Summary
Our Flag Means Death returns with a solid first installment. The show continues to efficiently mix humor and heart, whilst building upon its impressive cast of characters after a successful first season.
The pirate comedy series Our Flag Means Death is back for more swashbuckling fun. In Season 2 Episode 1, “Impossible Birds,” we find Stede (Rhys Darby) and Ed living completely separate lives after their dramatic break-up. Stede’s crew finds shelter and works with a ruthless crime boss, while Ed takes his own crew on a seemingly endless, brutal bender.
Our Flag Means Death Season 2 Episode 1 Recap and Breakdown
Season 2 begins with a dream sequence, illustrating just how much Stede is missing Ed. The couple are reunited in this fantasy, but Stede is quickly awoken by his farting crew mates. The crew are all packed into a tiny cellar below a bar, where they now live and work.
Stede has renounced his wealth and moved to the Republic for Pirates with his loyal clan of misfits. They now work for the merciless crime boss, Spanish Jackie (Leslie Jones), who takes the Swede to be her lover. Stede becomes the bar’s host, Wee John is the bouncer, and Olu is the barman.
Meanwhile, Ed and his crew are committing daily raids out on the open seas. They’re killing countless individuals and stealing all of their treasures for themselves in the process. At the latest raid, which happens to be a wedding, Ed’s crew reflects on their leader’s sudden mental breakdown.
Ed is clearly missing Stede as well and has turned his heartache into violence. This heartache is cleverly visualized in a scene where Ed steals the tiny groom figurine from atop the wedding cake because it looks a little like Stede.
Izzy speaks on the Revenge crew’s behalf, airing his concerns. They’re worried about their captain’s emotional state. But Ed orders Izzy about it instead. He has the crew throw away all of their newly acquired treasure only to make room for more treasure to come. The crew discusses their concerns with Izzy, they think that they’re all working in a toxic environment.
Stede finds a wanted poster of Ed. He talks through his break-up with Olu, certain that they are just on a break. Later, Jackie finds the crew’s savings jar and orders them to hand over all of their money. When Stede argues back, he is faced with Jackie’s army of husbands.
They decide to leave this job behind. Stede is then stalked by a prince called Ricky, who wants to join the gang. Ricky is aware of a great fortune hidden in Jackie’s bedroom. They ask the Swede to confirm this tip-off. He says that there is a valuable trunk at the foot of her bed. The crew formulate a plan to rob Jackie of her fortune.
How does Ed punish Izzy?
Back on Ed’s ship, Izzy tells his boss about the crew’s concerns. Ed decides to address the matter himself, pointing his gun at each of his crew mates. Izzy volunteers to be the voice of reasoning, bringing up Ed’s feelings for Stede. In response, Ed shoots Izzy in the leg. He then anoints Frenchie as his new first mate. Ed orders the crew to throw all their treasure overboard.
That night, Stede’s crew steals Jackie’s trunk, whilst the Swede distracts his new missus with a back massage. They take the trunk to the docks, but Ricky ruins their master plan early. He makes too much noise and is soon captured by Jackie. For stealing, she chops off his nose.
Jackie and her army of husbands confront Stede down at the docks. He discovers that the trunk is filled with valuable blue dye. Jackie demands that they return her treasured item, but local soup shop owner Susan interrupts this standoff first.
Susan wants to buy the trunk of dye and Stede’s crew, offering Jackie a large sum of money in return. Jackie accepts the deal and takes her many husbands back home with her, including the Swede, who she knows has double-crossed her.
The crew is surprised by Susan’s wealth and her confidence. They realize that she doesn’t just own a soup shop, that it is actually all just a front.
Our Flag Means Death Season 2 Episode 1 Ending Explained
Meanwhile, Ed’s crew is still in shock after Izzy’s shooting. Fang cries hysterically, and Jim tries to cheer him up with silly voices. Frenchie asks Ed what their orders are. Ed says that they are never going back to dry land. They are going to sail and rob on the open seas forever. Their captain appears to be totally out of control, and no one is brave enough to stand up to him.
Who is Susan?
The episode ends back with Stede’s crew. They row to Susan’s boat, discussing her soup business. It is then revealed that Susan is actually Zheng Yi Sao (Ruibo Qian), the infamous pirate queen.
What did you think of Our Flag Means Death Season 2 Episode 1? Comment below.
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