A show about pirates with a same-sex love story at its forefront? And they’re both hot! Count me in.

Our Flag Means What?

Our Flag Means Death is a wonderful addition to your watching repertoire that I can’t recommend enough. The Max original follows Stede Bonnet, a ‘Gentleman Pirate’ who abandons his upper-class lifestyle for a new identity on the high seas in 1717. Stede’s good intentions and positive leadership style clash with his crew’s varying personalities, leading to shenanigans, mishaps, and all that sitcom jazz. But Stede proves to be a loyal friend who cares for his crew, even encouraging mental health check-ins and paying them a living wage. He’s unlike any other pirate (and more like a peppy HR rep from our century) and that’s why we love him. Rhys Darby, hilarious New Zealander (Kiwi?), brings Stede to life with the flounciest clothes and hilarious reaction faces. Stede brings class to piracy and builds a name for himself… until the crew crosses paths with the notorious Ed Blackbeard.

Ed Blackbeard (played by Taika Waititi) is like a weapon with legs. He’s only into violence and is happy to raid any ship he commandeers. But when Blackbeard’s ruthless crew boards Stede’s ship, everything changes. The prissy pirate Stede and cut-throat Blackbeard, despite all odds and crazy hurdles, find love with one another.  

The show is about how interesting and beautiful love can be, especially between total opposites. 

Historical Fiction For the Gays

Was Blackbeard gay in real life? Maybe all pirates were at least a little gay. This show kicks historical accuracy to the curb and says who the fuck cares let’s have a good time. Stede was based on a real man of the same name, who left his wife and children to start a life of preppy piracy in 1717. Stede’s inability to fit into society’s strict hetero standards pushes him too long for a life at sea, and it’s so fulfilling as a gay man to watch him finally escape his shores to freedom. While the waters prove dangerous, Stede knows that living authentically is worth the risk. 

The times of piracy were full of mystery and adventure, so putting queer people in that narrative seems fitting, right, and fun. Like we’re filling in our lost history, even if it’s fake or just for entertainment. It’s honestly really cool to imagine a world where gay pirates weren’t judged by who they loved and instead could just sail around and make mistakes like everyone else. 

We later get an episode where Stede returns to his wife and they have a heartfelt reconciliation. His ex shares how she’s now in love and how it just feels “easy”. Stede recognizes that’s how he feels about Ed and finally breathes the words aloud. “I’m in love… And his name is Ed." The end of season one confirms their relationship, but circumstances lead the two apart.

Gay Sea Life

Ed Blackbeard comes from an abusive home and is a maniac. Having gone crazy from the years he’d spent pillaging on the seas, Blackbeard had nearly lost his ability to care… but that all changes when he invades the ship of Stede Bonnet (not a euphemism! lol). Blackbeard is fascinated by Stede’s unusual leadership skills, how he’s the only pirate with a fanciful bookcase and secret wardrobe closet. After promising his hardened crew that Stede will die soon, Blackbeard reluctantly learns to love the goofball that is Stede Bonnet and the two grow closer.

Though life on a ship seems boring and super straight, basically all of the characters are fun, have developed personalities, and are on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. Cut-throat and quiet Jim is played by trans actor Vico Ortiz. Another relationship blooms between Black Pete and Lucious, played by Matthew Maher and Nathan Foad respectively. Stede’s ship of oddballs is the GSA of the ocean- a safe space despite the constant cannon fire. 

Ed and Stede Forever

Everyone is surprised that floundering Stede Bonnet, who narrowly loses his crewmate's respect time and time again, gained the admiration of Blackbeard. But Stede is just being himself, a careful and considerate friend. Stede's genuine interest in Ed Blackbeard, ability to harness compassion, and unashamedly embracing his more flamboyant attributes help him to become a standout ‘Gentleman Pirate.’ Moreso, Stede’s persistence and own type of badassery impresses Blackbeard, proving to Ed that he isn’t the only exciting fellow on the seven seas. For so long Blackbeard wanted a contemporary, and now he’s finally got a challenge. 

The love story between Ed Blackbeard and the gentleman pirate Stede Bonnet is tumultuous and choppy as the seas they sail together. But it’s the misadventures the two lead together that continue to unite the two strong-willed men. True love can be tested, even ship-wrecked: but it’s never worth giving up on.