Unlocking the Enigma: Discover the Hidden Meaning of Kate Bush's Song in Our Flag Means Death, Season 2 Episode 3

Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Our Flag Means Death season 2, episode 3.

Summary

Season 2, episode 3 of Our Flag Means Death concludes with a profoundly intense scene accompanied by Kate Bush's "This Woman's Work," effectively depicting Ed's emotional turmoil and deep self-loathing.

The lyrics of the song resonate with feelings of remorse, yearning, and the longing for solace, mirroring Ed's newfound understanding of his self-hatred and his yearning for companionship akin to Stede.

The stone tied to Ed serves as a symbol of the burdensome weight of his past trauma. It signifies his ongoing struggle to release and embrace a new start. These themes are reflected in Bush's lyrics, parallel to the overarching themes of the season.

In the emotionally charged finale of Season 2, Episode 3 of "Our Flag Means Death," a poignant scene unfolds, accompanied by the timeless melody of a Kate Bush song. It is difficult to find a tune that can fully capture the intricate tangle of emotions experienced by Ed Teach (played by Taika Waititi), also known as Captain Blackbeard, and Stede Bonnet (played by Rhys Darby), the once-gentleman-turned-pirate. Throughout the three-episode premiere of Season 2, Stede yearns for Ed and becomes consumed with the quest to find him. On the contrary, Ed finds himself engulfed in anger, facing the loss of their relationship and resorting to his merciless Kraken persona.

During a storm, Ed menaces to shatter the Revenge's mast, intending to end his life along with his crew. To secure their survival, the crew stages a mutiny, causing Blackbeard to lose consciousness. Swinging between life and death, Ed finds himself in purgatory where he confronts harsh realities: a deep-seated fear of being unlovable, leading to intense self-loathing. Ed becomes fastened to a stone and thrust off a cliff; he confronts a crucial decision—yielding to the burden of his anguish or opting to persist and confront his inner demons. It is at this moment, that Bush's poignant song underscores the impactful Stede/Blackbeard climax of Season 2 in Our Flag Means Death.

Kate Bush's "This Woman's Work" Plays At The End Of Our Flag Means Death Season 2, Episode 3

Bush composed "This Woman's Work" specifically for the John Hughes film She's Having a Baby, which was released in 1988. The poignant track, which appeared on her sixth studio album titled The Sensual World in 1989, perfectly complements the climactic conclusion of Episode 3, "The Innkeeper," in the second season of Our Flag Means Death. This art-pop hit has a notable history of being featured in various TV shows and movies. Prior to its inclusion in the swashbuckling romantic comedy, "This Woman's Work" had also been prominently used in Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Handmaid's Tale, and the 2022 Tom Hanks film A Man Called Otto.

The Real Meaning Of "This Woman's Work" For Ed In Our Flag Means Death

"This Woman's Work" has been featured as a needle drop in popular shows like 1997's Party of Five, 2005's Walk Away and I Stumble, and 2008's Extras. Surprisingly, despite its initial release, the song has charted multiple times over the years. It remains uncertain if Bush's latest track will experience a similar resurgence in popularity, thanks to its appearance in episode 3 of Our Flag Means Death season 2. However, if we take the Stranger Things effect into consideration, there is a possibility that Bush might attract a whole new group of fans, just like when her classic 1985 song "Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)" was used in the hit Netflix series. Regardless, "This Woman's Work" is undeniably a perfect match for the Ed and Stede sequence.

"This Woman's Work" lyrically explores the turmoil that unfolds unexpectedly during childbirth. However, its refrains and chorus delve into a broader theme of remorse, yearning, and the search for solace. Bush mourns the lost opportunities, singing, "All the things we should've said that are never said / All the things we should've done that we never did." As the singer reaches out for her partner's support, she hopes they can alleviate the anguish. In many ways, "This Woman's Work" by Bush beautifully encapsulates the emotional state of Ed, who becomes profoundly aware of his self-loathing and his dire need for someone like Stede to lean on.

The stone adorning Ed carries profound significance. It not only serves as a farewell token from his subconscious projection of his ex-captain but also symbolizes the multitude of burdensome and distressing experiences he endured. On board the Revenge, Stede, with great concern, kneels by Ed's side, imploring him to regain consciousness. Nevertheless, Ed must liberate himself and find the will to persevere. This motif harmonizes with the lyrics of Bush's "This Woman's Work" and echoes the overarching themes of Our Flag Means Death's second season.