for? Do go watch it (on BBC iPlayer) and then come back here and join us.

You may have heard that this is a comedy about pirates and think that's not for you. But it’s actually about self-discovery, healing and found-family with a love story at its heart. It does begin as a sort of pirate workplace comedy, but in episode 4 the tone changes and that’s where the main story really starts. The joint leads are both damaged by abusive backgrounds and think they want what the other has. The show is about their healing and their respective journeys. It’s tender, romantic, funny, emotionally intelligent and utterly refreshing. It subverts genre expectations. There is comedy, absurdity and a good amount of heartbreak and despair - sometimes in the same scene! The acting is outstanding (Taika Waititi and Rhys Darby especially). But the writing, music, costumes, sets, the sheer attention to detail – for a show with only 18 half-hour episodes it is still keeping us talking, a full thread and many re-watches later. Can you tell how much I love it?

If you think this might appeal, do watch it, then come back and talk to us. It would be lovely if more were to join our crew. But be aware it's a show that needs time. The 2nd lead doesn’t arrive until the end of episode 3 and that’s when the main story starts. You need to give it at least 4 episodes. It then took me several more to fully appreciate what I was watching but then I was hooked - and had to immediately watch it all over again. If you like Good Omens, What We Do in the Shadows, Ghosts or even Bridgerton, this might be the show for you.

(I’ve kept this spoiler free, but if you scroll down you will no doubt find many, so beware!)

Thread 1: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/telly_addicts/5008593-our-flag-means-death-its-utterly-brilliant-and-i-am-obsessed?reply=135294204

Page 38 | Our Flag Means Death. It's utterly brilliant and I am obsessed! | Mumsnet

I'm sure I found a thread on this series a while ago, but now season 2 is out I've looked back and I can't find anything apart from the...

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/telly_addicts/5008593-our-flag-means-death-its-utterly-brilliant-and-i-am-obsessed?reply=135294204

OP posts:
Thread gallery
161
Phineyj · 20/05/2024 17:32

18th May at 10.02am and 12.14pm for fic recs.

This thread moves fast!!!

CarterBeatsTheDevil · 20/05/2024 17:44

Phineyj · 20/05/2024 17:29

@CarterBeatsTheDevil if you go back to near the beginning of the thread I've recommended 7 fics I enjoyed.

Just been reading 'Birthday Boys' which is tremendous mixture of soppiness and smut. Thanks, @TriceratopsRocks!

Yes! I am working my way through as we speak! I very much appreciate all links

TriceratopsRocks · 20/05/2024 18:04

lizziesaurusx · 20/05/2024 17:11

@TriceratopsRocks At times I'm Stede, and I'm Mary, and Ed (and Jim, and Lucius, and scarily even Buttons

I veer between being Stede, Ed and Mary but, much as I love him, I don't think I've ever been Buttons - I'm clearly missing some nuances in my reading of his character.

Buttons is awesome. He's competent, extremely loyal and takes initiative. He knows his limitations and adapts. He has a special interest (🤣). He has a longing for something and knows he can't have it unless he makes changes. Ok, he's also a little other-worldly and slightly insane, but you can't have everything!

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TriceratopsRocks · 20/05/2024 18:09

MrsJellybee · 20/05/2024 17:31

@TriceratopsRocks I’ve started reading ‘In Favor with their Stars’. I was a fool to say I didn’t like AU 🥹

I felt like that at first too, till I actually tried some. As for what you're currently reading, just wait until you get to the sequel...

And once you've finished that, try "The Tolling Bells" too, if you haven't already.

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TriceratopsRocks · 20/05/2024 18:13

Either trying to get Stede closer or suggesting Stede will be the death of him.

Oh god the 2nd option had never even occurred to me. I want to say it's the first one please!

I wonder if Stede ever realised what his cravat meant to Ed, and if so, when?

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TriceratopsRocks · 20/05/2024 18:15

AhBiscuits · 20/05/2024 15:07

I've just started watching this and have the biggest crush on Blackbeard.

Good for you! And welcome to the club! Now you just need to keep watching and wait for your crush on Stede to begin. It will, I promise...😁

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AhBiscuits · 20/05/2024 18:17

TriceratopsRocks · 20/05/2024 18:15

Good for you! And welcome to the club! Now you just need to keep watching and wait for your crush on Stede to begin. It will, I promise...😁

Will it? Feels unlikely, let's see 😄

MrsJellybee · 20/05/2024 18:21

AhBiscuits · 20/05/2024 18:17

Will it? Feels unlikely, let's see 😄

We see your season one ‘Stede’, and raise you season two…

lizziesaurusx · 20/05/2024 18:21

TriceratopsRocks · 20/05/2024 18:04

Buttons is awesome. He's competent, extremely loyal and takes initiative. He knows his limitations and adapts. He has a special interest (🤣). He has a longing for something and knows he can't have it unless he makes changes. Ok, he's also a little other-worldly and slightly insane, but you can't have everything!

Initiative and adaptability aren't my strong points so maybe that's why I identify with him less than the others. Special interest and longing, very much so! I did notice yesterday watching 2.2 that as soon as the crew are back on the Revenge, he's straight into giving out instructions on sails etc and as first mate, he's clearly been the one keeping the actual sailing going when Stede is clueless.

As for other-worldly and slightly insane, perhaps he's a metaphor for those of us who are as bewitched by OFMD as Buttons is by the sea.

Edited to say I love when he starts listing all the sea creatures he can think of and it's too much for Lucius.

MrsJellybee · 20/05/2024 18:23

TriceratopsRocks · 20/05/2024 18:13

Either trying to get Stede closer or suggesting Stede will be the death of him.

Oh god the 2nd option had never even occurred to me. I want to say it's the first one please!

I wonder if Stede ever realised what his cravat meant to Ed, and if so, when?

It’s definitely a noose to me. I mean Ed first met Stede at his tapas-themed hanging…

TriceratopsRocks · 20/05/2024 18:24

AhBiscuits · 20/05/2024 18:17

Will it? Feels unlikely, let's see 😄

Just wait for S2... And then start watching interviews with Rhys... And then you'll be hooked. It'll happen!

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BillStickersIsInnocent · 20/05/2024 18:26

@AhBiscuits I can confirm it does indeed happen. I was bewitched by a shirt in S2, and him walking on deck ffs.

lizziesaurusx · 20/05/2024 18:26

MrsJellybee · 20/05/2024 18:21

We see your season one ‘Stede’, and raise you season two…

This is where @TriceratopsRocks usually posts a picture of S2 Stede looking rugged, sweaty and troubled.

As for a crush on Blackbeard, if you've only recently started you have quite the rollercoaster in store! He only gets more beautiful.

MrsJellybee · 20/05/2024 18:26

I feel we don’t speak enough about Stede’s calves on this thread…

Our Flag Means Death: Thread 2.  Still utterly brilliant and we are still obsessed!
CarpeDiem83 · 20/05/2024 18:27

AhBiscuits · 20/05/2024 18:17

Will it? Feels unlikely, let's see 😄

I would also have scoffed at the idea of having a crush on Stede in S1. I'm still an Ed girl at heart (especially - as others have said - when he is heartbroken and unstable), but I have to admit that I wouldn't turn down S2 Stede either........ 🙈

MrsJellybee · 20/05/2024 18:27

@lizziesaurusx oh I’ve gone in a completely different direction this time…

BillStickersIsInnocent · 20/05/2024 18:28

No we don’t!

I feel I’m slightly losing my mind in the fanfic. Why do I have to work/parent/fold stuff??

lizziesaurusx · 20/05/2024 18:28

BillStickersIsInnocent · 20/05/2024 18:26

@AhBiscuits I can confirm it does indeed happen. I was bewitched by a shirt in S2, and him walking on deck ffs.

For me it was when they're on the cursed ship and he whirls round and shoots the gun in the air - totally in control. I loved him already, but that was when he crossed over into crush territory.

BillStickersIsInnocent · 20/05/2024 18:29

lizziesaurusx · 20/05/2024 18:28

For me it was when they're on the cursed ship and he whirls round and shoots the gun in the air - totally in control. I loved him already, but that was when he crossed over into crush territory.

That is generally a very sexy Stede episode it has to be said.

lizziesaurusx · 20/05/2024 18:29

MrsJellybee · 20/05/2024 18:27

@lizziesaurusx oh I’ve gone in a completely different direction this time…

There are just so many beguiling options to choose from.

lizziesaurusx · 20/05/2024 18:30

BillStickersIsInnocent · 20/05/2024 18:29

That is generally a very sexy Stede episode it has to be said.

I love that it combines sexy Stede with a bit of the old petulant, obsessed by fine tailoring Stede.

BillStickersIsInnocent · 20/05/2024 18:31

A perfect combo!

TriceratopsRocks · 20/05/2024 18:33

lizziesaurusx · 20/05/2024 18:26

This is where @TriceratopsRocks usually posts a picture of S2 Stede looking rugged, sweaty and troubled.

As for a crush on Blackbeard, if you've only recently started you have quite the rollercoaster in store! He only gets more beautiful.

I want to! But is that too much of a spoiler for @AhBiscuits ???

Oh go on then...

Our Flag Means Death: Thread 2.  Still utterly brilliant and we are still obsessed!
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lizziesaurusx · 20/05/2024 18:35

Did someone mention folding stuff?

Our Flag Means Death: Thread 2.  Still utterly brilliant and we are still obsessed!
AhBiscuits · 20/05/2024 18:35

He's still just Murray from Flight of the Conchords to me.