Our Flag Means Death

With a series so well-anchored by these two men, the range of the ensemble in place to support them also happens to be a wealth of comedic riches. ... Here, too, lies an example of something that Our Flag Means Death pulls off so well: the blending of comedy and sincerity, especially between the type of people who are still trying to discover the truest versions of themselves.

The wickedly mischievous "Our Flag Means Death," one of the more creatively delinquent comedies on TV, has gleefully gone off the deep end.

Fervent fans of the series will be majorly rewarded here; its sophomore season doesn't just bring a meaningful continuation of the story of the Revenge crew, but also some perfectly plotted-out season 1 parallels and sly fandom in-jokes.

In “Our Flag Means Death,” the farcical humor is more of the subtle, knowing variety than it is playing for big belly laughs.

Although Our Flag Means Death isn’t laugh-a-minute, it’s got a good-enough story to set up a unique workplace comedy. It may take a few episodes, but the funny stuff will come once the ensemble is well-established.

Things perk up when Blackbeard (Waititi) and his crew show up, providing a necessary contrast between actual pirates and the ragtag bunch we start with, but their stronger personalities only underline the fact that the original crew is undersketched.

“Our Flag Means Death” is always stuck feeling like it’s either trying too hard, or not trying enough; it plays out like the kind of comic experiment that must have been fun for its actors and filmmakers, while we struggle to get on board with its freewheeling dopiness.

This series means a lot to me. It is the first time in years that I feel represented, that a series makes me visible and at the same time is not afraid to laugh at itself. It has created an incredible community. I wish for a third season from the bottom of my heart. #SaveOFMD

Such a funny, heart-warming, comforting show, which is easy to just keep rewatching over and over again. I can't recommend Our Flag Means Death enough and I genuinely believe that its existence has made the world a better place.

Since playing the inept manager on Flight of the Conchords, I've never found Rhys Darby especially amusing. This time he stars in the series loosely based on the adventures **** landowner who leaves his family and wealth to become a pirate in the 1700s. Darby bumbles about continuously, ranting with pomposity but never being funny. The supporting cast is filled with potentially comic types, but none of them goes far enough. Taika Waititi is co-creator (and plays Blackbeard), but his skills with left-field humor can't rescue this. Even Leslie Jones, who can be hilarious with a look, is just dull. The pace never lags and everyone is doing their best to amuse, but the lack of witty writing simply sinks the series. (Review based on the first 3 episodes. The final 3 released 3/10.)

Just not funny. None of the jokes landed. Not sure what's more to blame: the writing, the editing, the directing, or the acting. But pretty sure if the writing was good, there'd at least be a chuckle in there somewhere.

Wobbly slash fiction with borrowed elements from "What We Do In the Shadows" and "Pirates of the Caribbean."