Taika Waititi’s Blackbeard blends humour, menace, and surprising vulnerability, giving Our Flag Means Death some of its most memorable lines. Below is a breakdown of his best quotes from every episode in which he appears, complete with context for fans looking to relive their favourite moments.
Season 1
Episode 4 – “Discomfort in a Married State”
Blackbeard makes his entrance into the series with a mix of swagger and dry humour.
- “I hear you’re a gentleman pirate. What’s that about?” – Setting the tone for his curiosity toward Stede Bonnet.
- “So… you’ve never actually killed anyone?” – Equal parts disbelief and mockery.
Episode 5 – “The Best Revenge is Dressing Well”
- “Nice outfit. For a funeral.” – A perfectly barbed observation on Stede’s flamboyant wardrobe.
- “I once killed a man just for looking at me funny. Or was it because he was standing where I wanted to stand? Doesn’t matter.” – A mix of intimidation and absurdity.
Episode 6 – “The Art of Fkery”**
- “You want to run a ship without fear? Good luck with that.” – A blunt truth about pirate life.
- “Fear is the glue. Take it away, the whole thing falls apart.” – Revealing his leadership philosophy.
Episode 7 – “This is Happening”
- “What is the point of all this if you’re not having fun?” – Hinting at his own growing boredom with the pirate’s life.
- “Your crew likes you. That’s dangerous.” – Warning Stede in his own cryptic way.
Episode 8 – “We Gull Way Back”
- “Fang, mate, if you’re going to cry, at least do it quietly.” – A darkly funny aside in a tense moment.
- “You can’t just pretend to be a pirate. It’s a full-time thing.” – Challenging Stede’s part-time bravado.
Episode 9 – “Act of Grace”
- “The sea will chew you up and spit you out. That’s its job.” – Philosophical and brutal.
- “Grace isn’t a thing out here. Survival is.” – A reminder of the pirate code in practice.
Episode 10 – “Wherever You Go, There You Are”
- “Don’t mistake kindness for weakness. I’ve killed for less.” – A cold warning.
- “We’re all just stories in the end. Make yours worth telling.” – One of his most unexpectedly reflective lines.
Season 2
Episode 1 – “Impossible Birds”
- “It’s not the killing I miss. It’s the chaos.” – Setting the tone for his darker arc.
- “Love’s a funny thing. Makes you stupid.” – A bitter reflection after the events of Season 1.
Episode 2 – “Red Flags”
- “You think you know me? No one knows me.” – Stripped of humour, showing his guarded nature.
- “Violence is easy. It’s everything else that’s hard.” – A telling line about his struggles beyond piracy.
Episode 3 – “The Innkeeper”
- “Turns out I’m terrible at retirement.” – Delivered with self-awareness and resignation.
- “You can’t put a shark in a pond and expect it to be happy.” – A metaphor for his restlessness.
Episode 4 – “Fun and Games”
- “If I can’t be feared, what’s the point?” – Revisiting the central question of his identity.
- “I’m not built for small talk.” – A throwaway joke that’s more honest than it seems.
Episode 5 – “The Curse of the Seafaring Life”
- “Everyone’s cursed. We just don’t all admit it.” – Morbid wisdom in a casual tone.
Episode 6 – “Calypso’s Birthday”
- “I hate parties. Nothing but noise and cheap rum.” – The pirate king of grumbling.
Episode 7 – “Man on Fire”
- “Loyalty’s just a word until it’s tested.” – Cold truth before a pivotal betrayal.
Episode 8 – “Mermen”
- “If you’re going to go out, go out like a legend.” – Rallying himself and his crew in the face of danger.
