BlackBonnet

GentleBeard is the slash ship between Edward Teach and Stede Bonnet from the Our Flag Means Death fandom.

A Gentleman Pirate
Just as Stede is about to die from the hanging he is cut down. As he lies, bleeding out on the floor of the Spanish ship, a man, Blackbeard, steps out of smoke. He presumes that Stede is the Gentleman Pirate, and Stede asks if he's heard of him. The man gets close and says that he's heard of him alright.

Discomfort in a Married State
As Stede sleeps, Blackbeard places his hand on Stede's when he suddenly wakes up. Blackbeard comments on Stede's state, when Stede suddenly remembers his crew and tries to get up. Blackbeard pushes him back to the bed, and tells him that they're fine. But he needs to relax or his stitches will pop. Stede asks if he works for Blackbeard, which gives Blackbeard pause. He'd never thought of it before, but in a way he does work for Blackbeard. He holds his hand out to Stede and introduces himself as Ed, and Stede takes it, introducing himself.

Stede sits up and says that Blackbeard must believe he's a terrible pirate, but Ed says that he's doing better than most of the pirate's he knows, who are dead. Stede asks how long Ed has been a part of Blackbeard's crew, and Ed say's he's been on it long enough. Maybe too long, and is considering packing things in. He looks over some of the fabric in Stede's quarters, and Stede asks if likes fine fabrics. Ed thinks he might and Stede asks if he can keep a secret. Stede then reveals a secret passage and take him inside, showing off his outfits behind it. Ed asks if all of it is Stede's, and Stede says he's bit of a clothes hoarder. Izzy then walks into the Captain's quarters and calls for Ed, and Stede asks if that's Blackbeard. Ed tells him that Izzy isn't, but he is, much to Stede's shock. Ed gives him a smirk and shushes him to keep him quiet.

Stede then shows him the library, and Ed asks if he's read them all. Stede says he's done so multiple times, impressing Ed. He then shows him a book that has a depiction of Ed, which upsets Ed. Stede didn't mean to do so and Ed says that it's not his fault. It's just hard sometimes. He asks if Stede ever feels stuck, and Stede says that he has. Ed says that he doesn't actually serve a point anymore, since his reputation does all the work. Stede asks if he's considered retirement, and Ed asks what that is. Stede explains that it's when you choose to stop working and Ed says that Stede's got it all worked out. He asks if he knows how hard it is to find a pirate doing anything original, and everything Stede does makes Ed think of him as a lunatic. And he likes it. Stede says he would give it all away to be like Ed for a moment, and Ed asks if he wants to do something weird.

Ed walks out onto the deck wearing Stede's clothes, when he tells the crew to welcome their Captain Blackbeard. Stede then comes out wearing Ed's clothes and they roleplay each other for a few moments. Ed then has The Revenge's crew great him, while Izzy pulls Ed aside. Izzy then grabs Stede and pulls him down into the cargo hold, and tells him that they're going to fire on the incoming Spanish ships. Ed comes down and asks if Stede approves, confusing Stede. Ed says that he's the one that wanted to be Blackbeard, and this is what it's like. Stede suggests talking to them, and Ed asks if he speaks Spanish. Stede doesn't and suggests that maybe they know Latin, when Lucius comes in counting down. Ed says that times almost up, and Stede panics before shouting that he has no idea what to do. Black Pete then runs in and calls Ed a genius who saved them, much to everyone else's confusion.

They head up to the deck where the area is covered in fog. Stede asks if Ed knew this would happen, and Ed explains how he knew it from the weather patterns. Izzy asks about the ships, and Ed explains that the full moon will effect the current and drift them from them, but Lucius says that the full moon is tomorrow. Ed then realizes that they're doomed and goes to go down with the ship, but Stede follows him.

Ed starts drinking and wishing he had a cooler death than the one he'll have. Stede sits beside him, staring at the painting Mary gave him, and Ed asks what it is. Stede says that it's a lighthouse, which he should have been one for his family to guide them. Ed says that you're actually supposed to avoid lighthouses, so you don't crack on the rocks. Stede had never thought of it that way, and Ed says that no one does. The two of them then simultaneously get the idea that the boat needs to be a lighthouse.

The next morning, after diverting the Spanish ships, Stede wakes up Ed in the crows nest and gives him some bread and marmalade for breakfast. Ed says it's good and Stede says that their stores are loaded with it. He had to get rid of some gunpowder for the room, but he thinks it was the right move. Ed thinks he should take a leaf out of Stede's book and learn to live the high life. Stede says he could take one out of Ed's and maybe he'll live a little longer. Ed says that can be arranged, and says that Stede can teach him something about being an aristocrat and Ed can teach Stede something about being a bloodthirsty pirate. Stede says that would be something before realizing that Ed is serious. Ed says that he's had more fun at sea with Stede than he has in ages, and Stede agrees to their deal. They shake on it and laugh.

The Best Revenge is Dressing Well
Ed is looking out the window, lost in thought, when Stede comes in. He comments on how the captain of the last vesell they were on seemed to get under Ed's skin. Ed brushes it off, but Ed points out how the man's words sounded polite but actually stung. Stede says that it's called passive aggression, and that it's how the upper crust fight. Ed thinks it's diabolical, and Stede agree. Frenchie then comes in and says that he found an invitation to an upper crust party tonight. Both Stede and Ed play as having no interest in the event, but Ed says it's a possible way for him to practice his passive aggression. Stede says that he probably won't like it, and starts describing it, before Ed decides that they're going. While at the dinner party, Ed originally does well at mingling with the high society, but when the other guests ridicule him for his misuse of dining utensils, Stede protects him by exposing each of their secrets.

Later that night, Stede finds Ed dolefully examining a red silk scarf that had belonged to Ed as a child. Stede apologizes to him for the way the night went. Ed says that Stede was right, he wasn’t ready. Stede disagrees and tells him he thinks he’s sophisticated to which Ed replies, "thank you." Stede’s eyes land upon Ed’s red silk and he compliments the piece. Ed deflects but Stede tells him "sometimes the old things are the best things." Under the glow of moonlight, Stede asks for the silk, softly removing it from Ed’s hands. Ed stares as Stede moves closer, placing the silk in Ed’s suit pocket, telling him, "You wear fine things well." In that moment, Ed’s eyes immediately soften and they chuckle while holding each other's gaze. Ed begins to move closer but, in an instant, awkwardly retreats and they say "night night" to one another. Ed taps Stede on the back and they walk off in opposite directions. As they’re walking away, they both stop and turn back around, glancing at the other one last time before leaving.

The Art of Fuckery
Ed's first mate Izzy has become increasingly frustrated at the budding relationship between the two, and convinces Ed to finally kill Stede while the latter is "doing something he loves." Ed initiates numerous attempts to kill Stede but cannot bring himself to follow through. Later, when Stede's ship, the Revenge, is marauded by a rival pirate crew, he fools them by announcing that the Kraken is approaching. This causes Ed to have a traumatic flashback and hide. Stede finds him curled up in the bathtub, whereupon Ed tearfully admits to having killed his father as a child and to have never killed another person since. He also confesses to his original plan to kill Stede and assume his identity, but Stede suggests that the two of them can "pretend the whole murder idea never happened," and Ed agrees. Ed claims to not have any friends, but Stede says that the two of them are friends. He caresses Ed's face and comforts him as he cries.

We Gull Way Back
Their relationship is strained by the arrival of Ed's old friend, Calico Jack. Not only does Jack cause chaos, but he senses the mutual attraction between Ed and Stede, and tries to intimidate Stede and make him jealous by alluding to the fact that he and Ed have had dalliances in the past. Stede kicks Jack off the Revenge when the latter kills his crewmate Buttons' pet seagull, and Ed goes with him, leaving Stede heartbroken. Ed, however, rejoins the Revenge once he learns that Jack only arrived in an attempt to get Ed away from the Revenge before the English arrive to attack Stede. As the two are being apprehended by the English, they turn to look at one another. An elated Stede exclaims that Ed came back, to which Ed responds that he never left and winks at him. As they are pinned to the deck of the Revenge and the British are tying their limbs, the two continue to smile at each other and in a small act of intimacy, Ed moves his foot toward Stede so their feet are touching.

Act of Grace
While being interrogated by the British, Stede discovers that Ed had falsely confessed to the murder of Nigel Badminton, a man Stede had inadvertently killed in the first episode of the show. Overcome with guilt at the manslaughter and the thought that Ed will face consequences for his own crime, Stede blurts out a confession and is sentenced to death by firing squad. Moments before Stede is to be executed, a distraught Ed claims an Act of Grace - a proclamation by King George that any pirate who abandons crime and pledges service to the crown is granted amnesty. He and Stede are subsequently sent to the privateering academy to get reformed. Stede suggests escaping, but Ed claims they should accept their fate. Later, Ed admits that he has somewhat enjoyed abandoning his life of crime and that it's nice to simply be Edward instead of Blackbeard. Stede says he wants Ed to do what makes him happy, to which Ed replies, "I reckon what makes Ed happy is... you." They share a kiss, after which Stede claims that Ed makes him happy as well. They discuss fleeing to China and assuming new identities, and Ed comes up with a plan for escape. Before Stede can arrive at their agreed upon meeting spot, he is apprehended by Chauncy, Nigel's brother, who drags him into the forest and holds him hostage before accidentally shooting himself with his gun. Ed waits for Stede before eventually leaving alone in the dinghy.

Wherever You Go, There You Are
Stede has returned home to the wife and children he originally abandoned to pursue a life of piracy, only to find out that his wife, Mary, has begun a relationship with her painting instructor, Doug. Mary tells Stede that she is in love with Doug, and he asks her how it feels to be in love. When she describes it to him, he quickly realizes that it mirrors his own feelings towards Ed. Mary tells Stede she hopes he finds love someday, and Stede says he thinks he already has. Mary asks, "What's her name?" and Stede responds, "His name is Ed." She smiles and hugs him, and agrees to help him fake his death so he and Ed can be reunited.

Meanwhile, Ed remains on the Revenge struggling to mend his broken heart from his perceived abandonment by Stede. He writes a song about his feelings for Stede. Izzy angrily confronts him, stating that the old Blackbeard would have never acted this way while "pining for his boyfriend." This enrages Ed, who, after discarding the red cloth Stede had gifted him into the ocean, assumes his old Blackbeard persona, becoming a ruthless and stone-cold barbarian.

A Damned Man

 * Stede eagerly listens to Pete's story about Blackbeard.

A Gentelman Pirate

 * Edward has his crew pursue The Revenge.

Dicomfort in a Married State

 * Edward watches Stede while he sleeps.
 * Edward goes through Stede's knickknacks.
 * Edward watches over Stede and asks who the Mary he mentions in his sleep is.
 * Stede asks if Ed know Izzy.
 * Ed tells Stede to be careful of his face when blowing alcohol onto the lantern.
 * Ed hugs Stede when they get rid of the Spanish ships.

The Best Revenge is Dressing Well

 * Stede asks Ed how violent things are expected to get.
 * Ed tells Stede that he's doing looting wrong.
 * Ed shows Stede how to properly interrogate someone.
 * Stede shows Ed how to use the cutlery of aristocratic dining.

Behind the Scenes
"I'm very proud of this romantic comedy we made. Very proud. It's not "bromantic", it's ROMANTIC. If you hate this show, don't worry, I still love you. And I hope you begin to understand the many layers that love can encompass. Love is love baby. #ourflagmeansdeath"

- Taika Waititi

Fanon
Gentlebeard is the most popular ship in the Our Flag Means Death fandom and has an incredibly active community on social media. Fan art and fan-fiction in particular have thrived within the fandom.

On AO3, BlackStede is the most written ship for both Stede and Ed. It is also the most written ship in the Our Flag Means Death (TV) tag. As of February 2023, Ed/Stede has over 12,000 works and is one of the fastest growing pairs of the year on the platform.

Fandom

 * FAN FICTION


 * TUMBLR


 * TWITTER


 * TIKTOK

Trivia

 * Taika quote tweeted an Ed/Stede fan edit with the caption: "Yep. We made a romance, not a bromance"
 * Taika tweeted “Happy Birthday to my onscreen crush @rhysiedarby” with 2 photos of Ed/Stede and Rhys Darby replied “Thanks babe. x”
 * OFMD showrunner and creator David Jenkins tweeted "Gentlebeard" with two heart emojis on January 30, 2023.

Media

 * Can This Pirate Comedy Bring Real Romance Back to TV? (VANITY FAIR · APRIL 2022)


 * Taika Waititi Loves the Sexy Queer Our Flag Means Death Fanart (THE MARY SUE · JUNE 2022)


 * 9 Most Romantic ‘BlackBonnet’ Moments on ‘Our Flag Means Death’ (TV INSIDER · APRIL 2022)


 * 'Our Flag Means Death' Is the Opposite of Queerbait (THE ATLANTIC · APRIL 2022)


 * Pride Month Picks: Our Flag Means Death Is A Gay Romance For The Ages (THE GAMER · JUNE 2022)


 * Our Flag Means Death’s fan art is out of this world (POLYGON · MARCH 2022)