Max sinks Our Flag Means Death after two seasons
Rhys Darby and Taika Waititi's beloved pirate comedy sailed for two seasons on Max's choppy waters before washing ashore on cancellation island
Our Flag Means Death will swab the poop deck at Max no longer.
Per Variety, Max, formerly the one to watch for new episodes of Our Flag Means Death, has canceled the pirate comedy after two seasons of a queer subtext/text, farcical misunderstandings, and Rhys Darby’s dulcet tones. The series, created by David Jenkins, found an audience due to old-fashioned word of mouth and fan enthusiasm, which carried the show to cult status over the last two years. Unfortunately, three months after the show’s season two premiere, Max fired a cannonball through the bow of the good ship Revenge, sinking the series before it could complete its trip to season three.
Though Max thanked the “dedicated fans who embraced these stories and built a gorgeous, inclusive community surrounding the show” in a statement, it wasn’t enough to keep the show afloat. Jenkins confirmed on Instagram that the cancelation “brought [Max] no joy.”
“We’ve spent two seasons in a bizarre, beautifully-rendered world populated by some of the greatest actors and creatives working,” Jenkins posted. “The second season was made possible by the enthusiasm of one of the most likable fan communities in the history of this medium. Your voices made a difference, your art made a difference, your viewership made a difference in securing more Our Flag.”
In addition to the inclusive community created by fans, the show was a hit with critics, making it one of the few Taika Waititi projects unharmed by the ever-growing backlash against his work. In their recap of the second season finale, which now serves as a series finale, A.V. Club contributor Jenna Scherer praised the show’s capper.
“Calypso willing, we’ll get a third season of Our Flag Means Death. But on the off chance we don’t, ‘Mermen’ is a beautiful, bittersweet note for the series to go out on,” Scherer wrote. At long last, Stede and Ed find themselves looking in the same direction; the crew of the Revenge casts out over the waves with three new shipmates (plus one prodigal son); and Israel Hands dies—too soon, yes, but on his own terms: on the open ocean, in the arms of the man he loves, surrounded by the pack of Muppets who have, against all odds, become his family.”
Hey, at least season three isn’t being used as a tax write-off.