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!
