Our Flag Means Death

Our Flag Means Death was a lot funnier than I was expecting. The entire cast were all fantastic and were led by the incredibly talented Taika Waititi and Rhys Darby. Both were perfectly cast as I can't think of two actors more suited for their roles than these two in this show. I have to admit I wasn't that into it at first but I stuck with it and by the third episode I was hooked. The episodes are only around 30min so it doesn't take too long to get through the season. I actually binged the entire first season over a weekend. I'm glad this was already renewed for a second season because I want to see more of this.

I came as a fan of anything Rhys and Taika have done before (and hoping for a Jemaine cameo) but truly this is unlike anything they've done before and I don't think you'd have to be a fan of anything previous to like this. (There's no Jemaine cameo, minus one point!).

I also came for a queer pirate love story and boy did this deliver in a surprising way. Maybe the best thing about it is that there is no erotic element to the love Stede and Ed develop onscreen - not that I wouldn't want to see Rhys and Taika in an erotic embrace! But the absence of lust makes this quite a rare depiction of gay love on screen. It's really beautiful and the viewer is just witnessing two people realise over the series they ultimately just need each other to be happy and that's just doggarn adorable.

Comedy wise I agree with some reviews that the comediens are not used to their best abilities. It's not side splitting, but it is still thoroughly entertaining.

I am really nervous having read the true story of Stede Bonnet what a second series would bring... I'd love for there to be one and would also hate for it to be too close to the truth. I hope if there is one it goes further down the route of fancy and also allows a beautiful gay love story to have an even rarer happy ending.

The silliness of this show works because of the excellent cast, and it gets better through the later episodes imo. It was probably more fun to produce this than to watch, bit it's exactly the kind of effort that audiences should reward- dumb as it is, it's a great break from the stark reality of 2022 : )

I'm really enjoying every moment of this show! It's got story and a little bit of drama, interwoven with perfect comedic timing and silly moments. The characters are brilliant too. If you're a fan of Taika and Rhys... this show will be right up your alley.

I spent the first two weeks watching this show not knowing where it was going. Now that I've watched the entire season, I am more emotionally invested in this show than I've been for a long time. Every character shines onscreen and the chemistry between them all is a delight to watch.

Rhys Darby and Taika Waititi acted their hearts out in those final episodes.

I need a second season right now. HBO cannot leave it there.