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Reviews
Shadow and Bone: No Funerals (2023)
Time to Split
I enjoyed this whole show as a whole but I feel like it's really set up to be two shows that have crossover episodes rather than all in one show. I feel like both story lines suffer for it but especially the Crows who I may be biased towards because I read that duology rather than Shadow & Bone- but I actually really like Alina and Mal too. I really hope that this can be a splitting off point for the shows- I think the Ice Court Heist would make a fantastic miniseries and we have already set up many of the characters and relationships so there would be time to expand them. Inej in particular I think deserves more time spent on her story.
Our Flag Means Death: Calypso's Birthday (2023)
Queer Joy
This show is often discussed as a love letter to queer people and this episode felt like the culmination of that queer joy. Wee John in drag as a tribute to Kristian Nairn's drag queen days, Jim with drawn on facial hair both goofy and affirming, Ed trying so hard to do better, Stede taking up the role of protector of his crew without changing his values or people first management style, Izzy taking a leap and letting himself be vulnerable and creative, it's all so lovely. The Ned Low element could have made it feel like a downer but instead they came away feeling like their version of pirating *works* they don't have to be anybody but themselves and they will still survive and thrive. And then of course our whim-prone lovers finally giving into the sexual tension was perfect. The only things that could have made it better were Archie, Oluwande, and Jim interacting more and a Gentlebeard dance. Lovely definitely on my rewatch list.
Our Flag Means Death: A Gentleman Pirate (2022)
Stede can't read a room
This episode is iconic in so many ways, the introduction of new characters, the further fleshing out of Jim and Oluwande's backstory, the ending scene, but I admit upon first watch it made me reconsider the show. It relies more on cringe humor than any other episode and as someone who is also a neurodivergent weirdo who can't read a room the second hand embarrassment was off the charts. However, I can assure you that this does not become a staple of the show and it becomes clear when we are laughing with and when we are laughing at Stede. The costumes in the episode are also sublime, they truly outdid themselves.
Our Flag Means Death: Pilot (2022)
Finding our Sea Legs
Many people will say the pilot of the show was still finding it's sea legs but upon re-watch I think it's just that we didn't have the context yet to see the full picture. This first episode is silly and over the top, Stede foppish and bumbling, the crew openly antagonistic and it can be hard to see the emotional heart that the show will have later on until the final scenes. I was at first unsure of the tone, if we were meant to be laughing at or with Stede, however this becomes clearer as the show goes on. This episode builds the ground work for the character growth and relationships going forward and gives us a taste of the characters we will come to love.
Our Flag Means Death: Wherever You Go, There You Are (2022)
The Aftermath
This episode is a rollercoaster of emotions. We finally get to see Mary in her won right and the life she has built without Stede, Stede's realization that he no longer belongs in this world and perhaps never did, and his joyous realization that he has found love with Ed. Meanwhile Ed, heartbroken, reaches out and permits himself to be vulnerable in front of the crew only to be threatened by the one person he is closest to, in response he reverts to violence as a protective mechanism but now having seen that it can be another way is deeply sad underneath. It's a tragic and yet hopeful ending. And on top of all that manages to be funny as well.
The Secret of Roan Inish (1994)
Favorite Childhood movie
I grew up watching this movie and I credit it for my love of Irish folklore, culture, and music. It was my choice most times I got to pick family movie night and I remember dancing to the music over the credits. It's beautiful visually with the seascapes and rolling green meadows, filled with lovely and stirring music and it is warm in it's touch on grief, family, and resilience. It's a lovely movie for people of any age to enjoy, suitable for children but enjoyable for adults as well without relying on jokes meant to go over kids' heads. It feels like sitting at a fireside and listening to your grandfather tell you a story.