The Bold Rebellion of “Our Flag Means Death”

Our Flag Means Death Season 2 Explores the Complications of Radical Freedom

The Unexpected Evolution of the Show

The first season of the period comedy series “Our Flag Means Death” took audiences on a long and strange voyage. It started as a few mildly amusing episodes reminiscent of Monty Python, riffing on the biography of Stede Bonnet, the so-called Gentleman Pirate. However, the show soon evolved into a tender queer love story, with Stede finding a soulmate in the notorious Blackbeard. By the end of the season, Stede had returned home to take responsibility for his estranged family, and the show left viewers eagerly awaiting its return.

Radical Freedom as the Theme

“More than pirates or LGBTQ romance or maritime history, ‘Our Flag Means Death’ is about radical freedom,” writes Judy Berman in her analysis of the show. The universal appeal of this concept may explain why the show became one of last year’s biggest surprise hits. As the second season returns, it brings with it the challenge of living up to the impossibly high expectations set by its predecessor.

Exploring Freedom in a Pirate Setting

Berman highlights that it is hard to imagine a richer setting than a pirate ship in 1717 for an exploration of freedom. The Golden Age of Piracy coincided with the Age of Enlightenment, which challenged traditional religious beliefs and debated the balance between individual liberty and the social contract. While philosophers deliberated these ideas, society remained repressive, forcing couples into loveless marriages and punishing same-sex relationships with death. Additionally, Britain’s colonial economy thrived on slavery.

Redefining Despicable Characters

The show’s creator, David Jenkins, takes historical reality and transforms it into unmistakable fiction. Berman notes that the show’s pirates are not psychopaths, but misfits shaped by their upbringing and societal roles. Rather than presenting these characters in a one-dimensional light, the show explores the complexities of their desires and the restlessness that prompts them to challenge the lives they’ve established for themselves.

An Exploration of Love and Freedom

Berman observes that love is the most sublime expression of freedom in “Our Flag Means Death.” The show presents a world in which queer relationships and gender nonconformity are accepted and commonplace. The Revenge, the pirate ship at the heart of the show, becomes a haven for queerness and gender fluidity. Characters embrace their true selves, form relationships, and defy societal norms without fear of judgment.

Challenges of Radical Freedom

As the second season delves into darker waters, it tests the love between Stede and Blackbeard, adding conflict to the narrative. Berman emphasizes the need for real conflict in order to avoid the show devolving into nonsense or fan service. Characters endowed with free will must make both good and morally questionable decisions, allowing the story to explore the complexities of freedom.

A Delicate Balance

While the show successfully navigates these challenges, Berman notes that it occasionally becomes bogged down in filler episodes, losing some of the daring and liberating qualities that made it stand out. However, the show remains enjoyable and continues to push boundaries.

Editorial and Advice

As “Our Flag Means Death” enters its second season, it is clear that it continues to push the boundaries of what is expected from historical TV series. It explores themes of love, freedom, and the complications that come with both. The show’s ability to redefine traditionally despicable characters and create a world where queerness and gender nonconformity are embraced sets it apart. However, the creative team must remain mindful of maintaining a balance between conflict and the show’s more daring qualities, avoiding episodic filler and maintaining a sense of momentum.

As viewers tune in to the new season, they can expect to be taken on another exciting and thought-provoking journey. “Our Flag Means Death” reminds us that true freedom is not always smooth sailing, but it is worth exploring and fighting for.