#370: In this heartfelt episode of GT Radio, the GT Crew sets sail with season two of Our Flag Means Death, diving into the rich emotional depth, queer representation, and mental health themes woven into the show’s comedy and chaos. Link brings pages of notes, and together with Josué, Lara, and Marc, they unpack everything from grief and self-loathing to found family and meaningful personal growth—pirate style.

The crew explores how Our Flag Means Death sets itself apart as a show where expressing your emotions is not only encouraged, it's essential. Characters like Blackbeard (Ed), Stede Bonnet, Izzy Hands, and Lucius all grapple with trauma, identity, and healing in deeply personal and often humorous ways. Whether it's the symbolism of the "gravy basket," using drag and music as therapy, or making up fake holidays like Calypso’s Birthday to help the crew bond, the show embraces creative, community-centered approaches to emotional processing.

From serious moments of dissociation, suicidal ideation, and toxic self-beliefs to the joyful messiness of queer relationships, the GT Crew celebrates how Our Flag Means Death makes space for it all—while staying genuinely hilarious. They also reflect on how the show’s depiction of community healing, narrative reframing, and personal transformation mirrors themes in therapy and real-life mental health journeys.

This episode is an ode to queer joy, chosen family, and why sometimes all you need is a safe spaceship, a fake holiday, or a little whittled shark to begin healing.

Characters / Media Mentioned in the Episode:

• Our Flag Means Death (HBO Max)
• Stede Bonnet
• Blackbeard / Edward “Ed” Teach
• Lucius, Izzy Hands, Jim, Frenchie, Fang, Buttons, Roach, Black Pete
• Ricky Banes (Prince Ricky)
• Anne Bonny & Mary Read
• Zheng Yi Sao
• Archie
• One Piece
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Thor: Ragnarok
• Spider-Man: No Way Home
• Ted Lasso
• Killing Eve
• Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
• Star Wars (Referenced)
• Pinocchio (Referenced)

Themes / Topics Discussed in the Episode:

• Chosen Family
• Identity
• Grief & Loss
• Suicide / Suicidal Ideation
• Queer Representation
• Reframing Narratives
• Belonging
• Emotional Vulnerability
• Self-Discovery
• Post-Traumatic Growth
• Humor as Coping
• Art as Therapy
• Personal Boundaries
• Community Support
• Coping Mechanisms (Dissociation, Self-Destruction)

Relatable Experiences Discussed:

• Fear of Abandonment
• Wanting to Start Over
• Dealing with Rejection
• Trying to Escape Your Past
• Being Misunderstood
• Living Outside Societal Norms
• Coping with Trauma
• Forming New Relationships
• Seeking Validation
• Self-Loathing and Shame
• Making Amends
• Finding Meaning in Difficult Experiences
• Using Creative Outlets for Healing

Continue the Discussion:
Tell us what resonated with you from this episode or Our Flag Means Death. Visit the GT Forum, connect on the Geek Therapy Discord, or find us on social media. We want to hear your favorite characters, scenes, or takeaways—and whether you've thrown a Calypso’s Birthday party of your own.

What do you think makes Our Flag Means Death so emotionally resonant and unique?
Which characters or storylines did you relate to the most—and why?
Have you ever created your own “safe spaceship” or community for healing like the crew did?
How do you use humor, storytelling, or creativity to process difficult experiences?
If you were a pirate, what would your ship be called—and what kind of crew would you build?