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Reviews
Our Flag Means Death: A Damned Man (2022)
Good. Cause I kind of enjoyed it.
This is a perfect perfect 2nd episode. While the first episode gives a good sketch of crew dynamics and cements Stede's commitment to continuing on his current path, the second episode is an incredible showcase for the entire crew.
This episode accomplishes so much in such a short time to establish the personalities and quirks of this delightful crew- and I'm happy to report that the characterization remains consistent through the season. It propels Stede's development forward with a hilariously unhinged representation of his inner turmoil, showcases his developing skills and confidence as a strategist and captain. It also introduces a major antagonist of the season via Con O'neill's Izzy hands. It even manages to do a little shade throwing at the entire imperialistic colonial mindset that pervaded the time.
The more I watch the show the more impressed I am with the skill Jenkins deployed in accomplishing all of these aims, and doing so in a sophisticated way.
MVP actor: Rory Kinnear is HONESTLY too hilarious in this
Favorite line: OHHH the light skins. Damnit.
Our Flag Means Death: Impossible Birds (2023)
I love my baby
Great outing for season 2 opener. Love that we are plugged headlong into stedes fantasy world and then so rudely ( and stinkily) pulled out of it. A lot of folks find the opening humor
Questionable: sophomoric, but similar to season 1 the real humor comes from paying attention to the small details and the in between moments, and this episode had a cornucopia of delights that are just simmering under the surface.
Major MVPs of the episode include Taika Waititi, David Fane, Con O'Neil, Ruibo Qian - with the most badass character intro ever- Leslie Jones and Nat Faxon. I could write essays on each but want to single out Taika Waititi's grief stricken and maddened Blackbeard. I truly didn't think him capable of such wonderful acting but he utterly demolishes the performance .
Our Flag Means Death: Pilot (2022)
Watch my buttons!
I have a deep abiding love for this pilot. Every single choice made, from the music to the acting to the cinematography is pitch perfect and it mediates immerses you in the world. Rhys Darby's confidently clueless schtick is as endearing as it was in flight of the concords, but with a ton more panache and flair.
For me one of the absolute heroes of this episode is Joel Fry and his deadpan matter of fact delivery of some of the most insane superstitions and old wives tales. Every cast member gets an opportunity to shine and make their mark, and it's a really excellent showcase of the saying "there are no small parts, only small players". A lot of folks are meh on the first episode but it is the kind of episode/ show where your close attention to the background and those throw away lines enriches the show a thousand fold. TAKE CARE OF THE PLANT!!!
Our Flag Means Death: The Innkeeper (2023)
I know you have a lot of life in you yet
Absolutely lovely episode. Incredible balance of humor, and earnestness, and the cinematography and music, especially at the end are unparalleled! The episode largely focuses on Stede and ed, but it's wonderful to see the entire crew together for the first time this season.
This is a really stand out episode for Rhys Darby in terms of range of acting. He is part of the reason that the tone is soundly balanced. Though much much credit to taika waititi and his incredible non verbals especially at the end. Both are able to convey such powerful emotion without saying a word. The chemistry is off the charts.