9 Beautiful, Inspirational Lessons From ‘Our Flag Means Death’

People can (and will) change over time.

You’re not always going to have the same hope, dreams, and opinions as you did when you were younger – and that’s okay. You’re supposed to grow and change over time. You’re supposed to keep redefining what it means to make yourself happy. If the world you’ve grown accustomed to starts to bore you (like what happened with Ed), then you’re allowed to try new things. 

You can find love at any age.

Stede wanted to marry for love, but wound up in a marriage that wasn’t making him happy. However, years later he was able to find someone who fit him well. Someone who genuinely made him happy. It took a long time to find this person, but the wait was worth it.

The right person might be right under your nose.

Lucuis had to point out how much Stede and Ed meant to each other. They weren’t able to see what was right in front of their faces – but once they acknowledged their feelings for one another, everything started to make sense. After all, good friends make great partners.

Don’t judge someone before you get to know them.

You have no idea what someone else has been through in the past. You have no idea what type of demons they have faced and problems they have undergone. You might think you know them based on their reputation, but they could be hiding much more than you realize.

Opposites really can attract.

Even though you might assume you have nothing in common with someone (whether it’s because you come from different backgrounds or have different personality types) that doesn’t mean you aren’t going to get along. Sometimes, the best friendships (and relationships) or your life will be with someone completely different than you.

You deserve a vacation.

You shouldn’t be working every hour of every day. You deserve a break every once in a while. Let yourself unwind and have some fun. Give yourself permission to slow down for a change.

You should never stop learning new things.

Stede and Ed taught each other new things about the world. Instead of stubbornly sticking to their own lanes, they wanted to explore different sides of themselves. They wanted to branch out. To learn. To discover.

It’s never too late to change your life.

Stede wanted to live life as a pirate, and even though his wife thought he was being ridiculous, he set out to do what he wanted. He followed his passion. He took a chance on himself. He didn’t care what anyone else thought because he knew what he was meant to do.

Having one setback doesn’t all of the progress you’ve made is gone.

At the end of the first season, Ed goes through a hard time without Stede. He picks up old habits again and treats the people around him terribly. However, this doesn’t mean he’s going to continue lashing out in season two. There’s always a chance he’ll go back to the Ed we know and love, because progress is rarely linear. One setback isn’t the end of the world.