Fanfic Writers, Start Writing: OFMD S2 Just Gave Us a Perfect Trope

It's hard to imagine a franchise without fanfiction. No matter how the movie, TV show, or video game turns out, the fanbase will always be loyal to the characters, building headcanons and creating new stories that are sometimes even richer and more compelling than the original writers' work.

And yet, in 2023, among the myriad pop culture hits, there are two shows in particular whose fans are going crazy, actively writing hundreds of pages of new fanfics every day. They are Good Omens, whose Season 2 finale broke the hearts of thousands around the world, and Our Flag Means Death, which is once again ready to dazzle us with the touching love story between Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet. Only three episodes of Season 2 have been released so far, but fans are already getting new fanfiction material.

Stede and Ed's Dreams

Fans are already screaming and squealing in delight at the drama the writers have delivered, which seems to have been ripped straight from AO3. At least it looks like they've done their homework, studying fan reviews and poring over the best examples of fanfiction about the romantic dynamic between Ed and Steed.

The first episode dealt with the Gentleman Pirate's state of mind: the long separation from Edward had hurt him as much as it had hurt Edward. The episode begins with a dream in which Stede defeats Izzy, who says that it wasn't him who influenced their breakup, it was Stede's own decision. The dream ends with a beautiful reunion of Ed and Stede running towards each other on the beach. All this to say that he still blames himself for what happened.

Ed blames himself no less, self-loathing and believing that he is unworthy of love, and that is why Stede left him. After coming to accept himself as part of his journey through his own mind, he begins to dream of Stede in the form of a merman who swims up to him to reunite in a touching kiss.

Perfect Trope

It was all so cheesy, so campy, and so fanfic-like that we can only marvel at how the writers felt their characters and fans. We love old people romances, especially when one of them is wearing a mermaid costume with a trident!

Few people manage such a perfect balance between fanservice that makes us grin and a very serious, deep story. Looks like Our Flag Means Death has created a new romance trope!

The next two episodes will be released on Max on October 12.