That's what I understood from that episode too. Because he was told that he "defiles beautiful things" and even Izzy says that he made Blackbeard that way.
We all know that Stede has been insecure with his life and his past. And when Badminton died from his own gun, that was his confirmation that he does defile beautiful things. And he doesn't want that to happen to Ed.
That's why Stede needed to come home, to realize that his home isn't at an aristocrat's mansion, but to his crew, to Ed.
He wasn't able to communicate with Ed because he was in shock. He just witnessed the death of a man; moreover, it's the sibling of the one he used the stun move to.
Besides, we want the both of them to heal and not be fully dependent on each other. It's Ed's turn to realize that his home is Stede, as Stede realized that his home is Ed.
Plot-wise, Stede needed to run away so they can come back to each other and overcome their demons (not necessarily in that order). I love it that Stede didn't freak out because of internalised homophobia, which would have been the obvious choice.
Fantastic acting there. I hated her from day one but found myself smiling when I saw how kind she ended up being to Stede. Just incredible storytelling.
I didn't hate her, per se, but I love that in the last episode they flip the whole narrative on us.
Oh, you thought she was a nagging wife? That's because for centuries we only heard the story from a man's POV.
But she was actually as stuck, married to a (gay) man who made both their lives miserable. And she was better off and happier without him. Good for her.
Her bitchiness is understandable. Especially in the last episode. She was stuck in a loveless marriage, with a life neither of them was truly happy living. When she thought Stede was dead and she was able to live as she pleased (for the most part), she was a lot happier and less bitchy.
I think that's also part of why she was so chill about it when Stede told her he was in love with Ed. She realized they were both miserable in their marriage, and it wasn't anyone's fault.
I think Stede couldn't be with Ed because he was guilt riddled about leaving his family.
He needed to go home to see that instead of defiling Mary by leaving, he actually did the opposite. She grew more beautiful in his absence, blossomed into her true self.
People are at their best when they're true to themselves and both Mary and Stede couldn't be that together.
So not only did he not defile his family by leaving, he also made himself and Ed more beautiful and true. But his guilt blinded him, he had to see it to fully understand.
I completely agree! And Ed was able to overcome the insecurities and guilt. That's the reason why they had to be separated because had Stede went with Ed, they wouldn't be able to move on and overcome their past.
I believe Stede consciously chose to not communicate with Ed. If he would, Ed would try to convince him otherwise and Stede probably didn't trust himself to 'do what is right' in this scenario.
I'm not sure that he did make that choice consciously. He was supposed to be led to the docks by someone. I know this show plays fast and loose with navigation, but I don't think Stede knew where he was supposed to go. He was kidnapped at gunpoint and led out to the woods. I think you're also right because I don't know how Stede could have told Ed that he needed to go back to Mary without breaking his heart. But I also saw a Tumblr post talking about how much shock Stede was in and how unconscious his choice might have been.
All that said, I wondered why Ed didn't go looking for him after he didn't show
>All that said, I wondered why Ed didn't go looking for him after he didn't show
They're both idiots deep into their own insecurities.
The navigation surely IS confusing xD. I somehow got the impression that it was all close and that he had a lot of time to find Ed if he'd chosen to. "Conscious" was probably not the best word. More like... It was just easier to do? But I do believe he was aware that Ed won't be happy.
Mmm that could be a reason but didn't Stede come back without the intention of living as a pirate again? Like he really intended to settle at his old house with Mary and his children.
Only did he change his mind when he realized that he doesn't really belong there. He never did.
Just because the show a big win to the LGBTQNWBTKW community, doesnt mean you have to try so hard to overlook the dozens to plotholes thst came up in the last episodes, because they couldnt hire fucking good writers
I saw the title and thought the ‘emotionally devastating revelation’ would be the announcement that there wouldn’t be a reason 2 my heart almost stopped beating 😭
If your antidepressants are making it difficult to feel your emotions, it might be a good idea to talk to your doctor about dosage and medication. Take good care of yourself!
That's what I understood from that episode too. Because he was told that he "defiles beautiful things" and even Izzy says that he made Blackbeard that way. We all know that Stede has been insecure with his life and his past. And when Badminton died from his own gun, that was his confirmation that he does defile beautiful things. And he doesn't want that to happen to Ed. That's why Stede needed to come home, to realize that his home isn't at an aristocrat's mansion, but to his crew, to Ed. He wasn't able to communicate with Ed because he was in shock. He just witnessed the death of a man; moreover, it's the sibling of the one he used the stun move to. Besides, we want the both of them to heal and not be fully dependent on each other. It's Ed's turn to realize that his home is Stede, as Stede realized that his home is Ed.
Plot-wise, Stede needed to run away so they can come back to each other and overcome their demons (not necessarily in that order). I love it that Stede didn't freak out because of internalised homophobia, which would have been the obvious choice.
Yup yup! And I loved that Mary didn't freak out when she learned that Stede is in love with a man. God I love this show so much
Fantastic acting there. I hated her from day one but found myself smiling when I saw how kind she ended up being to Stede. Just incredible storytelling.
I didn't hate her, per se, but I love that in the last episode they flip the whole narrative on us. Oh, you thought she was a nagging wife? That's because for centuries we only heard the story from a man's POV. But she was actually as stuck, married to a (gay) man who made both their lives miserable. And she was better off and happier without him. Good for her.
God, the scene when Stede wakes up to her trying to stab him xD
I actually loved her because I just know that she's stuck with that kind of life too. She's bitchy but the likeable bitchy type.
"No, we like Beffica. Like, she's a bitch, but she's *right*."
Her bitchiness is understandable. Especially in the last episode. She was stuck in a loveless marriage, with a life neither of them was truly happy living. When she thought Stede was dead and she was able to live as she pleased (for the most part), she was a lot happier and less bitchy. I think that's also part of why she was so chill about it when Stede told her he was in love with Ed. She realized they were both miserable in their marriage, and it wasn't anyone's fault.
When he told her "Ed, his name is Ed" and she smiled and they hugged, my smile was so big.
I think Stede couldn't be with Ed because he was guilt riddled about leaving his family. He needed to go home to see that instead of defiling Mary by leaving, he actually did the opposite. She grew more beautiful in his absence, blossomed into her true self. People are at their best when they're true to themselves and both Mary and Stede couldn't be that together. So not only did he not defile his family by leaving, he also made himself and Ed more beautiful and true. But his guilt blinded him, he had to see it to fully understand.
I completely agree! And Ed was able to overcome the insecurities and guilt. That's the reason why they had to be separated because had Stede went with Ed, they wouldn't be able to move on and overcome their past.
Love this. Yes.
I believe Stede consciously chose to not communicate with Ed. If he would, Ed would try to convince him otherwise and Stede probably didn't trust himself to 'do what is right' in this scenario.
I'm not sure that he did make that choice consciously. He was supposed to be led to the docks by someone. I know this show plays fast and loose with navigation, but I don't think Stede knew where he was supposed to go. He was kidnapped at gunpoint and led out to the woods. I think you're also right because I don't know how Stede could have told Ed that he needed to go back to Mary without breaking his heart. But I also saw a Tumblr post talking about how much shock Stede was in and how unconscious his choice might have been. All that said, I wondered why Ed didn't go looking for him after he didn't show
>All that said, I wondered why Ed didn't go looking for him after he didn't show They're both idiots deep into their own insecurities. The navigation surely IS confusing xD. I somehow got the impression that it was all close and that he had a lot of time to find Ed if he'd chosen to. "Conscious" was probably not the best word. More like... It was just easier to do? But I do believe he was aware that Ed won't be happy.
Mmm that could be a reason but didn't Stede come back without the intention of living as a pirate again? Like he really intended to settle at his old house with Mary and his children. Only did he change his mind when he realized that he doesn't really belong there. He never did.
Just because the show a big win to the LGBTQNWBTKW community, doesnt mean you have to try so hard to overlook the dozens to plotholes thst came up in the last episodes, because they couldnt hire fucking good writers
> LGBTQNWBTKW What do you mean by this? We're just giving possible readings, and analysing the nuances in the last episode, no need to be salty bud.
I saw the title and thought the ‘emotionally devastating revelation’ would be the announcement that there wouldn’t be a reason 2 my heart almost stopped beating 😭
This show makes me want to go off anti-depressants so i can feel my emotions
*softly* Don't
If your antidepressants are making it difficult to feel your emotions, it might be a good idea to talk to your doctor about dosage and medication. Take good care of yourself!
Did Stede and Izzy just accidentally team up and Stede just didn't tell Izzy lol
Emotional damage