Having arrested and interrogated the entire crew of the Revenge, Chauncey Badminton declares that Stede is to be executed by firing squad for Nigel's murder, while Ed will be remanded to Izzy's custody in recognition of Izzy's help in catching Stede. Unable to bear the thought of Stede being executed, Ed instead asks that the two of them be pardoned under King George's Act of Grace, a law declaring that any pirate who agrees to give up his life of crime and serve in the war against the Spanish will be granted amnesty. Chauncey argues that the Act does not apply to Stede, only to "real pirates," but the crew of the Revenge stands up for Stede and says that he is a true pirate. Chauncey's officers overrule his protests and decide that Stede and Ed will be pardoned.
Ed and Stede both receive pardons under the Act of Grace and are sent to a military camp. While checking in, Stede learns that he has been declared dead during his time away from his family. Stede is perturbed by this, as well as by how easily Ed settles into non-pirate life, to the point of willingly shaving off his iconic beard without any fuss. Sensing his unhappiness, Ed finds Stede on an isolated stretch of beach and comforts him. Ed confesses that the reason he's handling the situation so well is because being with Stede is what makes him happy. They kiss, and Stede says that Ed makes him happy, too. Ed suggests that the two of them run away and start new lives together somewhere else, to which Stede hesitantly agrees. While Ed is off finding a dinghy they can use to make their escape, Chauncey abducts Stede at gunpoint. Chauncey calls Stede a monster who has brought Nigel, his own family, and history's greatest pirate to ruin. Stede tearfully agrees with the assessment. Chauncey tries to kill him, but drunkenly trips and shoots himself with his own gun instead. Stede flees the scene. Ed waits for Stede by the dinghy until dawn, but finally accepts that Stede isn't coming. Heartbroken, he rows off alone.
Izzy takes command of the Revenge and establishes himself as a harsh and demanding leader. The crew immediately and unanimously decides to mutiny and installs a reluctant Oluwande as captain. As they are about to throw Izzy overboard, however, Ed returns to the ship and tells Izzy to bring him tea in the captain's quarters. Meanwhile, Stede returns to his family home in Barbados, where Mary is horrified to see him alive.
This episode provides examples of:
- Anachronism Stew: The Act of Grace was a real thing, but administered by the newly appointed governor on Nassau rather than the king, and didn't demand 10 years of military service, just an agreement to quit piracy. About half the pirates on Nassau (209) took him up on it, though many reneged.
- The Big Damn Kiss: Stede and Ed get a downplayed version: while it's narratively and emotionally a huge deal, it's also the first truly romantic kiss either of them has ever had, and so they gently fumble for each other and enjoy the closeness of it rather than having a big dramatic moment.
- Blatant Lies: Everyone tries to claim they don't know anything about piracy. Stede also tries to pretend he hasn't seen Nigel in ages.
- Face Death with Dignity: When Stede is sentenced by Badminton to death by firing squad, he tells a frantic Blackbeard that he is willing to face the consequences. Subverted a few seconds later, when he's actually in front of the firing squad, he's completely terrified and cries for help.
- Go Through Me: As Stede faces down the firing squad, Ed desperately puts himself between Stede and the soldiers.
- Hollywood Kiss: Ed and Stede's kiss on the beach is impossibly tender and sweet, befitting the first romantic kiss either of them have ever had and that neither of them have ever truly loved anyone but each other.
- "I Can't Look!" Gesture: When Stede is facing down the English firing squad, most of his crew off to the side cover their eyes and ears.
- I Just Shot Marvin in the Face: How Chauncey Badminton dies. After taking Stede hostage from the privateer academy in the middle of the night, he rambles drunkenly, then stumbles towards Stede before tripping on a branch in the woods and shooting himself in the eye.
- The Mutiny: After Izzy takes over the ship in Blackbeard's absence, the crew deeply resents his captaincy, and once again plot a mutiny. This time, they very nearly succeed, and are just about to throw Izzy overboard to drown before Blackbeard shows up and has them let him go.
- Shot at Dawn: Stede is meant to be executed by firing squad, but Ed intervenes at the last minute by pleading the Act of Grace.
- Taking the Heat: Blackbeard tries to take the fall for Stede.
- Talk to the Fist: As Stede is facing down the firing squad, Ed punches Izzy square in the face for selling them out to the English.
- Tyrant Takes the Helm: After Ed and Stede leave for the privateering academy, Izzy takes over as captain and rules with an iron fist. Doesn't take long before The Mutiny happens.
- Wham Episode: The episode drastically changes up the series' previous episodic-structured comedy. Ed and Stede sign away their lives of piracy to serve the English king and finally kiss, then Stede abandons Ed and the seafaring life altogether and goes home to his wife and children.
- You Are Worth Hell: In order to save Stede's life, Ed gives up the name, reputation, and life he forged as Blackbeard to become a privateer and serve the English king. When Stede asks him how he's adjusted so well to this new life, he confesses that as long as he's with Stede, he'll be happy.
