OFMD

It's something of a joke, not particularly serious; it's diminished to simply being 'hot' for each other, nothing more than that.

Making it all the more significant when Ed steps in, kills those haters dead, and we hear Ed's voice speaking the lines Stede has written.

Though these are Stede's words, it's now abundantly clear that throughout it all, a part of Ed has always shared those same sentiments.

Finally, Izzy recognises that Stede's 'magic' is inherently good.

Stede encourages Ed to turn his guilt-treasure poison into positivity, and it helps create something so beautiful here in the Calypso's Birthday/Pride Party moment.

For just a second, it's like his subconscious has automatically responded to hearing something that pairs him with Stede.

He undoubtedly remembers all those moments that united them in the first place.

Most likely it would've been Roach or Jim who delivered it. They're both good climbers and the food is on a blanket, meaning it would be easy to wrap up and carry!

If it was on a tray, then the Stede-hoist probably would've been the more stable transport choice.

• Ed- begrudgingly accepts he/him. but is secretly delighted with they/them (or even the occasional she/her)

• Stede- tricky. gender identity is a real sore subject here. but after working through that, would likely be chill with he/they.

• Izzy- aggressively he/him S1. but S2 would reluctantly mutter they're good with she/they aswell.

• Lucius- he/him. but prefers femme terms (hey girl as opposed to hey dude)

• Jim- they/them ofc. a she/her may risk possible stabbing. but is cool with he/him too.

• Wee John - they/them out of drag. she/her in drag. classic. iconic.

• Olu- he/him. but would see the occasional they/she as a compliment.

• Roach- preferably doctor/chef. gendered pronouns are boring !!

• Frenchie- he/him. unless it's for a scheme. then whichever will yield the best success (and he has our full support here considering his usual targets)

• Pete- pretty much solely he/him. would be confused if any others were used for him.

• The Swede- totally chill with whatever. won't even notice.

• Archie - usually they/she. but doesn't understand the concept. they would ask what a 'professional noun' is.

• Buttons - does understand the concept. doesn't care about it. any and all pronouns accepted.

• Fang - tends towards they/them. but would never be mad at you for an accidental misgender.

• Ivan- listen..if ur gonna have a half-shaved head tattooed with a moon....those are some real she/they vibes.

• Spanish Jackie - gotta say she/they. her outfits always give gorgeously feminine. but with a twist of gender fuckery. and because it also makes all of her husbands a lil bit gay.

• Zheng- femme icon. she/her proudly.

• Auntie - expects she/her. but chill with they/them too. would see he/him as an insult (she is obvs superior to a man)

When we see just one of them in shot, it usually suggests there's some kind of disconnect between them. Whether that's emotional distance or physical or both, it's always used consciously.

In the Dream Beach scene, their conversation only shows one of them at a time. It appears romantic (classic Stede) but in reality we know there's a big disconnect between them at this time.

Compare it to this unused shot of the same scene - particularly the points of contact between them - it creates much more depth and emotion. It seems more real.

We see it in the morning-after scene, and the Real Beach scene too. Emotionally, they're a lot closer now. They are also acting to each other, not to camera, and it truly rounds out the moment.

When we see both of them together, when the actors are actually looking at each other, it has a greater impact and that's deliberate!

It would be enough of a Lovely Moment when Stede compliments Ed, but the turn-back is really what cements it as a Romantic Moment.

(Very high, apparently)

Even when the odds are against them, Ed and Stede still find each other somehow. It's also kind of a lovely moment to see Ed realising this too - though it is a little begrudgingly here - that something will always bring them together.

We have problematic lesbians! Murder plotting widows! A nonbinary assassin! A killer nun! Pirate queens!

Zheng, Auntie, Jackie, Jim, Mary, and Archie are all featured significantly. But this extends to Nana, Evelyn, Hellkat Maggie, Mary Read and Anne Bonny too. Every single one of them has, in some way, rejected their social/patriarchal expectations and they have all flourished because of it.

Even the characters we only see for one episode manage to be presented in a way that is pretty much entirely complete. We understand exactly who they are, even when we don't know every aspect of their lives.

Yet Stede has both.

Obviously because he literally dived off the ship and swam across to try and find Ed, so he does indeed require drying off and warming up.

But it also serves to show us how Stede's personal circumstances are a unique blend of both experiences. Though he didn't suffer in the same ways that Jim, Fang, Frenchie, Archie, and Izzy did, he undeniably has suffered as a result of his and Ed's breakup, in a way that Olu, Buttons, Wee John, Pete, and Roach did not.

So we see him in the uniform of Zheng's ship as half the crew are and at the same time we see him wrapped up in towels as the rest of the crew are.

Buttons is running around naked! The Swede is hiding in a barrel! Frenchie decides this is the perfect time to play his lute!

And their main targets - Blackbeard and Stede - completely ignore the chaos in favour of gazing adoringly into each other's eyes.

'The bill has come due....but pirates don't pay.'