Our Flag Means Death Is the Absurd, Feel-Good Pirate Show of Our Dreams

Come in search of journey and salty outdated pirates, keep for a pleasant crew getting in contact with their emotions. HBO Max’s Our Flag Means Death reimagines the parable of these harmful scallywags in a sequence loosely impressed by the true story of Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby), the “gentleman pirate.”

While the real-life determine met a fast demise, the present makes use of a rich man’s midlife crisis-inspired choice to take to sea with a band of misfits because the framework of a office comedy aboard a pirate ship. Darby is joined by frequent collaborator and govt producer Taika Waititi as Blackbeard, probably the most nefarious pirate ever identified, who jumps aboard Bonnet’s ship together with his personal crew. Surprisingly, when the gentleman pirate meets probably the most feared man at sea, the duo kind a most unlikely friendship.

Bonnet, who runs his ship with nice employees’ rights and advantages, exhibits Blackbeard {that a} completely satisfied crew is a extra productive crew, whereas Blackbeard teaches them how one can battle and instill worry amongst militias for extra fruitful looting. Waititi and Darby lead with the allure of Waitit’s different comedies What We Do within the Shadows and Wellington Paranormal, with an identical consideration to the absurd hilarity that may come from placing extraordinary characters into mundane, on a regular basis conditions.

Here we get a comedic breakdown of the myths behind the individuals who flip to piratehood, coming from locations of disaster and survivors on the perimeter. Some of the funniest moments come from seeing that the true savagery got here not from the pirates, however from British and Spanish naval officers working for the wealthy to steal land. And talking of the wealthy—one of many season’s standout episodes to date, “The Best Revenge Is Dressing Well,” options Stede letting Blackbeard tag alongside to a elaborate get together full of aristocrats, who’re monstrous in their very own approach (and fortunately as dumb as could be). “Pirates, they attack with force. The upper crust, they strike with cutting remarks disguised as politeness,” Stede explains to an incredulous Blackbeard as he enters this unusual new world.

As its endearing characters band collectively towards the insurmountable wave of colonialism, Our Flag Means Death establishes itself as a present that’s as good as it’s hilarious—and the forged that helps Darby and Waititi is full of breakout expertise, together with Joel Fry (Cruella), Samson Kayo (Bloods), Kristian Nairn (Game of Thrones), Vico Ortiz (Vida), Matthew Maher (Nurse Jackie), and Nathan Foad (Bloods). Kayo and Ortiz have a romantic subplot that’s the present’s core of impending chaos., whereas Fry and Foad’s scene-stealing sharp humor is so nice you’ll end up going again to catch something you might have missed upon supply. Between all of them, friendships, feuds, and fuckery ensue. We’ll be tuning in for extra oomph and pageantry, please!

Our Flag Means Death’s first six episodes are actually streaming on HBO Max; two extra arrive March 17, and the ultimate two drop March 24.

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