Our Flag Means Death isn’t your typical pirate comedy. It’s part absurd workplace sitcom, part tender queer romance, and part existential crisis played out at sea. Across its two seasons, the show gave us duels, betrayals, soft moments between hardened pirates, and more lace ruffles than anyone expected from HBO.
Ranking every episode isn’t easy, because even the “worst” still manages to stab you in the heart right after making you laugh. But let’s be honest, some hit the plank harder than others. Here’s how they stack up.
The Rankings
18. We Gull Way Back (Season 2, Episode 5)
This episode tried to juggle too many threads at once, leaving some emotional beats adrift. The idea of Blackbeard’s emotional regression works on paper, but it lost some bite in execution. Still, the flashbacks add needed context.
17. The Innkeeper (Season 2, Episode 8)
As a finale, it wraps things neatly but a little too neatly. The emotional payoff between Stede and Ed lands, but you can’t shake the feeling it’s rushing to dock before the storm hits. Still, the final montage earns its tears.
16. Fun and Games (Season 2, Episode 3)
A slower burn that focuses on reconciliation, but sometimes gets bogged down in dreamlike pacing. The tone shift from heartbreak to whimsy feels jarring, though the symbolism in Ed’s “death” of the Kraken persona is genuinely moving.
15. Calypso’s Birthday (Season 1, Episode 9)
Pure chaos. The pirate equivalent of an HR disaster meeting with confetti cannons. It’s a fan favourite for absurdity, but the emotional fallout doesn’t quite hit as hard as it should. Still, Jim and Oluwande remain a highlight.
14. A Gentleman Pirate (Season 1, Episode 1)
The one that started it all. Charming and strange, but a bit unsure of its footing. Stede’s foppish introduction is iconic now, but the pacing is wobbly compared to later episodes. Think of it as the show learning to sail.
13. Impossible Birds (Season 2, Episode 1)
Moody, introspective, and tonally darker. It’s an episode more about grief than comedy, which split fans. But it shows how much the show has grown emotionally, proving pirates can cry and commit arson.
12. The Curse of the Seafaring Life (Season 1, Episode 6)
A fun adventure episode that perfectly captures the crew’s found-family chaos. It’s not the deepest, but the blend of swordfights and heartwarming weirdness makes it essential Our Flag viewing.
11. The Art of F**kery (Season 1, Episode 5)
Peak ensemble energy. The fake haunting plot is ridiculous in the best way, letting the entire crew flex their comedic timing. Plus, it plants early seeds of emotional honesty between Stede and Ed.
10. Wherever You Go, There You Are (Season 2, Episode 4)
This one swings between tragedy and tenderness with ease. Ed’s self-destruction arc reaches its emotional core, and the symbolism of him shedding the Kraken persona is beautifully done.
9. We’re Gonna Murder This Guy (Season 2, Episode 6)
The awkward tension between Stede and Ed here feels painfully human. It’s one of the more grounded episodes, reminding viewers that love doesn’t automatically fix trauma. The blend of comedy and emotional honesty shines.
8. The Revenge of the Revenge (Season 2, Episode 2)
This episode gives us some of the series’ best visual storytelling, balancing redemption and chaos as the crew reunites. Plus, Ed’s vulnerability finally cracks through, setting up the emotional backbone of the season.
7. This Is Happening (Season 1, Episode 8)
When Stede and Ed finally admit their feelings, it’s all awkward yearning and stolen glances. The pacing, the tone, the score—it’s romantic comedy perfection. The ship has truly set sail here.
6. Act of Grace (Season 1, Episode 10)
The heartbreak hits like cannon fire. Stede’s decision to leave Ed devastates both characters and fans. It’s gut-wrenching, poetic, and perfectly staged to set up the chaos of Season 2.
5. The Best Revenge Is Dressing Well (Season 1, Episode 7)
The costume party duel is one of the show’s most visually stylish sequences. It’s also where Ed begins to see Stede as an equal, setting the tone for everything that follows. Peak swashbuckling romance.
4. Red Flags (Season 2, Episode 7)
A masterclass in emotional closure. From chaotic comedy to devastating sincerity, it encapsulates why Our Flag works. Watching Ed and Stede find balance after everything is cathartic and warm without feeling forced.
3. Discomfort in a Married State (Season 1, Episode 4)
The tonal blend of comedy and melancholy is perfect. Stede confronting his old life on land gives us some of the sharpest character writing in the series. It’s funny, sad, and deeply human.
2. A Damned Man (Season 1, Episode 2)
This is where the show’s tone clicks. The chemistry between Stede and Ed is electric, and the dialogue starts to show the emotional intelligence that would define the series. A beautifully balanced early gem.
1. The New Recruit (Season 1, Episode 3)
The definitive Our Flag Means Death episode. Every character dynamic, joke, and emotional beat lands perfectly. It’s funny, tender, and a flawless encapsulation of the show’s heart: that even the weirdest crew can find belonging.
Where to Watch Our Flag Means Death
You can stream Our Flag Means Death exclusively on Max in the United States and on BBC iPlayer in the United Kingdom.
For international viewers, it’s also available on Binge in Australia and Crave in Canada.
Both seasons are accessible for digital purchase through Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Google Play.
If you’re catching up for the first time, Season 1 is the perfect binge: a charmingly chaotic introduction to Stede Bonnet’s misguided voyage. Season 2 is best savoured slowly, as it leans harder into heartbreak, healing, and the show’s now-iconic romance.
The Seven Swords Takeaway
Our Flag Means Death is more than a queer pirate rom-com; it’s a study in vulnerability disguised as farce. Every episode adds a layer to its unlikely heroes, showing that softness isn’t weakness—it’s the bravest thing you can bring aboard.
Whether you came for the comedy or stayed for the romance, one thing’s certain: this ship changed television forever.
