Season 2 Finale Proves Gentlebeard Wasn't OFMD's Best Couple

Summary

• Love is OFMD's central theme.
• The development of a healthy romantic relationship between Ed and Steed is a major focus
• But the other couple on board turns out to be much healthier and more mature

What is Our Flag Means Death about? Pirate adventures? The spirit of freedom that can only be felt on the high seas? Undoubtedly, these are aspects that not only set the tone for the series, but also drive the action. And yet, what unites the motley crew of the Revenge is love in the salty sea air. That love, be it friendly, platonic or, of course, romantic.

The theme of building healthy relationships in the face of trauma, anxiety and outside stimuli is universal, and so David Jenkins has managed to build a perfect rom-com plot, using the Golden Age of Piracy as a backdrop, contrasting freedom and control, revenge and forgiveness, unhealthy attachments and healthy communication.

Of course, the love story between Edward Teach and Stede Bonnet takes center stage, but they are not the only couple in the series. There are also two lovers on board whose developing relationship overshadows Gentlebeard's.

A grounded yet healthy slow burn

Season 1 set a slow but gradual development for each character, but while Ed, feeling burned out from his self-loathing and self-harming lifestyle, immediately found a new 'entertainment' in Stede, it wasn't until Season 2 that both he and Stede fully reflected on their own feelings. Lucius (Nathan Foad) and Black Pete (Matthew Maher), on the other hand, stood out. Yes, they too initially tried to simply find comfort in each other, but unlike Gentlebeard, it was more of a dilution of a mundane routine that evolved into something more.

These two may not have the same passion that developed between Ed and Stede, but their gradual, down-to-earth relationship grew into a respect for each other's boundaries and an acceptance of each other's virtues and flaws.

Mirroring GentleBeard

The culmination of their relationship was, of course, an engagement in the second season, and then a full-fledged wedding aboard the Revenge in the final episode. Their romance may not have been tumultuous, but it had a natural progression that led to full commitment. It was the latter aspect, as well as the communication, that set it apart from other relationships on the show.

Even now, Stede and Ed, who decided to stay behind and open an inn, have yet to learn to understand one another. Their conflict over Blackbeard's decision to become a fisherman in the penultimate episode was an example of misunderstanding themselves and each other, while Lucius and Black Pete talked about their experiences during their reunion at the beginning of Season 2 (at Stede's urging). Pete also pointed out to Lucius that he didn't have to shut himself away: he had a lover who was willing to share his sorrows and joys.