With a season 2 renewal confirmed for the HBO pirate comedy, Our Flag Means Death, Lucius' questionable fate can discern whether or not he becomes the show's next antagonist and why he should. When Blackbeard attempted to do away with Lucius in the season 1 finale, it caused a stir of theories from fans wondering if Lucius will return for a second season and, most importantly, how he potentially can. Considerable character development for Lucius is on the horizon if he does return and it would be the best choice narratively for him to become the series' next major villain.
Actor Nathan Foad plays Lucius Spriggs who is the personal scribe of his captain, the Gentleman Pirate Stede Bonnet. In OFMD season 1, Lucius is shown to be a cautious pacifist in relation to his volatile crewmates who have no problem with violence or conflict. Over time, he grows more comfortable under Stede's captainship and even starts a relationship with the crewmate Black Pete who is a subtle foil to him in the way he worships dark legends about Blackbeard. He also acts as a conduit for the stormy relationship blossoming between Stede and Blackbeard. When Stede betrays Blackbeard by neglecting to show up for an important rendezvous, he mourns the relationship and ends up throwing Lucius off his ship in his grief.
For Our Flag Means Death season 2, Lucius would be the best choice for a villain because of what is already foreshadowed in his character's personality. While Lucius worries about conflict and bloody violence, he is still headstrong when it comes to his opinions. He displays serious fortitude when dealing with Blackbeard's turbulent mindset implying a daring demeanor needed to become an antagonist. With great effort, he overcame much of his anxiety towards Blackbeard by helping his romance with Stede come to fruition. By leaving Lucius for dead after establishing trust and even friendship, Blackbeard opens up an opportunity for Lucius' strong-willed attitude to be turned on him negatively. Depending on how Lucius' survival is explained, he may return with darker traits developed in his character offscreen. It would be a unique twist that will shock his original crew and catch Edward "Blackbeard" Teach off guard. These are the direct reasons Lucius being the next OFMD villain would be best.
Blackbeard’s Betrayal Might Have Been Lucius’ Last Straw
Blackbeard and Lucius originally do not get along mostly due to Izzy Hands' deeply rooted contempt for Lucius. Lucius remains dedicated to establishing his own importance as a crewmember and Stede's closest confidant regardless of being targeted by Blackbeard's righthand man. Under Blackbeard's command, Lucius grows confident approaching conflict and begins to respect Blackbeard more for the vulnerabilities he occasionally exposes. He risks his well-being on several occasions to help Blackbeard and Stede's relationship blossom. So, it's feasible that when Blackbeard dismisses every effort he's made for his mental stability and happiness by leaving him for dead, Lucius will take the gesture more than personally. With his newfound confidence, he might return seeking revenge. OFMD season 1 ends with Blackbeard (actor Taika Waititi) unreasonable and spiteful which is an energy that needs to be met only with an antagonist who feels more scorned than he does, which would be Lucius.
Lucius’ Romance With Black Pete Could Parallel Stede and Ed’s
The relationship between Black Pete and Lucius already subtly parallels Stede and Ed's romance. Stede Bonnet has a proclivity for the finer things in life, similar to Lucius who dresses more similar to the Gentleman Pirate than anyone in his crew. Black Pete shares Blackbeard's desire to exude a savage demeanor and live dangerously. The softer side of Black Pete is increasingly displayed in his growing affections for Lucius over the course of Our Flag Means Death similar to how Blackbeard's convictions melt away when he starts developing feelings for Stede. Their easygoing relationship may change if Lucius returns with foul intentions and a bone to pick with Blackbeard. If season 2 is to continue developing a tense relationship between Black Pete and Lucius, then Lucius' newfound antagonism could add a nuance that will serve to parallel what is likely going to be a volatile reunion between Stede and Ed.
Lucius becoming the villain could flip his dynamic with Black Pete upside down in a good way. Black Pete may be more attracted to Lucius since he is obviously attracted to the legend of Captain Blackbeard and the pirate's outwardly presented malice. With new untoward motivations, Lucius may also decide to distance himself from Black Pete which would parallel Blackbeard's attempts to erase anything Stede-related from his life in an effort not to be weak again. Pete could also refuse this new version of Lucius and subsequently show character growth. Lucius' new villain status would cause interesting conflict in his relationship with Pete that would not only focus on a different side to him but redefine Pete's moral code.
The Reason Lucius Survived Can Explain His New Motivations
If Lucius returns for season 2, the reason for his survival might explain why he's become the villain. He is seemingly left for dead in the middle of the ocean which means another ship will likely have to pick him up to save him. Since the Badminton twins are defeated, there is room for a new overarching evil. Perhaps reminiscent of Davy Jones's crew in Pirates of the Caribbean, a squad of new pirates with more malicious intent than Blackbeard can enter the scene and prime Lucius to join their ranks. If they save Lucius from drowning, he may feel indebted to them which can explain why he turns villainous. At the very least, he'd be on the antagonist's side.
Lucius' absence in season 2 would be felt greatly because of the integral role he plays in the narrative. There are several paths his story could go next season, that include tying up loose ends between both friends and foes, which is why he should return. Furthermore, making a comeback as the villain for Our Flag Means Death season 2 is undoubtedly the best course of action for his character and the innovative series as a whole.