I have digested episode 6 and 7 and taken some time to think and my overall feeling about the episodes is this:
Discomfort. And I think that's the takeaway we're meant to have.
The circumstances under which Ed and Stede for slept together feel off and I feel this is by design.
This wasn't, 'I love you, lets share this as an expression of our love and trust when we are both ready and willing.' It was 'Help me, I just murdered someone and I need to feel anything other than what I feel right now.'
But Ed loves Stede and he knew they were headed here anyway right? A bit more time wouldn't matter and Stede needs him right now so, yeah. Lets do this.
It is very telling that they don't speak. There's silent communication, a desperate grab, a wall slam, a pleading look, a nod and then they fall into it.
Stede didn't speak at all because he knew if he did he would have to let himself feel everything he was avoiding.
Ed didn't speak because he tried and Stede shut it down.
The night was beautiful and I don't doubt they had fun. But it was missing something.
No Gnossiene number 5. Because it was sex. Not lovemaking.
The framing of Ed having his back against a wall, and then the only other scene we see, they are not deepening that passion, but instead we watch as they pause with Ed sitting on the bed watching Stede close a curtain on them both... Oof.
The thing that sticks out to me in Episode 7 is that Ed and Stede are always apart from that point forward. There is a heap of distance between them on the bed. They sit apart at the bar. They moved too quickly, never got fully comfortable with each other and now they've retreated back to their respective comfort levels as they were before they had sex and it's discordant and feels weird, because it's supposed to.
After the euphoria of them finally having sex has worn off, I am afraid I have to agree with Ed.
They would both have been better off if they talked about how Stede was feeling, if Stede hadn't shut Ed down when he tried to open a dialogue. I'm not blaming Stede, please understand, there were two consenting parties here and Ed could have shaken his head at Stede just as easily, but he's still bad at communicating his boundaries and knowing what he wants.
The show intentionally gave us:
-Here's Ed learning patience is important when you really want something.
-Here's Ed communicating that to Stede.
-Here's Stede and Ed forgetting that lesson because Stede is in pain.
-Here's a demonstration of why this isn't a good thing.
We wanted a mature relationship for these two and now we must wear the consequences.
Sigh, bring on the 'sure to be devestating' finale.