WARNING! Contains SPOILERS for the first three episodes of Our Flag Means Death season 2!
Our Flag Means Death season 2 opens with a bang, especially when it comes to Ed’s actions toward Izzy. In season 1, first mate Izzy Hands (Con O’Neill) tells Edward Teach (Taika Waititi), a.k.a. the notorious Captain Blackbeard, all about Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby), the gentleman-turned-pirate. Bored with his line of work and upset that no one dares to challenge him, Ed takes an interest in Stede and sends Izzy to find the newly minted captain of the Revenge. After meeting, Blackbeard insists Stede teach him his aristocratic ways in exchange for some lessons in piracy. It’s this deal that first fractures Ed and Izzy’s relationship.
When an angry Izzy calls Ed a “shell” of his former self, the pirate captain reveals his plan to steal Stede’s identity. But when romance blossoms between Ed and Stede, the once-ruthless Blackbeard hesitates. In turn, Izzy challenges Stede to a duel, hoping to either kill him or banish him from the Revenge. Although Izzy’s plan backfires, Stede and Ed’s breakup brings the first mate back into the fold. He calls Ed out for being too soft and encourages the captain to revert to his ultra-violent persona. When Our Flag Means Death season 2 picks up, Ed and Izzy are still at odds, leading to Ed’s shocking decision.
Why Ed Tries To Kill Izzy In Our Flag Means Death Season 2
Miserable without Stede, a heartbroken Ed finds some relief in the violent ways that made him such a revered pirate in the first place, including shooting Izzy. After ruthlessly killing all the guests at an on-sea wedding, Blackbeard’s crew can’t help but feel that Ed has swung too far in the other direction. When Jim (Vico Ortiz) and the rest of the crew tell Izzy that they “think you’re in an unhealthy relationship with Blackbeard,” the pirates discuss their toxic workplace. However, an unhinged, lovesick Ed isn’t interested in talking things out. Instead, he pulls out a gun, asking each of the crew if they have issues with the alleged “toxic atmosphere.“
Staring down the barrel of Blackbeard’s pistol makes most of the crew too afraid to speak their minds, but First Mate Izzy Hands is the exception. He bluntly tells Ed that the terrible atmosphere aboard the revenge boils down to “Your feelings for Stede f***in’ Bonnet!” Without hesitation, Ed shoots Izzy for his remarks. While Izzy writhes on the deck, Blackbeard makes Frenchie (Joel Fry) his new first mate and instructs him to “deal with this mess.” The crew bands together and stows a wounded Izzy below deck. Of course, Ed eventually realizes his crew’s betrayal and confronts Izzy, who lost a limb to infection, at gunpoint once again.
What Ed Giving Izzy His Gun Means For Our Flag Means Death Season 2’s Story
Despite all his talk of ruthlessness, Ed isn’t able to kill Izzy. In a major Our Flag Means Death season 2 moment, Ed hands Izzy the pistol and tells him to finish the job. Before Ed leaves, his former first mate chides him, saying he’s never been able to deal with his own messes. Much of Our Flag Means Death centers around the friction between ambition and action; while Ed may have grand schemes, he rarely follows through, often leaving his crew (and Izzy) to pick up the pieces. Despite acting the part, Ed isn’t Blackbeard anymore and, when he hands over the pistol, Ed is quietly admitting as much.
