One thing this show does really, really well is balancing its whacky humor and ridiculous shenanigan's with thoughtful character development. This episode is a perfect example of that. We get a deeper look into Stede's backstory here, but we also get properly introduced to Blackbeard. In no time, we see what these two have in commo: a deep dissatisfaction with their lot in life and the very opposite roles they each fell into. We also can see what they have to offer each other, what they can learn from each other. And then of course there's the immediate chemistry between them and what promises to be a beautiful friendship. Of course, there are still ridiculous shenanigans and laughs aplenty, but at the heart of it all is the relationship between these two characters, and we really get to see that begin to shine in this episode.