#RenewOurFlagMeansDeath: Fan Art Trends in Hopes of HBO Max Renewal

Do you know how to tell if you’re show has made it? Two words: fan art. Ever since its finale, Our Flag Means Death fans have been clamoring for a Season 2 all across social media. They’ve also inadvertently created one of the most wholesome pockets of the internet, which is fitting for this delightful show.

Though the series wrapped up on March 24, #RenewOurFlagMeansDeath started trending predominately over this past weekend. It’s not hard to understand why. According to Parrot Analytics, the series was the 11th most in-demand show in the U.S. and worldwide, making it the most popular new series to premiere during this time. The same report also noted that interest in the series tripled from its premiere to its finale. Of course, those figures should be taken with a grain of salt since they’re not from HBO. But since we’re in an age where streaming services don’t release their actual numbers, they’re one of the best indicators of Our Flag Means Death‘s popularity.

Another great indicator? The nearly endless scroll of stellar fan art. I mean, just look at it:

It’s beautiful.

The series even secured a pixelated homage on Reddit’s short-lived r/place:

We managed to do some art and stay until the end in r/place ! Huge thanks to the wonderful people on dc that made this posible ❤️ from OurFlagMeansDeath

Created by David Jenkins, Our Flag Means Death is the rare LGBTQ+ romance that doesn’t care about coming out stories or burying gays. When Stede (Rhys Darby) and Edward (Taika Waitit) first learned about each other, there was mutual fascination, like when you see that one effortlessly cool person across the bar. Over the series’ 10 episodes, viewers watched that fascination transform into friendship, mutual respect, best friendship, and eventual love. We’re talking actual romantic love here complete with a swoon-worthy kiss.

It’s an arc that isn’t just one of the best queer love stories on TV. It’s one of the absolute best love stories on television. Period, hands down, the end. Bridgerton can take a nap because this is romance at its best. Through Stede and Ed’s deep respect for one another, Our Flag Means Death reexamines these characters, making us fall in love with them through their budding love for each other.

That kind of atmosphere is something that fans of the show have intentionally recreated online. The discourse around Our Flag Means Death doesn’t finger wag about historical inaccuracies or over sexualize characters. It’s just a lovely place where a bunch of creative people have come together to gush about a very cute couple. That’s adorable. And if this show continues, it’s only going to get better.

At the end of Season 1, Stede and Ed were supposed to meet up so they could run away together. But after facing the brother of the man he sort of killed, Stede couldn’t meet his new lover. Edward, devastated, decided to take to the seas without him. By the end of the season it’s clear that they both still love each other and their “breakup” was mostly bad timing. Do you know what that is? Full on romance catnip. And mama needs another hit.

This is a selfish and transparent plea to HBO Max. Please renew Our Flag Means Death. Fans want it. Twitter wants it. I want it. Right now, everything is so awful all the time. So please just give us more of the nice gay pirate show.

Watch Our Flag Means Death on HBO Max