We Gull Way Back – The show begins with Oluwande (Samson Kayo) sitting quietly alone. Looking over at Bonifacia/Jim’s (Vico Ortiz) empty bed, he exhales deeply.

The Revenge crew is sleeping while Buttons (Ewen Bremner) plays the flute in the buff. With both arms out at his side, Buttons draws the attention of Calico Jack (Will Arnett) in a dinghy. Calico Jack calls him an “old-timer, pervert.” Buttons asks if he is real. He questions if Blackbeard (Taika Waititi) is onboard. Buttons says he is in the bed. He orders Buttons to wake him before tossing a bottle in the air and shooting it.

Captain Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby) is awakened by cannon fire. Startled, he pleads to not be shot, as he is only a “stowaway. He immediately recognizes the cannons as his own. Blackbeard tosses something out into the air and Calico Jack shoots it with a cannon. Stede approaches to inquire about what is happening. Blackbeard seems to be surprised they stirred him from sleep. He says they are just blowing things up. Stede greets his old friend before questioning what type of things they are blowing up. Pointing toward the steps, Blackbeard says an old chest. Stede informs him that the piece was a family heirloom. Blackbeard points the blame at Calico Jack, calling in a “wild man.”

Oluwande tells The Swede (Nat Faxon) that his missing Jim kept him up last night. The Swede pays little attention to him while working with a rope. He admits to removing his things from his and Jim’s room because it is intolerable staying there. Placing his hand on Oluwande’s back, The Swede asks if the room is now empty. Overhearing their conversation, Frenchie (Joel Fry) approaches to ask him to validate if the room is open. Before he can complete the question, The Swede lays claims to the room. The Swede takes off running, with Frenchie close behind. He doesn’t get further than Wee John Feeney (Kristian Nairn) who holds out his leg, sending him crashing to the floor.

Buttons approaches Oluwande to give his condolences for the loss of Jim. Oluwande thanks him. He asks what killed Jim before reminding him how he loved the sight of blood. Oluwande assures him that Jim is still alive.

Geraldo (Fred Armisen) makes a confession to a priest who happens to be Jim. He admits to fornicating, having vulgar thoughts, and theft. Jim asks if he is forgetting something. He adds gluttony to his list of weekly sins. Jim asks if he remembers betraying someone by leaving at the mercy of the Spanish. Busting through the confessional window, Jim grabs his head and bangs it into the wall. She removes her hood to expose her face.

When Blackbeard and Calico Jack enters the dining room, Stede points out he only has two settings. Ignoring him, they walk right past them to take the only two seats. They immediately start serving themselves, leaving Stede to fend for his own. As they discuss Captain Hornigold, Stede questions who he is. Blackbeard tells him that he and Calico Jack initially meet on a vessel owned by Hornigold. Stede says he and Blackbeard initially met on a Spanish vessel. When he tries about their first meeting, Blackbeard talks over him. He reminds Calico Jack of how Hornigold used to beat them down.

Calico Jack informs Stede that Blackbeard burnt a vessel and its crew. Blackbeard assures him that Stede isn’t interested in the story. Calico Jack says the victims pleaded for help. Stede stares at him in astonishment while Calico Jack mocks the victims’ screams. Laughing, he explains how the victims’ skin melted. Stede tells Blackbeard that he assumed he stopped murdering people. Blackbeard refuses to accept the blame for killing the crew, saying it was the fire. Nonchalantly, Calico Jack says that is just part of being a pirate. Blackbeard admits he has mellowed out a bit. When he says being mellow is for “whippies,” Blackbeard breaks out laughing.

On deck, Calico Jack utilizes his whip to break liquor bottles while Stede’s crew cheers him on. He swings his whip toward The Swede’s cards, hitting his hand. Instead of apologizing, he tells him that he shouldn’t have moved. Stede asks Blackbeard how long he plans to stay aboard The Revenge. He suggests it may be forever. When Blackbeard orders Cactus Jack to hit his testicles, the end of the whip hits its target. He is left in desperate shape.

Frenchie joins Wee John in his new room. They both admit to never having their own room. Wee John asks Frenchie what he is doing with a sketchpad. Frenchie says he is going to draw up blueprints for their room. They strategize their blueprint. When he mentions visitors, Frenchie is confused. He asks why people would want to visit their room. Wee John assures him it is normal.

Blackbeard tells the crew how Calico Jack saved his life. After Calico Jack describes Blackbeard as a “real pirate,” not “store-bought,” he briefly looks at Stede. Stede suggests he would have a vessel and crew if he was a real pirate. Crying, Calico Jack admits his crew died. Blackbeard comforts him. Black Pete (Matthew Maher) accuses Stede of hurting his feelings. Blackbeard asks to speak with Stede alone, leaving Black Pete and Roach (Samba Schutte) to comfort his friend.

Blackbeard informs Stede that Calico Jack has always been insecure and emotional. He suggests the two of them share many commonalities. Stede offers to take Calico Jack to take a trip with him and his crew. He assures him that it is not necessary to go out of the way just for him. Blackbeard and the crew convince him to choose a place for them to visit. He opts for Blind Man’s Cove, as it has been years since his last visit. When Stede agrees to take him, he is elated. He tells the crew that “Steve’s the greatest.”

At Blind Man’s Cove, Stede asks Blackbeard if he has any suggestions on what they should do first. On top of the mast, Roach takes a stab at jumping into the ocean. He doesn’t clear the ship before falling into the water. When he doesn’t surface, they assume he is dead.

Jim holds Geraldo at knifepoint as Spanish Jackie (Leslie Jones) approaches. With her gun drawn, Jackie asks what she has up her sleeve. Jim threatens to kill Geraldo if she refuses to give her information on the Siete Gallos. After Jackie kills Geraldo, she warns Jim that he better have a backup plan. Jim suggests she will fight to the death. A fight ensues and ends, with Jim’s knife at Jackie’s throat. Jackie suggests they call it even.

Blackbeard, Calico Jack, and Stede’s crew have a turtle/crab fight. Stede watches from underneath his parasol. He is urinating when Calico Jack joins him. Calico Jack suggests he and Blackbeard are very much alike. He asks if they are “buggering” each other. Stede pretends to be confused by his question. Calico Jack says nothing is off-limit at sea. He claims to have had dalliances with Blackbeard in the past. Stede stares at him strangely. He asks if what he said hit a nerve. Stede assures him that Blackbeard’s past doesn’t matter. When he refers to Blackbeard as “Ed,” Calico Jack assures him that the old Blackbeard would’ve broke his neck for calling him that.

Blackbeard catches up with an angry Stede to inform him of the crew’s plan to have a coconut war. Stede suggests he return to The Revenge. Blackbeard asks if he truly wants to leave because it is going to be a blast. Stede admits to not liking him when he is around Calico Jack. While Blackbeard explains that is just who he is, Calico Jack pelts him in the back with a coconut. Yelping, he calls him a “dick” before aiming a coconut at his head. Stede returns to the ship.

Jim explains to Spanish Jackie that her wish is to watch them while she cuts their arteries. She wants them to feel empty like she did as a young child when her parents died. Spanish Jackie suggests letting it go or ending up with 18 husbands like her. Jim guesses she is 50 years old. Surprised, Jackie says she is 25. Jim swears she looks great. Jackie contributes her aging to years of rage and revenge. She informs Jim that Geraldo is a Siete Gallos.

Stede reads a book while the others enjoy themselves on the deck. With encouragement from the others, Olwande cracks The Swede with a whip. Buttons scolds them for disturbing his masking in the moonlight. Blackbeard suggests they head to bed, but Calico Jack isn’t having it. He recklessly cracks his whip at everything in sight, including Buttons’ bird. Scooping the bird up in his hand, he accuses Calico Jack of killing it. Calico Jack tries to convince the others that the bird flew into his whip. Irate, Buttons puts a hex on him. Stede approaches from behind and orders him to remove himself from his ship. Calico Jack agrees to leave but not before asking the others to join him. Blackbeard refuses to join him until he reminds him of how he saved his life. Stede is disappointed by his decision.

Oluwande asks Wee John and Frenchie if he can sleep in their room. They claim to be renovating.

Blackbeard sleeps on the beach. He wakes up to find Calico Jack utilizing his whip to fish, which is unsuccessful. Calico Jack downs a bottle of liquor while Blackbeard stares into space. Stede watches them through a telescope. He balks at them drinking alcohol so early in the morning. Oluwande suggests he forget about them. Lucius (Nathan Foad) joins them. Stede laughs when he sees Blackbeard and Calico Jack eating seaweed. Oluwande informs Lucius that Stede has been watching them all night. Lucius pries the telescope out of his hands. He tells Stede that he is in luck because he is fantastic after breakups.

Lucius drops a box at Blackbeard’s feet. He tells him that Stede truly likes him before leaving. Calico Jack suggests killing Lucius, so they can have his dinghy.

Buttons weeps over his dead bird when another bird lands beside him.  He figures the bird is Olivia. The bird tells him that Nathaniel talked about him all the time. Olivia informs him that Nathaniel didn’t return home last night.

Stede informs his crew that he will hold a burial for Karl. Buttons can be heard in the background. They are all shocked when he says Blackbeard is no longer with them. Black Pete asks if they only have one captain now. Lucius accuses him of being a “dick.”

Rowing out into the sea, Calico Jack assures Blackbeard it is the best. He claims to have heard rumors about him shacking up with Stede. Shocked, Blackbeard asks who was spreading the rumors. He asks if it was really just a coincidence when he ran into them. Calico Jack claims to have been dispatched by Izzy Hands (Con O’Neill) to get him away before the British army arrives. Blackbeard accuses Izzy Hands of betraying him. Calico Jack assures him that he betrayed Stede, not him. An English ship appears in the distance.

Stede speaks to his crew about Blackbeard’s departure. Roach alerts him of the English ships. Stede is stunned by the sight. Buttons continues to hex Calico Jack from The Revenge. Blackbeard asks where they should go. When Calico Jack suggests the Republic of Pirates, Blackbeard slams down his box. Snapping the oar in half, he tosses it into the water. He screams in his face that Stede is his friend before diving into the water. As Calico Jack screams at Blackjack, Olivia lands on his dinghy. Buttons gives her encouragement from The Revenge. He and Oliva faceoff. He cracks his whip, missing Olivia. Buttons is distracted by cannon fire. As Calico Jack tells whoever is listening that no one messes with him, a cannon knocks him into the water. Buttons celebrates.

Stede orders his crew to prepare the cannons when Blackbeard makes an appearance. He demands they raise the white flag. Stede is pleasantly surprised to see him.

Admiral Chauncey Badminton (Rory Kinnear) and several men approach The Revenge in a dingy. “The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac can be heard in the background. They climb aboard The Revenge and apprehend the Stede, Blackbeard, and his crew. Buttons runs out in the buff. Lying handcuffed on the deck, Stede tells Blackbeard that he returned. He assures him that he never left as the episode comes to end.

 

Our Flag Means Death Review

The best ending, I can remember. Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain” was perfectly injected into the final minutes of the episode. Blackbeard and Stede’s final words added a special touch that made up for a no-go-good episode.

At this rate, I can’t imagine what they have in store for the finale. I, for one, can’t wait.

A brazing Ewen Bremner exposed his nudeness to viewers across the globe. At the age of 50, it takes gut to drop your pants. All of this in hopes of getting a laugh or two. His experience as an actor showed through when he suffered the loss of his winged friend. I found myself feeling empathy for Buttons when he scooped lifeless Nathaniel up in his hands. A heart-touching scene that is a rarity for the show.

It was nice to see Will Arnett take the stage. He did a fabulous job bringing the raw pirate, Calico Jack to life. After he killed Buttons’ bird, I felt contempt toward him.

The episode deserves a 6.5. Get more Our Flag Means Death recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link.