#ivan lives!

I have a wild show theory that affects nothing by being true!

As we know, HBO/Max cut the show budget by 40%, so they cut Ivan (no unfounded conspiracy theories here, plz). Because of this cost cutting measure, Ivan was disposed of offscreen.

Since he disappeared offscreen and the crew is bad at telling when people are actually dead (see Ed in 2x3), I assume Ivan easily faked his death and took his gold teeth collection to fund his lifestyle and peaced out when the vibes deteriorated too much.

Shine on, my friend.

Everyone think he's dead, so they still have that character moment in that reality, so the story stays as it is! Ivan is off enjoying a fun retirement with a lone regret of making his bro Fangy cry.

BuT iZzY, is where a theory like that doesn't work.

First of all, Izzy is an abuser, and Ivan did nothing wrong in his life ever. Izzy's death allows Ed to move on with his life, and it cheapens the end of S2 (and the fallout that will be in S3). Other antagonists like Nigel, Chauncey, Calico Jack, Ned Low, and Mr. Hot and Bothered who tried to kill the main characters (Ed and Stede) aren't going to return, either, sorriez.

Secondly, Zheng, Auntie, and Jackie were present when Izzy finally died, and they wouldn't let a misdiagnosed death slip by them. In my theory, Ivan wouldn't have been able to fake his death if any of these three were around.

Thirdly, in one final season, we have tons of either characters that need closure whose stories were put on hold to try to build sympathy for Izzy's death. "Somehow Izzy returned!" would rob the main story (Ed and Stede) and any closure for the other characters (crew of The Revenge, Zheng, Auntie, Jackie, that whole pirate community, etc.). I can imagine Ivan off in retirement all I want; he was there to fill out Ed's side of the story, but he wasn't interconnected with Ed's characterization.