it was narratively very justified actually. this season focused on ed, whose biggest dream has always been to finally leave the persona of blackbeard and the pirate life behind. but "blackbeard" isn't just ed-- ed is the face but izzy is the brains behind the operation. izzy is an antagonist and he has hurt ed immensely. everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but i very strongly think that everything izzy went through this season was him reaping what he'd sowed in order for ed to finally move on, it was necessary for izzy to leave. the blackbeard in ed died a long time ago, and as izzy finds his own identity in this season, he slowly starts leaving the blackbeard sides of himself as well. but if there's no blackbeard, there's no one for izzy to control or guard this story is about stede and ed's love, and izzy, who's always been a huge obstacle, finally recognizes how perfect they are for each other. izzy's entire purpose as a character is to serve ed's narrative, and with all this growth in the bag, the narrative required him to go. otherwise everything would have remained stagnant and stede & ed wouldn't have left the ship the writers probably planned for izzy to die from the very second he was conceived as a character. this season worked as a beautiful send-off since he got to actually find his place in the ship and grow as a person. not a lot of characters (especially antagonists) get to have that. david and all other writers should be thanked for their gentle treatment of izzy, not hated

@@heavymellow87 you put it together well- Izzy's redemption arc was masterful. The second I loved him I knew he was going to die

You know seeing it like this. It makes sense. I think it's just the fact they had two seasons really. If they had taken the events and stretched it out over two seasons, it would feel more justifiable for his death. Like you had more time to spend with the crew as they grew and healed. Then rip our hearts out in a third season.