Hello and welcome to Big Gay Energy. I'm Caitlin. And I'm Fiora. Come along with us while we dive into the fun and nuances of queer media. Representation matters, and we're. Here to talk about it. Cheers, queers. What's on the big gay agenda today, Theora? Today we are continuing our discussion on our flag means death and we are starting with or just covering episode two O 7. We shall see. The world? Oh well, I mean, the world will know at some point.
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And make sure to check out all of our merch on bigenergypod.com. And above anything else, make sure you're following us on all social media at big Gay energy Pod, anything. I miss Theora. That is all. Thank you. So go do all those things and then afterwards come back and listen to this episode because we are about to jump into episode 2 O seven of our flag means death woo woo. And this one opens with Ed in the blue silk robe, which many
of you were speculating. How did he have this robe? It's so fancy as shit. It kind of looks like Steed's. How does he still have this? Well, thanks to Gypsy, we got confirmation that Ed did in fact keep this robe as a memento. So it's the one piece of steed that he held onto after getting rid of all steed shit. And so I love that he decided to wear it here after their reunion. Their union, shall we say. And Taika didn't keep the robe. Thanks for the tip, Gypsy, we appreciate it.
Well, he's wearing the silk robe covered in steed, shall we say, which is just poetic and lovely. And while he's in that headspace, he's packing up all his Leathers along with a cannonball, and he's tossing it overboard as dawn is breaking out across the sky. So this is a new day for Ed. Ed is changing. He's putting Blackbeard and all the trauma behind him and he's he's now his own Unicorn thanks to Steed and he's going forward into what he hopes is a better.
Life. I was reading mine just to just to make sure. Yeah, I didn't have anything that you already said. But yeah, Ed throwing away his Blackbeard garb was such an impactful scene just because, like, in my eyes, it's representing his attempt at, like, trying to transform and move on to better himself for Steed. Because like, as we've seen, like, like as I mentioned prior, the only time that we didn't see Ed in like full Blackbeard garb was when he felt his best, when
he felt very secure and happy. And him getting rid of his black beard guard is such an impactful scene because of that, because it's very much so of all, right. Well, that's the old meme. I'm I can't run for my past, but I can improve and be a better person for the man that I love. And this is a wonderful way to
start that. So it's just, it's so sweet and like, I really love that they made it that they that they made this giant like spectacle of this scene to implicate and like show how fucking important this scene was for the sake of Ed's character, like development and character growth. Yeah, literally all of that. It's beautiful. And it's not the only thing Ed does this morning.
He brings Steve to breakfast in bed, and Steve is super enamored because he didn't expect this, and apparently neither did Ed. He's just like, you know, I just. I felt like I I wanted to do it and I did it. And I love when Steve finds the piece of twine. It's like, well, you know, like it needed to flourish. So I just, I felt like that happened. And Steve's like it really brings it all together. Like it was such a cute like little. Yeah, he's like. Oh, he.
He's really trying, like, yeah, it's great. It really this is exactly what it needed. So. Cute. But it's even more acute because it's like a typical domestic act of love people do. And it just shows that Ed wants to get back to the that domesticity with Steed. And then we saw last season when Mary thought Steed made her breakfast in bed, but no, it was the guy that she's in love with now. And so now Steed is getting that for himself, and it's just very adorable.
And Mary and Steed are both living their best lives now. I also just want to say it's, I always end up finding stuff between like Ed and Steed's relationship that I have like little tidbits of like I can see in like mine and my partner's relationship. And this is definitely one of them because like in a domesticity type state, Steed would very much so be the cook. And.
Yeah, my boyfriend, he is the cook and like Ed bringing like a little breakfast in bed and being like Oh yeah, the twine is a little bit of like flourish it. This is purely like when for our five year anniversary I decided to make a charcuterie board for us. Very lavish. I will send you 2 pictures in the WhatsApp of it. But very lavish and like I'm not much of A cook because of like my own like insecurities and my own trauma with that. But that's another thing to
unpack. But that's another group therapy topic. So like when I made him the charcuterie board, I was like so worried that he wouldn't like it
because of like that trauma. And I even like confided to him and I was like, I don't want to be known as the the soon to be wife that is purely just like known for making killer charcuterie boards And and like like that's why I like with Ed being like here I made you breakfast in bed is purely like my attempt of being like I I didn't cook you anything, but here's a charcuterie board 'cause like it's still food and
food's your love language. It's cute and also has the marmalade on it which was like something they. Shared and like. And we had marmalade on it that was totally unintentional. I have it in our mini fridge one second. It's. So it's not necessarily a marmalade, it's an apricot preserve. This shit is so fucking good. It goes really fucking well with prosciutto. But yeah, so I it's hilarious. I love it. If I could let y'all try this, I would. It is. It's Publix brand.
It's Dalmatia organic apricot spread. Well, it's Publix. It's got to be good. It's true. And like it's even said to pair it with like Gouda or Parmesan. And like I also had Gouda to pair it with and I didn't even, I didn't even read the fucking thing. I didn't know I had pairing notes in it. The knack for charcuterie board. It's just there it is. I'm telling you my my knowledge for like niche shit is fucking stupid and it's purely because I'm autistic and I I, I flock to niche shit.
You know, but that's a good thing. Let's just keep going on that journey. So Speaking of niche things that only happen in this show. And then thanks, Steed for appearing as a Mer person when he was in the gravy basket. There's nothing more our flag means that than that sentence. Yes. He's like, hey, yeah. He's like, hey, Steve, you basically saved my life by appearing to be in a dream as a mermaid. Thank you. And of course, Steed doesn't think this is weird.
He doesn't say. All he asks is, well, how did I look? Which is so steed. But I love that he not only is just being steed in this moment, but he also like, by asking this, he's validating Ed's vision that he 'cause he's being vulnerable by sharing this, and he hasn't shared it since he got back on the Revenge. So I do love that little detail. But we can't have nice things for too long. So Izzy, of course, interrupts the love fest because he had to Izzy.
Izzy has been involved peripherally with them almost fucking and fucking this whole time. So like, let's bring it full circle. Here's Izzy. He comes with a reason, though. He's like, I'm here to let you know the ship is docked on the Republic of Pirates. That's where we're headed. And he's glad that the ship isn't the only thing truly well and docked. And just first of all, go off King. That was great. But the growth from Izzy in this moment who would never have made
a joke like that in season one. And he sincerely calls Steed captain in this scene without any sarcasm. This conversation was very huge coming from Izzy. I love it. Izzy is growing and you know, I love the growth from Izzy. Me too. I mean, obviously I like it when all the characters are nicer, which I mean. If you stay like that since the. Beginning I guess there is no show so, but Izzy at the end is just really great and a team player as well. Yeah, he has the best character arc.
I love it so much. Speaking of things, we love our queen. Our queen. Queen Jiang is also docked in the Republic of Pirates, and this is the grandfather clock episode. My bad. And so she's on her ship circling this giant, gaudy as fuck grandfather clock that is right in the middle of her office, which is rude. And she's like, why the fuck is this thing here? And she's like, I did not buy this. I did not want this. Why?
Why is this dear? Side note does Ricky just have like fucking stock and grandfather clocks cause like the amount of fleets this woman has and each one of them got a fucking grandfather clock. I not to point out a plot hole, but like where do you find that many in the first place? Literally, literally, that this was wild. So Auntie informs her that the that Prince Ricky there is a
bug. Sorry, Prince Ricky sent one to every ship in the fleet to quote, celebrate this time of peace between pirate and civilized society. Gross. I feel like there's something Steed would do but like. The line though of pirate and civilized society, he's othering them in that sentence. So it's that very like passive aggressive language of yeah.
Like just from that? Alone, You should know that this was nefarious the way he framed that because Jang, when Jang came to him, she's like, we could be equals. And he's basically saying we are not equals in that line. So neither Zhang nor Auntie Auntie are impressed by any of this bullshit. So then we cut back over to the crew exploring the Republic of Pirates because it's been a hot
minute since they've been there. And Olu notices that Zhang is recruiting cause a bunch of people have like red twine tethered to them, which means they're on team Zhang team red flag. And Jim starts giving him crap immediately. He's like, yeah, all right. Jim's like we all know your queen is so amazing. Like calling Zhang your queen, which she's our queen too. She is a genius. Archie one UPS this shit and it's like, isn't that Jang over there?
Like I can see her recruiting and then starts yelling until she gets to Jang's like to notice her and she's like, hey girl like to the pirate queen, which is. So. Funny. And Jake is just like. Oh my God I'm ignoring this. Like what the hell is but I love Archie for this. Like so casually shouting at the pirate queen in the middle of everyone as if they were best friends. Oh my God. Like. That's a ballsy move in general. It was so unhinged, like no thoughts in Archie. Love Archie.
Oh, she's great, great addition, but poor, poor Jang is super heartbroken by like you see her face and she's like oh fuck, like when she spots Olu and is just and she just like quietly scurries away the big great Jang, which is like heartbreaking. And I love auntie's response when auntie sees what the fuck's going on and she gives Olu this fuck you arm gesture, but she totally deserves her deserted. I love that I. Just. Like fuck you. It's so funny.
She's very protective of Zhang. And yeah, I actually should. Like I love how Zhang's so powerful, but she, every powerful person is that one person that's on their side protecting them. Yeah. And and I just the softness of Zhang just it creeps, seeps it through a little bit and she doesn't like it, but it's adorable it. Is. So sweet. So per theme of last episode, I do indeed have some facts about Zhang.
So first and foremost, 'cause I don't know where to fit this fact in whatsoever, just cause it's kind of obscure, but she did in fact grow up in poverty. That's not the obscure part.
But it was in the Guangdong province in southeast China and she was actually which this may be at least in my eyes, this may possibly be why she does why she handles business the way she does of either of purely like with the the quote of fool me one shame on you, fool me twice you're dead type thing 'cause she was forced into sex work to supplement the family income and she was working in a floating brothel known as the flower boat
in a Cantonese port city. So it's very impactful with what like we kind of sense kind of coming up with like it being kind of weird how like Ricky is giving them like grandfather clocks, especially for all of the fleets with like his already condescending tone of I'm better than you. I don't know why you think I could work with you, but sure,
I'll play into it type thing. So like we already sensed the betrayal coming up and having that in mind and knowing how hard she worked for this 'cause she was only apart for nine years total, she, I believe she started commanding the fleets in like the height of it and everything when she was 35. So she was quite young here. I actually have that in my notes. Yeah, she was 35 and had 24 ships and at 1433 pirates under her command. And this was at the time of her surrender.
And she ended up kind of a happy ending, living a peace, relatively peaceful life as the owner of a notorious gambling house, leaving her pirate legacy to be discovered years later. Yeah, she ended up negotiating the surrender like so the way this all ends basically is piracy comes to end obviously. And during that time of the like she negotiated for the her the release of herself and her crew basically. And like, she asked like, this is, yeah.
And that's why this negotiation with Ricky so like, it's foreshadowing cause like, she is actually in the end, successful with this negotiation and like, gets to live out her life. So like, she's trying it here to be like, hey, we could just avoid all this now. But she ends up getting it in the end, which is like just the power of Jang. Which surprisingly, she wasn't captured by the British, she was captured by the Portuguese. Yeah, that is interesting.
So I thought that was kind of like a curveball. Yeah, they were very brave. Heavy. Yeah, no, it is. But the Portuguese were a huge Navy. Yeah, which makes sense why they would want cause like obviously her fleet didn't get destroyed by a fucking grandfather clock or anything like of that sort. So like it makes sense that it was a more realistic approach of OK, well we're already a pretty big fleet, we want what you have. You can either surrender or you
can die trying. So the silver tongue came in clutch. Yeah, Master freaking negotiator. All right, Speaking of pirates, the boyfriends and Steve are having lunch at Ed's favorite shack because he's never been stabbed here. So it's a fave hotspot, which is funny. And Steve confesses that he so he sent those love letters in the bottle. He's like, I wrote you a letter every day and put it in a bottle and I threw it out to sea hoping
one would get to you. And it's like, that's really interesting that you did that and very ineffective, but very sweet. And while they're having this little moment of vulnerability, 3 scallywags approach and Ed immediately like, yes, you're here for Blackbeard's signature. Well, like, let me finish eating and then maybe I'll give you an autograph. But really, they're here to see the infamous steed bonnet. They're his. Fan group Yeah, Steed actually has fans now instead of just
enemies. Yes, because the thing with Ned Lowe is huge. Amongst all the pirates. They're like, you freed us from this fucker. You're our hero now. And Ed is super proud of him. And he wants Steed to enjoy this because this was part of, you know, part of being a really successful pirate is the fame. And he's like, hey, you finally made it. Enjoy that. So he suggests that they take up the fans on their offer to buy drinks at Spanish Jackie.
'S. But they're like, we have to pay and Ed's like you're a famous pirate, we don't got to pay. And they dine in Dash, which is hilarious that they're doing this like minor but like bit of mischief together. And the way Steve runs away and he's like, oh, he didn't like he's such a fucking child. Awesome man that killed, killed Ned Lowe and that's his, you know, that's hilarious.
Not to bring back up the French, but the real Ned Lowe got hung by the French and the Martin Martin TQ cannot fucking pronounce it as saved my life. I'm not good with French but yeah, back in 1724. So yeah, he he either way, fact or fiction, not a good way to go. He got his ass kicked regardless. He had it coming. He had it coming and he only. Dare I say, if he did live in the 1800s, I would dare say that he was Jack the Ripper if he didn't die in 1724. Yeah, it's. Really shame it's.
Fucking energy, man. All right, but let's get away from the murder and go party at Spanish Jackie's. And while they're there, Ed gives Steed lessons on how to be a famous pirate. He's like, never insult people's tattoos, especially if it's of you and Steve's. Like, people have your face tattooed on their body. That's not just my face, OK? Look, that goes for for Tigersville, that's. The dead. Luscious is designing tattoos for people based on his
drawings. This was hilarious and we drawn any tattooing people. And that partly amazing. This was hilarious. So then the rest of the crew is basically, they show up and at first they're like, oh God, Jackie's gonna want to kill us. But really, she's like, you guys took out Ned Lowe. Hell fucking yes. And welcomes them with open arms, which is amazing. And then they we get the Swede, the Swede's back and he's living his best husband life, which has made him hotter, so good for
him. Yeah, I agree with Lucius. Swede cleaned up is so insanely hot and I don't know how to feel about it. It's amazing. Good for him and good for Jackie. They're living their best fucking. Life like that. His, his, him with his hair up. Oh yeah, that's a good look. It's a very good look. It's. A very good look. During the scene, Ed and Jackie have a little heart to heart.
She notices the quote, dirty orphan clothes that he's wearing 'cause he's not in his Leathers and calls him out for going through a quote What if I was a regular dude phase. And Ed confesses he's like, I don't think this is a phase. Like he's been thinking about this for a long time and finally has the freedom to explore that. And Jackie's like, does your man know that? Because he's the most famous
pirate in the world right now. And he seems to be loving it 'cause they're kind of like watching Steed from kind of across the bar as he's basking in his new pirate fame. And Ed, I think, is happy for Steve, but I think there's also a bit of concern for him that was like, oh, do we actually want different things? Because I just want to be living this chill, anonymous life and just enjoy the simple things. And like Steve has been working towards like, being Blackbeard,
and that means being famous. So I think there's a bit of concern in this conversation coming from Ed. I did catch a nice little parallel, the fact that Steed is essentially acting how Ed acted around Calico Jack. Yeah, a little bit the the steed version of that, yeah. I think it's just all so new to Steed that he's like, oh, this
is nice. But I think I don't doubt that he would give it up in a second to be with Ed, 'cause he didn't like the domestic life with Mary because he wasn't in love. But he has talked and acted so domestically with Ed that I don't think he would mind it because this domestic life would be adventure filled, while his domestic life with Mary was just mundane. Yeah, that's true. That is a good distinction between the two domestic. Lives. Yeah, that is a really good
point. And and in this scenario, like Steed knows what it's like to be a pirate versus with Mary, it's like the piracy was the lighthouse, right Where he's like, that was symbolic of a better life, but he didn't know what it was actually like. And here he is like he already has done those things. So maybe perhaps being domestic with Ed, he can be like, I've ever I knew I know what that life is like. I've tasted it. I've done it. I won't be sitting here thinking
what if I already know? So there's more contentment in this situation with Ed too. Also. All right, Speaking of things that aren't content, let's shoot over to Olu, who's also in the bar. He is in his fields over Zhang because she's perfect. How could you not be? Of I mean, I know we talk about this all the time, but she is perfect. I love her. She has never done anything wrong in her entire life, OK? She's perfect. So not to not one not to burst that bubble, but she did do an
objectively weird thing. Normal at the time period, but weird thing her her adopted son, she married him. Well adopted though. Yeah, but still. I. Mean it wasn't a cousin or a sibling like the French fakers. OK on the. Boat I love OK. And he's like, well, it's, it's OK, 'cause. Jane did. It it's adopted so. That's the only dirt I found on her. To maybe he she was just trying to get close to him in general and like the dad had more money. So you start there and then work.
Usually the the husband who initially had the pirate fleet it's it's up for debate if she willingly married him or if she got abducted by his crew and got forced to marry him. But he overall did give her 50% of his earnings. So that kind of started fueling the fire, so to speak, for her legacy. But that wasn't his son. It's very weird. His name was like Chong Chang Siao or something like that. I can't remember the actual name for for him, but it wasn't his biological son.
This was later on in life after she already divorced her prior husband so. You know you. She does her. I'm sure she had reasons 'cause she's perfect. She's never done anything wrong in her life. I always say about. That. If as long as it's played by this person. She's in love and wrong and Olu knows this. So he's here in his fields and he consults the Swede 'cause he's at the bar and Swede is the
the bartender. He's asking him for love advice 'cause like, look at the Swede. He had a glow up. He's happy he married a money lady. He's doing doing well. So they kind of have a conversation where like this weed kind of like is like giving him advice, which I never saw that coming when like the show started. But here we are. And I love the scene. It's so cute. Meanwhile, Jim and Archie are confronting Jiang directly. And the scene is very high school.
Being like my friend, like likes you. OK, You need to know that Jiang. It's so it's very cute. They're trying to be the wingman, yes. No, they're trying to be the wingman. And Jim is also like, I need to clear some shit up with you. Yes, we had a thing. We don't have a thing now. He's super into you. I'm into Archie. That's my Archie. But if you guys do get together, you're stuck with us too. Right, exactly.
And if you hurt him, it might be a hell of a battle, but I got my teammate with me to kick your ass. Literally. But also, will you talk to him because he really wants to talk to you and he want to shut the fuck up about you? And so Jim is successful in getting Zhang to agree to. Talk to Olin. Meanwhile, Ed is sulking on the docks and smiling as he's watching some simple fishermen bringing in their haul. Let's call back to Ed's triumph with fishing with Fang.
So he's romanticizing fishing hardcore and just thinking about the domestic life. And while he's doing this, Izzy finds him. And they have this really, really sweet, much needed heart to heart. Where Izzy admits he's like, I saw you ditched the Leathers, like casting off Blackbeard, basically, when he asks Ed how did that feel? Which huge Izzy is like, you know, this is such a huge scene. And Ed admits that it felt great, like, like getting rid of Blackbeard basically.
It felt really great and fraying. And Izzy suggests that he listens to that good feeling. And just like what, a 180 from season one? Izzy, who would have berated Ed for, quote, killing Blackbeard like that. But here's Unicorn Izzy, who understands Ed the person a lot better and is saying to Ed in this moment, I see you, Ed. It's OK to be Ed. That's kind of what he's telling him by not actually saying those
words. And the other thing I want to point out is that Izzy kind of has the personal experience to say these things now to Ed because he just is coming off the cusp of conquering that very struggle. Like he was forced to ditch the mask of Blackbeard, second in command when Ed chopped off his leg. And he really was the perfect person to reassure Ed that following his heart to live his authentic life is the right thing for him to do. And I just love the scene so much. It's so cute.
I think it's important for Ed to get that reinforcement like he needs. He had his mom growing up, but once he was on his own, he is the type of person that people aren't going to just talk to him. And for people to tell him that he's good now, he's OK is just huge for himself. Yeah, it's validating to hear that from Izzy to be like, follow your heart. It's OK, I see you, but that's big. Meanwhile, Steed is off entertaining his fans.
And he's explaining that he and Ed, because Blackbeard comes up and he's like, well, we have a partnership and and we take turns making decisions, and that works for us. And then he very quickly notices that, oh, Ed's not here. So it speaks to how, like, drunk off his fame Steed is that he didn't like, who knows how much time has passed. And he's just like, oh, wait, Ed isn't even here.
And as Ed predicted in the beginning, he's like, another rule about being famous as a pirate is that somebody's gonna want to kill you at some point today. And so a drunkard emerges from the streets screaming he wants to kill Steve. Then he's like, I want to kill you. And he smashes a bottle of alcohol on his own head. Like OK, Like what a weird flex. I've done that before. So Steve, who clearly has the brain cell, just flicks a lit cigar onto this man, torturing
him on the spot. And it's kind of like this God move where Steve's like, I can do no wrong. Cheer with me, fans. Which like and of itself is so wild. And it's probably for the best that Ed wasn't there to witness that because like with that act of just carelessly, like flicking the cigar, it's very out of character for Steed. And like, it's very much so like, his humanity is slowly starting to slip because like, like we've said, he's drunk off of fame.
And being drunk off of fame is a hell of a fucking thing, as we've seen with like Blackbeard in his career and like the craziest shit he's been up to. And I could only imagine what was going through like Steed's crew's head during this entire time, especially witnessing the act of Steed flicking that cigar and inadvertent or not even, not even inadvertently, full on killing that man, signing his defendants.
Because like, that's not Steed. That's Steed with too much power cost playing somebody who he wants to because he's getting a taste of what it's like to be a pirate once again. And it's very addictive to Steed. And he doesn't want that feeling to end. So in a way, he's kind of like addicted to, like the dopamine rush and high that it's giving him.
And that is such a bad thing to get addicted to, especially for a man like Steed. Yeah, that's why it gave me like I'm a God, like I can do no wrong. I'm above the which is very not Steve, like you said, I totally. Agree with you. Yeah, 'cause he's not thinking about the consequences of his actions.
Nope. I don't know, he's just doing and moving on. Which is sad that he doesn't even realize that Ed's not there because he's so enamored with like, everything going on. He is losing sight, quite literally, of the one that he loves the most. Which again, his humanity is slipping in this whole like I'm holier than thou type arc. Yeah, exactly.
So luckily Steed does find Ed, so we can get a little bit of humanity back at the Steed. And Steed is just exciting to tell Ed about his big great day 'cause he's finally the famous gentleman pirate and he's having so much fun. But as he's trying to like tell Ed about his day, like, Steed notices that Ed seems pretty distant. And so Ed, like, kind of like, comes clean and where he feels like things are moving way too fast between them. He's like, I wanted us to take things slow.
It feels really fast. I don't think I'm ready for this. And upon hearing this, Deed looks crushed. But also like, understands. And he says things can be. This can be whatever we want it to be. It doesn't have to be anything that's too much, you know? But then it's kind of like Ed's beating around the Bush about what's really bothering him. So he finally gets into the heart of the issue, which is that he feels lost without Blackbeard.
Like he's trying to change and be someone new or like come into his own, but he doesn't know what that is or who he is. So he needs to kind of like, figure that shit out. And he's scared, because it is. Scary. That's fair because that's been his whole life basically since the Kraken thing. Yeah, exactly. Like who am I without Blackbeard? And that was the, that's the journey Izzy went on. Who am I without the shadow of Blackbeard?
And so he's just panicking and he blows up this relationship before it can get any more real and possibly hurt him again 'cause he was just hurt so deeply by Steed on that quote whim where he was just, he was being Ed and giving in to what felt good. And like, look how that ended up. So I think he's like starting to get back into the thing of like, this feels good.
What if it blows up again? How about I just blow it up before it can, like, hurt me, you know, 'cause he hasn't really fully healed from Steed abandoning him. And I think Steve, sorry, good. No, you're good. I was just going to say, which is very ironic because that's usually what tends to happen for most people. Not all. I just want to make that very
clear. But most people who have abandonment issues, they'd rather abandoned the person first then continue sitting in silence almost in stewing an anxiety of OK, if not now, when? And I definitely can relate to that because like anytime something's going too good in my relationship, I'm like, all right, the other shoes going to drop. When is it going to happen? But I, I'm thankful enough that I've done the work and put in the work and gone on my own healing journey.
Not fully there and finished yet, but I am thankful enough to know that I, I'm not going to personally sabotage my relationship because I know how good it is. And Ed hasn't figured that out yet. So it makes sense that with his abandonment issues and his track record, and unfortunately the damage that Seed's done in the past, he his first instinct is if I leave first, he can't leave me. Yeah, exactly it all.
And like, and Steve and Steve understands he's being, you know, he's kind of being a coward a little bit by not working this through with, by framing it basically as like, I want to be a fisherman. And and Steve's like, that's not what this is about. And he's like, you're being a coward right now. You're running away from us
basically. But Ed leaves. Meanwhile, we go back to Spanish Jackie's where the crew is grifting everybody 'cause they're like Blackbeard and Gentleman Pirate, let's make a killing. So they're like selling quote authentic Blackbeard merch. They're doing steed tattoos, just everything. They're just grifting. 'Cause. That is who they are. I mean, it's your advantage. They're getting glory, so. Make some money. And funnily enough, please don't hate me for this very stupid
joke, I'm bad at tell. But eventually Steed falls off his steed because of a certain a certain amazing pirate queen, and I cannot wait for us to dive into that. Oh how the fuck yes, we're almost there. Before we get to the downfall of Steed, Izzy and Steed have a little heart to heart. So Steed is crying to his fans because Ed's not hearing. He's like, you guys get me, you love me. And then Steve or Eddie, the Izzy shows up and he's like get the fuck out of here.
I need to talk to this bitch because Izzy already knows everything that happened. And. Yeah, he sees all and he and like, I love that Steed thinks Izzy's here to. Gloat, but he. Isn't he's he's like, listen, I understand now it took me a long time to see this, but you guys, you and Ed are good for each
other. You guys balance each other out and, you know, don't, I don't think you should walk away from him and let him blow this up. Like, Ed is a complicated man and is very bad at expressing his feelings 'cause remember, he says, like, remember what happened when I told him I love him? That Izzy talking about Steed and Steed's like, yeah, he shot you. And it's like, yeah. So just, you know, remember, he, his reaction is to lash out, not necessarily talk.
So like, give him some time, you know? Izzy. He's a gentle beard shipper. Yeah, for sure. He he he genuinely cares about Ed and wants what's best for him. And I think that Steed understands us about Ed deep down, but it hurts when it happens, right? And I think that having easy of all people kind of like, voice it out loud and tell him it's OK. Like, just give him some time. Like that is very validating for
Steed to hear, you know. All right, then we get to Olu and Zhang finally have the talk and then we we get the famous line. We've said many, many times on this podcast, which where she says I have issues with trust. You know the saying fool me once, shame on me, fool me twice. I need to end her life, which is the start of the conversation and it was fucking hilarious. I love the way she always starts conversations and Ola's always like. Danger. Danger. He's like are. You. OK.
Yeah, and he's like, listen, like I, I'm sorry I left, but like, that was intense where you're trying to kill all my friends and I love my friends, so that's why I left. Her ship's called the red flag for a reason. Well, you know. The mother fucking parade. It's the. Red flag In the conversation, Jane admits that she misses Olu the AKA that break in her day. And then Olu reaches across the table and like, grabs her hand and Jane giggles like a school girl And just, it's just the
cutest. It's I just love them. I love them so much. I love them. Which is so wild. It's so wild that like we were speculating that like, oh, well, Olu brings out like the child, the inner child out of everyone. And like, after doing research on Jang and figuring out her what her upbringing was and what she was forced to do, it's just like, oh, we were right. She needs this. She very much needs this. She's a non-toxic non force digging down. Literally so go off our queen. You get it.
Other thing I love from this conversation is after they talk, they then go to see Jim and Archie who are high key embarrassing Olu in front of Jiang, which is just, I love that they're just like, let's tease him immediately. But Olu's there to break the news that he is going to leave the crew and go with Jiang like 'cause that's that's what he wanted to do the first time. But you know, you know he loves the crew, too, so he's torn. Well, he also had loyalty and
but yeah, he's more loyal too. And I like to speculate the the reasoning for Olu's decision to want to be like a full time crew member of Zhang's ship is not only because the love that he has for her, but for the sheer fact of he doesn't like how Steed is currently acting. And it's purely like, I, I already went through this back when you left us and we had to deal with Ed and his heartbreak and the shit he did to us. I don't want to go through this again given it will be
different. I don't deserve this. And he knows he knows Jang will treat him right and will not act like that. So I it's definitely like a rock and a hard place for Olu, but he's doing what he thinks is best for his safety and his best interest because. We know for a fact Archie and Jim have both told the horror stories of what happened on Blackbeard's ship after he abandoned Steed's playthings. So it's definitely it it, it could most definitely be like coming from a place of like
scared and afraid. Because again, he most definitely doesn't like how Steed's acting. It's very out of character. He's used to like nice soft golden retriever Steed and Steed's being. He's being a bitch. For lack of better words. He's being dopamine addicted bitch. Yeah, that's, that's true. And also like, oh has been like sulking over Shane the whole time too. So like. It's like a here or now type moment. Right, exactly. I'm getting a second chance. Let me take the second chance.
I mean, the theme of the episode is follow your feelings. That's the theme of the episode. That's what he's doing. Unfortunately, Steed Overseas Slash puts together what's happening here. And so he confronts Zhang for trying to poach his crew and steed is too drunk right now, literally and figuratively to be having this conversation with Jiang. But here we are. And he is super confident that his crew are loyal to him and would never abandoned him. And Olu's like awkward, but I'm
leaving with my ladylove. So you know you. She hit it, hit the nail on the head there and she's like. At 2:00. Olu. You're gonna stab me in the back right in front of me? Like what the fuck, man? So Steve tries to provoke Zhang, which wow, this is how his God complex right now. He tries to provoke Zhang, the pirate Queen of all fucking people, like verbally and it she doesn't take the bait until he touches his sword to like, remove it from the scabbard.
But she even says I'm gonna pretend like you did not just reach for it. Right. He reaches for it and but then he like literally pulls it out and that's when she's like, OK, but think about this behavior. This behavior is brand new for Steed. Also, because Steed would never draw first. He would always try to like verbally talk it out. And this is insane what he's doing. So I think this scene is trying to really show a couple of things like the God complex, yes.
But the other thing is that Steed is so unbalanced without Ed. Like that's because Ed is not here. Ed is off being a fisherman. So without Ed, Steed has his heads fully in the clouds and is easily swept up in this delusion of grandeur. And I feel like if Ed was here in this bar scene, we never would have gotten to this moment of Steed trying to remove a sword. That never would have happened.
And like a very sad thought that I first had a while, like watching this is the sheer fact of Steed wanted to be accepted so fucking badly throughout his life. And he's now getting exactly what he wanted at the cost of somebody he loves. And it's, it's hard to like, it's hard to be too judgmental for him because like, yeah, he's being an he's, he's being an absolute ass.
But if you're thinking about it from the perspective of he's just a scared little boy who wants to be accepted, it breaks your fucking. Heart, yeah, no, absolutely. And just he finally had that moment and he's not gonna let anything ruin it, including, like Jang, quote, poaching his men. So yeah, this is a, this is a lashing out moment. And even Jang, like, recognizes this is very out of character from what she knows about Steed.
So that's why she's trying to give him like, a first chance, a second chance and three strikes, you're out. Ding Ding. Even when they start fighting she does give him a lot of chances. Just Steed is just delusional cause like Zhang's a mastermind. She knows what's going on here. She clocked Ed is not here like hours ago. She like she 'cause she knows everything. She's like Ed's not here. I know what you're you're upset about.
So she tosses the truth at Steve where she says I'm not poaching your men if they're willingly leaving. First of all, Steve. And Speaking of which, where's your serial killer boyfriend? Like, did he leave you to like, she just exploits his weakness immediately. That's when he's like, we're doing right the fuck now. I mean, it's just it's very, very clear who the actual better fighter is here. Like all his lessons with Izzy
did not prepare him for this. It's also hilarious how like that big burly fucking buff dude comes out and he's like I got it boss and then like she just does like the fucking acupuncture shit and like he's K fucking O and Steve's just like. No chance. She doesn't even pressure points. Pressure points. It's a similar concept pressure. Points. I do love when they're dueling and she has them pinned finally.
And she gives the the line of I've killed mediocre men, I've killed exceptional men, and you're the worst kind of man. A man who's mediocre but thinks he's exceptional. And I love when Steve tries to be cool about it. And he's like, the thing about being mediocre is no one sees you coming. And then he tries the best Jang by like, sneak attacking and throwing like a bottle at her. And he thinks he's being super clever, but it's Jang, so she dodges it. And he's like, that's not gonna
work. And we love that this simple act of rebellions from Steen starts a chain event of this giant bar brawl that happens. Like, this was choreographed and filmed so well it's insane. So like, the bottle hits this random dude. Archie being Archie laughs at the dude. The Dude. Then. Attacks Archie, which pisses off Jim who then attacks the dude and then it starts this like choreographed brawl that just, it's like a domino effect. It's insane and just masterful choreography.
I love it so much. It's so fucking good. It's. Amazing. And like with with like steed going like the the the thing about mediocre, no one sees you coming. It purely gave Boomhauer from King of the Hill where he goes pocket sand. And literally like literally that is that move where the the think guy thinks he's clever and literally like picks up sand of the rosette. Like literally that is what Steve was trying to do. But James, like that doesn't work with me, bitch.
Like I am better than you. Also also y'all have corrupted my mind. I'm still not the biggest fan of Taylor Swift, but I did catch on to a Taylor Swift reference of the one where she's like, oh the old Taylor kid, come to the phone right now, she died. Oh my God, that's Steed. She's dead. Oh my God, you would you. Made me do. That's literally Steve.
But anywhere Steed versus Zhang was absolutely hilarious just for the sheer fact of like, Zhang really didn't want to do that, but she kind of just had to entertain because if she just like let Steve kind of walk all over her, that would besmirch her like name and her empire and everything she's built up to at this point. Yes. It's wild to think his ass only got saved because the literal ticking time bomb that's courtesy of Ricky Little.
Bitch. No, that is such a good point, because think about where they are. Like, okay, so in the Republic of Pirates, we get here. What does the, the crew, the revenge Notice Zhang has recruited half the island, so they're in this bar. So these are her future crew. So yeah, she can't lose to this man. She just recruited all these people and everyone's here celebrating how big and bad Steed is. So it's really in her best interest to best Steed to be like, I'm the queen of pirates,
don't fucking forget that. And so that that would like she would recruit more people like from doing that. So yeah, I think she had to for like publicity reasons. Best seed because she gives him so many opportunities during the duel. She just like hits him with the side of her sword to be like, can you wake up and stop doing this? But seed will not stop. Yeah. So eventually Jackie in the middle of the brawl's like not, not in the bar, get the fuck
outside, get the fuck outside. And she she gets everybody outside. And this is when Jang's like enough and like, actually like goes after. Steed. With the piece of plywood nonetheless. Yes, like she's literally kicking his ass and is about to do the death blow with plywood when the grandfather clocks all go boom. And poor Jiang, this heartbreaking moment where she's like ready to strike the planks above her head and just the entire sea lights up with her ships Catching Fire.
And it's just like she just watches in horror, just freezes as this starts happening and saved by the bell or whatever. And Steed and his crew literally flees. Jackie's Tavern explodes. There's cannonballs flying. It's just pure and utter chaos. And then the writers very rudely cut to black. And like, that's how it ends even without knowing Zhang's background, like historically speaking, it's a very heart wrenching scene.
But like added like with the added like historical element, knowing her upbringing, like how she met her husband who was in charge of the fleets initially, how she worked her way up, beat the beat the the Jing dynasty, conquer China. Like knowing all of that and then her watching her literal world crumble and explode into tiny little pieces. Like I just want to know what was like running through her like her head at that time. Like what?
Like if it was just like no thoughts to like to like not willing to admit what just happened or if she realized like the severity of it and like it had a oh shit moment. Like I wouldn't know what her thought process was when that happened because it's such an impactful scene to see like such a powerful woman get reduced to fucking nothing. And like, I know for a fact her first thought was most
definitely where is Auntie? Yeah, and also like how I cause like the other thing about this whole thing is she was blindsided by this. So that's the other thing where she's like, I couldn't have outmaneuvered. I didn't know this was coming. And just like, how is this happening? It was just like shock, like is this really happening kind of moment. And I think, I think you're right.
Once her brain started working, it's where's Auntie was like the second thought after she just was like, this is happening. Oh my God, this is happening. And it, it just, it just fucking sucks because like throughout the series or throughout the season rather, she was known as like a master manipulator, good at playing like her chess pieces with the pawns.
And to get blindsided to this level, you just know, like Ricky have like the most like shit eating fucking grin on his face 'cause he's like, I've bested her. I will get so much respect because I bested the pirate queen. And little does he know, he's in for a world of fucking hurt. Bitch yeah, we'll get into more of his thoughts and feelings in the next episode. We can leave that out. Who cares? All right, well that I guess we don't have time to get into the
last episode. It would be like a hour and 20 minutes, yeah. A very depressing ending to this episode. I mean, that is the penultimate. It really does set up the finale extremely well, even though it rudely cut to black. So that was episode two O 7. If you guys have any thoughts, please let us know in the comments at social media discord all the places Caitlin directed to you in the beginning of this episode. Today marks the end of a long voyage of us covering our flag
means death. Because we are going to wrap things up by talking about the very last episode two O 8 and speculate on what could season three have been if we had gotten everything we wanted and had the actual season three we're supposed to have. So not better at all. But I think it's time we get into the last episode of Our Flag Means Death. So season 2 episode eight Maybe's for life. Is that actually the title of?
Yours I had I. Had a feeling that's why that is the title of this very Caitlyn. I have no idea what this episode is actually called anyway. I think it's merman or something. Oh yeah, I was really confused why the last episode was called that and not the one where he's actually a merman. Who knows? Any tunes? Anyway, this episode starts with Ed. I was like Steed, Ed Steed. Every single time. It's never going to change. We're at the last. Episode you get what you get.
Ed is in a little rowboat and he has this inner monologue and he says for the first time in my life I am truly and fully present. And just this whole scene seems so serene and he's so peaceful. This is definitely. Not a pirate's life, but. That is short lived because the father and son he was mooching off of vote him off the island because he is a terrible fisherman. I mean, yeah, he's not a fisherman.
So like, OK, so first of all, I love how when this opens, he's trying to be all profound in his inner monologue and he's like waxing poetic about fish scales and just every blade of grass. And I'm just like a wave. And it quickly gets derailed because he just, and like, he like, trips over his own inner monologue as he keeps going, 'cause like, he doesn't know what the hell he's doing. Like he doesn't know why he he's
there. He's just trying to indulge himself on living quote the simple life. And he doesn't even know what that really means to be quite honest with you. And I love when he gets called out by the father and son where the pop up's like you said you could fish and Ed's like I said I caught a fish once. He is so proud of that fish that he caught.
I just love how like the the entire time Ed just keeps calling him pop pop and like you can like see, like the dad just getting more and more pissed off and with like every. Additional pop pop and just. The fact that like. The dad it just hates Ed for being useless and like not actually a fisherman. It was it. It was a pretty interesting concept to add when like he already has pre established daddy issues. Oh my God, Yeah, exactly. That's why it's so.
Funny, he's like trying to find a surrogate father but also like live the life he always wanted. The thing I love too is that they call him out for not actually working because he's too busy having these deep thoughts about the simple life. And what's funny about that is that that's kind of what he's already used to because as pirate captain, most of the time he's just like on the ship, letting the crew do all the work, you know, so he, he's not somebody who normally does
manual labor. So that that is his like normal. He's just trying to like do that in the fisherman life. And they're like, no, the fisherman life is you need to be working constantly. That's how we eat and survive. So he's like. You're supposed to actually catch the fish, Yeah, but the one fish doesn't help us now.
But he also wasn't like while he's doing the inner monologue, he's like staring at stuff and like they they'll like pan to just like the father and son working and pulling the boat, Like he's not actually working. Like that's the thing. And they're like, what the hell, man? Like you're just dead weight. And so I love the parting words from pop up when Ed is cast out into the dinghy and he's just like, if you were ever good at anything, go do that, you bum.
'Cause he is. He's just like mooching off them. Yeah. Is Ed that only works when you are in charge of the people working for you, not when you're other people are in charge of you, right? Exactly. OK, so from here the English take over the Republic of Pirates and everyone is miserable.
Everyone. The English shoulders basically took over the bar and they're they're like toasting to their own victory and they're singing this victory song and mention like we'll never be slaves, which was gross as they like were actively enslaving all of the pirates, which was super fucked up. Yeah, like English guys are not
the good guys. And I like while the the part I like is while that's happening, they then camera and then pants to the Spanish Jackie, who's not happy that this is going on in her bar and she's waiting for Roach to hand her like a a bowl of soup or something. And there's this quick moment of Roach just like staring daggers at all these people. And then like he's smoking a cigarette and he like very quickly, like flicks the ashes. Into the food.
Before he hands it to Jackie. It was so funny. Just guess. Good job, Roach, because. Even Spanish Jackie is miserable being tortured by nose dude. Who? I found out her name is Ricky 'cause I just didn't bother to learn his name this whole time. OK, he's nose dude. That's all I know about him. Yeah, so miner Prince Ricky is like gloating to Jackie, 'cause he's like, 'cause Jackie's the one that took his nose.
And he's like, thanks for, you know, being the start of my villain origin story, Jackie. And even here, like it's just it's really annoying how privileged this man is. And like later Izzy calls him out on this because he is. And it's like if like here's the deal. Because the reason we're in this situation is because he did come to Jackie many episodes ago off screen. And if Jackie had just given what him what he wanted back then and made him feel like, oh quote, real pirate, none of this
would have happened. The reason we're in this situation is because he was a rich toddler throwing a temper tantrum. And he's like, you guys shamed me and tried to take away my dream. And so he comes back to seek revenge. And because he has all this wealth and money and influence in the British Navy, I guess here we are, like, the tides turned very quickly when he like, turned his, like, spoiled brat eyes on the Republic of Pirates versus like, I just want
to be the best pirate ever. And they're like, Nah, no. And then he's like, so it's really annoying. And then he, like, power trips again by like, being like, hey, Jackie, maybe fish my nose out of the jar. Why don't you like? He's so annoying. Which I could only imagine, like the sensory aspects of that. She's a real one for doing that 'cause I could never. It was just. That was just got in a jar.
I would've, I would've just picked it up and smashed it and then picked like sorted it out that way instead of reaching my hand 'cause just. I know, but Jackie loves that nose jerk. So even like when we're leading up to that, she's still like, don't spill anything out of the nose, like, but it is disgusting. She's. Proud of her noses. She is proud of her noses. She's got quite the collection.
And the other thing that's despicable that Ricky does is he's, I mean, it's smart, but it's despicable. He's using the Swede as the poison taster because he's a little bitch. Yeah. There's it's, it's not going well. It doesn't, usually when the English are involved. Right. Absolutely not. Meanwhile, Zhang is upset because she failed and Auntie and her crew are dead, so she thinks because of her.
So she's still reeling from watching her entire fleet blow up, basically, and Steed is with her and just trying to help her through it, but she she's not having it like she doesn't. Want Steed's? Preschool teacher lessons right now? Yeah, I think. The thing that sums it up nicely is when he's she expresses that she feels like a failure and basically, 'cause Steed's like, come on, we gotta keep going. She's like, what's the point? I failed and Steed says I've been a failure my whole life.
It's not so bad when she get used to it, which is such a Steed line. But. For Shang, Shang doesn't lead a life where failure is an option. Like, think about it. She was a, a woman that like, is like the most successful pirate of all time. Like there there's no room for failure when you're like trying to conquer a man's world. And like, Zoe's talked about Shang's life before piracy and stuff and like, yeah, failure was never an. Option for her.
But on screen, what they show us is that Auntie was the one reinforcing that behavior constantly, because Auntie's kind of like the mother figure in a way, or like her mentor or something. And Auntie is very hard on her and does demand perfection from Jane at all times. It's kind of like a. An. An Asian parent child relationship kind of in a way where it's like you the the minimum is perfection.
And so Zhang is very much in her head where she's like, well, I failed and I failed in such a spectacular way that auntie's gone, my whole crew's gone. Like what's the point of anything anymore? I just it's over like. Yeah, you can see how absolutely defeated she feels. Like she doesn't even like she's, if there weren't other things going on, she would have just went into like a deep depression. I feel like 'cause she was not moving and the the English are about to come and like capture
them, I guess. And she doesn't even try to get up. So Steve's like, I'll take on the challenge now and then tries to sneak attack them. And then, of course, being Steed, you know, he needs saving by Zheng and she has to end up saving him. So she's like, I gotta save this fully. I can't just let him die. So here. Boom. All right, you're good. Yeah. And I think part of it is that
Zhang feels reckless in a way. It like is feeling like in a reckless mood because she has nothing therefore has in her mind and therefore has nothing left to lose. And so after like Steed kind of like she has to basically he's the damsel in distress and she saves him. Exactly what I was saying. That's so funny. She basically stalks off to go quote skin a Prince. So like I think the only card left she has is revenge because why? Not play rage. And. Female rage, that's what.
The Musical. Is that a musical? No. Taylor Swift just trademarked that, though, that she's that's what she's naming the tortured poets department of her set list. We'll talk about it off camera and I'll let you get you on. That got it. Can't wait. Lord, yeah, just Jiang being stuck with Steve was probably the worst outcome after watching her literal empire just fucking
crash. Cause like, yeah, Steed's there to like lighten the mood and everything, but like at the same time Steed's being Steed, which is not helping whatsoever. And that's such a good. Point like to her she's like it can't get any lower than me being stuck with Steed. Pretty much like and like Steed is such a good character but he's not what's really needed for this cause for the most part it's just Zhang having to like take on the role of a depressed bodyguard for Seed. That's.
So true. And then, like, as I mentioned before, like the fact that like she took took a risk on Ricky and then got this in return, like her ego is probably taking a massive fucking blow. Like she like she's very much so the type that's like 10 steps ahead and this time Ricky was 20 steps ahead. So like I could, I could only imagine like the ego hit and just like the thoughts running
through ahead at that point. Yeah, that's a really good point, 'cause she just got bested by a little bitch. So that's got. Hurt. Too and. Like boy. That is the. Quote of this episode. She just got busted. By a little bitch. OK, but then we head back to Ed, and Ed is just rowing in the ocean in a little tiny boat and he finds the wrecked ships in the middle of the ocean because of course he does.
He can find anything except when he really needs to find Steed and you know, Lady Tans. OK, So what? His face when he sees the wrecked ships, he just looks. Paralyzed. And softly just says Steed and. The poor guy just wants to. Be happy, and he can never be happy because you know, pirate's life. Yeah, but I mean, if you think about the way things ended, it's like him and Steed ended with exchanging angry words and he just ditched Steed and got him the dinghy with.
The. Pop, pop and the boy and then went away and now it is back and everything's on fire and destroy. All the pirates are dead. So he's like, oh, fuck. The one thing I love about this scene is the way they play with the sound. So what they do is they basically like, mute it or make it very muted and distorted to amplify Ed's feeling of shock. Because at first when the English soldiers approach him to be like, hey, there's no fishing in these waters.
He looks like a dirty grub. And they're like, no fishing in these waters. We own these autos now. Ed can't hear them. All he can hear is people screaming and this high pitched ringing as if he was there when the cannon went off and. Stood too close to it. So I thought it was really interesting the way they play with the sound to kind of like encapsulate the whole the horror of what just happened and how Ed is kind of like living it as if he was there. I love that.
It was really good touch. Then I feel like it was like kind of trauma from the past as well, since he's probably seen that happen quite a bit. So he's just I've, I've seen this film before. But I'm like, I'll say before he had somebody he loved in that situation, yeah. He liked the ending before, but now he doesn't. He didn't give a fuck about the ending before, now he's like oh. This is bad. Oh, OK, so for some reason all I think of is one of these Englishmen look like luscious to
me, so yeah. I don't know why. Yes. Yeah. It's the attitude, Yeah, I guess so. It's like and like the eyebrows, something like that. And it's just his face reminds me of him. He. Too was a sassy gay man. Right, exactly, the English going to have their own sassy gay man. Well, I mean, we already said this. Next point. They tell him that he can't fish there. Oh, my bad. And then it's fine. So it just kills them. I love that. I love that he's. Saying he's like, you're just in
my way, goodbye. And then Ed, he hears those wise words from Pop Pop when he was getting voted off the island, which is if you were ever good at anything, go do that, you bum. So Ed says to himself, OK, Pop
Pop, move it your way. Almost like, almost like he's saying you want me to be bad, dad, I'll be the baddest bitch you've ever seen 'cause he was trying to be in his mind, trying to be good and live the simple life and like get the approval of his pseudo father figure and the father figures like get the fuck out of here and go do what you were doing before you got here. And he's like, fine, I guess I just have to be bad. That's just who I am. Fuck you dad. I'll be the best at being bad
basically. And I just love like the whole like essentially like montage of not only Ed returning to the like the chaos that was probably the last thing he expected to return to. And then the fact that he had no other thoughts than Steed's well-being is just like so heartwarming. And then it evolved to then like the evolved form of Blackbeard, if you will, comes out and he just goes on a rampage filled with rage thinking Steed's possibly dead. And all I could think of is John
Wick when his dog dies. You know it's the same energy. Like he doesn't. He doesn't know that Steed is dead, but if he is, it won't it won't be for naughty. It's Schrodinger's Steed. Is he dead? Is he not dead? It doesn't matter Rage. So OK, we have two characters who are just filled with rage like Jang and Ed slash Blackbeard. I think it's time to cue the eerie music. Someone walks out of the ocean. I assume it's Ed. Yes, it is. It is Ed.
And basically so Ed when he was thinking, OK, pop pop, I'll go back to what I was doing because I did it so well.
He goes back and retrieves the letters from the his leather, sorry, his leather outfit from the ocean and it magically fits and Steed's Leathers because it magically fits because Looney Tunes. So then he emerges from the sea in his Blackbeard Leathers. And this is probably one of my favorite moments of the episode because in this moment, like, you don't really see Ed directly. Like, you see his reflection in the water as he's emerging from
the ocean. And you, like, you'd expect this to be the heralding of the return of Blackbeard, but it's not. It's almost more like an announcement of Ed's rebirth, like he's blessed by the sea, if you will. Like, he looks like Blackbeard, but he doesn't act like Blackbeard the entire time. Ever since he emerges from the water, he's very much
unabashedly Ed this entire time. And when he goes on his rampage, like, like Zoe was saying, that's Ed doing it, not Blackbeard. And so I love this because it's like Ed is, if you think about Ed, he's both an experienced pirate captain and a man that's like longing to just enjoy his
life. So it's this and that's who like kind of emerges and that's who we see kind of the rest of this the show, which is a huge moment from, from Ed 'cause he's been on this journey of just like, who am I, Who is Ed? And like here it is. It all's culminated in this moment. Here is the emergence of Ed Ed 2.0, the Ed that he's been searching for this whole time. He's finally like complete and can just be Ed now. And it's just, it's a great moment. It's almost as if he went to therapy.
He should still almost. Anyway, so we go back to nose dude Rookie and he has the entire crew captured and waiting to be hung. But he does. Take Izzy to get a drink. Because Izzy. Heiloki wants to be Izzy. But before we get that, like, so here's the deal with Ricky. So Ricky, despite all the bullshit, like deep down really wants to be a pirate and be somewhat respected by elite pirates.
So when he goes into the cell to look at the revenge of the, the crew of the Revenge, the the celebrity in there is Izzy. So he singles out Izzy because Izzy is a living legend. And my favorite part is when they're in the cell and he's looking at Izzy, Izzy is framed in light, which heralding he's like the golden one of all these people, but also it's foreshadowing a hero's death in a way. So I was like the minute, the first time I saw this was like, Oh, this can't go well, that's all.
That's like foreshadowing. Oh shit. So anyway, so of course, of course Ricky talks to Izzy like one-on-one because he's trying to gain the respect for how he he was so ruthless and successful in just destroying this, the Republic of pirates. But Izzy is less than impressed by this. And I also just, I want to before we leave the cell, I just moment of appreciation for Izzy Sickburn when he's like, who are you? He's like, are you Pinocchio? Two things I want to say about
this. Number one, everybody in the room laughs. And the only reason they're laughing is because Steed told the story of Pinocchio. So they all know this joke because of Steed. So good job, Steed. And this is confirmation that Izzy was in fact paying attention to those stories because he learned Pinocchio and all that stuff. So I. Love. My jokes amongst the crew. Yeah, it's so cute and it's like such a literature reference and stuff.
And I think it like Ricky might know this 'cause he's a learned man, learned man or whatever, but he's like, oh fuck, all these pirates are making fun of me over literature of this book. That's kind of a funny moment. Not just literature, Pinocchio, but like it. You would have to know that from like reading which pirates are illiterate. So it's like he's getting burned when he shouldn't have been. Which just makes it really funny actually.
It's really sweet to see how Izzy has adapted to being with the crew and once he let his set in stone ways start fading away. They're not fully away. He's still like very much so his old self, but he's opening up to people more now and it's just really nice to see him become one with the crew. Also, I I think Izzy is becoming Izzy. So like the way Ed was hiding behind Blackbeard, so was Izzy. I'm like, I don't think Izzy knew who he was.
He was he he admits it later. He's like, I needed Blackbeard. Who the hell am I without Blackbeard? Like I think him and Ed both have that same problem. They're like, who are we without a Blackbeard? And I think Izzy is becoming who Izzy is and is OK with who he is, which is really beautiful. And part of that is connecting with people, like you said, Caitlyn. So his journey is also fantastic.
And while he's talking with Nozzy Dricky, Izzy is trying to explain to him what being a pirate actually means. And one of the things that he says that I really love is that it's about finding the family to kill for when yours is long dead. Like it's basically found family. And I think that's something a lot of queer people resonate with when watching this show, is that they have created this huge family for themselves, full of very different personalities, none related by blood.
But they love each other so much, and they will fight for each other. And they can't say that about their own families. And a lot of them have families that rejected them. And it's just it's sweet that Izzy has come around to the crew being family. And like, he's not sentenced on this idea of piracy anymore. He's like, OK, we can have fun with it as well.
Well. I think it really ties, it ties back to the line he says right before that one where Izzy says it's about belonging to something when the world has told you you're nothing because that's what pirates were. Pirates were outcasts of society. So like, people who couldn't find jobs, who couldn't make a living on land, went to the sea and then found their worth outside of society, outside of the law, basically.
So that's what he's saying. So yeah, sometimes, like, you had to leave your family to survive and that kind of stuff. And, and really the point of this is that this is something Ricky, the minor Prince could never actually understand because first of all, he's always, he's spoiled the way Steed was. But because Ricky is really in the whole piracy thing for the glory, Like he, that's why he's having this conversation with Izzy.
He's like, I want you to respect me 'cause I, I did stuff like, you know, I got glory. That's what piracy's all about. It's about what you can gain. I gained all this power. And he's really just in it for himself and nobody else, which is what makes him a terrible pirate because you can't like Lone Ranger piracy. You need a crew. Like you need people. Like you said, if and it's the, you know, the not a metaphor, but it's basically like an insert for your stronger together than you are by
yourself kind of thing. And basically like, because Ricky flat out ignored that and like the whole point of being a pirate, that's that's what cost him his nose because Steve tried to warn him if this he's like, you can't just like do your own thing. Like you have to like, you have to get out of here. Like we, you know, when they were back into Santa Jackie's way back when and he was like, no, like, what are you doing? Like you can't just go off and
do your own thing. We all have to get out of here. That's how we survive. And Ricky's like no I got this calling. Card. Right. He's like, no 'cause he's like, I want him to know it was me. And again, like showing like, I want to be singular, not part of a crew. And that's what and that's what actually cost him his nose like. You need to act it through as a crew if you will. Exactly, and he's not, he doesn't want to be part of any crew, he just wants the glory, which is what, Toxic hyper
individualism or whatever. So. I don't know. He knows. Dude. Ricky, you, you're messing up somewhere. You got to have those people behind you. It's not always holding you back. Sometimes it is if you're not in the right crew. But you got you got to find the people. They're out there. Yeah, that's not his jam, though.
And then this conversation, like they conclude their conversation in a later scene, but I'm going to put it here where Ricky claims that he's the ultimate pirate because he destroyed the Republic of Pirates. And Izzy basically tells him off, which Ricky doesn't like because he wants the validation from from Izzy, from a legitimate legend pirate. He wants the legitimate the the validation. And Izzy denies him of that. And Izzy's like, kill us, kill
me, kill us all. He's like our spirit will will last through your entire fucking empire because we're good and you're a ransom syphilitic cunt. Which is funny because it's true. That's such a good. One funny 'cause it's true. But think about it. We are how many years past the the centuries past this moment and pirates are still the legend of pirates live on. People think them think of them as these vigilantes and things like that. So like Izzy was right.
He's like, we, our spirit will live on and you're just going to look like the bad guys one day. Good job, Izzy. Which is the case. Awesome Little speaking size. Little side rant. I just want to point out Midge Mazal is a better pirate than Ricky was and it she hers wasn't even intentional. Fuck yeah. 'Cause we, we finally got, we're like on like the very last episode of season 5. But yeah, 'cause there's. Five seasons. Yeah. When the hell did that? Happen.
Who knows? I thought there was just three. I thought there was three too. But yeah, bitch is on a boat. And this guy, he's like harassing, like one of the staff members like sexually harassing. And she like steps up and says something and she, she ends up taking his coat and is like, oh, touching something that's not yours. And then like, it ends up falling off the boat And she gets charged with an act of piracy because they're in
international waters waters. So she was a better pirate than Ricky was and hers wasn't. Even intentional? Honestly, that sounds like something. Steen would do a. 100%. Like, steal a jacket and then be like, pirate, yeah. Oh, steed, Steed. Hughes that that's sweet pirate boy. All right, so we go back to the beach and yes, it was Blackbeard in the water, and he finds more Englishman who has a letter that steed through into the water. And I believe they're like
making fun of the letter. They're reading it and they're like, oh, some dude named Steed wrote this love letter to Ed. Which, what a bunch of queeros. So. Funny, you know, these letters are adorable. And so Ed gets a hold of this letter and then I love that he screams, You wrote me a lovely letter into nothing. And Steve definitely heard it because like, at this point, he still thinks he's dead. So he's just in the atmosphere. Sure. Yeah, yeah, yeah, in his mind.
Yes, his. His Spidey senses are tingling. I love how they did this scene though 'cause I thought it was really. First of all, it's hilarious that he comes in on them reading the letter, stabs one guy and strangles the other one while reading the letter. That part is hilarious but I love again the sound team. Good job guys. I like how they did the voice overs here because the voice overs here are good and actually add something. And it's and.
Yora has a thing against voice overs normally. In certain shows, oh warrior none where they're unnecessary anyway, this was necessary and great. And so it starts with Steed. So we get like flashbacks of Steed writing the letter before he puts in the bottle. And so Steed starts the voice over, reading what he wrote. And then? It cuts to. Ed and then Ed is reading it in his voice when he like picks the letter away from like the the duty stab. I don't know why my camera just did that.
And and then I like when he gets towards the end of the letter and then the voices merge when they're saying at the line. We wrote our names on each other in permanent ink, like their merge. Just great jobs out to him. Like I just, I love that it was so just perfect and just all the feelings that was really great. I feel like. You your voiceovers are the equivalent to my crossfades. That's just what I'm getting out of this. No, like when they're used. Yeah, exactly.
I guess they are when they're used properly, but. Word. I would do stupid. Shit where like the character is talking and then suddenly we have like a voice over and it's like this is unnecessary. It doesn't. Twilight do that as well. Oh yeah, Twilight. Did a lot, yeah. And they're trying to adapt a novel that's first person from Bella's point of view. And then, like, they're like, oh, well, you lose their inner monologues. It's like, yes, that's what happens when you adapt it.
You don't always need to. Put it into the film. It's dumb. Oh, we can rant about that another day. I'm sure we can fuck out episode out of that. Yeah, here. Whatever's beautiful. And to think it would have never happened if 9/11 didn't happen. And Gerard? Way went to a. Depression. That's exactly, yeah, No, that's actually what happened. Like it was based off of, like it was like a little Wattpad. Fan fict and everything. Yeah, no. I'm I'm not fucking with you, I'm being.
Sick. I don't know if this is real thing about right now. Gerard Way is, Yeah, Gerard Way's lead singer. My Chemical Romance and Stephanie Meyers saw, like, a little Wattpad fan fict. And that's how, Yeah, that's why it's so unserious the entire time, even though they try to make it. All right, so we head back to Xinjiang, which is always a great time with the two of them, and they're still on their own
little adventure. Steed is telling her that she can't do everything on her own and she needs help, to which she tells him that he is no help and she's not wrong. No. She's never wrong. She's never been wrong a day in her life. Yeah, Ricky. She starts with. Ricky, we don't talk about that, but I like before that one. No, no, no. I like before that one Jay, and he's like you need your you need help and and she's like, I don't
need your help. I can I can die all on my own Steed. I love when she says that because like again, she's just. She has such low self esteem right now and just needs a hug. Just not for Steed 'cause it's weird when he tries. To comfort her. She's like. Anybody but you right now, I. Don't really had anybody. With you. I'll. Hug. His face is pissing her off, right? Yeah, it is. She's like I'll hug, she's like I'll hug a fucking tree man before I hug you.
Backs. I wonder if maybe she kind of wishes like she was more like him in like the beginning, not like him trying to figure out the. Right way to say this? Like maybe if she had more fun with things, things would be better. Yeah, I mean. If her life wasn't so fucking hard. Like maybe like part of it, maybe slight jealousy from her end, but I mean like she's also a badass and has people bending at her will anyway.
There's no time to argue though because the English come running after him and fortunately randomly who know this was gonna happen. Their fight ends up being at the same place where Ed is fighting his group of English and they finally get their beach run love scene where Ed confesses his love. Oh my God, the parallels to Steed's dream that start off the season. Great job. I love this bookend it is freaking. Perfect. Theora loves parallels. Love it.
Well, this is also a bookend. This is a great bookend and I love when Zhang plays wingwoman during the fight when Steed's sword is stuck in some dude and he sees Ed and they're like screaming at each other and she's like just go and she like kicks the dude loose so like Steve's Thorne can come free so he can go make out with Ed. I love that she's wing woman in the fight. It's just. She's like, he's not gonna focus unless he does this, so just go do your thing real quick, but come back.
And then can we all appreciate the Empire Strikes Back moment when Ed tells Steed he loves him and Steed says I know, I know that it's a Han Solo and Leia moment. I love it. I love it. I don't know what you're talking about, so. Yeah, I showed this to you. Before. You did. Yes. I don't remember it. I was when we were filming something else that I can't remember right now, but I think it was part stopper actually. I should vaguely remember that
then. This moment is classic, so I do that because their love is classic. OK, so they're too busy, you know, reuniting and being lovey. So Shang is like, hey, dudes, you're gonna help over here. And Steve is just proving that he is no help to her, at least at that moment. But like really any of these moments, he hasn't been at zero help to Zhang. No, not at all. And moment of appreciation for Zhang single handedly holding off like 20 dudes. There's a reason. She conquered China.
For real, 20 dudes. But I love when she's screaming. She's like, and it's like warding off all these mad. It's hilarious. Oh my God. And then obviously they win the fight because Looney Tunes. But also they're great. And so I love one. The three of them are sitting on the beach like debriefing, celebrating the fight. And Jane clearly respects Ed, and she's like, when you did that flip, man, that was badass. Like, they're like, you're badass, though.
You're badass. And then Steve tries to chime in and he's like, I did cool stuff, too. And Shane totally ignores him. But Dad's like, yeah, yeah, babe, you did great. You did great. It's so funny. I love that scene. But also because he, he did get the glory after the Ned Lowe stuff. And now he's like, but I'm still doing low, right? Like I was doing Well, I, I'm, I'm still like that, right? I'm still alive.
That should count. Truly, though, Steed has very much come a long way because like you can see it in the fight, like he was like, he shot one guy, stabbed another. Like he, he did, he, he learned skills, he survived. He could have easily gotten killed because they were holding off like 50 people, but he survived. So, you know, kudos to Steed. He has come a long way with his
piracy skills. Yeah. Yes. Back with the crew, they are escaping from their prison, and when they're escaping, Olu finds Ante all bloody in the corner and Jim comes to the rescue and tries to help bandage her up while Olu holds her hand. And this whole scene is lovely and terrible at the same time. So Ante apologizes for being so hard on Olu and explains that she was just trying to protect Zheng.
But because like, Zheng is her daughter basically whatever it is, like adoptive family, like she, this is her daughter. She's protective of her because she is a badass and always out there fighting for everybody. Not fighting for everybody else, but just like ruling and like not thinking of herself. So she's like someone used to look out for her and she says how she now sees that Zhang needed someone who is soft like Olu in her life because of her. Just consistent.
Like I don't even know how to explain it just. Auntie rules with an iron fist, that's what it is. Yeah. And so does Zhang. That's kind of her leadership style a bit. I mean, she does, she's a negotiator, she's strategic, she's smart. But like there's that iron fist component which you could argue is an, is a, her trying to be like, I'm just as tough as men sometimes women have to be 10 times as ruthless to just to be taken seriously.
So I'm sure Auntie was conscious of that 'cause she's also very strategic, hence like keeping the naval map and all that stuff. So I would imagine she was conscious of that with Jane. In order for Jane Jane to succeed, Zhang would have to be like rule with an iron fist kind
of situation. And. Unfortunately, which unfortunately, when I was doing my little research about Zhang, I could not find who Auntie was actually based off of. So Auntie is just here to give the character Zhang some extra comfort and be the little Jiminy Cricket on her shoulder. Yeah, or they had to give her some kind of 2nd and this is her second basically, which is also Auntie's role. I love the line though, when she's talking to Olu and she she says men have cost her meaning
Jiang too much. But you are not a man. You're soft. Face when he's like I get thanks, so funny. 'Cause yeah, I would imagine that like men would, you know, men of her stand standing like of like another pirate would, would I view her as threatening or be like, not take her seriously and be like, oh, I can just take all of her stuff and shit. All I have to do is like kill her, take advantage of her or
subjugate her or whatever. So I think for Auntie Auntie's like, yeah, she needs, if she's gonna be with anybody, it needs to be somebody who's like beneath her that isn't gonna like try and overpower her and shit so Shane can shine all on her own. So she's like, you're kind of perfect for that. Who is like, I hear I'm hearing compliments, but I'm hearing backhanded compliments. Yeah, I don't. Want to feel like? This you're, you're giving me your approval, which is good.
This feels weird. Poor. Oh, it was hilarious. But although really good is at is really good at supporting people like he, he isn't after power. He's just there to support the people in his life and we all need someone like that in our lives. Agreed. But they do need support themselves as well. So it's a give and take. Just thought I'd add that. OK, so once they defeat their own group of people. Steed, Izzy. Izzy, right?
Yeah. And Zhang go head back to Spanish Jackie's to confront the English army. But when they get there. No, no, no. That's speed Ed and Jane. I don't. Know that's what I thought I was like, yeah, I was like, there's, I feel like this is wrong, but this is what I wrote, so this is what I'm going with. Say it with confidence, yeah. Izzy's there, so. Izzy there, It's almost everybody in the bar. Anyway, this group of people come to confront the English army.
But the English. Yes, and the Englishmen start to die. I I'm assuming it's die, not just pass out. It's my notes say. Ass out. So it was an. Ass out. You say that later, just not at this moment. Because they were poisoned. And then the Spanish Jackie just starts laughing and says everyone's poison trained in her household. Like, Oh my God. They know how to deal with it. The scene was so funny. First of all, I love cause like earlier basically like she's like Roach, I need some Brandy.
And then he tries to give her Brandy. She's like no, give me the good shit. And then it's like this like dusty ass Bob like he's like I guess and gives it to Jackie. So like she starts cackling at the scene, which is hilarious. And Roach just like puts A2 and two together. He's like, oh, this is this weird Brandy and he's like, what the fuck was in here? And she's like, no, that you won't fuck with funny. I'm. Pour this porous weed. It's like. I've been poisoned.
Yeah, I when I saw that, I kind of pieced it together before. Like they admit that they're a poison because like, I obviously Jackie would be kind of like anxious, like angsty, like anxious in general if Steed actually was getting poisoned. Because like, for one, we haven't met the other husbands besides one guy or technically 2, the dead pirate that Jim
killed and then the bartender. But she obviously cares a lot about Swede. So like obviously if she, if he actually got poisoned, she'd be like up in arms. So I kind of just like assumed they were all poison trained. Cause like that's a very much so like Spanish Jackie coded type thing. Like carely, carely risk it. I I fuck with or it pissed a lot of people off so might as well just poison train everybody. Just be on the safe side. Yeah, I don't really anything about her clientele are
criminals. So yeah, this makes totally excess. My other favorite part about this is that the Swede had no idea who was poison train. How is she poison training these people? They he didn't even know. He's like I am. He's like you're poison trained and she's like, he's like I. Am it might be during the shared breakfast cause like she might put cause like for poison training, it's just like little drops and then you increase the dosage.
So it could just be like pre mixed into like whatever they're drinking. So that's how. She doesn't tell them she's like. No. She's poisoning all her. Hospitals, yeah 'cause I mean like logically if like people knew that they were poison trained they would like look into that and see what poisons they're not trained with and then try to like loophole that so like it's better off that like they don't know that they're poison trained because like yeah like. That makes sense.
Yeah, it's not lying. It's just omitting, not like omitting information. Because I feel like Swede would think that's very cool and it wouldn't really click and he would just go around and be and like be like I'm poison trained and they'd be like get the truck away from me. That is true. Good job, Jackie. Training them like. Protect your people. She's smart, OK? So Zheng gets over everybody dying really quickly but nose dude Ricky is still not dead.
So Zheng gets pissed off and is about to kill him for killing Auntie but luckily in that moment auntie shows up and is like no let me I'll kill him OK. So Olu gets Auntie to admit that she is proud of Zheng, which Zheng desperately needed to hear because. I don't. She is a bad ass. She has conquered China. She knows that she's amazing, but she needs someone in her life to tell her that she's proud, that they're proud of her. Because I, I feel like everyone
needs that. Just that validation that I'm doing great. It is interesting, though, like, so at first, when Auntie first sees Jiang, she falls into old behavior and starts scolding Jang for being late. She's like, well, you took your sweet time getting here, Jang, what the hell? And then like, but you see, like, Jang's face, she looks like a scared little girl in the scene because does mommy approve of me? I failed basically is what's happening.
And at first, Jang's like, well, you know, I was late because I got roped into helping these idiots like, you know, And so Aussie's like, oh, so you had help. Great. And that's when Ola's like softer, softer, softer because like, OK, think about it. So in this moment, like Jang is a scared girl, like again, afraid that mommy disapproves of me, but with the help of Olu on, he's like, OK, let me be a little softer on her.
And that's when she gives her the validation and, and it's basically saying, OK, Jang, I accept your decisions that you made all on your own. Cause up to this, like they're partners, right? So like this was Jang on her own making decisions and like to hear that that she just like auntie disapproves. So that would have hurt even more to be like, oh, I alone I'm not good enough for you kind of thing. So I'm glad that she does give her that validation. And then they hug and it's a
short but powerful scene. Especially like with the hug it it really adds to the complexity of Zhang. And in the hug, there's this just like relief on Zhang's face that is just like everything 'cause to her it's like, oh, I'm getting a second chance a a chance to change and acceptance from really the person she loves most is Auntie, obviously. What I find really interesting. And it's almost like this scene,
we didn't get the full scene. It's almost like they overlaid a different scene with this because we linger on Jiang's face and you watch her towards the end, she's schooling her face back into, into like pirate queen mode, almost like she shouldn't be showing emotion and she's showing emotions. I feel like we didn't really full fully get this whole scene. And I feel like she would have like broke out of this and be like, Yep, let's carry out like, you know what I mean?
School, your face kind of thing. Yeah, because it is time for business. It's time for business. Yes, the gang takes the uniforms off of the dead English soldiers to become a Trojan horse, if you will. I believe that's the right analogy. Archie puts Jim's hat on them. And they make a mistake or not so mistake of looking at Archie in the eyes and the only logical thing for them to do is kiss because. Gay. Yes, I love again this. We're in the middle of this heated moment.
We're getting ready for battle. Let's let gay people kiss. I love that. I love that for the show. Yeah. And then just like that, we have all the factions coming together, defeat the common enemy. We have Jang's crew, Steve's crew, Spanish, Jackie's, countless husbands, just all the people coming together to defeat the English, kill them. No, Dude was kept as a hostage. But he, you know, he's not a
very good hostage. I mean, he might be a good hostage because he warns them and gives them away instantly and then shoots. It's Izzy, So poor Izzy is going through it and fighting through the pain, but most importantly he's fighting for his family and he is just working hard and giving it all he has. And he does his best to make it back to the ship because after like, they win and then they have to make it back to the ship really, really quickly.
And I do love the scene where they're running to like the dinghies 'cause everybody's on like a different speed and I find it really funny. So like they all run. Auntie stays behind to like shoots kill some bitches. And then if you watch them run away, like Jang is in the lead, like running past everybody luscious when he's running is like Sissy gay boy running. It's really funny. If you watch it run, Jackie is walking.
She's. My. Favorite Jackie comes up at. Some point she's like, fuck that shit. And Jackie's just. But Izzy struggles to make it back so 'cause Ed asks him at one point, he's like, Izzy, are you OK? And he's like, fuck off, Ed, but he's clearly not OK. So Izzy, Ed goes back for him. And it like helps Izzy get on the boat because, yeah, he like, he does his real his best. But he's like fading towards the end.
Like, yeah. Yeah, and once they get on the ship, Izzy is laid out on the deck and Ed is super concerned about him and just basically watching over him as he suffers. Meanwhile, Izzy just starts apologizing to Ed. But Ed tells him that he needs to be apologizing to him because, you know, I'm glad that these two are finally getting to talk. Talk. I Yeah, I mean, under these circumstances aren't great.
But Izzy does tell him that he needs to apologize because he has been feeding Blackbeard and instigating this dark side of Ed, even when he knew that Ed outgrew this persona. And he admits that it's 'cause he needed him. Like he needed. I mean, it was codependent relationship. We've been talking about this the entire time. He needed Blackbeard to be Blackbeard because that's how he was secure.
Like he knew what he was doing. He was the person supporting Blackbeard. So if Blackbeard didn't need him, then he was nothing. Exactly. And then he basically says that he can go now because Ed doesn't need him anymore. And there are so many feelings because he's like you're you'll be fine without me, you don't need me. I've accepted this. So my job is done. When Izzy says I want to go like that, that line just broke me. Like. Like Izzy's? Like damn.
This whole scene is like very heartbreaking cause like Ed is realizing how much like how terribly he treated Izzy and like how much he needed him as well. And Ed tells Izzy that he is his only family and then Izzy's like basically calls him a dumb ass and tells him to look behind him because he is surrounded by family. All of these people care about him now. He they have transitioned from the cat Bell, the collar. They he is family. They are all a family.
And then Ed is he finally validates Ed, which is what he wanted really like in season one where he says they love you Ed just be Ed. And then Ed starts like crying and like breaking. And then that's when Izzy's like, there he is, there he is, which we haven't seen before. What we've seen before in prior scenes is when he brings out Blackbeard. And when he brings out Blackbeard, he's like, there he is.
When like, Ed was like choking him and he's like, there's Blackbeard, there's Black. That's what I'm trying to, like, bring out. So it's kind of like an acceptance for both of them of like who they really are. Where Izzy is, like you said, bonded with the crew, bonded with, he's being real with Ed in this moment. He's like, Ed, it's OK to just be yourself. Like you were loved by more than just me. Like it's OK Do it. And then he he does.
And then he's like, good. He's like, I feel like you're, you're finally OK so I can go. So I think part of like what Izzy was hanging on to, even though he was unhappy, was like, he felt like he had to be there for Ed slash Blackbeard. Like you said, 'cause they're codependent. So I think he's at the point where he's like, we're not codependent on each other anymore. It's OK if I leave you, It's time. So it's just like, it was a huge moment of growth for Izzy and a
lot of maturity coming from him. Not that he he has been in his own way, like kind of the whole time, but like, damn, what a scene. What? It's sad, but it's such a huge, well done, well acted scene. I just love it. It is, and Ed holds Izzy as his life leaves his body. And this whole thing is super sad. Like I even feel it right now as we're talking about it. It's such a great scene that we can feel it just by talking. About it. And it shows how much they have both grown on the revenge.
But also I feel like with Izzy's death and Ed holding him, that is the last. Part of Blackbeard, really. Yeah. That's a really good point. That's. Yeah, like. This is he. Is fully Ed now 'cause Izzy was the one bringing back Blackbeard, There's no one left to bring back. Yeah, this guy 'cause even Fang Fang doesn't want Blackbeard. This was the only connection to Blackbeard now. Yeah, that's where he can.
Fully be himself. Yeah. And what's cool too is that in this moment too, like surrounded by the crew, like everyone on that ship is like united in this moment. So it's more than just like, yeah, Ed is fully Ed, but there's a togetherness to this scene that's also really impactful and and unique. To the show so far. Like even Jang, Jang and Auntie, they're just like they're part of the crew now. They love as he's pointing, he was like, they love you.
And like Jang is in the front row, like Jay don't know you. She's she's she's. Crying. Like she's in it. Too. I'm like, yeah, they're all just bonded over. There Jang is the long for the ride at this point now. She's. Trauma bonded now, there's no going back. 4%. Nothing like bonding like trauma
bonding. Anyway. They bury Izzy and one minute later as Zhang approaches Steve and Ed about working together, Zhang tells Steve they will need him to. Yeah, OK, so basically Zhang is telling Ed that they should work together and then turns to Steve and says we'll need you too because he is a damn fine pirate. Which he tries to get her to elaborate on because, you know, he loves compliments.
But he's just pushing it now and like, you get what you get with Zhang. I love the aunties like just take the compliment bitch, because what I also love about the scene is aunties also there. So Jang is asking for help, which is new character growth and aunties there supporting Jang being like let's be on a team. Let's let's work together which is all character growth in both. Of them. So I love that. Exactly, I hate how Izzy got killed off.
It's not fair whatsoever. He deserved to find his own steed, but in terms of the plot, he was a plot kill, unfortunately. So, yeah. And like, even even with the way that like, this season ends, it's still is pretty open-ended for a season three. That could just be me being me being delusional and cannot speak apparently. Oh my God.
I kind of feel like I know this is not Bury your gaze, but it still has the essence of it in a way because it's just like Izzy and Ed would finally be happy together. In a way. And then as soon as is he found happiness, he got he got dead. Well, so this is different than the whole Burrier gaze thing. With Burrier gaze, Yeah, it's total like with like I, I, I definitely see why you brought it up. But like, it's like usually, unfortunately, how it happens is here's our one token queer
character. Oh, they die. They off themselves, we'll give you some brief vague back story about them, but that's it. We're done. And with this we thankfully got to like see like we got to see it through as a crew for Izzy. So it was very nice. Yeah, it just sucks that when he was like has an opportunity to be having the terms. But I mean, it had to be Izzy because truly everybody's invested in Izzy and Izzy is at
the end of a character arc. So like narratively it makes sense and it's it isn't impactful. All of that was so impactful because it was Izzy. If it was somebody else, it wouldn't be this impactful moment. It wouldn't be something that changes Ed, like you said, his final transformation. Like it had to be Izzy, like narratively speaking. So it sucks. Oh. No, I get that. I just feel bad for him. Izzy or Steed? That's the only way it would
work here. Well, Steve would turn him into a raging lunatic so I think that would help. I'm gonna get closure anyway. They sure do and I love during the ceremony when the crew takes turn. Basically, I don't know how they did the ceremony, but whatever non denominational thing they were doing, basically like the crew, each person would ask, say a vow and be like, do you vow to
do this? Like the, the, the the grooms were not doing that, but everybody had just a different iteration of do you vow to kill for each other, which is my favorite part, except I think Frenchy Frenchy's like do you vow to keep each other's float and boats afloat, which which was really funny innuendo. And then during that moment, it cuts the steed and Ed and Ed looks, Ed looks at steed like implications. Implications are wedding in season three. I think that's what that was.
But I think the funniest thing to me was at the end in where Roach tells them they can now slash each other's faces. Like what? Was this a thing back? Then like we should. Just. Impede. We should just impede. Just look like like it will pass and they. Just opt to KISS instead. Kiss, it's fine. Kiss, it's fine. Roach was just too excited about that. Yeah, Roach is like, we need more action now. Anyway.
The crew get back to work on the new revenge where Zhang is already plotting with Olu. The question is, are they applauding attacks or are they plotting what they are going to do later that night? Eyebrow wiggle. Both is good. Both is good. OK. My favorite part about that scene, though, is like, you can cure some of what they're saying. And so they're sitting together with a map, and then Jang says it's upside down. That's what she says. It's always like studiously
looking. He can't read, so he's looking at the map. She's like, it's upside down. I was just like, yes, this is a map. Yeah. He's like, yeah, look, I'm doing. So she's like, no, sweetie. Turn Mappiest map I've ever seen in my life. You're better at. Putting the scrolls away than interpreting them. And even then, he fucked that up 'cause he. Find out right she. Just tried. To be nice, she wanted her eye
candy. So. The story ends with Steed and Ed becoming innkeepers on the land where they bury Izzy. What I really love is that Ed and Steed were on the boat for the wedding and then left the boat. To go back to the island. To stay at the inn, because they could have had this wedding on land in front of the inn, but they did it. They everybody goes back to the ship, they go with them, and then they depart the ship to come back to the land.
I love that part. And then I thought OK so basically while watching this I thought it was Olivia that came to visit but as I was talking on with someone on Twitter I realized wait shit no buttons turned into a seagull. So I know with the RA it was buttons if that makes more sense. Yeah, the just the, the whole episode was purely like love and loss. Like Ed got his closure. He's still like, he's still mourning over Izzy because it's a very fresh wound.
But like, Sid is there to just kind of like help him up. And they're like, just like, it's a fixer upper good bones. And then like, it's just a start to Steed. Ned's wonderful in. And I would be lying if I didn't say I was absolutely bawling in the end. And to top it off, Buttons lands on Izzy's grave. And that was far too much for me, 'cause even Izzy, even even Izzy got like a little nice farewell from Buttons.
Again, technically 'cause he wasn't there when he turned into a bird the first time, but that's. True. It's truly though that from the moment Buttons flew away at the seagull, I was waiting. I'm like, when is Buttons coming back? Like when do we just get a seagull cameo? So I was waiting for that when I was watching the whole show for the first time and then the have Buttons be like the last thing you see. I was like yay.
I think it would have been even cuter if like two seagulls laying on it with the implication that wasn't Olivia got together. That would have been really. Cute with a baby seagull. That might have been a little bit too fast. That would. Have been cute you'd. Have been very cute though. But they get there happily ever after, which in my opinion is the perfect ending. I think the show did end very well, but what do we want in Season 3?
I. Think I think it's something wonderful would be a little where's Waldo in season three but it's with buttons you. Just have the seagull and everything. Yes. No, not even seagull. It's just buttons like in the background, like walking around, like looking at the crew.
Cause like it it, it could be any single, but like it could like, yeah, Button sequel specifically would be hilarious, but I think it'd be even more funny if it was just Buttons like in the background, full human 'cause it turned out he didn't actually turn into a bird. They're just all thinking that he'd turned into a bird 'cause I think that'd be hilarious for like Buttons to still be a human and then Roach to be like, so you lied about him turning into
a bird. Or I would love it if that or buttons, because sea witch can transform back to human form sometimes and so yeah, they randomly run into buttons. Little where seagull. Where's where's buttons the seagull? That would be really funny, just like random button sightings. That sounds like a good coffee table book though that they could make. Where's? Buttons. If anyone wants to make that show, that'd be amazing. If you're allowed. To things I want to see in
season three. OK, so where the crew is kind of kind of left off at the end of season 2 is like basically everybody except and instead are essentially headed off on a revenge mission to get back at Ricky is basically what's happening in the English. So I want to see the showdown between the pirate fleets and the imperialists because the rest of Zhang Zhang's entire fleet was not destroyed because she had her fleet all over the globe. So like there is more of her fleet.
So I would like to see the big team up and the final battle basically with the imperialists. See what I would like to see is Zhang just beating the ever loving fuck out of Ricky like Salon on top of him just pummeling the fuck out of. Yes, I think everybody gets to get a punch in, including Spanish, Jackie, the Swede, all of them. Just. Like some. Stomping. Jumping him. Yeah, no, just it would be amazing. I would also like to see flashbacks of Zhang conquering China. We've.
Just seen the Zhang spin off in general. If I had my wife season three, it would just be about Jang, but just some kind of flashback of just her. How can you try to? Oh, or if anything what they could do for season three is do like dedicated, like so if say like if they have like 8 episodes or nine episodes, do like 3 episodes on Jang in her background, three episodes on Spanish Jackie in her background, and like 3 episodes on how Steed and Ed are doing in their new life.
And then like, do like 10 and then like 10 is like how the crew's been doing and they all come together. A Spanish Jackie background would be a fucking amazing. How did she get her harem right I. Don't have any questions. About her like. When did when did she start poison draining? You get the in or the the bar. When did the nose jar start? I just didn't question somebody question. Who was the first nose and why? Yes, exactly. That'd be me. Yeah, Jackie it.
Was a husband's nose. Oh, 100%. OK, Speaking of husbands, Steed and Ed running their dream. And so like what? What happens with the Fixer upper? How does that go? I really do have customers. I want to see the domestic stuff. I've talked a lot about what I want to see with them in the inn and then having like a pirate day with children at the inn. I just think it'd be really cute. There's a lot of cute things they could do. I mean, I think it's endless and
great. And Speaking of. Imagine. Sorry, sorry, I signed up. Could you imagine if it was a pirate's only inn? So there's like actual little pirate children running around. That would actually be really interesting. Or like they end up as babysitters. Like, yeah, like. Pirate's Children that. That would be very interesting. How are pirates at parenting? Like just in general, 'cause you never see kids. Well, that's 'cause they're caught a glitch.
On Yeah they. Leave the kids behind in the ports where they'd be fucking and that's what happens. You get single minds, that's what. Happens. Pretty much no. But like we've seen like how Ed interacts with kids, we've seen how Steed interacts with kids. So like I I'd love to see them have their own like little like adopted little baby. I think it'd be hilarious if like Ed had went out and captured just like a child and he was like, look at this child.
I found we're raising it as he would. Is this like or is he still I think? He just, yeah, just straight up. Straight up robbing the cradle. But like, he doesn't. Think anything of it? He's just like, oh cute little baby. Wait, who's stealing the child? Ed. Ed. That would make more sense. I was like, because Steve would understand everything. Ed wouldn't. That would make more sense. OK. Yes, yeah, I was going to say
Steve would understand. The implications would be like, we need to fucking get this child back. To preparing up the idea of having a child, like adopting a child and Ed would be like the next week, maybe like see a child be like, oh, that would be a good one. And then brings it. Back I adopted a child. And Steve's just like, where did you go get this child? He's like, I was just sitting in sitting on the the side of this
like business. And it's like your dad brings the child back to his parents and then it's a whole thing. Yeah, that's a whole episode right there. I think it'd be hilarious if like they had kids and Ed just demanded for them to call him Pop pop. Oh my God, yes, let's bring that back. Don't be a bum. OK, so that's what we think, but
we also asked you guys. So we put polls out on our social medias to ask what do you guys want to see if you we got a season three and the number one request slash demand from everybody was the gentle beard wedding. I am also here for that. I think they were hinting at that during Lucius and Black Pete's wedding. Yes, the the gentle beard wedding would have been amazing and our friends at the Never Left podcast had a very like
thorough explanation. They clearly thought a lot about this and said they want Ed and Steve to get married on the Revenge. Specifically each walk out from opposite sides of the ship, meet in the middle and both say you wear fine things. Well, Oh my God. Like. That. Is really cute. Heels with this one, all right? And then laugh a little in the exact spot. They've said it twice thus far. Oh my God, they even have a place in the same spot as they should.
God damn it guys, they also added I also need and thus think he sorry that Mary and the kids would meet Ed and become instant dusk. That's what I'm saying. Like, Mary would definitely be like, a little apprehensive, but like, when she knows, like this is the guy Steve was talking about, she'd be like, oh, OK. I could totally see Mary, Doug, Steve and Ed all going on like a date together, just like a night eye. That's freaking hilarious. You know who I think would love Ed that now?
No, the widow who has the pet Jaguar. Absolutely. I think she would love. Ed She would love Ed because Ed leaves a trail of bodies for her and her corner. Sutter. Whatever I can, I can definitely just like picture it like Ed's like so can I come over and. See, Ned, can you know? And I. Could also get along with her Spanish Jackie. Yeah. I feel like those 20. That would be our business. Together business. Yes, exactly. That's how Jackie gets the bar back.
She gotta meet up with. That a little bit. I'm using OK, second request from everybody bring back Izzy. That was a big one. This was a big one and there's a strong argument made by O FM D Bingo 42 They said it best. Buttons is a bird. Magic is real. Izzy can come back. It's. They're not. But the implications of necromancy, sometimes necromancy does not go well. Are we talking about D&D fuckery necromancy, or are we talking about like supernatural necromancy?
Like there's like a bunch of implications. He got to do it the right way because he could just come back as a full force zombie and like, everybody's fucked. That'd be a good Halloween episode. That would be an. Amazing Halloween and all those sets. They have to like kill Izzy or they would have to like go to the sea witch to get her blessing to make him a real boy or whatever. And then you have the Pinocchio parallels that would also be perfect. Oh my God, it would be like, it
would. I feel like knowing Izzy's look. It'd be like in what we do in the shadows with like I. Don't know it's going so. Going 'cause I know Caitlyn hasn't seen it. So they have a little like, what is the term called? I'ma call it apprentice. That's not the term, but they have an apprentice. I think his name is Todd or something. And Guillermo, he hates him. He does not like him whatsoever. Todd is very obnoxious. Todd ends up dying on accident and they're trying to like bring him back.
So they go to like this like shaman, medicine man, whatever. And like he like does his whole performance brings him back and Todd is a zombie and Guillermo is like, he's a fucking zombie. And they're like, no, he's not. He's Todd. And like Todd just goes like trying to kill gamble the entire time. I feel like that would be Izzy's
look. But another way they can do it is kind of like do a call back to season one with the like with the first twin where it's like a little like hallucination, almost vision for like Ed. So anytime Ed is panicking, I sees Ed or he sees Izzy and Izzy kind of like calms him down, quells him like he's like the little like little demon Angel mixture on his shoulder. Like, I think that'd also be cute. Yeah, or he's like Jiminy Cricket, which is Pinocchio is like consciousness or whatever.
That would be so cute if we got Izzy as like a manifestation of N subconscious. That'd be really cute. Accidentally invents Ouija board. You know, I can see the show doing that just to talk to Izzy. Absolutely they. Accidentally. Invent that yeah one. 100% we have peanut butter and so many things and fan fiction from them. So yeah. All right, so a couple more that I liked from this long Twitter thread that we had. So we had at amuse of fire who set has four points.
This person would like to see one Steed and Ed quote talking to each other about back story. That would be great. Two Frenchy running period pyramid style schemes every which way. Absolutely 3 Hornigold as big bad. I've seen this a few times. That would be interesting because he is still alive and that was who Ed conjured in the gravy bowl at the gravy basket. So it'd be interesting to see him come up as like a big bad. That would be cool and. For. Oh good. What is his name?
Fucking forgetting his name. The Dick head who killed Kevin the Seagull. Oh, Kyle Kojak. Yeah, I'd also like to see him come back because again, we never actually saw him die. We just saw Cannon hit his little dinghy and Olivia flying away. So I think that'd also be a really good call back because both at like like if like Calico were just to show up at the end for some reason. And yeah, both Steed and Ed just being like, are we are we sharing the same? Who's today? Why are you here?
I thought you died. We thought you died. OK. I need closure with. You see that too. Closure with Calico Jack is always is always about. OK keep going with this Like 4. The most epic of fuckeries to end all fuckeries with Fake head to escape. I guess they fake their deaths instead of getting killed in the epic pirate battle. That's my guess. Fake like decapitation maybe? I think so. 5 The polycule. I've seen that one a few times
too. 6 Izzy's returned we were talking about and Auntie being Auntie. Yes, yes, more of Auntie being Auntie. Absolutely. All right. M under score, Isabella under score, Ray under score. I really wanted a scene where it explores how Steed and Ricky are the same person who went on different paths and I really wanted Steed to be the one to beat him for that reason. Abso fucking lutely yes.
I agree with that. I would love it if it's if Jang and tracks him down and shit but like it's Steed that ends him. That's a full circle moment. I would love that. As long as everybody gets a punch in, that's that's all we ask for. Especially Spanish Jackie and Jang just. Tie him up. Like a pinata. Bring the pinata back. Yeah, exactly. Guys, remember, we tried to do the pinata when you were traumatized. But let's do this for real, Ricky. Yeah. No, I'm here for that.
All right? At Coney Island Chaos. I want Roach to have a story of some kind. We've mostly seen him reacting to other people's situations. I want him to have his own thing happen, like something from his past comes up that he has to deal with. Or romance. Yes. I would love that. I would love that. I agree, Roach is usually the Comic Relief. He could be the cook at the inn. Oh.
Shit, you're right. I. Was about to say he could open up his own restaurant and I was like wait you have better you can work at the inn. Yes. I would love that. I would love if Roach got like a romance. That would be really great. Or just some side quest that Roach is doing. Like, maybe he has to like, come up with the menu and then he explores the island and just goes on an adventure. Like that would be super fun. All right, Doctor under score Balsu.
I'm probably saying that wrong, and I'm sorry. A conclusion of the Jim Aluande and Jiang relationship. I need more of them. I think on the ship right now. I think we should be getting something right. All right. And this one I loved at Mr. Buttons 284266 A man with a hook for a head finding love. I love that one so much. That was Steve's scary story. The man with the hook for. Oh, got it. Thank you. So. You find that that person finds love, which I love.
And last lastly, my personal favorite from at Lori Ashwood. Izzy is a forced ghost, Ricky gets his ass whomped, Jackie gets a new bar and manages it with the Swede and some new husbands. Ed and Steve get captured but pull the ultimate fuckery and fake their deaths but live happily ever after. Yes. God, the lore for my head is just expanding. They find a new a new building. They own the inn. Jackie's bar is in there, Roach is in the kitchen.
It's just expanding, yeah. And that brings us to the end of our flag means death. We made it, we made it, we made it. But before we sign off and close out this amazing, incredible show, we have to give out our big gay energy awards. So if you're new here, this is something we've been doing since we've first started this
podcast. It's basically an award we give to something we absolutely loved or something that was very queer or a character or something that just had a lot of big gay energy, like what encapsulated it for us in the show. So For All of our Flag means that what won the Big Gay Energy award for you guys? The friendship between Olu, Jim and Archie, because there's nothing like still being friends with your ex. They're not.
Toxic. Yeah, and with them hanging out together and they're very cute and adorable. Honestly, yeah. I think in my opinion, Izzy, because Izzy's like a perfect story of like being closeted and trying to come to terms with like your sexuality and then like end up like inadvertently being toxic because you don't know how to express yourself. And then finally expressing yourself and like being able to do like self-expression through like make up and clothing and like hair styling.
And then like, unfortunately, because it is the grim truth of most queer people meeting an unfortunate death. So it's, it's just, it's an, it's like the gay hero's journey. Yeah, no, truly is. He went out, out and proud, basically. No, I agree with all that. I think I would give the Big Gay Energy award to the crew. And the reason is, is cause of
what Caitlyn said earlier. Basically like the whole purpose of the Crew is like that found family, and that is such a queer experience and theme and a lot of queer stories. And so like the fact that the entire emphasis of the show was on the Crew, AKA the Found family, I think that's pretty queer. And that wins the Big Gay Energy award. Gentle beard? Yes, obviously, but like the crew also. Honorable mention to the drag show Showdown. Absolutely. Calypso's birthday forever.
Maybe always celebrate. So good. And then? Oh, what is? His name? Ned Lowe. He was also another honorable mention, 'cause he's very Kundi. And OK, but and Nedlow was also like, so overly dramatic and theatrical, which is also really gay. So let's be real. Absolutely. Definitely an honorable mention to him. Definitely an honorable mention to Spanish Jackie's harem. Absolutely. Yeah. No, she has so much gay energy. Like you don't fuck with her. Also. Also gang.
Little side note mentioned Jackie's nose dark 'cause it doesn't discriminate. That is fair. That is clear. Oh my God. I love it. Well that was our flag means death. Hope you guys had fun with our crew as we went on this journey. We'll be back to talk about some other show that's queer. Follow us along and until next time, hydrate for lesbian Jesus. And gate up all over the ship. Bye bye. And with that, we've been big gay energy. Thank you for listening.
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