Our Flag Means Death

:

Season 2
  • Network: HBO Max
  • Series Premiere Date: Mar 3, 2022
Season #: 2, 1
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16

Critic Reviews

  1. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Roxana Hadadi
    Oct 5, 2023
    60
    The prevailing emphasis on Stede and Ed also creates an irregular pace that does a disservice to the supporting characters by first meandering and then sprinting through story lines involving them; a cliffhanger ending for seventh episode “Man on Fire,” the last one provided for review, probably would have had more impact if the crew drama leading up to it felt less abrupt.
  2. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Mike Hale
    Oct 4, 2023
    50
    While that undercooked romance is still played for laughs in minor ways, we are now asked to care about it in a way that’s ruinous for the comedy. Darby, a talented comedian, and Waititi, who as a performer has charisma but not a lot of range, work hard but can’t bring much genuine feeling to a relationship that functioned better in cardboard form. The shift in focus also takes time and impact away from the rest of the very capable cast of regulars.
  3. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Nina Metz
    Oct 4, 2023
    50
    It’s not so much that a rom-com can’t or shouldn’t be built around these two men, but that it so clearly prefers to look away from their inconvenient truths. The show’s initial outing at least offered a few comedic jabs in the direction of colonialism, but it was only willing to go so far. The new season doesn’t even bother. Instead, “Our Flag Means Death” erases this moral atrocity [slave owning] altogether.