Act of Grace – The show begins with Admiral Chauncey Badminton (Rory Kinnear) interviewing The Swede (Nat Faxon) and Frenchie (Joel Fry) about their homemade flags. When he shows them one flag, Frenchie describes it as “bad a**.” They both claim to struggle with English.

Black Pete (Matthew Maher) and Roach (Samba Schutte) deny knowing anything about piracy. Oluwande (Samson Kayo) informs them of Captain Stede Bonnet’s (Rhys Darby) poor swordplay. Lucius (Nathan Foad) claims to have strong writing and reading skills.

Stede is slammed down into a chair. He sees Captain Nigel with a sword in his eye. Badminton asks if he is okay. Stede admits to forgetting Chauncey and Captain Nigel Badminton (Rory Kinnear) are twins. He asks about Nigel’s wellbeing. Chauncey tells him that Nigel is not well, and he knows it. Stede claims he hasn’t seen his brother in ages. He assures him there is proof Nigel was on The Revenge. Stede denies the allegations. He claims the proof is the witnesses who watched him murder Nigel. Stede looks terrified.

Referring to Lucius as “sweetie,” Black Pete asks why he is holding himself so strangely. Lucius tells him that his stomach is nervous. Frenchie assures them that Stede is done. Lucius admits to having Stede’s journal when they boarded. Black Pete suggests he get rid of it. Lucius gets defensive, saying he agrees, but cannot dispose of it right now. Frenchie asks him to give it to him because he has had espionage capability since birth. When Lucius hands it over, Frenchie orders Roach to create a distraction. Roach prances over to a sailor (James Barrington) who refers to him as “darkie” when asking what’s his problem. Roach tells him that his face is the problem before slapping him. He takes off running, with several soldiers in tow.

As Frenchie prepares to dispose of Stede’s journal, he falls flat on his face. A sailor approaches to retrieve the journal. Frenchie assures him that it is a work of fiction. The sailor questions if he is a Stede fan. Frenchie acknowledges being a fan of Stede. He tries to take the journal back, but with no luck.

Chauncey reads from Stede’s journal about Nigel pleading for his life and soiling his pants. Slamming the journal shut, he admits to not believing it. Stede thanks God, as a sign of relief. He tells Stede that Blackbeard (Taika Waititi) just confessed to the crime.

Blackbeard appears on the screen, admitting he murdered Nigel and enjoyed it. Chauncey asks him to describe Nigel. He describes him as looking like the rest of them. Chauncey asks what killed him. Blackbeard admits to stabbing him everywhere. Stede assures him that it isn’t true. Chauncey calls him a “bored little rich boy.” In a flashback, young Stede (Theo Darby) appears on the screen, with blood splatters on his face. Father Bonnet (Boris McGiver) calls him a “weak-hearted lily-livered little rich boy.” Back to the present, Stede admits his guilt before explaining how he did it. Chauncey asks a sobbing Stede to sign a confession.

The firing squad practices while Stede stares frantically. As Chauncey sentences Stede and Blackbeard for their crimes, Blackbeard feels the need to correct him for saying his name in two syllables. He explains how Blackbeard will be remanded to the custody of Captain Izzy Hands (Con O’Neill). Blackbeard looks around at Izzy Hands who waves at him. Roach questions how he isn’t dead. The Swede refers to him as a “traitor.” Blackbeard whispers to Stede that Izzy Hands is the culprit who gave them up. Chauncey sentences Stede to death by the firing squad. Blackbeard promises to get him out of this mess. Stede assures him that he deserves it. He has a flashback of clonking Nigel on the back of the head and of his wedding to Mary Bonnet (Claudia O’Doherty).

Stede stands in front of the firing squad, wearing a blindfold. He screeches, “I don’t wanna die.” When Izzy Hands tries to talk to Blackbeard, he is punched in the face. The Revenge crew cheers Blackbeard on. Ivan (Guz Khan) compliments his punch. Izzy Hands reminds him of what he said about loyalty when he promoted him to the first mate. Chauncey orders his men to prepare their rifles. While Blackbeard looks distressed, Izzy Hands assures him that he refused to let him ruin himself for that “twat.” Chauncey orders his men to aim as Izzy Hands continues his rant. Blackbeard screams, “Act of Grace.” He repeats it several times before approaching Stede to remove his blindfold. Stede questions what “act of grace” means.

England, A Few Months Ago – King George (Angus Sampson) makes a statement to proclaim any pirate abandoning his criminal lifestyle and pledging service to the crown to fight against the Spanish shall be granted amnesty. The Court Scribe (Mark Prendergast) asks what the act will be called. King George gives it three titles before saying it will be called the “Act of Grace.”

Back to the present, Chauncey questions Stede if he is agreeing to fight for King George. Blackbeard assures him they rather eat their own faces instead of serving the king before saying “yes.” Chauncey informs Stede that he doesn’t qualify because he isn’t a real pirate. He orders his men to raise their rifles. Stede pleads with Blackbeard to place the blindfold over his eyes.

Lucius reads from Stede’s journal. June 3, Stede describes it as an excellent day because he and his crew raided a commercial vessel. They overtook the crew to claim a “prize of lush vegetation in conquest.” Lucius shows Chauncey an image of the vegetation. Oluwande holds up the prize, a small plant in a stein. The Swede swears Stede is a “fearsome pirate.” Stede smiles while looking at his crew. Officer Hornsberry (Connor Barrett) assures him that seals the deal. Chauncey questions if a reference and plant are enough to classify Stede as a real pirate. Officer Wellington (Michael Crane) says Blackbeard leaving piracy behind to fight for the crown is enough. He cracks a joke about him sitting at the same dining table with King George.

Addressing The Revenge crew, Chauncey questions why they are loyal to this “nothing.” Stede says it is due to a “people-positive management style.” When Chauncey threatens Stede, Hornsberry orders him to stand down. Irate, Chauncey points out that Stede is the killer, not him. Stede and Blackbeard tell him to calm down. The officers subdue Chauncey, taking him to the ground.

The Act of Grace is placed in front of Blackbeard and Stede. Blackbeard warns Stede of the tricky small print. Stede asks for a bit of time to review the document. Thornsberry tells them that the Act of Grace requires 10 years of service to the crown. Stede questions if that is human years. Wellington says his only other option is for them to shoot him. Stede signs the Act of Grace. Before Blackbeard signs, Izzy Hands asks if he is okay with licking King George’s boots. Blackbeard signs with an X.

Royal Privateering Academy for Wayward Seaman – Stede asks Blackbeard about his escape plan. Blackbeard suggests they go with the flow. He is given his uniform and accessories upon signing in. When Stede signs in, Clark Clerkwell (Ian Alda) informs him that he has been declared dead months ago. Stede suggests it is a clerical error. Clerkwell tells him that Stede’s wife is Mary Bonnet.

Lying in bed, Stede has flashbacks of Mary, Alma Bonnet (Eden Grace Redfield), and Louis Bonnet (William Barber-Holler). He questions if his family believes he is dead, or if Mary had him declared dead out of spite. When he leans over to look at Blackbeard in the lower bunk, he is shocked to see he is clean-shaven. Blackbeard explains how his beard was against regulations. Stede tells him it isn’t possible for him to be Blackbeard, now his beard is gone. He describes himself as Greybeard because his beard wasn’t black. Stede suggests he has an escape plan to utilize his beard clippings for fake heads. He assures him there is no plan. Stede disappointedly rushes away.

Izzy Hands is now the captain of The Revenge. As he gives a speech, the crew is hard at work. He assures them if they work hard, they will get to remain aboard “Izzy’s Revenge” for a long time. Wee John Feeney (Kristian Nairn) cracks up laughing. Izzy Hands asks why he is laughing. He explains how Izzy’s Revenge sounds like an intestinal problem. The other members of the crew laugh. Izzy Hands threatens him with a week of no rations. Wee John stares at him with hate in his eyes.

Stede sits alone looking out at the ocean. He has flashbacks of his family. When Blackbeard joins him, he describes his fake head plan as not bad. Stede questions how he is so calm. He admits it is nice to relax and be away from all the drinking and violence. He just wants to make himself happy. Stede asks what that would be. He explains how he has enjoyed the last few weeks more than anything in a long time or ever. He says Stede makes him happy. As Stede talks, Blackbeard kisses him on the lips. Stede tells him that Blackbeard makes him happy. He suggests they change their names and history after they escape to China.

Stede has a flashback of Mary telling him that she understands they wouldn’t have picked each other. Back to the present, Stede agrees with Blackbeard’s plan.

The Revenge crew takes a vote on mutiny or no mutiny. Everyone, including Fang (David Fane) and Ivan voted for munity. Fang informs them that Brown Peter (Black Pete) was discussing the first mate position with Izzy Hands. Wee John says they need to choose a leader. Oluwande says the person needs to be trustworthy. The Swede selects him to be the leader. He refuses to accept the position. Buttons (Ewen Bremner) says only those who hate it are good captains. They all salute Oluwande while chanting his name.

Blackbeard approaches Stede to inform him that someone will wake him in two hours. He says the man will escort him to the beach, where they will meet about 30 minutes later. Placing the muzzle of his gun on Stede’s cheek, Chauncey orders him to get up. At gunpoint, Stede is forced out into the dark. He tries to convince him to not do it, but he refuses to listen. Chauncey orders him to face him. He describes him as a “monster.” Stede has a flashback of Blackbeard and then of himself as a young lad sniffing flowers. He agrees with him. As Chauncey takes a step toward Stede, he falls causing his gun to fire.  Stede screams in horror.

Blackbeard sneaks down to the beach. Stede is nowhere to be found. He calls his name. He waits, waits, and continues to wait until the sun comes up. He takes off in the dingy alone.

The Revenge crew ties up Izzy Hands. As they prepare to toss him into the sea, Black Pete denies agreeing to be his first mate. They count to three when Blackbeard appears. He tells the crew that he would like tea brought to his room. Someone asks about his missing beard.

Stede arrives home, where he finds Mary with a group of people. Shocked, she stares at him while the teacup in her hand rattles as the episode comes to an end.

 

Our Flag Means Death Review

Another good episode as expected. Rhys Darby never disappoints. His performance is superb, regardless of the situation. Not really familiar with Taika Waititi, but he makes the perfect Blackbeard.

The script is creatively funny. The cinematography is excellent. Every member of Stede’s crew must have been handpicked because they mesh perfectly.

Well, the finale is next. Hopefully, we won’t be disappointed. I would expect it to be a barn burner.

The episode deserves a 6.8. Get more Our Flag Means Death recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking on the link to learn more.