Act of Grace

**Act of Grace** is the ninth and penultimate episode of the first season of *Our Flag Means Death*. It aired on March 24, 2022.

## Synopsis

Captured and facing trial, Stede and Blackbeard face tough choices and an uncertain future.

## Plot

After Izzy's betrayal, the Revenge is captured by the British naval ships and Chauncy Badminton questions the crew members. Stede confesses to murdering Nigel. Chauncy reveals that Edward already confessed to the murder, but his confession was weak and the British are reluctant to believe him.

Meanwhile, Lucius tries to hide Stede's journal but his efforts are fruitless as the British get a hold of it anyways. After reading it, Chauncy is privy to the entry about his brother's death but doesn't believe it initially. He believes that Stede is weak and incapable of the acts described within the entry.

Nonetheless, the Navy plans to execute Stede but Blackbeard claims an "Act of Grace". This essentially grants Blackbeard and Stede amnesty if they pledge allegiance to the British crown. They are successful and are both pardoned by the naval forces, saving Stede's life.

As a result of their actions, Blackbeard and Stede are sent to the academy to be reformed. Stede finds out that he has been declared dead, and thinks of his family and considers escaping from the academy with Edward. He is surprised to find that Ed shaved his beard as it was mandatory, and also that he doesn't really want to go back to piracy.

Stede goes to a cliff by the sea to think about his family, and Ed joins him after a while. Stede is surprised that Edward is handling the situation well, and he tells him that it's because now he just wants to do what makes him happy. Stede asks what that is, and Edward tells him that he thinks that what makes him happy is Stede. The two share a tender kiss, and Stede says that Ed makes him happy as well. Ed says they should run away together, and they formulate a plan to go to China together and assume new identities.

In the night, Ed wakes Stede up and tells him that a guard will bring him to a dinghy where he should wait for Ed, and then they'll leave. Unfortunately, Stede is later awoken by a drunk Chauncey, who brings him into a forest and tells him that he ruins everything he touches, including his family and Blackbeard. Chauncey then trips and triggers his pistol, accidentally killing himself. Stede, who's become distressed and anguished at Chauncey's words, runs away and back to his old home. Blackbeard is left on the beach alone later that night, and after waiting until sunrise for Stede, heads back to the Revenge instead of China.

## Cast

### Starring

* Rhys Darby as Stede Bonnet
* Taika Waititi as Edward Teach/Blackbeard
* Kristian Nairn as Wee John Feeney
* Nathan Foad as Lucius Spriggs
* Samson Kayo as Oluwande Boodhari
* Con O'Neill as Israel "Izzy" Hands
* Vico Ortiz as Jim Jimenez
* Ewen Bremner as Nathaniel Buttons
* David Fane as Fang
* Joel Fry as Frenchie
* Guz Khan as Ivan
* Matthew Maher as Black Pete

### Guest Starring

* Rory Kinnear as Admiral Chauncey Badminton, Captain Nigel Badminton
* Claudia O'Doherty as Mary Bonnet
* Kristen Johnston as The Widow Evelyn Higgins

### Co-Starring

* Eden Grace Redfield as Alma Bonnet
* William Barber-Holler as Louis Bonnet
* Connor Barrett as Officer Hornberry
* Michael Crane as Officer Willington
* Ian Alda as Clerk Clerkwell
* Angus Sampson as King George I
* Boris McGiver as Father Bonnet (Flashback)
* Theo Darby as Young Stede (Flashback)
* Ashna Sharan as The Widow Ellen Conroy
* James Barrington as Sailor
* David Piggott as Sailor

## Trivia

* Michael Crane revealed that the entire treaty signing scene was improvised by Rhys Darby and Taika Waititi.
* A set photo proves that the beach scene between Edward and Stede was originally longer and involved Ed coming back for a second kiss after standing up.

## References

1. ↑ Kristian Nairn instagram live with Brian Gattas, Connor Barrett and Mike Crane at 10:50
2. ↑ Set photo