Unveiling the Impactful Conclusion of Blackbeard's Our Flag Means Death Season 2: Taika Waititi's Masterful Finale

Spoilers ahead for the Our Flag Means Death season 2 finale.

Summary

In the season 2 finale of Our Flag Means Death, viewers are treated to a gratifying conclusion as Ed and Stede embark on a fresh chapter of their lives as innkeepers. Ed's harrowing encounter in the Gravy Basket prompts a profound self-reflection, leading him to shed his pirate identity and embrace a new path.

The innkeeper twist in the show is not historically accurate in relation to Blackbeard, but it brings an intriguing and unknown dimension to the series.

The twist at the end of season 2 of Blackbeard's "Our Flag Means Death" brilliantly showcases Taika Waititi's standout scene from the show's second season. Throughout this season, Ed "Blackbeard" Teach embarks on a profound journey of self-discovery. Following his separation from Stede Bonnet, a gentleman-turned-pirate (played by Rhys Darby), the infamous pirate captain finds himself struggling, not only with the absence of Stede but also with his own inner demons. In part, Blackbeard's fearsome reputation, including his infamous "Kraken" persona, stems from the fact that he killed his abusive father. From there, Ed develops a complicated relationship with Captain Ben Hornigold (played by Mark Mitchinson) and eventually becomes a captain himself.

After nearly killing Izzy Hands and experiencing heartbreak, Ed takes drastic measures aboard the Revenge. He deliberately steers the ship into a treacherous storm and manipulates his crew into fighting one another. In a desperate attempt to end the lives of everyone on board, he even points a cannon directly at the ship's mast. Recognizing Ed's destructive and harmful behavior, the Revenge crew stages a mutiny against him. This pivotal event leads Ed to undergo an eye-opening near-death experience. Throughout the remainder of the season, he grapples with his own identity as a pirate and battles with the persistent belief that he is unlovable. Waititi's portrayal of Ed demonstrates remarkable nuance, allowing viewers to truly empathize with the emotional ups and downs of Ed's tumultuous journey, despite it being condensed into just a few episodes.

Ed & Stede's Innkeeper Twist Pays Off Season 2's Gravy Basket Scene

In the Gravy Basket of Our Flag Means Death, Ed finds himself in a state of near-death, where he is compelled to confront his own inner demons. Within this ethereal realm, Ed has a vision of Captain Hornigold, a pirate whom he professes to despise. However, as the spectral-Hornigold points out, he is merely a manifestation of Ed's own self, a harsh truth that unveils the depths of Ed's self-loathing. Curiously, the ghostly incarnation of Hornigold in "The Innkeeper" claims to be the owner of the titular establishment in episode 3. Despite the fact that the supposed inn under Hornigold's supervision is nothing more than an amateurishly constructed campsite by the beach, Ed desires to linger and assist his former captain in running the place.

Was The Real Blackbeard Ever An Innkeeper? Ed's Wish & Twist Explained

The conclusion of Our Flag Means Death brings Ed's Gravy Basket moment full circle in a deeply satisfying manner. Rather than embarking on further adventures at sea with the rest of the crew, Ed and Stede have decided to acquire a "fixer upper" and transform it into an inn. In episode 7 of season 2, a pivotal moment occurs when Ed realizes his desire to abandon his life as a pirate. Although it remains uncertain if the couple has permanently renounced their piratical lifestyle, starting afresh as innkeepers allows them not only to prioritize their relationship but also to establish a shared home.

Despite the failed innkeeper role-play in episode 3, it is evident that Blackbeard is determined to embrace a simpler and less violent life. The innkeeper subplot deviates from the true story of Blackbeard, adding a completely new and unexplored dimension to the series. It is possible that the inspiration for this innkeeper twist stems from Robert Louis Stevenson's coming-of-age novel, Treasure Island, which follows the adventures of Jim Hawkins, the son of an innkeeper, as he embarks on a pirate-infused journey loosely based on real-life buccaneers. Whether or not the couple opts to adhere to Ed's desires in season 3 of Our Flag Means Death remains to be seen, but this premise certainly lays the foundation for an intriguing narrative.