The lantern in the hold is fascinating to follow in 2x2 and 2x3. The symbolism of light is loud and how it shines on Ed is louder.
Light is used as hope and love, especially between Ed and Stede. But it can also mean despair, you're supposed to stay away from lighthouses so as not to crack up on the rocks.
When Ed walks into the hold in Red Flags a lantern hangs on a hook on the ceiling right over Ed's right shoulder. But more importantly, it is behind him — his hope is no longer in sight. We find out later on in this scene, that Ed is su*cidal.
This is revealed when Ed tries to get Izzy to do the deed for him. He stands with his back turned, his arms out. (It is part of the religious allegory that surrounds Ed and his rebirth and repentance. Of Jesus and Judas.)
The lantern hangs in the same spot as before but this time as Ed (tries) to embrace going on, the light spills onto him from the top of the stairs and the lantern in front of him.
When Ed is lying on the deck, a torch burns in this exact same spot. And Ed looks at it, like the last of a light source (toward the light). The symbolism of Stede is the last thing he looks at, the cravat, another symbolism of Stede, is wrapped around his neck.
Before the audience knows Ed's true mindset this episode, the light is always behind him, reflecting his dark thoughts, how Ed's hope and Stede's love is not in sight. But once the audience finds out Ed's mindset, the light is in front of him, shining on him. Stede's presence literally wrapped around him.
In the next episode, Stede enters the hold holding up the lantern, almost in the same space as the one that was hanging on the ceiling. The light shines on his face and then onto Ed's as he sets it down next to Ed's head. Once again, in the exact same spot as the other lanterns. Stede is literally shining his hope and love back onto Ed.
We see this reflected in the Gravy Basket (or as I want to affectionately call it purgaytory.) A bright white light shines onto Ed while he's in the ocean, and out of that hope comes Mer!Stede! Mer!Stede floats in front of Ed, not touching or pulling him to shore, but rather just being with him, as Ed decides to live.
During these two episodes, the lantern shows Ed's mindset. From the darkness of having the light behind him, to the bright light of hope and love in front of him.
In Fun and Games, candle light is used as an allegory (instead of the lantern) while at Anne and Mary's house .
The progression of the candle getting closer to Ed the more Stede talks and Ed stops hiding and starts showing his true emotions. It starts behind Stede, only shining on him, then moves between them: they are sharing the hope and love, and then next to and touching Ed. Stede's love, hope, and light shines symbolically through and onto Ed, while Ed opens up, looking at Stede, and taking the words to heart, letting the light soak in.
Bonus: the lantern swinging and causing Ed to move even closer to Stede.
Double bonus: Other examples of lights shining between them in intimate moments.
