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Reviews
Our Flag Means Death: Wherever You Go, There You Are (2022)
Top notch finale
Stede is forced to come to terms with the fact that he does not fit back at his family's home as he sees how his wife and kids have been building a life without him. The portrayal of Mary as his wife is wonderfully written - as much as we love Stede, you cheer on Mary and are definitely on her side for much of it!
We see Edward at his most vulnerable and Waititi's acting is simply beautiful here. There are laughs but also a lot of heart. The crew is trying to go along with their latest captain's wishes but find themselves in trouble when Izzy pushes Ed too far, lashing out in confusion at his captain's new direction. The repercussions are distressing on first watch - you will yell at the screen because it's the last episode and HOW CAN THEY LEAVE IT THAT WAY??!
The music choices and cinematography are again so so good in this episode, polishing off the series in a way that leaves you changed and begging for more.
Gen V (2023)
Start and you won't stop watching
I had only seen a little bit of The Boys secondhand so I had little idea of what to expect. But once I started, the story and characters were so engaging that I went through the available episodes all at once and was ready and waiting for more.
It's very violent and a bit shocking at times but I suppose most people who have the context of the other show will know what to expect.
It's also quite heartbreaking seeing how much pain these characters are in and the systems that are set up against them.
There is a mystery at the heart of the story in 'the woods' and what is happening there, which is engaging and you find yourself eager to see the next installment to find out more.
The Continental (2023)
Snazzy and great soundtrack
The first episode was an interesting opening, setting things up and giving a background into Winston and his brother Frankie. The 70s setting is really well evoked to the point of being quite startling for younger viewers. The soundtrack is particularly excellent and keeps the vibe upbeat and pretty fast paced.
I feel like the writing got a bit more slick in the second episode and that felt more engaging to me. Winston is a pretty compelling character with a degree of charm and depth, but Charon is the one who stands out so far. Gibson is so-so but the writing and ensemble cast make up for it.
Ahsoka (2023)
Up there with The Mandalorian
I came into this not actually knowing anything about Ahsoka or her story, so that's the context for my views on it. I was really only ever into the original films and then I watched the new series on Disney when they came out.
This one is one of the best. It's the most entertaining and has a really good pace - you finish each episode longing for the next one. The sets/scenery and cinematography/artwork are really top notch, it's beautiful to watch.
Ahsoka is compelling to watch as a character, even having no previous experience with her. The droid Huyang is wonderfully sarcastic and really adds to the ensemble. Sabine is also really engaging as she wrestles with her past and abilities. Ray Stevenson as Baylan Skoll is particularly notable for presence.
I'm really excited to see how it ends.
Our Flag Means Death: We Gull Way Back (2022)
It's all been building to this!
Trouble arrives in the form of an old friend of Ed's, Calico Jack, whose partying ways take Ed back to the old days and cause tension between him and Stede.
Meanwhile, Oluwande is missing Jim but his crewmates are quick to take advantage of the room space - Frenchie and Wee John as the 'room people' is very sweet and funny. Jim themself is on a journey of revenge that eventually leads them back to Spanish Jackie's door.
Will Arnett's Calico Jack is a disruptive presence and a love-to-hate sort of character. His drunken actions with a whip cause a rift between Stede and Ed that threatens to be permanent until Ed figures out the real reason he's there.
The final scenes feature an absolutely iconic musical backing, ending with a touching reconciliation that will have you grinning like an idiot. This episode really is a stand out among a fantastic series, some of the best shot television out there.
Our Flag Means Death: This Is Happening (2022)
We're all going on an orange hunt!
A citrus emergency forces the crew to St Augustine. We get to see Jim's background as they struggle to wrestle with their past and their mission. In the process we see them and Oluwande getting closer in a will-they-won't-they which is beautiful to watch.
Meanwhile, Stede drags a reluctant Ed on a treasure hunt that brings certain feelings to light. Lucius steals the show in a few scenes as the voice of reason and emotional intelligence!
Elsewhere, Izzy and Spanish Jackie are plotting and the threat builds in the background.
Such an enjoyable episode where the queer relationships are front and centre and you realise 'this is real, this is ACTUALLY happening'.
Our Flag Means Death: A Damned Man (2022)
Stede wrestles with his conscience and the crew with ... vacation?
In this episode we get a deeper insight into Stede's character with the hallucinations of Badminton (wonderfully played by Rory Kinnear, whose line delivery is just hilarious). Rhys Darby's performance as Stede is so full of heart, he makes him so endearing when the character definitely could have been otherwise with poorer casting.
We get some time to see the relationships between the crew as they try to get to grips with the concept of 'vacation' while beached on an island. By the end of the episode I had become so fond of every one of them, which is rare in a ensemble cast.
The chemistry between Samson Kayo's Oluwande and Vico Ortiz's Jim is beautiful, while Ewan Bremner as Buttons is delightfully bizarre.
The addition of Con O'Neill as the perpetually irritated Izzy Hands is brilliant and plays off the silliness of the other characters so well. The dynamic between him and Darby is a joy to watch.
There's so much character development fitted into a short episode and it really sets up what comes after and makes you invested in this crew.
The final scene with Blackbeard's flag is a perfect way to finish the episode and leave you wanting more.
Our Flag Means Death: Pilot (2022)
A pirate comedy with a lot of heart
This episode introduces us to Rhys Darby as Stede Bonnet, an aristocrat who abandons his life on land to become a pirate captain. But he's doing things very differently!
Darby is hilarious as the bumbling Stede, but what really sets it apart is how loveable he makes the character. Within the first few scenes I found myself really rooting for him as a flawed misfit whose heart is in the right place.
Rory Kinnear is also a delight in every scene he's in simply for the line delivery.
The one-liners deserve particular praise - "Hi, I'm Stede I'll be your robber here today!"
There are some real potential found-family vibes in this episode and I hope it will deliver in future ones.
Overall, funny and heartwarming.
Our Flag Means Death (2022)
Romcom on the high seas!
This show is just a delight. Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby), a wealthy landowner, abandons his life to become a pirate, picking up a mismatched crew and eventually running into Blackbeard (Taika Waititi) with whom he falls in love. It's hilarious, warm, romantic, a little bit heartbreaking. Every character is so real and alive and you care about absolutely all of them. The one-liners are brilliant. Darby makes Stede so loveable and relateable and Waititi's Blackbeard is complex and iconic. The show is so beautifully and effortlessly queer and has meant so much to so many people. It's one of the most enjoyable and feelgood watches around.
Good Omens (2019)
Season 2 is Incredible
Good Omens S1 was so special and my favourite show ever and I was worried/excited for S2. It's honestly so good. The story is so layered and the acting is impeccable. Aziraphale and Crowley are in such focus this season and we see so much of their story and history. Michael Sheen and David Tennant's performances are masterful. John Hamm is an absolute treat as a very changed Gabriel. The angel Muriel is a delightful addition, as are the two humans Nina and Maggie. The queerness is so present and so natural, it's wonderful. Yes, it'll break your heart into tiny pieces but it will also make you laugh and smile and think. You definitely won't come out the same way you went into it. NOW WE NEED S3!!!