is this my re-entry into tumblr? i have brought some Our flag means death fanart for u as a little ‘im back’-typa gift havent known a single minute of peace ever since i watched this show. im obsessed
Disclaimer I know nothing about music theory and I might just be overthinking this so all of this is just me attempting to analyze for funsies. I might just be pointing out blatantly obvious things but anyway, I can’t stop thinking about it for a month and no else seems to be talking about it so here yall go:
So as many of us have noticed by now gnossienne no 5 plays during Stede and Ed’s most intimate moments. Now what really has me absolutely fascinated is that it’s slightly altered every time.
(1:28- 2:33)
The first instance of the Motif was during the closet scene in episode 4 ‘Discomfort in a Married State’. The motif that is associated with Blackbeard (you know that deep maybe cello sound (again sorry about some of these goddamn descriptions I couldn’t find the actual song they used unless it’s an OG)) began for a few seconds but once the scarf touched his cheek and Stede noticed Ed’s fascination with the fabric it turned into Gnossienne no 5. I also noticed that as soon as Izzy came looking for him it transitioned back into Blackbeard’s motif. It was pretty sly and I barely noticed it during my first few watches since Blackbeard’s motif blends so well with the Blackbonnet motif and during this instance Gnossienne seems to be played on a flute, or another small, wind instrument.
After a bit of pondering, I’ve come to the conclusion that they chose this to show that Ed was being slightly mischievous since he wasn’t being truthful about who he was, and at the time he did see Stede as a sort of a plaything (which are his more ‘Blackbeard qualities’) but as soon as they both connected with their interest in ‘finer things’ it was one of their first instances of understanding one another. Stede who has been ridiculed his entire life as well as on the ship was suddenly being appreciated and Ed finally met someone who had the things he could only dream of, even as a rich pirate he never thought about getting such things for himself even though he could afford it. When Izzy came looking for Ed, their cute little bubble was popped and it was back to business.
(0:00- 0:37)
The second time their motif played was during the same episode while they are up in the crow’s nest; Stede brings Ed some marmalade. It is still the same airy flute version as before just simply without Blackbeard’s motif which I find interesting because you would think that since this was when he supposedly came up with the whole stealing Stede’s identity thing their motif should be plagued with Blackbeard’s motif just as the last scene. The lack thereof is what makes me believe that that was not his intention, at least initially, although the music does abruptly come to a stop when Ed seems to realize that they could learn from one another. I believe that’s because their little moment is over (him finding the fact that Stede gave up gunpowder for some delicious marmalade as well as Stede technically bringing Ed breakfast in bed (; ) This personally is proof that Ed did genuinely want to just learn from him but changed it up when wanting to give Izzy a reason stay (he said he needed with there, the man can’t function without him) and later convinced himself that this was what he needed to do, what he wantedto dosince he was Blackbeard.
(0:51- 1:29)
It can next be found in episode 5 ‘The Best Revenge is Dressing Well’ during our one and only you wear fine things well scene! I don’t know about you guys but when I think about this motif, this is the scene that my brain goes to, it might just be because it is my favorite scene between them. This is the first time that this song is played on piano and I believe it’s to demonstrate them recognizing their feelings. Before it was played on the flute and it was airy almost to represent the feelings to be floating around. This version is in a way a lot more confident. I believe it to represent their feelings to be obvious to themselves. Especially Ed, Ed is definitely like oh shit I’m in love with him ( I mean he leaned in for a kiss for god sakes! :0) And Stede seemed to be although maybe not sure what the feelings were, he definitely was aware he felt something, you don’t turn around and look at someone like that if you don’t (or his little smile, my god, my heart)
(2:04- 2:33)
Our little friend, the motif, shows up again during the bathtub scene in episode 6 ‘The Art of Fuckery’ and they do something with it that absolutely fascinates me. They use what seems to me (someone who has an untrained ear when it comes to instruments) to be the same as the music associated with Ed childhood in the last episode when they showed the backstory with the silk piece. It seems to be reimagined in the same style as his song and the same instruments were used. Sounds like a Harpsichord (which learned Ed knows how to play in the last episode as well) and a cello???? (which as I mentioned before is what I believe to be the main instrument used in Blackbeard’s motif (which wow if they did that on purpose. Their minds!) Anyways, I see this as a representation of Stede accepting his past and seeing little Ed, not the Kraken. Little Ed who spends time with his mother, loves the feeling of silk and fights for those he cares about.
(1:16- 1:47)
Finally, the last time this motif shows up is in episode 9 ‘Act of Grace’ during THE KISS. In this version, it is played on piano similarly to the version played in episode 5 during the “you wear fine things well” scene. Only in this version, it is played at a much more quicker pace. It is much more confident, as it is played when Ed is confessing his feelings. There is no mystery, everything is crystal clear and it’s beautiful, man. It did end quite abruptly which might have been foreshadowing for how soon this small bit of happiness of them being together was going to end.
****OH MY GOD SO I WENT BACK AND NOTICED THAT ED WAS GOING IN FOR A KISS AT THE SAME POINT DURING THE SONG IN EPISODE 5 AS HE DID IN EPISODE 9 WHATTT!! THEY BOTH HAPPEN DURING THE QUICK TUN TUN TUN TUN TUN TUN PART LNMAOOO ***
All this to say I am obsessed, this show has consumed my mind, body, and soul. Every other show will forever be ruined for me. Also, the person behind this goddamn motif is a fucking genius and deserves a medal. Also, I might just be super overthinking all of this… haha thanks for reading. Please let me know if you think I missed something or if you interpreted something completely differently! I would really love to hear your thoughts and opinions :D
Personally can’t wait for the eventual scene where somebody barges into the captains quarters shouting “Captain!” and Stede pokes his head out of the curtain to the bed like “Yes?!” and Lucius or whoever is like “Um, Captain Teach?” and then Ed pokes his head out between the curtains under Stede with his hair pulled every which way like “YES?!!”
