David Jenkins didn't just make a pirate comedy. He basically blew up the entire genre. When Our Flag Means Death first hit Max (back when it was still HBO Max) in 2022, people expected a "The Office" on a boat. What they got instead was a deeply earnest, chaotic, and oddly touching exploration of mid-life crises and queer romance. It wasn't just another show. It became a movement.
History remembers Stede Bonnet as the "Gentleman Pirate," a wealthy landowner who abandoned his family to become a criminal. It's a true story. Seriously. The real Stede was famously bad at being a pirate, and he actually did spend time with the terrifying Edward Teach, known as Blackbeard. But while history suggests a brief, weird alliance, the show imagines something much more intimate. It asks: what if these two men were actually exactly what the other needed?
The show’s cancellation in early 2024 sparked a fan campaign so loud it rivaled the "Save Lucifer" days. But even though the Revenge has sailed its last voyage for now, the impact on TV remains massive.
The Stede Bonnet and Blackbeard Dynamic
Taika Waititi and Rhys Darby have this chemistry that’s hard to fake. You can tell they’ve been friends for years. In Our Flag Means Death, that history translates into a relationship that feels incredibly lived-in. Stede is all soft fabrics and marmalade; Ed is leather, smoke, and crushing boredom.
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The brilliance of the first season was the "will-they-won't-they" that actually... did. For years, queer audiences have been "queerbaited" by shows that hint at romance but never deliver. Jenkins flipped the script. By episode nine, the kiss happened. It wasn't a joke. It wasn't a dream sequence. It was the plot.
Waititi’s portrayal of Blackbeard is particularly layered. Usually, we see Blackbeard as a monster. Here, he’s a guy who’s tired of his own brand. He’s a "brand" that’s become a cage. When he meets Stede, he sees a way out. Stede doesn't want the legendary pirate; he wants the guy who likes fine linens and conversation.
Why the Fans Fought So Hard
You can’t talk about Our Flag Means Death without talking about the "Renew as a Crew" campaign. When Max pulled the plug after Season 2, the internet went nuclear. We aren't just talking about hashtags. Fans bought billboard space in Times Square. They sent planes over studio offices.
Why? Because the show represented a safe harbor.
The "found family" trope is common, but this show executed it with a diverse cast that felt organic. You had Vico Ortiz as Jim, providing vital non-binary representation that wasn't a "very special episode" plot point. They were just a badass assassin who happened to be non-binary. Then there was Lucius, played by Nathan Foad, who brought a sarcastic, modern energy to the 18th century.
The show felt like it was made for its community, not just about them. That's a huge distinction.
Breaking the "Bury Your Gays" Trope
For decades, TV had a nasty habit. If a queer character found happiness, they usually died shortly after. It’s a trope so common it has its own Wikipedia page. Our Flag Means Death took that trope and threw it overboard. While the show has high stakes and people certainly die, the central romance is treated with the same reverence and "happily ever after" potential as any straight rom-com.
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Season 2 took things to a darker place—the "Kraken" era for Ed was brutal—but it ultimately prioritized healing. It showed that even messy, toxic, broken people can find a way back to each other.
Production Design and That Killer Soundtrack
The show looks expensive, but in a gritty way. The Revenge feels like a real ship, cramped and smelling of salt. But then you have Stede’s secret library, which is a pastel dreamland. This visual contrast perfectly mirrors the show's tone: the harsh reality of piracy vs. the soft interior lives of the characters.
And the music. Oh, the music.
Using Fleetwood Mac’s "The Chain" during a pivotal scene in Season 1 was a masterstroke. It’s an anachronistic choice, sure. Most of the music is. But it works because the emotions are modern. When Cat Stevens’ "Miles from Nowhere" plays, it doesn't matter that the song didn't exist in 1717. The feeling existed.
The Reality of the "Golden Age" of Piracy
If you look at the actual history, things weren't quite so whimsical. The real Stede Bonnet was eventually hanged in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1718. He was desperate, pleading for his life until the end. Blackbeard met a much more violent end at the hands of Lieutenant Robert Maynard.
The show knows this.
It plays with the idea of "legend." Most of what we know about pirates comes from a book called A General History of the Pyrates, which was likely sensationalized. Our Flag Means Death leans into that. It suggests that if the "official" history is probably a lie anyway, why not tell a story that's more beautiful?
The supporting cast helps ground this. Leslie Jones as Spanish Jackie brings a terrifying, hilarious energy that reminds us these pirates are actually dangerous. Con O'Neill as Izzy Hands is perhaps the most tragic figure of all. He represents the "old way" of piracy—the violence, the repressed emotions, the loyalty to a version of Blackbeard that no longer exists. His arc in Season 2 is widely considered one of the best redemption stories in recent memory.
The Legacy of the Show
So, what happens now? Even without a Season 3, the "Brain Rot" (as fans affectionately call their obsession) continues. The show has proven to studios that there is a massive, hungry market for "prestige" queer storytelling that doesn't take itself too seriously but handles its characters with care.
It also changed how creators interact with fans. David Jenkins was incredibly transparent throughout the process, acknowledging the fan art and the theories. It felt like a true collaboration.
If you’re looking for a show to binge, this is it. It’s only 18 episodes total. You can knock it out in a weekend. But be warned: you’ll probably end up buying a silk robe and listening to a lot of 70s soft rock afterward.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and New Viewers
- Watch for the Background Details: The show is dense with "blink and you'll miss it" jokes. Watch the crew members in the background of scenes; their subplots (like the Swede's various ailments) are gold.
- Explore the History vs. Fiction: Read The Republic of Pirates by Colin Woodard if you want to see where the show diverted from reality. It makes the creative choices even more impressive.
- Support the Creators: Follow the cast and crew on their new projects. Much of the "OFMD" energy is being carried over into their upcoming work in indie film and theater.
- Keep the Community Alive: The fan-run "Our Flag City" and various discord servers are still the best places to find analysis, fan art, and scripts that delve deeper into the lore.
Our Flag Means Death wasn't just a pirate show. It was a reminder that it's never too late to reinvent yourself, even if you're a 40-year-old aristocrat or the most feared pirate on the seven seas.