I have been thinking that what happened with Ned Low was the final nail in Ed's "I really don't want to be a pirate anymore" coffin. Like he was unhappy with it before he met Stede, and maybe he thought that with Stede back he might find some joy in it again, but with how desperate he was to protect Stede, and how much he didn't want to see Stede traumatized like he was by killing, it made him realize that pirating with Stede would just be a life of fearing having to see Stede hurt or killed.

I was somewhat irritated by the dynamic, not because it was polyamorous, but because it looked more to me like Olu was so invested in Jim all of last season and then seemed to cool off pretty suddenly, while Jim pushing Olu back towards Zheng felt to me like they (Jim) were actually more interested in Archie and getting those two together was an easy way for them (Jim) to get out of their situation with Olu more smoothly. If it is intended to be polyamorous, I‘m not seeing the necessary emotional investment by those involved this season. I‘m not sure how much of any of this Archie even gets, I think she‘s just happy to be boinking with Jim. EDIT: I accidentally fudged some pronouns, but a commenter kindly pointed it out to me, so I went back and fixed it.

​@@hannahg.8572Jim's pronouns are they/them, not she/her

@@hannahg.8572 For me, I wasn't irritated, I just couldn't see it. Like, I'm not calling out the idea of a poly relationship being bad. It's looked like it wasn't there, at all, but was assumed in a different perspective. Like you said, the relationship focused more on Oluwande and Jim in season 1. And then season 2 came with Archie coming in the picture out of nowhere, and I'm still wondering how she even got on the boat in the first place. And despite of that kiss and other "details" Jim mentioned, it felt less of a romantic relationship and more of a fling, like a friends-with-benefits moment. Not to mention, even though I love her, Zheng basically brings herself out to Oluwande, making it obvious how much she wants to be with a guy she doesn't know as much as Jim. Although, good to know she has good taste as Oluwande is a sweetheart. So, yeah, I agree. In comparison to Ed and Stede's relationship, as well Black Pete and Lucius' engagement, there is no emotional development between the four that could make a poly relationship happen. Nor were there any conversations for them to talk and express on the idea of being a poly. And as you also mentioned, it does look like Jim is pushing for Oluwande to be with Zheng, making it seem like what they were doing last season, and what they could have developed together went out into the water and just stick with being friends alone. Making only pairs of Jim with Archie, and Oluwande with Zheng. Even that moment with Izzy singing and the three holding each other in a dance had me see them more like friends, holding on to each other for fun, especially when I know that can be done between friends. Yeah. So, whether or not the poly idea is intentional, I personally don't think it was well explained or well executed. It acted like it was slapped on to the show without any development, just letting it be done to satisfy the audience, especially those who claim themselves as poly. I love the characters, truly, but to me, personally, there's only flings and friendships involving the four.

I was digging the poly too, but then episode 7. Olu went from missing Jim so bad he couldn't keep sleeping in their bedroom to being fine leaving them to be with Zheng who he barely knows. So Olu and Jim just lost interest in each other romantically after they were separated... which is a let down if you shipped them. As for the waste of screen time, yeah, I think they had a hell of a time balancing out the ensemble cast with how little run time they had this season. The problem is that the shifting dynamics between those 4 need MORE screen time and development to be compelling. There's so much else happening that the newly introduced relationships seem pointless. Also, Zheng and Olu's relationship is threatening to further break up the found family dynamic people loved about season 1 (on top of several characters being written out) so I wouldn't be surprised if that sours things more for fans. Even if it looks like ep 8 could fix it.

For me it's definitely less about them having other partners than it is what appears to be a complete lack of romantic relationship at all anymore? They were built up so much last season and we never really got any explanation as to why they didn't go back to that when they reunited? I was kind of assuming (and excited about) an Olu/Archie/Jim throuple, but when Olu was ready to just leave, and Archie said Jim and Olu were "family who fucked" (with fucked being past tense, making it seem like Jim and Olu have gone back to a platonic relationship), that is what upset me. I feel like they built up so much love between Jim and Olu in the last season, and they just kind of dropped it and gave them both new partners who are great, but who they've not got nearly as deep of a connection with yet.

Right?!? After that GO finale I just need for Ed and Stede’s relationship to GO MY FUCKING WAY THIS TIME!!!!

Yeahhh I'm honestly I'm a bit annoyed by the miscommunication tropes, but whatever. There's five million straight ships out there that have constant will they won't they, might as well have it with gay ships as well 😮‍💨

@@kellifranklin9872 Yeah, the Good Omens finale was devastating. When I watched it, I immediately created a headcanon where they were both happy about being in love, and decided to be together no matter what; and I don't care, that's the real version to me until next season. Our Flag Means Death still has the last episode to fix this mess, but I don't have much hope, because these shows do love their drama, and their cliffhangers. 😒

@@gilly_axolotl Yeah, I guess it IS miscommunication. No wonder this didn't sit right with me, I fucking hate this trope in any kind of story, straight or queer. Ugh.

Yeah, I came here to say exactly this. They live on a safe space ship, but there's still homophobia in the world

I literally vibed so hard with the insular world of their crew that for a second I forgot homophobia existed 💀

@@GaywatchI legit thought it didn’t exist in the show 🤣

No, the Revenge didn't ally with Zheng Yi Sao. Stede basically stole the Revenge from her. And even when this wasn't clear earlier, it became pretty obvious when Stede confronted her at Jackie's.