Our Flag Means Death is back for its second season. If you haven’t heard, this show is about a man who leaves his privileged life to become a pirate in the early 18th century — and ends up falling in love. The first season was a huge hit, and the second is shaping up to be just as intriguing. In the first episode alone, there were some beautiful lessons about life and love that you should take with you into your next life chapter. Here are some pieces of advice (that you should only read after watching the premiere episode of the second season because there are some spoilers ahead!):
If the relationship is meant to be, then you’ll find your way back to each other.
When penning a letter to Blackbeard, Stede writes: “I know the odds of this finding you are slim. But so were the odds of us finding each other in the first place.” This is a beautiful reminder that love isn’t always easy, and you won’t always get it right on the first try. However, if the two of you are meant to be, then you’ll find your way back together eventually. You’ll reunite and try again because you both care enough to put in the effort. It might be scary, but it will be worth the trouble in the end if you really love each other.
The right person will make you feel like your most authentic self.
When talking about his new relationship, Swede says, “My time with Jackie has been the happiest of my life. Her love has helped me located parts of myself I didn’t even know existed and reclaim others that I had long missed.” When you find the right person, you won’t have to pretend you’re someone you’re not. You won’t have to put on an act to impress them. You will be the most genuine version of yourself because you’re completely comfortable together, because you trust that they like the raw, real you.
Throwing yourself into work won’t heal your heart.
Blackbeard is clearly struggling to deal with his heartbreak. He is trying his hardest to distract himself from what’s really bothering him and refuses to talk about it with anyone on his crew – which is not the healthy way to handle the situation. If you genuinely want to move on from someone, you need to let yourself feel your feelings. And you need to deal with them in a healthy, productive way. As much as you want to erase the pain, it’s impossible. You can’t magically get over something (or someone) who means that much to you. You need to process it, even though it hurts.
When you genuinely love someone, all you want is for them to be happy.
At one point in the premiere episode, Stede confesses, “I’m afraid that your life is better without me” when speaking about Blackbeard. Although part of this is his insecurities talking, it’s clear that he wants what’s best for the love of his life. He wants Blackbeard to be happy, and he’s hoping that he can help him achieve that happiness. He’s hoping that his feelings aren’t one-sided because he wants to make Blackbeard as happy as Blackbeard makes him. He wants them to bring out the best in each other. And hopefully, by the end of this season, they will.
