Episode 8, the gripping season finale of Our Flag Means Death Season 2, commences with Ed embracing the serene solitude of nature. However, the idyllic facade is soon shattered by the grumbling fisherman and his son, who accuse Ed of being a lazy loafer. The fisherman's anger boils over when Ed labels him as 'simple,' and the pair bid Ed a farewell in a dingy boat, urging him to return to his true calling.
The aftermath of Richard Banes' explosives reveals a devastated Republic of Pirates now under the British yoke. Spanish Jackie capitulates to the soldiers' demands, while the Swede becomes an unwilling guinea pig for wine testing. Zheng and Stede, however, have managed to evade the British radar, but Zheng's spirits are dampened by the loss of her crew and Auntie. When two soldiers approach, Stede attempts a confrontation but falters, leaving Zheng to intervene.
Returning from his fishing escapade, Ed is confronted with the carnage that has replaced the Republic of Pirates. His mind immediately turns to Stede, and then to vengeance against the two soldiers who mock him. Remembering the fisherman's advice, Ed dives into the sea to retrieve his pirate attire.
Richard Banes reunites with the captive crew of The Revenge, breaking the news of their impending execution with a smug smile. He summons Izzy for a private conversation, where he boasts of vanquishing the pirates. However, Izzy counters that piracy is not merely about stealing; it's about finding one's place in the world. Meanwhile, Spanish Jackie orders Roach to retrieve a special brandy from her bar.
Two soldiers stumble upon a washed-up bottle containing one of Stede's letters. Their laughter is abruptly silenced by Ed's swift intervention. As he reads the letter, Stede's heartfelt words for Ed evoke both a smile and a tear from the pirate.
Undeterred by Stede's vehement objections, Zheng presses onward, intent on terminating Richard's life. Their path, however, is abruptly interrupted by a sudden ambush from a battalion of soldiers, forcing them into a desperate battle. Meanwhile, not far away, Ed engages another group of soldiers in a fierce struggle.
As Stede and Ed rush towards each other amidst the chaos, Ed embraces Stede with a fervent kiss, his lips forming the words, "I love you." Without hesitation, they rejoin the fray, lending Zheng a vital assist.
Inside the prison's confines, Olu discovers Auntie, her body riddled with injuries and depleted of much blood. With Jim's skilled hands, shrapnel is carefully extracted from her shoulder, and she is bandaged up. She confesses that they are not as menacing as she had initially perceived, labeling Olu as "soft." Olu gently counters, reminding her that a soft touch is often what people yearn for in life.
Amidst the carnage, Ed and Zheng emerge victorious, having vanquished all their assailants with Stede's timely aid. The trio storms into Spanish Jackie's, braced for a final confrontation with the remaining soldiers. But to their surprise, the soldiers begin to froth at the mouth and falter, one by one, leaving only Richard standing. It becomes apparent that Jackie's brandy was, in fact, a potent poison. The Swede is agitated, fearing he had been used as a guinea pig, but Jackie assures him that all her husbands are adept in poison's ways.
Zheng reunites with Auntie, and under Olu's gentle guidance to embrace her softer side, Auntie proudly declares her pride in Zheng.
Despite Stede's ambitious plan for the next phase, his companions remained skeptical of its success. Nevertheless, they braced themselves for the challenge. The pirates cunningly stole the soldiers' uniforms and donned them, using Richard as a hostage to command the other soldiers in the dense woods. Izzy pressed Richard to command them to surrender, but he broke free and fired a shot at Izzy, who fell wounded.
A fierce firefight ensued, but the pirates emerged victorious, managing to retreat to the beach and eventually boarding their ship. Tragically, Izzy lay gravely injured, blood spilling from his wounds. Ed clung tightly to him, while Izzy apologized for goading Blackbeard into a conflict he shouldn't have provoked. Ed declared that Izzy was his only family, but Izzy reminded him that the crew of The Revenge cherished him as their own, making them his family too. With a final breath, Izzy bade Ed to be true to himself and passed away. The crew buried their fallen comrade with heavy hearts.
Subsequently, Zheng proposed a partnership to Ed and Stede, believing they complemented each other well. On the ship, Lucius and Pete exchanged vows and were united in holy matrimony. The Revenge sailed off with the crew's spirits high, but the two former captains remained ashore.
Stede and Ed stood on the land where Izzy's grave rested, by a dilapidated house, watching the ship recede into the horizon. They had chosen a new path as innkeepers and seemed content with their decision. As they entered the house, a seagull gracefully settled on Izzy's grave marker, marking the end of a remarkable season in Our Flag Means Death, Season 2, Episode 8.
