Change Your Image
jclarraga
Reviews
What We Do in the Shadows: Pilot (2019)
A worthy companion to the film
What We Do in the Shadows is one of my favorite films ever, and my first introduction to Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement. I watched the film when I was studying abroad in Wellington, NZ. I instantly fell in love with the endearing characters and mockumentary style, and I still revisit the movie every year during the Halloween season. When I heard there was going to be a show based off the film with a new cast of characters, I was worried that it wouldn't be able to live up to the success of its predecessor, nor would it be able to replicate the format effectively. I glad to report that I was proven wrong. This show is charming, hilarious, and a worthy companion to the film that shares its name.
Our Flag Means Death: Calypso's Birthday (2023)
Colorful community
Don't even get me started about this episode! The lights, the costumes, the make-up! Con O'Neill's beautiful voice! The set design in this episode, considering the budget cuts that this show faced in season 2, was spectacular and so fun to watch on screen. The color palette is so vibrant and playful, and the dark backdrop of the night sky only helps those colors to pop out at you. Additionally, the LGBT representation is top tier. I love how the writers were able to replicate the feeling of community brought about by drag culture. We get to see some great character development too as this pirate family comes into their own and learns more about their own desires.
Our Flag Means Death: The Curse of the Seafaring Life (2023)
Forgiveness with a funny aftertaste
The overlying theme of this show is transformation; moving ahead of what defines you, or at least what you think defines you, and finding growth through companionship. It's touching, and this episode displays it beautifully with heartfelt, hilarious acting. A good show keeps its themes balanced to set an even tone that maintains the attention of the audience. I never find my mind wandering when I watch this show. It measures the portions of sincerity and hilarity perfectly. And best of all, we finally see our crew finding balance in their relationships. Letting in by letting go. It's a pleasure to experience.
Our Flag Means Death: Fun and Games (2023)
A chance to start over
This is probably the episode that I revisit the most. It's one of those episodes where the chemistry between the actors/characters is particularly resonant. The subtle facial expressions, the sincerity in tone, the raw emotion in their acting. It's all there. Taika and Rhy's long friendship supplements their performances and makes their fictional romance all that more believable. This episode is satisfying because it is all about forgiveness and letting go of pain for the sake of moving forward. Anne Bonny and Mary Read were great, short-term additions to the show, as their strained relationship works to foreshadow what is to come for Ed and Stede years down the line.
Our Flag Means Death: The Innkeeper (2023)
Mystical and Heartwarming
This episode is amazing, and definitely a favorite among a large majority of OFMD fans. Finally, after a long wait, we see characters reunite as the crew merges into a slightly tenser, distrustful version of its original form. The music choice really adds so much emotional depth to the scenes, particularly that last scene. The cinematography is UNCANNY! The costume designers clearly went all out this episode. We as viewers can see how much the characters have endured and can practically feel their pain, and this episode is refreshing because it represents the start of a period where wounds are allowed the heal and close relationships begin to blossom.
Heartstopper: Out (2023)
A great look into young love
Heartstopper is great not just for its portrayal of queer romance, but also its exploration of the complexities, awkwardness, and the shear exhilaration of adolescent love. The new season really hits home bc of how scared I felt about coming out to my peers. In fact, it wasn't until college that I was fully out and proud. So it's cool to see these young kids expressing their sexuality and finding the strength and support they need to be true to themselves. I think that a show like this is so important for other teenage youth to see, queer or not. It teaches a lot about acceptance and inclusion and community.
Our Flag Means Death: Red Flags (2023)
A comedic exploration of the human condition
S2 episode 2 comes in strong! LUCIUS IS BACK! And he's obviously traumatized by his near death experience at the hands of Ed, someone that he had come to trust. I love how this episode demonstrates the emotional consequences that stemmed from the season 1 finale. Lucius is tense and angry. Ed is heartbroken and riddled with self-hatred. Stede yearns to fix in mistakes. And finally, I love how the crew continue to look out for one another as things start falling apart. They even save Izzy, a much despised character in season 1, and protect him from Ed's abuse. It's amazing how a show that's designed to be funny also has the capacity to be so raw and so human.
Our Flag Means Death: Impossible Birds (2023)
Funny, poignant, creative
Our Flag Means Death has become one of my favorite tv shows ever, and the start to season 2 only increased my deep appreciation for it. The perfect nuance between comedy, romance, and emotional development really comes together beautifully. The new characters introduced this season are funny and mesh in well with the season 1 cast. It was sad to see some familiar faces were less present in the show this season, but regardless I think David Jenkins pulled everything off beautifully. I LOVE the change in scenery! New Zealand was the perfect place to film in! Honestly, I sort of wish that they had filmed season 1 in New Zealand too!