Something magic happened on the high seas last month when HBO Max debuted its very diverse and very queer pirate romantic comedy series Our Flag Means Death.
The show, which stars Rhys Darby and Taika Waititi as real-life pirates Stede Bonnet and Blackbeard, has quickly become a ratings success and a fan favorite. But it still hasn't been renewed. Now, one fan is taking to Twitter and explaining exactly why its renewal is so important.
The author of the message, who is a Black queer woman, said it's been over a month since she first watched the show, but still, she can't get over it. And she knows why.
"This is the first show, if not piece of media, that made me feel like maybe being myself, being who I am is not a bad thing and I should embrace who I am wholeheartedly," she wrote in a recent tweet. "Being a Black queer woman isn't always easy, but this show made it easier. It made me realize that I can find people who accept me as I am and they can become family."
"It showed me that there is hope for me, for us, and that I am not a failure. It showed me that there was beauty in me, and that I shouldn't be scared to show it, because otherwise what's the point," she continued. "It showed me that I belong somewhere, no matter how much people around me tell me that's not the case."
The heartwarming message was shared by several members of the cast and crew, including creator David Jenkins, who replied, "It's not my place to say this is too generous, so I'll just say thank you."
Vico Ortiz, the nonbinary actor who plays Jim, also retweeted the message, adding, "Sending y'all so much lovin through the cosmic vines that connect us!"
Ever since the final episodes of season one aired, fans have been extremely vocal about wanting Our Flag Means Death to be renewed. The buzz around the show has been so much that it was the number one most in-demand series on streaming for a whole month, beating other shows like Moon Knight, Severance, Euphoria, and WeCrashed.
Shows like Our Flag Means Death are rare, and this just shows how badly they're wanted. When a series gives us fleshed-out and complicated queer characters and storylines, everyone wants it.
So, HBO Max, when are you going to renew the show? The audience is certainly there, and so is the cultural impact. Now, the petrified orange is in your court.
RELATED | 13 LGBTQ+ Shows You Can Watch on HBO Max Right Now
Sexy MAGA: Viral post saying Republicans 'have two daddies now' gets a rise from the right