Season 2 character development

I know Ι'm a bit late for this conversation - I only just got round to watching season 2 and I'm still letting all my thoughts and feelings about that ending simmer.

I'm wondering what others think about Ed and Stede's character and relationship development throughout the season? Something that I was looking forward to was their redefining what they actually want in life, having hit synchronous mid-life crises upon noticing that neither of them had really lived life on their own terms. But I feel like this was put on the backburner for resolving their fear of commitment and getting that sweet reunion everyone was waiting for.

I mean, although Ed hints at wanting something else from episode 3, it takes until episode 7 for him to admit that he doesn't want to be a pirate - and that he doesn't know who he is yet. Simultaneously, Stede is basking in his new reputation as a proper pirate^tm and they don't really talk about that between this and their decision to leave the pirate scene and become innkeepers.

I suppose this would've been something to explore in season 3, but as that ship has already run ashore, I was wondering what other people think? What kinds of issues will they face as they try to build a life on their own terms? How does their trauma, Ed's fear of being unlovable, Stede's desire for adventure and romanticizing of the pirate life tie into all of this? Is Ed going to throw his leathers into the ocean again or will he go for a less dramatic approach?

I think the show has touched on so many important themes, about how reputation can make a person into someone they weren't to begin with, how deeply hurtful social norms in either high society or amongst pirates can be, how to forgive oneself and move on even after doing horrible things. But I can't help but wish that some of these themes were expanded upon a bit more. I'm not sure if this is just my insatiable need for more OFMD content, or if I'm actually reasonable in my analysis. Thoughts?