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Our Flag Means Death - Thread 5: Ahoy! Surrender! You have no chance of escape!

709 replies

TriceratopsRocks · 04/11/2024 22:06

Hi all!! Roll up for thread 5 and join our chat about our favourite show, its cast, its music, fan edits, fan fiction and more than a little obsessing over our fabulous leads - pictures extremely welcome! It’s utterly brilliant, and some of us are still in the grips of obsession many months after the last episode aired (the last for now, that is… We live in hope🙏)

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

You may have heard that this is a comedy about pirates and think it's not for you. But it’s actually a show about self-discovery, healing and found-family with a love story at its heart. The joint leads are both damaged by abusive backgrounds and want what the other has. 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, two full threads and many re-watches later.

If you think this might appeal, do watch it and come back and talk to us. It would be lovely if more were to join our crew. But it's a show that needs time. It’s structured like a theatre production with a prologue and 3 acts. The 2nd lead arrives (briefly) in episode 3, and in episode 4 (the start of Act 1) the tone changes and the main story begins. You need to give it at least that long. It gets better and better and it still took me several more episodes to fully appreciate what I was watching, but by 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
Thread 2 : https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/telly_addicts/5076581-our-flag-means-death-thread-2-still-utterly-brilliant-and-we-are-still-obsessed?reply=136060611
Thread 3: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/telly_addicts/5101662-our-flag-means-death-thread-3-its-still-utterly-brilliant-we-are-still-obsessed?reply=137315706
Thread 4:
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/telly_addicts/5136377-our-flag-means-death-thread-4-roll-up-roll-up-come-join-us-for-more-pirate-obsession?reply=139560831

Page 40 | Our Flag Means Death - Thread 4: Roll up, roll up! Come join us for more pirate obsession! | Mumsnet

Ahoy again mateys! Can you believe we are now aboard thread 4? Stick around for chat about this brilliant show, its cast, its music, fan edits, f...

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/telly_addicts/5136377-our-flag-means-death-thread-4-roll-up-roll-up-come-join-us-for-more-pirate-obsession?reply=139560831

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Thread gallery
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TriceratopsRocks · 05/05/2025 20:38

@CarterBeatsTheDevil, I was just looking through my bookmarks and came across this - it's the other cowboy fic I mentioned which I didn't find before.

archiveofourown.org/works/38316862/chapters/95745145

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TriceratopsRocks · 09/05/2025 11:16

MrsJellybee · 09/05/2025 10:30

Rhys is in a new show where he drives around NZ with David Hasselhoff
This first gif is killing me

https://www.tumblr.com/eddie-redcliffe/783051500297551872?source=share

Love it! But what's really funny is that yesterday I was listening to a cryptid podcast from 2000 where he was 'interacting' with the Hoff throughout (as in, Rhys and Rhys' Hoff impression). Funny coincidence!

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MrsJellybee · 12/05/2025 06:20

👀

Our Flag Means Death - Thread 5:  Ahoy! Surrender! You have no chance of escape!
MrsBruin · 13/05/2025 12:02

Ooh! I’m waiting in for the gas person for someone. I have my laptop with me to catch up on admin but have thought of a much better way of spending the time!
Now, Series 1 with which is more light-hearted but includes a rather hirsute Ed or the much darker Series 2 with the anguished but very easy-on-the-eye Ed?
Series 2 then….

TriceratopsRocks · 14/05/2025 17:46

Absolutely time well spent, @MrsBruin . Did the gas person give you time to get through the whole season, by any chance? And I especially love that given all the complex themes and layers this show has, the decision of which episodes to watch is made according to the prettiness of of one of the leads 😂(I fully approve, btw! 😁)

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MrsBruin · 15/05/2025 08:30

I saw 1-5 so the best ones in my view. Yesterday I had to wave someone off from Euston so had a pleasant mooch around the British Library afterwards to see if I could find where Shearwater had Ed first set eyes on Stede. The wall she describes (low and red brick) is at the back and not the courtyard so some artistic licence but I enjoyed sitting in and outside the library re-reading ‘Up,Down,Turn Around’. I am sort of happy if Shearwater doesn’t ever complete Constellationism given that the boys are out of the shower and in a cozy bedroom and we know she is OK as Wingman is progressing.
On that note is anyone else reading YellowMustard’s WIP, Free Space, about the flotation tank?

TriceratopsRocks · 15/05/2025 11:39

On that note is anyone else reading YellowMustard’s WIP, Free Space, about the flotation tank?

Oh yes I am - it's utterly brilliant. I actually didn't start it until she'd released the latest chapter and I'm so glad I waited. Knowing that a corner has been turned, I am so much happier than I would have been if I'd stopped on one of the earlier chapters. For anyone that hasn't read it, one of the first tags is 'Edward Teach is not OK', plus 'PTSD', 'panic attacks' etc. And 'eventual happy ending' (hence the corner being turned is not a spoiler!) 😁 YellowMustard warns that it might not be OK for everyone, but Ed's (significant) mental health issues are incredibly well and sensitively written. She always writes Ed brilliantly, but this is another level. And I have never read a better retelling of the bathtub scene. She is probably my favourite fic writer and honestly I think this might be her best work yet. I was totally drawn in and felt so much for this version of the characters. But it is most definitely an emotional read so be aware before you start it.

And @MrsBruin , that does sound like a wonderful day yesterday!

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MrsJellybee · 16/05/2025 16:30

MrsBruin · 15/05/2025 08:30

I saw 1-5 so the best ones in my view. Yesterday I had to wave someone off from Euston so had a pleasant mooch around the British Library afterwards to see if I could find where Shearwater had Ed first set eyes on Stede. The wall she describes (low and red brick) is at the back and not the courtyard so some artistic licence but I enjoyed sitting in and outside the library re-reading ‘Up,Down,Turn Around’. I am sort of happy if Shearwater doesn’t ever complete Constellationism given that the boys are out of the shower and in a cozy bedroom and we know she is OK as Wingman is progressing.
On that note is anyone else reading YellowMustard’s WIP, Free Space, about the flotation tank?

I am envious of your BL trip. That sounds amazing.

Yes, I’m reading Free Space. It’s so well done. I can suffer with claustrophobia so get a little panicked alongside Ed’s big panics when the lid is shut. I would be fine if Stede were there to talk me through it though, I think.

MrsJellybee · 16/05/2025 16:39

I don’t know whether this has been circulated before, but here’s the original script for the pilot
https://tvwriting.co.uk/tv_scripts/2021/Comedy/Our_Flag_Means_Death_1x01_-_Pilot.pdf

The original line was ‘We talk through it, as a crew’. And Rhys changed it into a rhyme which became a mantra. The characterisation of Stede here isn’t great. I’m glad they toned it down and cast Rhys. I can’t imagine anyone else pulling this off.

https://tvwriting.co.uk/tv_scripts/2021/Comedy/Our_Flag_Means_Death_1x01_-_Pilot.pdf

Needlenardlenoo · 18/05/2025 20:45

I enjoyed 'Free Space' even though I'm a bit claustrophobic myself. It's intense...

I wanted to recommend this (finished) fic, Too Many Secrets, which is the polar opposite really, being full of action. It's very well done and hilarious in places when it's not doing Ocean's 11-style heisty stuff.

archiveofourown.org/works/60971137/chapters/155757730

TriceratopsRocks · 18/05/2025 22:42

Thank you for this, @Needlenardlenoo. I had it sitting in my 'read later when it's finished' list and had totally forgotten to check back. I see it was finished ages ago!

I don't think this one has been mentioned. Stede goes for a prostate check with Dr Ed. It's very, very good.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/65192266/chapters/167688355

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DJ47 · 24/05/2025 16:57

A heads up that there is a UK convention in June with several cast members and David Jenkins the show runner. (Who never does conventions!)
I’ve included the link- they are even doing virtual tickets for the 10 panels that will take place- which can be watched on demand-
or you could join those of us who are attending!! Come and talk all things Our Flag!
🥰🏴‍☠️

Our Flag Means Death - Thread 5:  Ahoy! Surrender! You have no chance of escape!
MrsBruin · 28/05/2025 16:06

Ooh! There are day tickets!
Is anyone else going to Rhys’ show at St Albans on 19/6?
Meantime, my visit to the British Library led to a re-read of the delightful Constellationism and another detour to Cecil Court to check out the inspiration for Stede’s bookshop. This one is most likely in my view. It is nearly opposite the shop with the travel posters, at the far end of the street from where Ed entered on Charing Cross Road and I don’t expect he would have gone further than he needed to in the rain. Also I may have glanced in discreetly/stared inappropriately and there was an antique desk and leather chair and twinkling lights, possibly in an open fireplace, surrounded by bits of paper!

Our Flag Means Death - Thread 5:  Ahoy! Surrender! You have no chance of escape!
MrsBruin · 28/05/2025 16:08

Gaagh! I might have added the picture more than once. It kept vanishing so I added it again!

MrsBruin · 28/05/2025 16:08

Oh! It did keep vanishing then!

DJ47 · 28/05/2025 21:01

MrsBruin · 28/05/2025 16:06

Ooh! There are day tickets!
Is anyone else going to Rhys’ show at St Albans on 19/6?
Meantime, my visit to the British Library led to a re-read of the delightful Constellationism and another detour to Cecil Court to check out the inspiration for Stede’s bookshop. This one is most likely in my view. It is nearly opposite the shop with the travel posters, at the far end of the street from where Ed entered on Charing Cross Road and I don’t expect he would have gone further than he needed to in the rain. Also I may have glanced in discreetly/stared inappropriately and there was an antique desk and leather chair and twinkling lights, possibly in an open fireplace, surrounded by bits of paper!

That one would be easiest for me to get to but I’m working that night! 😭

DJ47 · 28/05/2025 21:09

Just seen.
Flash sale - 25% off tickets!!

Our Flag Means Death - Thread 5:  Ahoy! Surrender! You have no chance of escape!
TriceratopsRocks · 28/05/2025 22:22

There are indeed day tickets, @MrsBruin 😁 And currently at a bargain price! I'm very much looking forward to it, particularly now pirate dad will be there.

I do hope Constellationism is finished one day. But it's still wonderful, even if it isn't. And it introduced me to Bageriet 🥮 (as close an approximation as I can find to one of their pastries/biscuits). There were several bookshops on Cecil Court, and I did go into a couple with DD, but sadly there was no roaring fire and comfortable armchairs in the ones we ventured into. We didn't, however, visit the one you have pictured. So maybe yours is the one! It's a nice thought :)

No St Alban's for me - I'm seeing him in Birmingham next week 🥳, then Edinburgh. Can't wait!!

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TriceratopsRocks · 30/05/2025 19:35

Thank you for the link, but what does he mean, the OFMD fans are a little bit too much...😱

(that was rhetorical btw - he's said it before and I absolutely do get it).

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CarterBeatsTheDevil · 30/05/2025 22:12

It made me feel a bit better about not having turned up in full costume or pressing a crocheted doll of Stede snogging a crocheted doll of Ed upon him. Our table must have felt quite nice and relaxed, really