#favorite scenes between

[fallenrocket]

Favorite Scenes Between...Frenchie & Wee John

Ohhhhhhh, my Room People! Let's go!!

When Wee John and Frenchie blow things up in 1x02

Are you kidding me??? They are so cute!! It’s wild that David Jenkins didn’t realize how people would latch onto these two after the Room People scene, because even their small interactions earlier in the season are such a delight!

First off, validation for Wee John! When he wanted to go check the gunpowder, Stede tutted that he didn’t need to do that during a vacation, but I’m sure that’s how he and Frenchie got this idea and wound up having so much fun together

They’re just so freaking happy at these explosions! Wee John grinning and clapping, Frenchie laughing and leaping around like his limbs are made of rubber? Give me all of it, yes, it’s wonderful!

omg, Frenchie taking that big jump with his arms in the air and shouting, “I love vacation!” Literally perfect!

When we cut back to Lucius and Buttons’s conversation, I love that you can still hear Frenchie and Wee John talking/laughing from offscreen

When the Revenge pulls off the lighthouse fuckery in 1x04

I’ve already talked about this scene from an Ed-Frenchie perspective, but Frenchie and Wee John are so great together too!

I love how in sync they are. Frenchie isn’t even looking at Wee John—his eyes are locked on Ed, waiting to be signaled—but Wee John stops the foghorn noise right when Frenchie motions for him to be quiet

And yes, Wee John as the fog horn is so fun! This is really a masterpiece of a scene. It’s suspenseful, it’s visually interesting, it shows off the characters’ creativity/skill, and it’s Stede and Ed’s first big victory together. And, between Wee John making the fog horn noises and Stede worrying about getting his face burned off, it’s still funny on top of everything else! The whole thing just comes together spectacularly

After Ed gives Frenchie the thumb’s up, Frenchie takes a quick moment to celebrate before turning around and excitedly letting Wee John know that it worked. I just adore them alerting the rest of the crew: both of them whispering, “We did it!”, Wee John raising his fists in the air, and Frenchie waving down to the crew with both hands to get their attention. Loooooooove!!!

When Wee John and Frenchie take part in the fuckery in 1x06

Let’s just say it: Wee John dressing up for the fuckery as the thing that Frenchie (and only Frenchie) is scared of is just the cutest! Why yes, we should put this enormous man in a ridiculous cat costume and paint whiskers on his face—it’ll be terrifying! (And it is!)

Frenchie is soooooo into playing that witch, omg! The dramatic line readings, the straw(?) in his hair, the painted face and long green gloves, that perfectly witchy laugh. A. May. Zing!!

I love the camera pulling back to reveal Wee John in his cat costume. Frenchie smiling up at him and then turning back to the merchants with that unhinged grin, yes!

Wee John chasing the merchants below deck to herd them into the stateroom for the rest of the fuckery, no notes! “I am the black cat of death!” And he has a gigantic bow tied around his neck??? Stop!

When they search for oranges on St. Augustine in 1x07

“Yeah, but Jim's the kind of person where if they stabbed me, I'd be like, ‘Yeah, probably deserved it.’” “Ah, I would love to be stabbed by Jim!” Gaaahhhhhhh, such a classic!

I love this bit. It’s funny, it effortlessly affirms Jim’s gender identity, and it’s a little freaky. Great back-and-forth between Frenchie and Wee John here

When Nana throws a knife through the orange Pete takes from her tree, I love the contrast between Frenchie’s, “Now that was incredibly badass, especially for a nun,” and Wee John’s, “Don't kill us, Sister. I'm in the tribe.” It’s another moment where these two aren’t on the same page but still play really well off each other

And then, oh my god, Wee John pointedly indicating for Frenchie to cross himself. Frenchie’s noodle-limbed, half-assed sign of the cross, my beloved!!!

When Frenchie races the Swede to claim the room in 1x08

“That grants me roommate status!” I love it!

When Wee John and Frenchie talk room decor in 1x08

I think most of us would agree, this is THE Frenchie & Wee John scene. Oh, how I love my beloved Room People!

Oh god, I can’t!! Wee John with his dolly, Frenchie with his quill and blueprints, the absolutely lovely smiles on both of them. They’re too sweet!

Ughhhhh, them sharing in the excitement of having their first room. “I've been in plenty of rooms, but...I've never had one.” Awwww! And the smile Frenchie gives him??? Stop it, they’re both so cute!

I love Wee John using his dolly to tap on the blueprints

Oh, Frenchie and his blueprints! “We've gotta design our sanctum, our space. No rules! It can be whatever we want it to be.” The sheer wonder in his voice is off the charts here—both Joel and Kristian play this scene so earnestly, and I think that’s what really makes it magic. You can just feel how incredible it is for these two guys to have their own room, without any winking or hamming it up for the joke

“What, like beds on the ceiling? That seems a bit tricky.” Hee!!! They’re so cute, I can’t stand it. I also like how neutral Wee John’s tone is here, not mocking at all. Like, he’s not ruling out beds on the ceiling, he’s just not sure how it would work

When Wee John asks about the beds, I adore Frenchie’s little “huh?” and the way he leans down over the blueprints. Then flipping them around as he explains about the perspective. omg, the way his limbs are just going everywhere, scratching his beard with one hand while the other plays with his hair—my heart, I swear to god!

“But I'm loving the input! Let's keep it flowing, roomie!” I’m honestly starting to run out of words here. Be warned, the rest of my reactions to this scene might just be “squeeeeee!” and “gaaaahhhhhhh!” and :hand-flapping:

Just everything about Wee John explaining the sitting nook! “But remember, we only sit on it. We don't sleep, we sit on it,” too perfect! I also really like Frenchie holding the quill up by his mouth while he intently listens to Wee John, slowly lowering his hand as his amazement grows

All my love for Frenchie getting so excited that his hands take on a mind of their own while his words try to catch up. “Hey, that's perfect! We can call it a, errrrrrrr, sitting nook!” Sinking his hands into his hair and dragging them down his face, I love it so much!

Awwww, Wee John and his bowl of mints!

Oh man, that immediate dissipation of Frenchie’s excitement when Wee John mentions people coming over. The man is so concerned!

“Erm, I think that's just part of it? When you're room people, don’t people come over?” aaaahhhhhhh, crying! My guys, peering around the room in tandem with that look of apprehension! I want to snuggle with this scene, I love it, I love it, I love it!

When Oluwande wants to sleep over in the room in 1x08

I just love their evasive back-and-forth as they make their excuses to Oluwande, that look they give each other and the stammering they do—“It's just that we really haven't had any guests.” Yeah, we're in the midst of some renovations”

“Oh, no, that's our nook.” “And this nook is only for sitting.” Unnnnhhhhhh, they’re just too perfect together!

When Frenchie sees Wee John on the Red Flag in 2x03

Look, there are more Wee John-Frenchie interactions in season 1 that I didn’t mention, little moments where they’re next to each other in group scenes and exchange looks, etc. Far and away, they’re one another’s most frequent scene partner—in fact, outside of explicit canon ships like Jim/Oluwande and Pete/Lucius, I’m willing to bet that no crew members are paired together as often as these two are. So it’s sad to me that we see them interacting so little in season 2. Let them be Room People!!!

There’s less than ten seconds and zero words devoted to their reunion here, but I cling to it all the same: the way Frenchie looks up and smiles as he sees Wee John, walking across the deck to greet him, the fist bump they exchange. Awwwwww, so lovely!

When the crew is trying to escape from the cell in 2x08

Unless there’s something else I’m forgetting, this is the only other solid moment between Frenchie and Wee John in all of season 2 :sobs: Still cute, though!

“What about Frenchie? You think he'll fit?” “No way. You do it!” Hee, the look Wee John gives Frenchie there. I like to think Wee John’s size just never occurs to Frenchie—it’s the same reason it totally makes sense to him to dress Wee John up as a cat for the fuckery

[fallenrocket]

Favorite Scenes Between...Lucius & Pete

When they hook up by the ration stores in 1x05

I just love the little exchange of, “You good?”, “I’m good,” with Lucius adjusting his clothes

Pete telling Izzy they were taking stock of the rations. I like how Lucius sort of distractedly pats Pete’s shoulder and says, “Of the rations, yeah, and it turns out we are…good.” Then Pete’s smile, are you kidding me? “Very good, actually.” They’re so cute!!!

Of course, I have to mention, “Actually, I think I’m just so-so, but I’ve decided to carry myself like I’m cute.” More of a Lucius-Izzy interaction, but I also really like Pete’s amused laugh. For all that Pete can be on his toxic masculinity thing in season 1 and is eager for Blackbeard’s approval, I love that he has zero shame/reticence about being openly queer in front of Izzy

Both of them looking confused and increasingly weirded out during the whole “Daddy” thing

Lucius is genuinely rattled when Izzy gets in his face and calls him “bitch,” so I appreciate that we get one more cute moment of him and Pete doing their little awkward little, “Hey, this was fun,” before he has to follow Izzy out of the room

When Izzy threatens to tell Pete about Lucius drawing Fang in 1x05

Yes to casual openness winning the day over judgmental repression!

I just love how Lucius doesn’t take his eyes off Izzy as he nonchalantly calls, “Hey, Pete? I drew Fang naked.” Total game-set-match moment—go, Lucius!

And of course, Pete just laughs, gives Lucius kudos for pulling Fang, and explains, “He’s drawn most of us”

“See? We don’t own each other.” Another bit that’s more of a Lucius-Izzy moment, but it’s about Lucius/Pete, so I’m counting it

Lucius letting out a thank god that’s over with groan after he gets Izzy to back down, then leaning on the stair railing as he looks at Pete with a flirty smile. Pete checking him out and remarking, “That was hot”?? Stop it!

When Pete gives Lucius the wooden finger in 1x06

Pete is so sweet and hesitant throughout this whole scene: the halting words, looking away while he’s talking, etc. Great work from Matt as a guy who’s only just realized he’s caught feelings and is rapidly trying to catch up! I really love, “And, uh, and—death, you know…I'm used to death, but, um, but not to…your death”

And of course, all my love for, “It looks like a thumb, but…it's a finger,” immediately followed by, “I whittled it. It—it's dumb. You don't have to wear it.” Awww!!!

Meanwhile, Lucius starts out playful/casual and gradually gets more sincere as he realizes how serious Pete is about this. I like his soft look when Pete says, “Not to…your death,” and his cute would you look at that? expression when he sees the wooden finger

omg, Lucius leaning in for that gentle kiss and telling Pete he loves the finger! They’re so sweet together!

Hee, Pete offering a flirty, “There's a lot you don't know about me,” and then instantly adding, “...Actually, that's kind of it.” My beloveds!!

When Lucius is hiding Stede’s journal in 1x09

First of all, the way they’re both sitting here is so cute: Lucius sitting cross-legged while clutching the journal, Pete sitting with his legs sticking out in front of him

“Sweetie, why're you holding yourself like that? Nervous tummy?” Awww, I love it! Matt’s delivery is so soft and sweet!

I really like, “You gotta get rid of that, babe!” and, “I know that, babe! But I can't get to the side of the ship to throw it over.” Lucius’s exasperated use of “babe” is everything to me, and the way he leans in as he talks, with his face right next to Pete’s? :chef’s kiss:

Lucius whimpering and burying his face in Pete’s arm when Frenchie immediately trips and the British find the journal

When Lucius sees Pete and the others on the Red Flag in 2x02

Lucius’s “Oh my god!”, first quiet/stunned, then excited/shrieking

Pete just holding his temples in amazement

The way Pete barrels into Lucius to hug him and they both go down. Bonus points for the rest of the crew adding to the affectionate dog pile!

When Pete and Lucius have their reunion on deck in 2x02

Ohhh, Lucius shyly asking, “Do you hate it?” when Pete comments on his beard

But Pete comes through like a champ, assuring Lucius that he loves it. God, when he holds Lucius’s face, kisses him, and cries, “I love all of it!” brb, there’s something in my eye

“That doesn’t sound like you. You have impeccable balance, babe.” First, hee!, but also, so soft!!!

When everyone is having soup in 2x02

The way Pete asks, “So babe, you…smoke now?” He’s really trying here, attempting to smooth the tensions between Lucius and Stede, as well as noting the changes in Lucius without sounding judgy/disapproving about them

Lucius is trying so hard too, but in a different way. He’s fighting for his life to act nonchalant and hide the parts of himself he doesn’t want Pete to see :sobs: But at the same time, Nathan plays it so that it’s simultaneously painful/guarded/hilarious, like how does he do that??? I adore, “Do I? Oh, yeah. Yeah, erm, I must’ve picked it up somewhere or something—I dunno”

Pete’s awkward, “...Okay,” and nervous little laugh when Lucius lays the passive-aggression on Stede

“Never fucking call me that!!!”, with the accompanying stomp and point, and then Lucius immediately stammering, trying to backtrack, and retreating with the world’s flimsiest excuse, “I-I’m gonna go f-fix something in…towels.” Oh my god, it hurts to watch, but Nathan is soooooooo good here! I like Pete’s reaction shot too, the poor guy just doesn’t know what to do with himself

When Stede needs Pete to shoot the crossbow into the mast in 2x03

Just a quick bit, but Lucius deadpanning, “You said it today,” when Pete insists he never said he has perfect aim, accompanied by Pete’s bewildered expression. Hee!

When Pete discovers Lucius’s Blackbeard-fixated sketches in 2x05

Pete’s poses are great, both the “sultry yet casual” and the “steely lord.” I especially like when he prompts the distracted Lucius and just does the steely-lord pose again with an um, hello? expression

Oh, poor Lucius—“Oh, yeah. No, I'm kind of—I'm sort of splitting the difference between the two and it's, it's nice.” The way he pretends to be okay when he’s not makes me sad

I love the shift from the defensive, “Well, it's not what it looks like,” to the sullen, “Okay, well, it is what it looks like then”

Ooh, Pete’s reaction to all of Lucius’s drawings. “And a-a doggie with Blackbeard’s face on it???” The man is shook!

When Lucius insists that Pete doesn’t know what he’s been through, I like that Pete his covers his face in frustration for a moment, and I love that he calls Lucius “dude”

Good on Pete for opening up about what he went through while they were apart, especially when he says, “I cried every night.” The Pete from the start of the series never could’ve admitted something like it, and interestingly, Lucius’s emotional openness probably helped Pete get to a place where he could be more honest about his feelings. So in this scene, we get to see him being the open one while Lucius is pushing back/retreating

Even though he’s still deflecting, I like that we see that Lucius is affected by Pete’s admission, muttering, “Okay, yeah. Well, obviously, I've underestimated some stuff, I don't fucking know”

“And another thing!” I love Matt’s delivery here

When Lucius proposes to Pete in 2x05

The awkward little Vanna White pose Lucius does gesturing to the drawing when he says, “I suppose I just wanted you to know that I…see you”

The whole proposal is so, so sweet! Lucius getting down on one knee and saying, “I want to spend the rest of my life with you,” Pete’s startled, “Oh my god!!”, Lucius worrying, “Is it weird? I'm being so fucking weird, I'm sorry,” and Pete tripping over his words to clarify that he meant “yes” to getting engaged, not to Lucius being weird. Awwwwww, my boys!!!

Sweet, lovely kisses (plus Lucius’s beautiful smile as he goes in to kiss Pete,) and there’s something I just love about Pete holding Lucius’s head and shaking it, affectionately saying, “Arghhh, I’ll kill you!” 

When they prepared themselves to go up on deck and rescue the crew in 2x06

The sight of Lucius quivering below deck with an entire armful of swords and knives always makes me laugh

Pete hearing the screams and admitting, “Oh my God, that's actually, like, making me nauseous. We really have to, like, do something!”

omg, I adore Lucius saying, “Maybe we just, like, tell their stories. And in some ways, isn't that the best revenge?” Nathan’s delivery is god-tier here, I love it!

But Pete’s response to that is perfect: “But we're not really at the revenge step. We're sort of in the, like...pre-revenge window”

Their whispered back-and-forth is just so much fun. I love when Lucius points out, “But there's a bunch of them and two of us,” and Pete, casting around for a plan, saying, “And we probably need more knives! [...] Okay, I'll go get some.” Hee! I can’t with these two, they’re the best!

When they try to save the crew in 2x06

God, it cracks me up when they burst out on deck, Pete with a sword in either hand and Lucius still clutching his armful of swords. I love Pete shouting, “Fuck yeah! You wanna get crazy? Let's get fucking crazy!”

And of course, the way everybody immediately calms down when Ed calls, “Guys, Stede's already got this!”, and the atmosphere shifts to everyone congratulating Pete and Lucius on their engagement

The “Road to Moscow” scene in 2x08

I like Lucius helping Pete with his hat—lovely

When they have their wedding on the ship in 2x08

Fang’s vow about avenging each other after their “grisly death or dismemberment”—I love that Pete just nods solemnly and says, “Definitely,” while Lucius stammers, “A little bit s-specific, but yeah”

I love how emphatically they respond to Frenchie’s vow to “keep each other’s ship afloat,” both of them exclaiming, “Yeah, yeah!” and, “Fuck, yeah!”

Pete raising both fists above his head when they kiss, I love it so much! These actors just get these characters from top to bottom, and everything they do is so fitting for their character

[fallenrocket]

Favorite Scenes Between...Roach & Archie

Archie and Roach’s interactions are mainly small moments within ensemble scenes, but they’re always fun together. Their dynamic is Chaos4Chaos, and I’m here for it!

When the two crews are in a standoff in 2x04

The way Samba says, “I think now is a great time to discuss lingering issues,” always makes me smile

I really like Archie’s two-handed snap on, “Yeah, yeah, absolutely.” She has her issues with “the fucked-up sleeping arrangements” locked and loaded! She is ready to air her grievances!

When the fresh hostility breaks out and Roach turns his cleaver on Jim, there’s something I just love about Archie calmly cocking her gun and saying, “You know my name is Archie, right?”

When the crew is deciding how to get rid of Stede’s cursed suit in 2x05

Archie’s suggestion is just perfectly her—“I reckon, you get a fucking bunch of knives, stab the shit out of it, and just see what happens!”

And in turn, Roach’s, “Oh, imagine if it bleeds!” in response is so on brand!

When Fang reappears at the end of 2x06

lol, the celebration is fairly subdued at this point. People are in that quiet post-“we just got tortured” phase. But not Archie and not Roach! (To be fair, Roach definitely enjoyed the torture too!)

I really like Madeleine’s delivery on “We got tortured! And we survived!!!”

Archie exuberantly shouting while clinking both her cups together and jumping up and down? Help, I love her so much!

I adore how much relish Roach puts into clinking his cup against Archie’s as he exclaims, “I'll go get the fireworks!”

Also, Roach’s Calypso’s Birthday outfit being two big flowers over his nipples still cracks me up

When everyone attacks the British in 2x08

I just really enjoy the shot of Archie and Roach whacking a pair of British soldiers on the head with big tree branches!

[fallenrocket]

Favorite Scenes Between...Buttons & Auntie

Just a quick one this week. Buttons and Auntie only have a couple scenes together, but I enjoy their interactions.

When Auntie approaches Buttons on the Red Flag in 2x02

First off, the “red sky at morning” backdrop is ominous but lovely

When Auntie says, “But then you probably know that,” (she’s searched for him “far and wide,”) I love Buttons’s response and the stare he gives her: “Best not assume we know anything at all, ma’am”

I like Anapela’s super-dramatic whisper on, “Be gone, wise demon. Await for me above”

When Auntie gives Buttons the spell book in 2x02

Another great reaction shot from Buttons when Auntie says, “I see you've adopted the form of a humble man, sea witch”

His looks during these scenes are so good, because they’re so plausible for both Sea Witch Buttons and Non-Sea Witch Buttons Acting Like He Knows What Auntie’s Talking About. We get our answer a bit later, of course, but in this episode, Ewen is playing Buttons’s responses straight down the middle

I like Auntie averting her eyes from Buttons as she offers him the spell book, telling him, “Take it, thou demon. Use it wisely”

Omg, I love Buttons’s, “Oh, aye…Ohhh, aye!” while he looks at the book, his eyes getting wider as he unfolds it. He’s so happy!

[fallenrocket]

Favorite Scenes Between...Stede & Roach

One interesting thing about this list series is that it’s going to be so variable. Plenty of character pairs have great intersections, but some have only a few while others have many to choose from. We get a lot more of Stede & Roach together than we do Jim & Lucius or Oluwande & Pete. Some are actual Stede-Roach scenes while others are just quick moments within larger group scenes, but they’re always fun!

When Stede is asking the crew who can sew in 1x01

Classic moment! “I sewed my shoulder up once, after I’d been stabbed.” I love how cautiously Roach raises his hand to speak, compared with how emphatically he pulls up his sleeve to reveal his scar

“Did you hear that, guys? Roach sewed his own arm up! It sounds to me like sewing can be pretty tough.” Such great delivery! I also like Roach’s quiet little nod on “pretty tough”

When Roach wants to torture the hostages in 1x02

That casual, “Can my vacation be torturing the hostages?” is so fun, and I love that Roach already has the nail-spiked club ready to go

Terrific delivery on, “I’ll just take them to the brink of death. I won’t go all the way.” Love it!

Hee, Stede’s little scrunched face and, “Let’s say no to torture, I think,” in his camp counselor/dad voice!

When the hostages go missing in 1x02

This whole scene has a fun back-and-forth between concern/urgency and nonchalance. Roach must’ve known this was a problem or he wouldn’t be hurrying up to Stede all out of breath, panting, “Captain, need some clarification!” But then he’s also all smiles when he announces, “They requested to take a pee, in private”

By the same token, Stede brightly says, “They wish! No, prisoners don’t get vacation,” but as Roach keeps talking, you can see the exact moment Stede realizes something’s wrong

Also, I just love Samba’s delivery on, “Are the hostages also on ‘vacation’?”

When Roach suggests ransoming Hornberry back to the English in 1x03

After Roach’s mistake with the hostages in the previous episode, I like that he gets a win here. He’s so happy when Stede compliments his idea, awww!

Heading out to the Spanish naval ship in 1x03

This whole bit is such a fun tag-team between Stede and Roach. I love Roach turning back to announce with relish, “I made an assortment of tapas!” and Stede adding, “‘Tapas’ means ‘little plates’”

Roach’s, “They’re like catnip to Spaniards!” paired with Stede’s little laugh and, “Exactly!”

Plus, it just kills me that Stede and Geraldo both have a plate in each hand, there’s another on Geraldo’s lap, and another in between them on the seat of the dinghy. Aww, Roach went all out! Getting hired by Stede really was his time to shine

When Jim’s disguise is revealed in 1x03

The dynamic here is so funny! I love Stede crying, “Jim’s a woman? Did you know that?” and Roach exclaiming, “How would I know that?!?” (Lucius is great in this bit too, btw!)

When Stede is telling his ghost story in 1x06

“How does he kiss?” “He doesn’t kiss! No one likes him.” Perfect interaction, no notes. Roach raising his hand when he asks his question makes it art

When Roach tells Stede about the oranges in 1x07

1x03 is also a great episode for Stede-Roach moments, but this episode is my favorite. We get multiple fantastic scenes between them, and I love it!

The confusion over Stede and Ed both answering “yes?” when Roach calls for the captain is great. I love Roach’s apprehensive look as he asks, “Who are we saying is captain right now?”

Rhys has such great delivery on, “This is the emergency? Eat an apple, for god’s sake!” And it’s perfectly matched by Samba’s delivery on, “Yeah, but the thing is, we really needed the oranges—to treat the scurvy.” The whole thing is a delight from top to bottom!

Roach just silently pointing at the Swede when Stede asks who has scurvy

When Stede discusses the orange situation with the crew in 1x07

The combination of Bitchy Stede and Tetchy/Affronted Roach is absolutely perfect throughout

“Look, I hate to toss anyone under the carriage, but it does seem like bad meal planning.” omg Stede, I love you!

Three words: “40-orange gaze.” Hee!!! And I love Roach pointing his thumb at Stede as he adds, “Plus another 10 for the cake itself!”

Stede sniping, “All right, stop going on about your cakes,” and the way Roach gasps and puts his hand to his chest when Stede says it barely tasted of orange

Top-notch delivery on, “Let's just accept the fact that, due to Roach's immoderate use of the citrus…” Bitchy Stede, you have my heart!

I like that Stede and Roach both react to Jim’s remark about the humidity in St. Augustine. While Stede replies, “I’ll wear a hat!” (and he does, I love it!), Roach kind of scrunches/fluffs his curls

ETA - When Stede comes back with the treasure map in 1x07

Aaaahhhhh, I can't believe I forgot to include this bit, it's so good!

When Stede returns to the ship, Roach jumps out of his seat and comes over--"Oh, thank god! You found the oranges?" My guy is such a dedicated doctor/cook, I love him!

The whole time Stede is telling the crew about the treasure map, Roach's body language just radiates frustration/annoyance/"this is some bullshit"

I just love Roach's anxious, "W-wait, what about the oranges?" and Stede's dismissive, "Still on with the oranges, really?" The latter might be my favorite Obliviously Bitchy Stede line delivery of all time!

When Stede tells the crew that Ed is alive in 2x04

“Uh, medically speaking, the man can’t speak and his brain is maybe couscous.” Such a great line and delivery!

I love the funny little blink/expression Stede makes when Roach says he needs the steak back

When Stede gets the cursed suit in 2x05

I just love Roach’s relish for Stede’s suit. “Aw, that shit is decadent! Very captainy”—“decadent” is such a great way to describe it

Stede’s outstretched arms and, “I know, right?” Ah bless, he just radiates with how much he’s feeling himself in that moment

When Stede thanks Frenchie and Roach for supporting him in 2x05

I’ll definitely revisit this bit when I get around to Favorite Scenes Between…Stede & Frenchie, but the moments with Roach are great here too

Gaahhhh, Samba’s delivery on, “Men of science,” and the handwavy little gesture he makes with his sandwich, I love it!

Stede flourishing and twirling with the suit multiple times on his way out of the galley, oh my god!

[fallenrocket]

Favorite Scenes Between...Spanish Jackie & the Swede

The show got me 100% on board with this pairing in a single episode, and it’s with two characters I definitely wouldn’t have thought to ship before watching season 2. Kudos to OFMD for making me adore the Swede and Jackie together!

When Jackie meets the Swede in 2x01

“Who’s Blondie?” “That’s—that’s the Swede.” “I’m the Swede.” Hee! I love the Swede not being sure she means him at first, and the way he answers after Oluwande

I like the slightly confused Swede turning around under Jackie’s instruction, and her telling him, “Aren't you the absolute unit?”

The Swede seems a little perplexed, and sometimes nervous, throughout this meeting scene, but I like how genuine his smile is when Jackie assures him, “Spanish Jackie don't bite,” and then leans in to add, “I lied—I bite.” 1) His smile is so sweet, 2) it offers a front-row look at his missing tooth, and 3) it shows that the Swede is into this too, not just Jackie

When Jackie takes the savings jar in 2x01

It’s interesting to see the Swede’s conflicting loyalties here. He’s definitely aligned with Jackie, but it’s clear that he feels for Stede and co. as well

When Jackie tells them, “I think I'm gonna upgrade you to the triflin' ingrate plan,” I like the apologetic tone in the Swede’s voice as he says, “There's a lot of fees”

Hehe, I love Jackie calling the Swede “boo cakes!”

Even though he obviously doesn’t like that Jackie is taking his friends’ money, the Swede still chips in when she asks about any other fees: “Ongoing job training and education?”

“I know that guy! We had breakfast together.” “You will be having a lot of breakfasts-es together.” Love it!

When the Swede performs his “husbandly duties” in 2x01

First off, nice shift from Izzy moaning after being shot to Jackie moaning in pleasure—with, of course, the added swerve that the Swede is giving her a massage!

The Swede cracking his knuckles as he says, “Your back is really tight. Like, super tight!”

Awww, he’s so excited to get started on Jackie’s hamstrings! Also, I don’t know why, but every time the Swede says, “Okay!” to Jackie, it’s just unreasonably cute

“Yes, fuck those hammies up!” Come on, need I say more?

I love Leslie’s delivery on, “How are you so good at this???”

When Jackie catches Ricky in 2x01

It’s still the massage scene, but there was a snippet in between with Stede, the crew, and Ricky, so I’m counting it as a separate entry. Short but excellent!

omg, the Swede intently massaging Jackie’s hamstring while saying, “The calf muscle is the most mysterious of all the muscles,” in that singsongy voice

I like that Jackie is immediately all action when she hears a noise: “Somebody fucking with the bar.” She’s so goddamn cool, I swear!

Hee, the Swede scrambling off the bed, eagerly calling, “I’ll get the knife!” He is such husband material, it’s wild

When Jackie realizes the Swede double-crossed her in 2x01

Poor Swede, crying, “I-I-I owed a life debt!” I like how sweet Jackie is as she replies, “It's okay, sexy Dutchman.” And she’s like, gently stroking his shirt with the bloody knife as she says it—I love her so much!

“Double-cross is my jam.” lol, of course it is!

The Swede looks so hopeful/happy as he asks, “So you're not mad?” So sweet!

“We work it out at the house.” I love them, your honor!

The Swede’s little “oh!” when Jackie smacks his ass is terrific

Not exclusively a Jackie/Swede interaction, but I adore, “Let's go, husbands.” Nobody’s doing it like Spanish Jackie!

When the Swede brings Jackie and Ed their drinks in 2x07

The Ed-Jackie conversation will definitely be discussed in a future Favorite Scenes Between…, but the Swede/Jackie of it all something else to enjoy about this scene

When Ed defends his non-leather look, I love the bemused look the Swede and Jackie exchange as the Swede replies, “Oh, okay—back to basics.” This is the power of Jackie’s swagger, that she and the Swede can rag on Blackbeard together

Squeeeee, the Swede’s adorably smitten smile at Jackie as he turns and walks away from the table!

I like how Jackie raises her voice when she tells Ed, “Now he's mucho caliente!”, making sure the Swede can hear. Makeover aside, I think remarks like that play a huge part in the Swede’s glow-up: the confidence that comes from knowing the woman he loves finds him so sexy

When Jackie poisons the British in 2x08

I love Nat’s delivery on, “I ate poison?! Am I going to die?”

“Ah, you best believe everybody is poison-trained in this household.” What an icon! I adore her

Hee, the Swede looking around all bewildered, asking, “We are?”, and Jackie reassuring him, “Yeah, baby”

When the Revenge leaves at the end of 2x08

The image of them cozied up together at the beakhead is great, with Jackie’s arm over the Swede’s shoulders while she smokes a cigar

“I like the sound of that!” “Of course you do, sugarballs.” Oh my god, lmaooooo!

[fallenrocket]

Favorite Scenes Between...Stede & Zheng

When Stede and Oluwande visit the soup stand in 2x01

Something tickles me about Stede roping in “Susan” (aka Zheng) for his lesson to Olu about having a good attitude—such a dad thing to do, omg! “Sue, if you thought that way, would you have this wonderful soup kiosk?”

And of course, he doesn’t really notice that Zheng doesn’t back up his point. He just sails right past that to, “Sue had tenacity and grit,” hee!

“I also killed someone and stole their kiosk. Sometimes action is better than vision.” I know she’s incognito right now, but line is very Zheng

When Stede admires Zheng’s handling of John Bartholomew in 2x03

One thing I love about Stede is that he’s not afraid to openly praise someone else’s work. As much as he thought he was “overqualified for towels,” he’s now settled in quite well to being the guy who pushes the canape cart and serves the champers. So here, Zheng’s skill is something to revel in, not something he has to downplay for the sake of his own ego as a captain

He’s so cute, gushing, “I'll never forget it. I mean, he was gonna blow his brains out, and then you close the deal! Wow!” When his voice goes high and a little squeaky on “close the deal”? Love it!

In true oblivious Stede fashion, he just plunks a stack of towels down on Zheng’s desk, missing her subtly annoyed look

The dynamic between them here is really good. Stede is fluttering and excited, Zheng cool as a cucumber

I like Stede comparing his own style to Zheng’s, down to giving her the old “talk it through.” There’s some pride in there, yes, pointing out his similarities to the incredible pirate queen. But you can also tell how thrilled he is that Zheng talked John down without violence, and he’s just enthusiastic to know another pirate captain who seems to be taking the same approach as him

Ooh, Zheng maintaining her calm, unruffled manner as she points out to Stede that “there's always the second option” when people can’t talk it through. So good! The way she looks up at Stede and gives him this sweet smile until he realizes what she’s talking about

“Yes! This is a ‘join me or die’ situation. I didn't conquer China by letting people go on and on about their feelings.” Zheng is such an interesting character. It’s always neat to see when she does her sweet placating routine, when she goes steely badass, and when she reveals some of her real vulnerabilities. Here, she slips into steely mode while keeping her sweet demeanor at the start, gradually dropping it as she rolls her eyes about people expressing their feelings

Stede’s reaction to this is good, too. I like how he quiets down, alternately alarmed/thoughtful, then just turns to Oluwande with an uncertain smile—“Mmm, dire”

When Auntie comes in to tell Zheng they’ve found another ship, I love Rhy’s delivery on, “Two in one day, wow!”

When Stede and Zheng talk about Ed in 2x03

Just generally, Stede having a relationship talk with Zheng is so good! It’s maybe a corollary to Ed’s relationship talk with Jackie in 2x07—the two scenes have different dynamics/sensibilities, but I really like both of them!

In his plea for the Kraken crew, I like how Stede appeals to Zheng on their behalf while also being gentle in his explanation about Ed. “Well, they couldn't keep living like that. Ed can be quite…troubled.” He acknowledges that it was a terrible situation all around—he doesn’t blame the crew for what they did, but his description of Ed recognizes Ed’s hurt and pain, rather than going with the “he went mad”/“he was a wild dog” route that Izzy took

“Girl, how are you?” Iconic! Perfection, no notes. Ruibo’s delivery is fabulous

I love the way Stede is trying to process his feelings in real time. “Well, it feels pretty complicated, actually. And bad. It feels bad.” Ohhhhh, Stede!

“I should've just told him how I feel. But I was scared, and now here we are.” It’s so interesting that Zheng is the person Stede is opening up to here. I suppose he knows he can’t go to Lucius anymore, who would’ve normally been one Stede would talk to about things like this. I wonder how well he felt like he got to know “Susan” on the Republic of Pirates, and if that’s why he feels comfortable being so vulnerable in front of her

“I've dated my fair share of guys on wanted posters. They're hot…” Great moment, and I love that little fair point face that Stede makes in response to this!

As Zheng talks about “the wrong people [getting] hurt” re: guys on wanted posters, I like how Stede brings it back around to the Kraken crew. “Maybe we could avoid that happening here”

Gaahhhhhhhh, I adore Zheng’s pout when she says, “I am feeling a little merciful today”

When Stede duels Zheng in 2x07

Obviously a much more contentious scene between them, but the interactions here are fantastic!

“I took her entire crew down with chamomile tea!” Hee! I like that, while Stede is spiraling right now and this is a tense scene, they still fit in these moments of levity

For all that Zheng is a lethal badass, as she’ll demonstrate very shortly, I like how collected she is throughout this confrontation, like calmly remarking, “I'm going to pretend you didn't just touch your sword.” She’s not rolling over, not by any stretch, but she’s also giving Stede every opportunity to walk away from this

Although Zheng’s most provocative moment—her crack about Ed leaving Stede—is definitely designed to sting, she doesn’t realize it’s actually true until she sees Stede’s reaction. Ooh, that slight step forward and the lowered voice on, “Who told you that?”, sooooooo good!

Oh god, the tears glistening in Stede’s eyes when he tells her to draw, paired with Zheng whipping her sword around and taking that badass stance, I love it!

I’m hardly the first to point it out, but it’s neat to see how Stede’s muppety tricks from his duel with Izzy don’t work here, because he’s off-kilter and not being true to himself. Based on this duel, I understand why Zheng would make her “mediocre man who thinks he's exceptional” assessment

Even though it can be painful to watch Stede striking out like this, Rhys’s acting is terrific. I especially like his little “aha!” when he frees his sword after Zheng steps on it, and his wide-eyed “...shit” when he tries to throw a bottle at her and misses

Zheng’s still giving Stede every chance to stop this—during the whole swordfight, she doesn’t do more than toy with him, and outside, it’s, “Say ‘mercy’ and this all ends.” Obviously Stede has plot armor, but compared with how quickly she dispatches Steak Knife, it’s interesting how lenient she’s being with Stede, who did previously embarrass her with the escape from the Red Flag

“Merci…beaucoup!” with the halfhearted dirt throw, oh man…. Stede, buddy, what are we doing?

Ughhhhhh, I just love, “Is this how you plank someone, Stede?! Am I doing it right?” She’s so great

“Now the plank walks you!” Hee!

That shot of Zheng standing there, holding the plank over her head, watching her fleet blow up in the harbor is just… :flails: Amazing acting from Ruibo here, my god!

When Stede comforts Zheng in 2x08

“You could try thanking me, by the way. I did, er, pull you to safety.” “I pulled you to safety.” “Did you? Well, don't wanna split hairs.” Love it! I find it oddly sweet that correcting Stede is the thing that pulls Zheng out of replaying the destruction of her fleet, and Stede’s, “Did you?” has such “I have no memory of that” energy, ha!

I really like how Ruibo portrays Zheng’s numb sense of hopelessness here when she says, “Who cares? I failed. Auntie and my whole crew are dead because of me.” It’s pretty understated, but you can feel it loud and clear

Side note: it strikes me that this is kind of a reverse of their conversation about Ed in 2x03. Zheng is the one opening up here—she’s less forthcoming than Stede is, which is fitting for her character, and the way he responds is different than she did for him

Squeeeeeee, all my love for Stede awkwardly trying to touch Zheng’s shoulder! Her forceful, “Don't touch me, Bonnet,” and his, “Yeah, sorry. I tried to be…it was affectionate, but, er, it was weird. It was weird.” Absolutely perfect! This scene has just the right blend of drama and comedy

Awwww to Stede jumping in to try and save Zheng when the two British soldiers come by and she won’t get up to hide. I love the shot of her sitting there while you can hear Stede valiantly losing a fight with the soldiers offscreen. *punch! punch!* “You’ll regret this!” is especially good

Zheng getting up and matter-of-factly killing the soldiers, followed by Stede’s cheerful, “Well, that went as well as I planned it.” I love them, your honor!

There’s something I really like about Zheng cinching her pigtails as she goes off to find and kill Ricky

When they fight the British on the beach in 2x08

They kind of characterize Stede as the planner/collaborator and Zheng as the fighter/lone wolf here, even though she’s traditionally been strategic and gathering allies. But under the circumstances, where Zheng’s entire fleet has been killed, she feels like she has nothing left to lose. She specifically tells Stede, “I can go die all by myself,” showing the reckless mindset she’s in right now. So it works that Stede is the one urging caution, saying, “We do need to be smart about this”

When Zheng says that Stede’s help is pretty much useless, I like that he immediately retorts, “Oh, I can do things!” Stede is such a fascinating mix of insecurity and self-assurance!

Love, love, love that Stede’s sword is stuck in a British soldier when he sees Ed across the beach, that Zheng kicks the guy to get it unstuck, and that she urges him to go to Ed

Strictly speaking, this is a Stede/Ed interaction, but it’s too good not to count it. When Zheng calls to them and Ed asks who she is, I adore the soft reverence in Stede’s voice as he replies, “Oh, that's Zheng. She's super tough.” Cutting back to Zheng surrounded by British soldiers and shouting, “Fuuuuuuuck!!!” makes it art

When they lead the crew to take on the British in 2x08

a.k.a. the “Road to Moscow” sequence. It’s just a quick moment within the whole (amazing) scene, but Stede and Zheng look cool as hell at the head of the pack, leading the others through the streets of the Republic of Pirates

When Zheng asks Ed to team up in 2x08

I like that Stede is the first one to reply, gently pushing Zheng back with, “Er, maybe give him a moment.” He’s not shutting the idea down entirely, but he recognizes that this isn’t the moment for it

Oh man, you can tell Zheng is calling Stede “a damn fine pirate” practically through gritted teeth, but Stede “Social Cues Extraordinaire” Bonnet is flattered by it

I love, “Really? Anything in particular you like about my skill set?” Hee!

[fallenrocket]

Favorite Scenes Between...Jim & Spanish Jackie

They only interact with each other in a couple episodes, but they’re always so great! Looooove these two together!

When Jackie finds Jim with Alfeo’s body in 1x03

Gaaahhhhhh, this whole scene is fantastic, and the added layer of Jackie knowing the whole time that it’s really Jim makes it even better.

Great shift from Jackie’s cold, authoritative, “I knew you was a thief,” to that smile and seductive look with, “But I loves me a thief.” Jim’s eyebrow raise at that little twist cracks me up!

Jackie backing Jim up against a post and purring, “Relax, you’re stiff in all the wrong places,” while they give her this nervous smile and try to hold their fake beard in place

And while it’s not strictly a Jackie-Jim interaction, it’s in this scene, and it’s too iconic not to mention: “M’noses!” Hee, love it!

When Jim threatens to kill Geraldo in 1x08

Everything about this entire scene is so cool and sexy and badass, I adore it!

Jim holding their dagger to a bloodied-up Geraldo’s throat, slowly lifting their head and hitting us with that, “...Hi, Jackie”

Jackie cocking her gun and asking, “What exactly is the plan here, Jim?” She is just cool as a cucumber—it’s clear that she still considers herself 100% in control of this whole situation

Jackie stone-cold shooting Geraldo as he says, “Don’t try to save me,” spectacularly paired with Jim standing frozen as he crumples to the floor and muttering, “...Shit.” So, so perfect!

Jim’s Plan B being, “Uh, fight to the death, probably?”

Jim hanging up their hat and slowly walking towards Jackie with that swaggery grin, flipping their dagger and saying, “That’s 59 seconds too long.” Oh my god!!

Both Jim and Jackie admiring each other’s moves—I especially love the hidden knife in Jackie’s wooden hand

Jackie proposing Plan C

After watching this scene, you have to assume Jackie now thinks Jim is good husband material

When Jackie urges Jim to give up their quest for revenge in 1x08

I love the way Jim sits with one leg resting on the table, balancing their dagger on its tip

The whole part where Jackie tells Jim to guess her age. Gaahhhhhh, when she blows out smoke with a sigh and says, “...25,” then laughs when Jim tries to tell her, “You look…good”

“Stop lying, kid.” Squeeing, kicking my feet in the air!

The look Jim gives Jackie after asking her to tell them about “the dogs” who killed their family