Title: Our Flag Means Death (TV) Media: Television Approximate Length: Eighteen half-hour episodes
What It's About Our Flag Means Death is a historical comedy with a central romantic plot and additional dramatic elements set in the Golden Age of Piracy. Very loosely based on real events, it follows what happens when wealthy landowner Stede Bonnet has a midlife crisis in 1717 and abandons his home and family to attempt a career in piracy. His endeavour soon brings him to the attention of famed pirate Ed Teach, also known as Blackbeard, and subsequently into a romance with the man.
While the first season predominantly follows the direct and indirect consequences of Stede running away to be a pirate, the second season brings in larger forces such as Pirate Queen Zheng Yi Sao who aims to recruit Caribbean pirates to her fleet, and a member of the British royal family whose failed attempt at the adventurer's life sees him vowing to destroy the world of piracy.
The love story between Stede and Ed is a focus of both canon and fandom, but the show is made up of an incredible ensemble cast whose characters all have their own interesting backstories, romantic chemistry, relationships, and heaps of charm. It's primarily those characters—members of Stede and Ed's crews or social circles—who have been nominated this round of the exchange.
Some gifs and pics that cover this year's nominated characters and (where possible) ships:
Where to Find It The show originated on HBO Max is available for streaming or digital purchase on various platforms depending on region.
What I Love About It The way it opens with the question of "Who would you be if you had the freedom and means to choose?" for its protagonists, and the possibilities on that front that it presents for the motley crew of eccentrics and lost souls who get swept up in Stede's philosophies and his romance with Ed. It's a show where queerness is the default at sea, and in its strongest moments it's the perfect balance of humour and heart for me. As a fan of supporting characters, I love that this show gave me so many who were distinct and intriguing enough to be the heroes of their own stories. The journey that the character of Izzy went on in particular, up until the finale, was hands down the exact kind of story of change, belonging, and queer community (complete with musical number) that my heart is always craving.
I'm Requesting Fang/Izzy, Fang/Izzy & Original Child, Frenchie/Izzy, Izzy/Jim, and Izzy/Stede, with any sort of content as long as it's got a happy ending. Canon divergence and alternate reality AUs, backstory, cozy vignettes, plotty adventures, high drama, intimate moments, humour, hurt/comfort, D/s, it's all good.
Content Warnings The first season has several scenes with largely cartoonish gore and isolated moments of more serious violence, including spousal abuse and murder. The second season trends darker in places, with more scenes of serious violence and abuse of authority, attempted suicide, and major character death.
Our Flag Means Death (TV)
Media: Television
Approximate Length: Eighteen half-hour episodes
What It's About
Our Flag Means Death is a historical comedy with a central romantic plot and additional dramatic elements set in the Golden Age of Piracy. Very loosely based on real events, it follows what happens when wealthy landowner Stede Bonnet has a midlife crisis in 1717 and abandons his home and family to attempt a career in piracy. His endeavour soon brings him to the attention of famed pirate Ed Teach, also known as Blackbeard, and subsequently into a romance with the man.
While the first season predominantly follows the direct and indirect consequences of Stede running away to be a pirate, the second season brings in larger forces such as Pirate Queen Zheng Yi Sao who aims to recruit Caribbean pirates to her fleet, and a member of the British royal family whose failed attempt at the adventurer's life sees him vowing to destroy the world of piracy.
The love story between Stede and Ed is a focus of both canon and fandom, but the show is made up of an incredible ensemble cast whose characters all have their own interesting backstories, romantic chemistry, relationships, and heaps of charm. It's primarily those characters—members of Stede and Ed's crews or social circles—who have been nominated this round of the exchange.
Some gifs and pics that cover this year's nominated characters and (where possible) ships:
Anne Bonny and Mary Read
Fang and Izzy Hands
Jim Jimenez and Izzy Hands
Fang, Izzy Hands and Ivan
Fang and Roach
Roach and Izzy Hands
Lucius and Fang
Frenchie and Izzy Hands
Lucius Spriggs and Izzy Hands
Stede Bonnet and Izzy Hands
Stede Bonnet and Lucius Spriggs
Where to Find It
The show originated on HBO Max is available for streaming or digital purchase on various platforms depending on region.
What I Love About It
The way it opens with the question of "Who would you be if you had the freedom and means to choose?" for its protagonists, and the possibilities on that front that it presents for the motley crew of eccentrics and lost souls who get swept up in Stede's philosophies and his romance with Ed. It's a show where queerness is the default at sea, and in its strongest moments it's the perfect balance of humour and heart for me. As a fan of supporting characters, I love that this show gave me so many who were distinct and intriguing enough to be the heroes of their own stories. The journey that the character of Izzy went on in particular, up until the finale, was hands down the exact kind of story of change, belonging, and queer community (complete with musical number) that my heart is always craving.
I'm Requesting
Fang/Izzy, Fang/Izzy & Original Child, Frenchie/Izzy, Izzy/Jim, and Izzy/Stede, with any sort of content as long as it's got a happy ending. Canon divergence and alternate reality AUs, backstory, cozy vignettes, plotty adventures, high drama, intimate moments, humour, hurt/comfort, D/s, it's all good.
Content Warnings
The first season has several scenes with largely cartoonish gore and isolated moments of more serious violence, including spousal abuse and murder. The second season trends darker in places, with more scenes of serious violence and abuse of authority, attempted suicide, and major character death.