Our Flag Means Death: Were Blackbeard & Stede Bonnet Friends In Real Life?
Warning: contains SPOILERS for Our Flag Means Death.
Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby) and Blackbeard (Taika Waititi) form a bond in Our Flag Means Death that's largely inspired by their real-life partnership. Stede Bonnet, known as the "Gentleman Pirate" for his wealthy upbringing and high-class demeanor, chose the pirate life for reasons unknown to this day. Captaining the Revenge, he pirated between 1717 and 1718 and eventually ran into the more experienced Edward "Blackbeard" Teach.
Our Flag Means Death shows Blackbeard taking a keen interest in Bonnet after he outsmarts his crew members on an island in episode 2, «A Damned Man.» In episode 3, «A Gentleman Pirate,» Blackbeard and his crew board Stede's ship, the Revenge, where he and Bonnet become friends over a mutual midlife crisis bond. In a secret conversation with his first mate, Blackbeard proposes that Stede should eventually be murdered, with Blackbeard taking his place as the Revenge's captain. However, Blackbeard's no kill rule and growing bond with Stede makes it harder for him to enact this plan, despite his attempts. He confronts his plan to Stede after attempting to kill him, and affirms to Stede that his plan is off. Whether or not Blackbeard follows through with this promise remains to be seen in later episodes.
Related: Our Flag Means Death Storytime Gag Is The Show's Biggest Plot Hole
While their partnership is embellished for comedic effect, Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet did work together for a time in real life. However, as Our Flag Means Death accounts, the connection wasn't entirely on equal terms. Bonnet met Blackbeard in Honduras. Being excited to meet the notorious pirate, Bonnet decided to sail with Blackbeard on his ship, the Queen Anne's
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