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ofmd 2 IS a mess actually
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- čas přidán 14. 08. 2024
- what do you MEAN my gay pirates split up AGAIN???
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00:00 Intro
01:53 Things I liked
02:42 Izzy
05:29 Jim and Olu and Zheng and Archie
07:34 Lucius and Pete
09:34 Stede
15:26 Ed problem 2.0
18:04 eggs
20:20 Afterthoughts
21:36 Outro
all clip rights reserved to max
I agree. Almost all of the issues happened because of pacing. They didn't have enough episodes and everything felt rushed. The plot lines were good but didnt have time to be set up and they didn't have enough episodes to flesh out more of the crew. Hopefully season 3 gets more funding/episodes so the show can breath again
Even though there have been MANY things wrong with the past two episodes, especially episode 7, I did at least enjoy the party in episode 6 quite a bit. Seeing everyone have a fun time and enjoying themselves was really adorable and all of their fun outfits and stuff. And also Izzy’s song was well sweet.
The scene at the end of episode 6 confuses me so much. Ed said he wanted to take it slow and the next episode they’re like…what??? It felt way, way too early and I know they address that in episode 7 but that still made me feel kind of icky. Ed’s nod of consent though is great. So happy that was included
I think that’s what the show wanted us to feel about the ending of ep 6, that unsure and anxious yet excited feeling about them FINALLY sleeping tg but it kind of becomes fogged in that circumstance after a stressful near death situation. They both weren’t thinking they just wanted to be tg after almost dying without thinking about the consequences 😭
Yep. Everything seems so forced and rushed compared to the slow burn of season 1. My only hope for episode 8 is seeing Ed, whilst fishing, will find the letters Stede wrote to him. It’s the only thing that might redeem this entire plot. Why quickly stick them back together only to separate them again? I dunno…I appreciate your content.
there is actual reason for that - hbo cut the budget so they had to cramp up everything in 20-30 minutes episodes (they didn't even get 10 episodes like 1 season, only 8!) and so we see exactly what we see
@@mosettastone yeah sorry looked it up and corrected myself :(
I thought Bonnet was gonna make him play the violin for the party instead of killing him
Calypso’s birthday should’ve been Lucius and Pete’s wedding because yeah it was a fun episode that I really liked but it was filler when it could have had so much more plot related meaning and Stede and Ed could’ve reflected on what they wanted in a relationship seeing two people get married
oh my god it really should have been their wedding
calling it "filler" is crazy lmao
one thing that really bothered me was the fact that they mention Ivan literally DYING and then it’s never brought up again. with how character-focused the show is and how the crew considers eachother family, sweeping Ivan under the rug felt so odd
I feel the same way about the departure of Buttons.
He was written off because the actor left, so that's probably why it was only mentioned once for clarity and then that's it
@@Akiron111 Guz Khan was let go from the show, he didn't leave
@@beachside-blizzard I saw your answer before you edited it but this must have happened at least a year ago so I'm not sure if that was the reason for firing him. Either way, my point was that the character's fate was changed due to not having the actor around anymore, regardless of weather he left or was fired
@@Akiron111 Yeah I edited it cause I double-checked and it was mostly speculation, didn't wanna spread any misinformation
Criticisms are valid!! I’m personally enjoying everything but writing criticisms are super important to every media.
izzy is deadass carrying the entire show on his sholders. working overtime. poor guy
Yeah, he is simply the best, only watching for him, if he dies, I won't watch Season 3
@@lissy.d5150oh i have bad news lad
@@lissy.d5150...
@@lissy.d5150...how are we doing?:)
@@lissy.d5150……………..oh
Yes to everything you said. I was genuinely heartbroken by this season. Season one was so perfectly executed and season two was a mess. Totally different tone, character arcs and behaviors that didn’t make any sense, totally lacking the intimate moments and interactions that made season one so real and charming.
The whole thing between Stede and Ed feels weird. I don't think Stede has "violent tendencies" or "grey morals" (he WAS protecting his crew after all), but Ed is still not redeemed and I don't like that everyone decided to just forget how horrible he was. Also a lot of people blame everything Ed did on Stede as if Ed is not his own person and isn't responsible for his actions.
So far the only development I'm happy about is Izzy's and how much his relationship with the crew and especially with Stede has progressed.
P.S. I'm kinda pissed they decided to remove Mr Buttons from the story. I really enjoyed him in the s1
Just me or it feels like Stede turned into "just" a generic pirate instead of a better self? He got better with his abilities and everything, but he never asked sorry to Ed after came back to his old life, and he practically abandoned the things he used to like thinking that becoming a "badass pirate" would make people like him (his crew family, Ed) and that happens with Spanish Jack's bar people, but in exchange for what? He always paid attention to Ed, why not now? And why did he choose a moment so weird to "elevate the relationship" (Ed wanted things to go slow, he should think before. "Oh, but Ed nodded", both never know what they NEED, looks like it was just a "I want that just because I want, I'm not going to think how I'm going to think about that later or how that impacts us" from both). And the thing with the pirate queen, maybe it was alcohol+bruised ego+Ed left+"people are getting far from me and I don't know why", but there's a chance of him thinking that thing of "they want me to be a badass pirate" and have tried to be stronger than the queen to make Olu, Jim and Archie came back to him ("oh, they prefer her because she's better/stronger than me, I don't want to lost nobody else"), and none of them tried to explain why, Olu just says that their going with queen (makes sense they going with her, looks safer and happier, Stede could understand, pointing the part of "they're not yours" principally). I'm sorry if that doesn't make sense, and most important I'M SORRY FOR WRITING THIS, I NEEDED TO BLURT OUT, I love Stede and it's weird to see him turning into something that doesn't look like what HE feels comfortable to be inside, he wants that because of Ed and the willing of be better and adequate (probably I'm saying nonsense and I don't know the character well, but looks like he's acting by what he thinks other ones want, and not what HE, just him and no one else, wants)
And he also lets Edward come back to the revenge, he probably got desperate, there were just small chances of finding him again, and it's his first time in love with someone, the only person that showed really like him for real, but the crew wasn't comfortable with that, and probably Izzy wanted him back too, including Stede's pressure with the fact that he's the Capitan, they are his crew and the boat was his too, but in other hand he makes some adaptations for the crew feel better with Ed. Resuming: I probably don't know the character well, and maybe I'm just being dramatic, but I miss the old Stede. The crew looks to also miss that "bizarre little man" instead of that "generic badass because that's what everyone wants pirate", they liked his person not his capacity to be a pirate or captain. Again, I'm sorry for any annoyance, and English is not my first language so sorry for the errors
8:36 „and you don’t want to be compared to heartstopper“ SO REAL. SO. REAL.
MAJOR RANT AHEAD‼️‼️
Not a fan of a lot of the character decisions made here. Even if they, SOMEHOW, resolve the Ed/Stede issue in a 100% satisfying way, I don't see how the unresolved, almost ignored issues made with other characters can be fixed in less than half an hour.
something i've noticed in comedy's is that core character dynamics are split apart in later seasons as stuff gets more "serious" and realistic."
It makes sense for the crew to drift towards Izzy, who is likely being set up as the new captain for when Stede inevitably leaves. While it narratively made sense for Jim, Olu, and Buttons to leave the cast in favour is introducing more characters, it also is watering down the crew that we came for.
Most people I know loved the crew dynamics. It was what made them stick with the show until the more serious plots with Blackbeard arose. But now, those dynamics have been shoved to the side to bring in new characters, who just aren't getting as much development.
I really wanted to like Archie, but her lines felt rigid in some scenes. Whether or not Olu, her, and Jim end up as a polycule is irrelevant when Olu and Jim's relationship was pushed aside. If they did get into a relationship, it would be unsatisfying, and if they didnt, it would also be an unsatisfying conclusion to Olu's arc.
I love all of these characters individually, but the weird disjointedness of all their relationships with eachother is jarring.
I've also noticed that Izzy is slowly replacing Stede. All of Stedes interactions with the crew are.. pretty selfish here, to be honest. Him bringing back Ed was honestly insane, as much as I love the two of them.
But watching Stede and Ed slowly replace the crew for the as the "bulk" of the season doesn't work when their relationship isn't even satisfying to watch either.
Stede and Ed were always "whim proned," as Stede stated in 205, but it almost feels.. i don't know.. OOC? Like everybody just turned it up to eleven .
Ed just immediately welcoming back Stede was.. a decision. I'm not sure how to feel about it.
On one hand, it seems like the writers were aware of the absurdity of this; hence BB acknowledging how insane it was for him to melt into Stede's hands like putty.
It's not like their relationship was immediately healed either. BB was pretty reluctant, while in S1, he was going full blast into this like there's no tomorrow.
So, you could interpret it as him opening himself back up to Stede, but not to the extent that he was open pre Season 2.
BUT... on the other hand..
Their talk was honestly just. not a satisfying conclusion to all the build up of the past few episodes. Their talk didn't have to resolve every problem, (God knows these guys suck at communicating), but it should have been a gateway for Gentebeard to develop into the future.
Maybe the show writers just didn't have enough time, but it felt like a pretty clean, tied up situation, despite Ed explicitly saying that's NOT what he wanted.
Yes, their relationship wasn't, and STILL isn't what it used to he, but it's also way better than everybody was anticipating.
They don't even really have another conflict until the whole "We just got tortured alive now let's get down on eachother" situation. Which wasn't even really CAUSED by them; it was provoked by that pretentious violin guy (forget his name.)
Maybe that was also intentional... Having a villain to drive your plot forwards is good, but it just made the break up in 207 that much more jarring; there was NO build up, aside from Izzy's foreboding, "don't go in to see Stede, he needs time. Might be a bit messed up in the head."
But again, the only conflict before that is getting the crew to trust Ed. which also falls flat when very little of the crew get as much focus as they deserve, despite all the new characters, dynamics, and situations.
On the topic of the crew..
Stede is good at managing base level needs for his crew, but when it comes to anything deeper, he fails. Like i said before; bringing Ed back onto the ship and ignoring everybody else was an insane thing to do.
When everybody was pissed off at Blackbeard, (specifically Lucius,) it was kind of brushed off as being petty? I mean, Lucious had a whole arc about him "learning to let go," despite his actual abuser is LIVING WITH HIM.
That's crazy??? And Izzy also just has no bad blood with ed either. "sorry about your leg"
YOU SHOT HIM. I don't know- it feels less like Ed mustering up the courage to say a weak sorry , and more like a plot point being wrapped up haphazardly so Izzy can (attempt) to help Ed and Stede's relationship along...
Rant over
IM SO DISSAPOINTED BY THIS SEASON :((( I agree with everything you said and season 2 definitely needed more time than just 8 episodes! I really dont know what they're going to do in the last episode, probably except stede almost dying and ed going back to save him. I dont know if theres a way they could end the season 2 in a satisfying way.
The writing in the first season was not just impeccable but also incredibly tight, just so well-conceived all round. This season has its moments for sure, but overall it just feels... messy by comparison. I will be the first to admit that that stunning first season was a TOUGH act to follow, but it's still a letdown for me.
took a while to get used to season 2's tone, but I understand it better now.
David Jenkins said that if in season 1 they act like teenagers, in season 2 they act like they're in their early twenties.
there has been a clear tone shift but I think they over-all nailed it.
my real issue is the zheng-archie-jim-olu thing. it felt unnesscasery because it was so mushy and unclear and it felt like I gained nothing from watching it. imagine how much more scrrentime we could have had, how invested we could have been, if they had just kept jim and olu together. Zheng doesnt need a love story, she fantastic on her own. show could have been paced much better if they got that screentime.
do yeah season 2 was paced a bit oddly and some scenes were infuriating (on first watch), but after rewatching, thinking and dicussing scenes&actions, I understand many things much better now! and am less angry with characters amd creativee decisions
I have so many conflicting thoughts about this season. On one hand, I'm super excited for the series to return and am more than thrilled to see some fan headcanons and theories confirmed, like the scene at the beginning of the first episode or steard. I screamed when Izzy started singing, and there are many other moments in the season that made me really happy.
but at the same time, I can't help but notice the obvious problems with Ed's arc, with Izzy's redemption arc left out of the picture (even though I love his transformation this season), with the lack of episodes and the writers trying to cram too many events into season and so on.
but even though I fully understand how messy and not well-written this season is, I still love the show so much. and I don't know how to deal with this contradiction.
I really hope the show gets a third season, but even if it were better written, it wouldn't fix the damage already done. but I'll still be looking forward to it, and I love this show just as much as I did last year - which is why it's so painful to look at the obvious mistakes and shortcomings. I also don't think that because of all of the above, I can't simply enjoy the season. I mostly liked it, tbh (although some things in the plot persistently try to disturb me).
Thanks for reading whatever that is. awesome video, as always!!
i am so glad that someone else saw how strange, unhealthy, and poorly written izzy's storyline is this season. i also hate how the fandom is letting ed get away with being abusive. not borderline abusive, but literally physically and emotionally abusive toward the crew and a man that he was basically in a relationship with (izzy). i do not think the crew or izzy have any obligation to forgive ed for all that he has done, but it really feels like that is what the story is implying. izzy making up a story about loosing his leg, frenchie saying that he keeps all the terrible things he's ever seen in a little box in his mind and never lets them out, and luscious "coping" by getting "revenge" on ed??? all of these coping methods are incredibly unhealthy, and the show is encouraging them. i worry for the younger audience that may watch the show and see how ed is treating people he supposivly cares about and then being forgiven imidiatly. there were some great potential storylines in the first two episodes (frenchie and his care for izzy + maybe talking about his trauma instead of bottling it up, izzy had a suicide arch that was so glossed over it's insane, and I'm sure there's more, those are just the ones I would like to see more of) but they were just flown over so that we could receive an incredibly rushed and poorly written relationship between stede and ed just for them to break up not even an episode later.
I completely agree with you on this. I think it’s perfectly fine to be critical of a series and still love it. Can’t wait to see the finale and see what you think of it as well :)
back after the finale. i want to die.
"You don't want to be compared to Heartstopper" No. You really don't wanna be compared to heartstopper😅
The first half of this season was really interesting and exciting...but then it just seemed to derail during the second half...it was weird. Especially the finale.
It always seems like the finales...the episodes that, imo, people will probably remember the most, and should be the most important... are the worst.
I honestly totally agree, it’s kinda sad how now when I watch this amazing show I just kind of have this strange feeling in my gut, because what they’re doing with these colorful characters really is-something alright. I’ve noticed that with each episode it just feels like more and more of like mini-episodes of non related events just kind of strewn together, with the connect points of repeated characters and b-plots. This whole season aside from the 5 seconds of Stede, Ed, and the crew actually being themselves just felt so monotonous and one-heated when compared to the liveliness of S1. Hopefully by this week it’ll be okay at the end :’).
pretty much my exact thoughts! the colorfulness and charm of the first season is totally gone! it's so sad to see when everyone has been looking forward to this for over a year, it feels like a different (not so good) show entirely!
You were right this season finale was awful.
i think it just would’ve worked better if ed and stede stayed apart this whole season and grew as people so at the end of the season their reunion represented new beginnings
It's the time i think... they try to do so much so quickly and it ends up being odd
i clicked on the video right as i got the notification! i wanted to thank you for making the not-so-positive ofmd content. because while i love this show and this season, everywhere i go i see just praise for the show - and dont get me wrong, i totally understand - but its really nice to see someone talking about mistakes that have been made.
(also im making an ofmd-inspired project for art class - a lighthouse and a kraken - and it looks HORRIBLE help)
ALSO I don’t know if it’s just me but most of the characters are so unlikeable this season. they feel like a completely different crew than season one, especially with comedicallt crucial characters like buttons and the swede missing.
writing off members of the crew and introducing new ones was a mistake imo. the appeal of ofmd is the found family aspect. trying to switch characters around in that found family ruins the dynamic and makes it less appealing.
more importantly, characters like buttons serve a very important role, writing-wise. buttons is a sort of “wise older guy” trope while also bringing a unique, absurdist humor that balances out the other parts of the comedy. the swede functions as the “loveable himbo” and acts as a foil to characters like jim and olu, who gravitate to more intelligent, witty humor. having these characters be absent for most of the season disrupts the important balance of humor within the show. it’s creates situations like the cursed coat, where all of the characters seem to rely on the same beats and jokes. having a character like buttons present would have made the humor more dynamic!
there were individual jokes that I thought were pretty good. the paper-azzi joke made me giggle, roach inventing peanut butter was nice, everything with lucius and Pete was hilarious. but the overarching story takes itself too seriously, which completely ruins what made s1 so good. the plot lacks humor almost completely, which is odd. if you were to describe the plot of s2 without bringing up any of the individual jokes/gags, it wouldn’t seem like a comedy at all
I just wanted to leave it here: I think the way Stede is starting to behave as a real pirate (tm) is basically mirroring Ed's behaviour as Blackbeard after Stede left him at the end of season 1. Basically Stede's strange and uncharacteristic behaviour is a trauma responce (or rather a wish to escape this trauma) to his first ever murder. We can see that he was disturbed after he did it, and I think that tge reason he jumped so at Ed after he entered Stede's room to ask him if he was okay was his wish to stop thinking about the murder he just commited. So what I'd like to see is Ed seeing it through and maybe pulling Stede out of this escapism, because it won't lead him anywhere good.
I completely agree. The theme throughout the whole episode was "turning poison into positivity" and I think Stede was trying to do that with Ed. They did just have a near-death experience and I think both of them needed each other's comfort even tho it obviously wasn't the right time. And I think Ed only regretted it after seeing Stede spiral down real pirate road. The first thing he did the morning after was ditch the clothes he associated with his Blackbeard persona and then went to make breakfast, because I think deep down he wanted it to work. He felt that it wasn't the perfect timing, but ultimately being with Stede was what he really wanted, so I think he tried to make it work, while also continuing his journey towards normalcy. He took Stede to a place where "he wasn't stabbed yet" meaning a place he had only positive memories of. He told him about the mermaid-merman-merperson vision, which is a pretty vulnerable thing in my opinion, but he was willing to share that with Stede after their night together. But then Stede was being celebrated for being a murderous pirate and I think Ed felt like he misjudged the situation and only started to regret it then. Of course if he wasn't mentally ill he could have let Stede enjoy his night out and not worry, but in his mind Stede was no longer fitting with his vision of life and he'd rather leave him than give Stede a chance to chose piracy over him (which he would never do, but Ed still doesn't trust Stede's feelings towards him). I'm pretty sure that is what he was afraid of. I know what it's like when your mind starts to spiral and you snap into self-protect mode and you push people away before you get hurt again. I think that is exactly what Ed did by running away and not giving Stede a chance to change his mind.
Finally someone put my feelings into words ❤ thank you so much
When I heard your warning not to watch the rest if I didn’t have a problem with the season up to last week, I listened, but after today’s finale I decided to hear you out. I had honestly been worried you would have mean things to say about Izzy’s redemption & drag, because I’ve seen a lot of people misunderstanding and being really awful about it. I actually really appreciate your insight. It is very clear that MAX cut their budget for actors, which is why Ivan was killed off, Buttons turned into a bird, and Swede married Jackie, as well as the other crew members who disappear for entire episodes at a time. You’re extremely right about Stede’s sudden turn, vs how much more sense it would have made to draw it out in pieces over the season. And Ed being so easily forgiven, and Izzy getting over his abuse almost instantly was unpleasantly a lot.
it's so comforting watching your videos because you dont just say nice things about the series! when I watched for the 1st the last 2 ep, I was just so worried that I've lost my mind because I thought the exact same things as you did, so I'm very grateful to see that I'm not the only one!! love your channel sm
I'm really glad, thank you!!
What bothered me most about the season was the first five episodes built up all this abuse and trauma, things which Stede in the past would have been very receptive to, and then change that reception to this 'well he didn't do it to me' mindset. They had so much opportunity to comment on that, for the characters harmed by Ed to turn on Stede-- at one point I even thought the cursed coat was a sort of metaphor for how Stede treats these concerns. He ignores the fears of the crew and at the end of the episode discards the coat onto that other ship.. just like how he sort of neglects the things Ed has done to the crew. (I'll avoid including spoilers but Izzy's treatment in the finale was dogshit also.) I never got the impression that Izzy's feelings for Ed were romantic in the first place so it felt out of character for that to be the angle other characters interpret (even Ed). I tried so hard to love this season as much as the first but when they started to promote all this toxicity that Stede was adamant against in season 1 I lost respect for it. Ed had the right to be upset, but it never feels like he took any responsibility for his actions because Stede insisted it was his own fault. He never explains what happened with Mary (that I recall). I have so many more thoughts but I think you covered so much of it really well!
I really agree with a lot of your points however I did get the impression that Izzy was in love with Ed in season one. From the acting choices, the interactions, and more. But I do get how others may not have interpreted it that way.
Before David Jenkins said it was a father / son relationship, he actually confirmed it was a ' love triangle ', so yeah. ( Iccckkk).
izzy was 100% in love with ed, it's obvious throughout the first season too, it just wasn't reciprocated. he was even referred to as a "jilted spouse" by jenkins himself well before season 2
@@izzy-hands That’s fair I’m not trying to contest what he said as cannon- I just had a different hope/interpretation for Izzy’s character
@@queensabine no yeah i get that! i didn’t mean to say it so bluntly, i just thought it was worth mentioning
Can't wait to see your reaction to the finale because OMFG what a shitshow.
Ok u were right, the ending was eehhhhh
Izzy would do so well working for Zheng. I'm hoping he fucks off to work for her bc he doesn't need to let Ed stay in his life.
I did enjoy the last few episodes, but I think I agree with you about all the flaws with them to. I just wish they’d been able to make 10 episodes and space things out a bit more! Also I have no idea how they are going to tie up all the loose ends in a 30 minute finale but I don’t want to judge it before I see it.
Thanks for the video ❤
So. How'd you like the ending
I'm holding out until the finale. I know it's very very hard/impossible to wrap everything up in one episode, but the fanfiction-building part of my brain is actually able to build scenes where things can become clearer. But that's definitley gone down hill. Now there's so much that still needs to be said, starting all the way back with Stede telling Ed about Chauncey. There's no way they can get everything out there when there is just an insane surplus of stuff to say.
But, I'm still hopeful. I love this series and I love the characters, despite their screen time lacking more and more. I hope there can be a satisfying resolution that will leave us on an ending note where it's like "no. things haven't been wrapped up. but that's okay. The crew is here, ed and stede are free and ready to admit their faults and their feelings, and they're gonna get back on the revenge and talk it through as a crew!" It's a longshot and probably unattainable. but I can dream.
I agree with you about the focus on the couples. Which is a shame for the other characters. I enjoyed all the couples in season 1 but that’s the thing, I enjoyed all the characters! All the characters had something to offer besides just a romance plot. My family quotes Frenchie, Roach, the Swede, and Buttons on an almost daily basis.
been patiently waiting for the next zemantler video since right after i finished the new episodes on thursday and IT’S HERE GUYS WOOHOO NEVER CLICKED ON A NOTIFICATION SO QUICKLY IN MY LIFE
Anywho i love Izzy so much more now than I ever thought I would when I finished season 1, he’s really finding himself and letting himself be vulnerable with the crew and I’m so here for it
Yes, another ace take on the sex thing. It was weird, the way they kept their distance for most of the season and went slowly and then bam! Like they switched genres or something. There was just no character in it. Maybe they don't have the right rating for slapstick sex, but if Stede knows what he's doing there I have to wonder where he learned it.
I agree with you one every point! It's funny because I was so anxious about Good Omens 2 (because season 1 was based on the book so I was afraid it would feel forced), but I had no stress whatsoever about OFMD 2. I went into it fully confident that it was gonna be as great as season 1. Needless to say that my obsession for Good Omens came back in full force and that I'm 100% desapointed with OFMD.
I feel like they ended season 1 with absolutely no idea how to continue the story.
Like my friend asked me what was the plot of season 2 and I couldn't even answer her. What''s the point? What are they trying to say?
Max really screwed them over with the support and funding, because this season could've been insanely magical if they'd had the budget and episodes they'd had for season 1. They're doing the best they can and I think it's obvious that the whole team truly loves this show and everyone is giving their all, but yeah, it really sucks how much of a hit this season is taking bc of that loss. I still love this season tho 💜💜
Yeah this was so frustrating
Season 1: talk it through as a crew.
Season 2: Frenchie, Lucius and Izzy: bottle it up.
Like I would be fine with this if it would seem like it could come back later and at least screw over Lucius and Izzy, since Frenchie has always been doing it. But it doesn't seem that this season has many consequences and it's sad.
Ivan got killed offscreen and is only mentioned once in passing.
Buttons turned into a bird, Roach assumes Ed killed him and then it's never brought up again.
Ed does in now way properly apologize or own up to his mistakes and is welcomed back into the crew.
Huge build up with the most successful pirate in human history: it's fine she just lost all her ships and probably her live.
Everyone knows Stede Bonnet is alive - that has to have consequences for Mary in the long run, Stede doesn't even think about (it's not like the real Stede Bonnet had an alias or something).
And that would be great set up for a villain ark, if there were any consequenes to this, but there aren't.
The only character that has faced consequences so far is the main antagonist this season and it's never good if only your antagonists face consequences. That and Ed wanting to take it slow and Stede completly ignoring it, which led to Ed leaving, that wasn't bad as far as consequences go.
from what i heard they had alot of budget cuts this season and thats why alot of characters got written out like buttons, swede and ivan and then for sure alot of the crew bits were not as important especially with olu and jim which is disappointing.
yeah the deliberate writing choices were still there, though
I moved my rating down from 10 to 6.5
This season was awful. Izzy carried the whole show
I’m extremely passionate about this show. I love the characters so much. I agree with you about the pacing. The overall theme/tone of this season feels desperate. Like the characters are clinging to straws, trying to make decisions on a whim. I’m enjoying it personally, I think we have been given a pretty good run of episodes so far considering we only have eight episodes. But that’s the problem lol. Eight. We should’ve totally got more episodes to flesh out the characters and story. I really hope you enjoy the finale, I really hate hearing an overwhelming amount of negative comments about a show I love SO much and have such an attachment to. I was sort of dreading your video as I knew exactly what you’d say about it lol. Thank you for making these.
I completely agree with you. It’s painful to hear criticism about a show you love but it’s out of love 😭🫶
@@w1ndchas3r86 yeah!! I’m glad you agree. it’s still my silly pirate show I love so much despite everything going on this season!!
been refreshing your page every hour for the past few days in anticipation for this. man, am i disappointed in these recent episodes :(
It really seems they took the main character thing to literally and decided every other character was just a pawn to do or move or symbolize something with the end goal being just having background actors for two main characters. It's sad bc it's kinda a basic rule of writing to flesh out characters and make them seem human (as in: make them think and act like they believe they are themselves the main character of a story).
"My Stede Bonnet would never."
Me and my friends are scared they might fake us out with 'killing' Izzy as a cliffhanger to get a season 3 or something 🫤
At this point the only character I genuinely care about is Izzy
Same, he is the best
I wish they could've done half the things they did this season and filled the rest with fun character moments
Zheng was done so dirty
you are SOOOO right!! i dunno what is going on but they are really trying to make the audience pit against stede for no reason, when stede is literally suffering more than jesus LOL
my man changed himself because he thought that would make him loved yet he was ABANDONED he's so tragic, definition of a wet cat sleeping in a cardboard box
@@zemantler REALLLL!! not to mention his love for the crew being unrequited, like imagine ur crew killing the man u love but u still rescue them, care for them, say that 'we've been thru a lot together' and then they're leaving by ep 7
I see all the issues you rightly point out, but I too think it feels rushed by outside forces and like they are trying their best to hit the beats they need to for the story they had drawn up. I guess I am willing to give them a compassionate reading because I do love a lot about it still.
Don’t ever apologize for stating facts!!! I binged up to episode 7 on Friday and I was waiting for this upload. This is Izzy’s season and he is killing it. I feel like everyone else got sidelined compared to season 1.
I thought the polycule could have been cute if it was developed properly, but the execution was dreadful.
I was so upset with both Stede and Ed and you literally hit the nail on the head!!! I knew Stede being an asshole felt off. It really felt undercooked and out of character and it’s not that he can’t be an antagonist. It’s just all rushed and just came out of nowhere for me. I really dislike Ed this season and I understand the pain he went through in certain aspects, but it does not at all excuse his behavior and his sudden “redemption” is so frustrating. That sex scene felt so unearned and just not what either of them needed. The breakfast in bed was cute, but again I think Ed should have put his foot down and bring up the fact that they should really talk.
The missing episodes really show, but by the way they executed everything it feels like it would have not made things all that different. It feels like they all sat down and asked each other what they wanted to see this season and put it in a checklist without really developing it properly.
Season 2 felt more like a fanfiction or a bunch of theories and ideas for the second season off tumblr combined together
omg i thought i was the only one that felt like this season was a mess and i felt so bad for feeling that way because i saw so much positivity on tumblr about this season. I agree with you completely although i am curious what you think about the scene where izzy and stede talked at spanish jackie's about blackbeard. Izzy said that ed shot him when he told him he loved him but that is completely untrue, he shot him when he mentioned stede. now why would izzy lie here? maybe he didn't want stede to feel guilty? i literally have no clue
also yeah the whole polycule is so weird, what bothers me most is olu and zheng. i feel like after the crew left zheng's ship and until ep 7, we did not see olu even think once about zheng (i might be wrong) and now in ep 7 suddently he's been thinking about her non stop? huh?? did i miss something? also even when they were on zheng's ship, i feel like they literally talked like 3 times and only 1 being considered flirting (the you are a break in my day scene). i don't know. it just feels like they don't care about these characters at all. if they wanted this to happen they should've committed to it and not sort of half-ass it where it just seems like filler in an episode. what are your thoughts?
don't get me wrong, i still love this series, its one of my favourites. the jokes were so funny (the paper-azzi one especially) and i love the way the calypso's brithday scene was shot and lit, it was so beautiful, so please don't think i'm just hating on this show all together :) love your videos, see you next week!!
Hi doriclouds glad to see you under another video of mine! :D Yeah most people feel pretty positive about thjs season which i mean is fair, but I find it a bit weird. I feel like I've seen more hate for good omens s2 than ofmd s2 which feels insane.
Thats something that I actually thought about myself and plan on mentioning in the finale summary, because this is the second time Izzy lies in this season. Its really fucking weird. The first time is with the entire killing ed/mutiny situation. Izzy tells Stede that they didn't kill Ed, because he would never let that happen and that they abandoned him on a beach somewhere, BUT then the body is discovered in the secret passage and the entire blackbeard crew genuinely believes Ed is dead, thats why they didnt say otherwise and just waited for Zheng to kill them because of their mutiny. This was never adressed again tho? Also how did ed survive having a canon ball thrown on him? no one knows.
I thought about Olu and Zheng quite a bit these past days and Ive realized that they actually knew eachother BEFORE they started sailing together. Back at the soup shop. So that sounds better than like 3 interactions, but still not a lot. Their relationship feels very forced? I just genuinely dont understand why they would introduce new romantic interests for jim and olu in s2 when they had a perfect relationship set up in s1 and then proceed to half ass them. Why make a new bad relationship when you had a good one...???? I feel like im missing something.
Dont worry, its very obvious from your writing that youre passionate about the show and that you have love for it. I'm glad you enjoyed this video! See you next week!! :D
I think Izzy iust meant "I told him I loved him and it didn't stop him from shooting me minutes after" rather than "He shot me for saying I loved him".
I've seen a LOT of negativiy out there, especially in regards to the pacing, so your not alone.
Okay so I have some thoughts on season 2 as well. Like everything Until episode 3 was really well set up, like they could have worked with that, but they didn't. Like everything after episode 3 feels extremely rushed, and I wonder if they knew it would be 8 episodes or not. I have a lot of issues with how they handled Ed's character, and Ed's redemption arc, or lack thereof. I have the same thoughts on Stede as you have and *"My Stede Bonnet Would Never"* sums those thoughts up pretty well, but I would like to expand on that. Like Stede is set up as a passivist, "That was a warning shot" type of guy. And now he set a guy up in flames, and thought he could take on THE PIRATE QUEEN, after one day of being well liked, THE PIRATE QUEEN of all people. I also hate the way he treated her, after she was so nice to them in episode 2 and 3. Of course I get he was upset that she wasnted to kill the crew, but that's part of being a pirate and they had committed mutiny. But you think he would be more understanding. I also hate the way he responds to Izzy being shot and being mistreated by Ed in this episode. I severely dislike Stede in this Episode.
I agree with Izzy they do balance each other out, but now the scales are all messed up. It's not even that the roles are reversed, there just like messy. I still don't know what my opinions on the Sex scene is, but I hate the fact that Ed sees it as a mistake, because it means that somewhere in that scene, the communication went wrong. And I hate that for Ed, especially. It's supposed to be a romantic vulnerable moment, and for Ed to feel like that was a mistake because he opened up to quickly after he told Stede he wanted to take it slow, makes it feel like an impulse decision. But I'm still not entirely sure what it means for Stede. again *my stede bonnet would never* sums it up pretty nicley.
I would very much like a crew centered episode.
All in all I feel like your critiques are very well formulated, and they don't come from a place of malice or nitpickiness, but out of love for the show and wanting to see it succeed, and seeing it be all it could be. Amaizing video as always, can't wait to hear your thoughts on the finale🌈❤
Honestly, it feels like it would be better without the sex thing. And that weird, unreal and "I'll change myself for other people, and Ed" Stede. After this video, I'm imploring Ed didn't go "check" how Stede was feeling. I would like to see the deletion of this season and the creation of another one. I know that's impossible, and dramatic ("it's just a show" thing) but I can't even look at it anymore. Sorry for throwing my opinion (feelings) here. I can't take it anymore
This season was really bad. First, Olu and Jim aren't a pair anymore. They broke up... when? And they're just cool with the other being with other people? Didn't make any sense. And the whole season was rushed, badly written, and most people's favorite character is dead now.
i genuinely feel like there was an episode or two that they had cut and had to smush some things together, bc i really don't think that they would make mistakes like this bc they just forgot, y'know ?? with how much they cared for each character in season one it feels like the writers wouldn't willingly just leave fang and roach out if episodes like they have been if it weren't to make up for not seeing some side plot in a different episode like they did often in season one, and i hope if/when we get season three that they resolve a whole bunch of that
(completely agree with how you put all the points ofc, way better than i could've so i appreciate you for it /gen)
How I saw ed leaving is a little bit more like self sabotage. Like stede said he’s panicking and kinda contradicting himself (by saying there going to fast but then just deciding to become a fisherman out of nowhere.) He panicking that he be bringing stede down by asking him to retire with him, not letting him be the pirate he’s dreamed of being.( I like to think it’s little bit of panic from seeing stede get hurt and being worried that stede could die so deciding to get out while he can. But that’s kinda more headcanon, hehe.)
It’s the same thing stede did in the frist season with how he just assumed ed would be better off without him, not ever asking ed if that what he wanted. Because I feel like stede whole dream really wasn’t to be a pirate( I mean in season one he hated every typical piratey stuff.) I think stede thing is that he thinks this is what ed wants him to be(same thing ed doing, assuming what he wants.)
Same thing that everyone has in his life, to be less himself. ( I also think the coward comment is supposed to be a callback to season one, and is a bit of self reflection.)
You can clearly see where there was supposed to be more episodes (like with episode 5 to 6.) and it really upsetting to see all these amazing plots point that could have worked better and be more understandable if there was more time. (I like to think that the whole take it slow plot line is a jab at max haha.)
I still really like this season at least for the most part. But I still think that we can get a good season 3 out of this, even if it doesn’t fix everything . I’ve seen many show that have had weak seasons, go on to have an amazing one. There’s always one season you have to skip in a show lol. Also I would hate for a show with great queer rep to lose out on a 3rd season. Leting the big cooperation win and kill off this amazing show.❤️
Great video, love your points and analysis.
🤞for a good finale.
Haven’t even watched the video yet but ur the only person I’ve seen to give valid criticisms to the show so far so thank you
I’m so glad I’m not the only one who disliked this season.
Terrifying fan theory: the pacing is jacked this season so that they can use season 3 to do ✨history things✨ like having Bonnet get separated from Blackbeard and then having Bonnet hunt him down for revenge, only to get into a fight with the military, get mutinied against, and eventually get caught by said military.
with izzy i feel like we all knew this is where his character was heading, and personally i was really looking forward to it. but it was just too FAST. and now we’ve missed out on the journey of him GETTING there- which to me is the interesting part of a redemption arc. i just wish we would have had the juicy moments of his internal conflict and him slowly making connections and bonding with the crew. just so much potential skipped over :(((
and with the season as a whole i totally agree. after eps 1-3 the pacing was GONE. and characters like roach and frenchie start to feel a bit like parodies of themselves in season one. it feels like they’re relying way too heavily on the actors (who are slaying!!!!) and just letting the writing fall to the wayside. sad after the tightness of the script in season 1
you were spitting bars in this vid fr
I really enjoyed the season so far, the pride-Calypso's-birthday-drag-show was *amazing !* but... I agree with all you had to say. Which sucks, because I really want this show to be good, satisfying, well written... I hope we'll get a good final episode, fingers crossed.
Thank God someone said it. I'm dreading tomorrow, Ze. Dreading it.
Idk. Last season, I felt like they had a whole seasons worth of drama in the last episode, which I appreciated. I then watched the Good Place between seasons. If you don't know, that show has a seasons worth in every single episode. After all that, this show feels normal. And I'm pretty sure us feeling like it's too fast paced is supposed to reflect how the characters are feeling about it as well. Moving too fast. Like, it's a byproduct of the story they are trying to tell. 🤔
Pacing is still atrocious tho, but the funny feeling I had about it went away halfway thru the first episode lol.
I think this story could have been done in two seasons, I think it lacked deepness and slow burn like season 1.
I think the pacing is symbolic, there is a lot of symbolism in the show related to time
I am enjoying this season so far, but I like hearing what you have to say. I like to enjoy things while acknowledging the flaws in things I like because it helps me understand it better.
I agree this season isnt great but I blame the network mainly for cutting the amount of episodes they have. 😢
You don't need to be nice about it. The show has gone of the deep end completely. The writing is messy, the storylines are rushed, and the heart that was there in season one is totally gone. But the thing is that it does not really matter. As is the trend of the season, all these valid issues will be resolved in a rush with the characters going through a quick emotional resolution that will make the audience clap and be happy because 'yay gay pirates are together' again. I'm not sure if some of the disaster of the season is due to the fact that the OFMD team know the loyalty and grace the fandom would have for them if they had to fudge some things quickly. But I would think with the success and acclaim they had from season one as a breakout queer show that they would have taken the time to show more consideration to the emotional storylines of the season. Queer relationships are still so new in mainstream media and to show so much dysfunction as laughs with the titular characters is very... sadly I can't say I'm surprised.
I think it’s a matter of budget? Like everyone sitting out and stuff. But I honestly feel like Ed’s arc makes sense? I totally understand where you’re coming from tho
Amen to most of what you said. Definitely not my Stede.
I disagreed with you last video, fully on board now! It bothers me that we got Mary in season one, her own person, her own life. Now we get cardboard cut-out Archie with "she was in a snake cult!" as her whole personality. Zheng being all "aww it's OK sweetie" to Olu, Spanish Jackie with "I love being betrayed, it's so hot" to The Swede. It's like they put all their effort into Mary, and now they can relax and go back to the tired tropes. I have so many complaints based on the last two episodes that I could write an essay. I still love the show but I hope they manage to clean up the mess even a little with the finale.
I’ve been loving it, but I understand when a show no longer works for you. You’re 💯 entitled to your views. There’s another show that I absolutely LOATHED the second season. I don’t want to deal with fans who tell me I’m wrong, so I keep my virtual mouth shut because no else seems to share my pov. So applaud you standing by your views. ❤
a big thank you for the great video. hope to hear from you after the final episode
The fact that they agreed to tske it slow and literally that following night after Stede killed that guy 💀💀💀 it just makes me really sad for Stede and Ed because it's not like Ed doesn't want to be with Stede, we clearly saw him in season 1 when he was "all in". I feel like Stede kinda over stepped a boundary when he kissed Ed after he killed the guy, and I defiantly agree that maybe Ed did that to make Stede feel better (although I hate thinking that too) and yk he thought that things were going too fast for him.
Im glad i found your videos, something about the season just felt off to me but i couldn't find anyone talking about it.
I think because of budget cuts, it makes sense that it feels cramped. But I also do think the character development makes a decent amount of sense to me, because for example, the reason Ed is leaving stede makes sense in a way, he left behind his blackbeard identity in a rush because he didnt want to be the guy who kills and hurts people anymore, but realizes that's not true and he shouldn't throw out his identity, and at the same time, he doesn't know how to handle stede having all this fame. Neither does stede, which is why he was acting like that, nobody (as in: Big groups of new people) has treated him kindly before so he doesn't really know how to handle it and took it on to strongly, which lead to him being kind of a dick to ed. But I think all will be well, and in total I'm personally enjoying this season!
I also don't think Ed actually regrets doing it (seggs), but I think he is just confused and having a really bad identity crisis, and so is Stede!
P.S: I personally headcanon Ed as demisexual :)
I am still hopeful for Season 3 but I have to agree with you on some points. Like what the eff are they doing with Jim and Olu and Archie? They could have really made a great stable polycule and instead they wanna break Jim and Olu up again even though they JUST got back together.
Also yeah I'm not too thrilled with Ed this season. Now I will say that Ed isn't that great with emotions, so I wanna say that's because he's so casual with how he's treating the crew after treating them like crap. But that's not what it seems here. The writing here overall hasn't been the best but I still enjoy the show and hope that the finale and season 3 are better.
4:33 his son figure :)))))))))
Ok, i get that there are some rushed eliments..But, i honestly think the firsst 6 episodes have been pretty grand. I think the show has done so good at makeing Izzy so human, the crew so close, it just feels right to see the crew come together. There is only 1 peoblem i see, which i think is more of a paceing problem, would be Stede, which only applys to the last episode and the ending to episode 6. I think Stede killing the guy was kind out of no where, and it felt like a major mood shift from such a fun party episode. And I felt that episode 7 wasnt that fun to watch, Stede and Ed just kinda do stupid stuff within 2 scenes, and it felt like nothing really happened to cause them to break up. Im glad they showed it, cause yeah they do need to adress there opposite life goals, i just think this season. eeded 9 to tell Stedes side better, rather than 8.
Season three hasnt even been confirmed. Why are people assuming at the time the streaming wars are at their peak that this show is a guaranteed renew?
I agree on so much of what u said. Especially the dramatic changes of Steeds character. I think his villain arc was set up in the scene of him killing Ned Low. But that was so rushed with very little buildup, so the whole scene just felt very flat and didn't leave much room to see what Steed was going through. I really hope the last episode will have better pacing, and Steed acts more like himself again.
oh gosh you are so real for saying this!!! The last episode felt soo off in a way i couldn't funny descride and you've woorded most of my concerns in a brilliant way! I may disagree with some stuff, like i think they crew doesent have That much less screen time then s1. We have the scene with ed and fang, the whole thing with buttons, frenchies peanut allergy and if something does need to be cut i think shinanigans are the best way to do that. And i dont think my issue is that Olu and Jim aren't together, it's that they gave them 1 (one!!!) solo scene! They were literally the most important charecters in s1 after Stede ans Ed (like fr i'm pretty izzy was les important than Jim) and now This is what the get?! Thank youu for the video and i'll be back to yell about the finale
I really think Izzy and Wee John might become a couple. Izzy was surprisingly open to letting Wee John do his "look". Then the way Izzy kissed his hand. Idk I think they'd be great together.
Izzy's dead though. ☹️
@@MoonMusicOwl Yeah I commented this before the finale :'( Rip Izzy Hands
OMG, I’ve been hearing things through the grapevine about the finale…..genuinely hope you’re doing okay 🤝🫂
honestly so much of this is true and good, fair points!!! i see the fandom putting a lot of the blame on the pacing/smaller budget (which, you know, correct) but also i feel like the writers could have done a better job handling everything. having stede slowly get more aggressive is honestly an amazing and simple idea that i'm surprised they didn't incorporate in the show in the first place. even with the scene in e5 where stede shoots at the sky, i think it couldve massively improved the scene if you see hesitance in stedes aim, like he initially aims at the sailor before firing at the sky. to show that he really considers it. i love that stede gets angry to the point of violence when it comes to others being harmed and not him, though. makes him very interesting.
i'm so sad about what the fuck is happening with ed, he's probably my favourite (and most relatable) character in the show, and i was really excited to see what kind of arc they give him this season... he's super funny as always but i just really wish they gave him more. make him seem like he actually cares about the crew instead of just what stede thinks! like, make the nonchalance he shows in e4-5 a mask to hide how much he cares maybe? or play into the fact that he doesn't care as much as he should, and he knows it? i don't know.
i think they're focusing so much on the relationship this season because thats the main part of the show, but they're forgetting to put detail into the characters and other arcs. i don't wanna get started on everything happening with the crew. so, so many great ideas for s2 just executed in a way that makes me a bit disappointed. i did still scream my head off at the moon-kiss scene in e5, and the fact they fuck nasty in e6 (which is a scene that i dont mind as much happening, but thats mostly from me obsessively psychoanalyzing those two old fucks and i still agree it should've been done better), but everything feels a bit too much like fanfiction, where you focus on the romance and not really anything else.
love your videos!! you really help me consider other perspectives and i love your take on things, even if i don't always agree. hope to see you next week!
i mean i am personally loving ofmd season 2 but i see what you mean
I like your video and think that you are right about most of the things you pointed. I think this season would be so great if they had more episodes, like they put so many things on this season: queen pirate, rick no nose, the retired couple in the island, the guy with the violin and didn't developed well any of it. The part that made this serie feel like cozy and friendly was the crew, but they just fucked all this.
It’s going to fast, I was happy when Ed said he wanted to take things slow and thought they would focus on villains this season and rebuilding their relationship (not friendship) the next but basically just an episode after that they fuck and it’s so out of the blue that I didn’t know how to feel! Then the whole Ed regrets it just makes it feel icky because stede was the one who wanted to start and not Ed
I agree there are things that could be more organically made, but I don't think it's a bad season, tbh. I think the main problem is that 8 episodes of 20 minutes it's like........ very little time
I honestly enjoyed both episodes even though during the e7 I felt like something was wrong. Now after I watched your video (which I do every week after new episodes has been released) I do agree with the point's you've made.
I have to admit that I liked the dialog Ed and Stede had when Ned was torturing them. I wish we saw more of a team work when the try to cooperate to save everyone else on the ship. Like Blackbeard praising Stede after, cause he'd realise that Stede was insecure of "not being enough of a pirate for Ed" (cause they've never openly discussed it) And the whole scene of Ned's death to be longer and much more impactful. I'd want him to get under Stede's skin and maje him doubt himself all over again and Ed trying to talk some sense into him. Ned really doesn't feel like a character who would let himself die without causing a big mess and a bloody drama. I'd want it to become obvious for the us as viewers in that very scene that something's still broken inside of Stede's mind, like time has passed but he didn't magically become confident as the episode with the red jacket tried to make us believe. He still has self esteem issues that would cause him stepping in his ✨ reputation ✨ era. And while Ed trying to talk to him about denying that there's a problem. That and Stede becoming an absolute asshole could trigger some memories and the feeling of guilt Ed was trying to suppress so hard which would cause him leaving. AND it would also be a great parallel to season one, like people at Jackie's praising them both and Ed going all "what have I turned him into?" like stede did.
To some up I feel like Stede's killing someone was quite expected that's, but everything that's happened and most importantly how it happened after I disagree with. I also really didn't like the fact that the first time they slept with each other was so soulless and caused by Stede getting a new trauma and Ed saying nothing about it CAUSE HE WAS THE ONE who didn't want things to go to fast and that was just f-ing rushed!
So so unrelated but I love ur wall (paul dano>>>>)
I too look forward to your vids. You're so thoughtful and I truly appreciate your insight and delineation of this amazing show. You are so right, this season seems so rushed and off the mark with so many of the characters. I truly hope they clean this mess up. Keep up the great work.
hello! There is nothing wrong with finding flaws in the series we like. Hannibal is one of my favorite series and I was never blind to its mistakes.
For my part, I understand the path that Ed and Stede are following, they don't seem out of character to me at all. But the pace is crazy, and I fear that in addition to "hindering" the development of the crew, it will also influence how the relationship between them is perceived. until next week!
thank you for these videos. for bringing DISCOURSE to those of us who are too afraid to dig for it themselves.
i am very aware of what happens to me when i enter a fandom, so i try my best at not reviving my tumblr account (i’m a recovering otayuri survivor). my bday party this year is pirate themed already, going deeper will ruin everything.
so thank you again for letting me stay afloat with no fomo.
as per the show, i gave up on any logic or notmal character development and decided that if this season is pure insanity i will try to enjoy it for that (raised on glee, it’s quite familiar)
first of all this comment is long sorry
secondly why do i treat fandom as an illness and praise myself for trying to recover
third really like your vids keep going!!
(early) Happy birthday!!!
But wait... I realize asexuality is a spectrum and that Ed having sex with Stede doesn't necessarily imply he's not asexual. But when Ed is in the "gravy basket" (grave casket?) and his vision of Hornigold asks him: "What do you like about living?" and directs him to answer "without thinking", the literally third thing Ed lists is intercourse, going on to detail how important the orgasm part of that is. It's in his Top 3. Am I crazy for saying that sounds pretty sexual / sexually oriented to me?
What is this about him being asexual?
Ed leaving Stede just like that came out of nowhere it gave me whiplash. It felt really forced. I see the writers did it to mirror Stede leaving Ed in season 1’s finale.
Ed was being a coward - he ran away refusing to talk about it with Stede. It’s Ed that’s at fault here.
Stede’s flaw was overestimating his abilities and opting to use brute force, which is not his strong suit. He’d usually be wiser than fighting with Zheng but he was heartbroken and drunk
i feel like this season has lost the charm and whimsy of the first season... the stark differences between ed and stede, along with their cartoonishness, were the most enjoyable part to me, but i feel like that has disappeared! Yeah yeah, it has to do with character development and everything like that, but i just feel like it all flipped over in a matter of days!