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Blackadder - Appreciation Thread.

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Rich!

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Man. What a fucking show. I'm going to ignore The Black Adder as I personally do not think it fits in with the rest (I actually have recommended the show to people, only for them to give up because of the first series), but if anyone else wants to plug it then feel free. If you're new to the show, I heavily recommend you skip Series 1, and move straight onto Blackadder II. Come back to Series 1 after you've finished 2, 3 and 4.

From Wikipedia:

Blackadder is the name that encompassed four series of a BBC 1 period British sitcom, along with several one-off instalments. All television episodes starred Rowan Atkinson as anti-hero Edmund Blackadder and Tony Robinson as Blackadder's dogsbody, Baldrick. Each series was set in a different historical period with the two protagonists accompanied by different characters, though several reappear in one series or another, for example Melchett and Lord Flashheart.
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Series 2 - BLACKADDER II (1986)

blackadder2.jpg


Starring

Rowan Atkinson as Lord Edmund Blackadder
Tim McInnerny as Lord Percy Percy, Heir to the Duchy of Northumberland
Tony Robinson as Baldrick
Miranda Richardson as Queen Elizabeth I of England
Stephen Fry as Lord Melchett, the Lord Chamberlain
Patsy Byrne as Nursie

Set during the Elizabethan era, this is where it all kicked off. Smaller sets and a lower production budget forced Richard Curtis and Ben Elton to craft scripts that were witty, tight, filled with character and most importantly, hilarious. Special mention goes to Dr Who himself Tom Baker as a crazy drunk ship's captain with no legs who loves the feel of a woman's bottom. Can't forget about Rik Mayall as Lord Flasheart either. What a guy.

My favourite episode: Potato.

Series 3 - BLACKADDER THE THIRD (1987)

badder.jpg


Cast:

Rowan Atkinson as Edmund Blackadder
Tony Robinson as Baldrick
Hugh Laurie as George, Prince Regent
Helen Atkinson-Wood as Mrs Miggins

Set during the British Regency, Blackadder the Third stripped down the primary cast even further, relying on the chemistry of the three main actors (Atkinson, Robinson and Laurie) along with a cast of A-class guest stars such as Chris Morris, Robbie Coltrane as Dr. Johnson, author of the Dictionary and Stephen Fry as the terrifying Duke of Wellington, as well as Rowan Atkinson playing against himself as...MacAdder.

This series continues the trend of Blackadder's descendents getting cleverer, whilst Baldrick's gets stupider. But the stupidest by far is Hugh Laurie as thicky thick thicker than a whale omelette Prince George.

My favourite episode: Ink and Incapability. Nothing, ever comes close to this half hour of comedy gold. My favourite episode of the entire show.

Series 4 - BLACKADDER GOES FORTH (1989)

goes-forth-final-scene.jpg


Cast:

Rowan Atkinson as Captain Edmund Blackadder
Tony Robinson as Private Baldrick
Hugh Laurie as Lieutenant George
Stephen Fry as General Melchett
Tim McInnerny as Captain Darling

The fourth and final series of Blackadder, set during the First World War. A far cry from his ancestor's life as a prince - this era of Blackadder is a captain in the trenches of No Man's Land, together with the stupidest descendant of Baldrick yet and Hugh Laurie as the happiest person ever to set foot into a war zone. Depressed and desperate to escape, Blackadder attempts a new plan each episode only to fail each time, due to the incompetence of Baldrick and George, or the sheer madness of the insane General Melchett, along with his assistant, Captain Darling.

Eventually, all good things come to an end, and Blackadder ended with the single most touching moment ever to be shown on television, even to this day. I'm not posting it. You know what I mean, you have to watch it.

Anyway, it's not all depressing. This series was still fucking hilarious.

My personal favourite of 4? Corporal Punishment. The scene in the courtroom still reduces me to tears of laughter to this day.

anyway. there's the main series done. If you haven't seen them yet, then what the hell are you waiting for? Netflix USA and UK both have it on. If you live in the UK and you haven't seen Blackadder yet then...well...

i dunno
 
Blackadder is one of my favorites! There are so many great episodes, but I'm partial to "Bells" from S2. I have to disagree about S1 though; I really enjoyed it, even if it's a bit "simple" compared to the rest of the series. I think it has its own charm. Also, it has my favorite ending theme.
 
Kino 27 said:
Blackadder is one of my favorites! There are so many great episodes, but I'm partial to "Bells" from S2. I have to disagree about S1 though; I really enjoyed it, even if it's a bit "simple" compared to the rest of the series. I think it has its own charm. Also, it has my favorite ending theme.
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I wouldn't say it's "simple" at all, apart from the humour. The problem was it was too big, too grand and far too expensive.

It's impressive, but it just totally lacks the wit and sophistication of series 2-4. It's as if Mr Bean was transported back into time, rather than the deadly sarcastic and intelligent cunning fox that was Blackadder of 2-4.
 
richisawesome said:
I wouldn't say it's "simple" at all, apart from the humour. The problem was it was too big, too grand and far too expensive.

It's impressive, but it just totally lacks the wit and sophistication of series 2-4. It's as if Mr Bean was transported back into time, rather than the deadly sarcastic and intelligent cunning fox that was Blackadder of 2-4.
Click to expand...

On the other hand, you get to enjoy the king of hams himself, Brian Blessed.
 
Bitmap Frogs said:
On the other hand, you get to enjoy the king of hams himself, Brian Blessed.
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It's worth watching for him, I give you that.

The thing is, as I said in the OP, The Black Adder is known to completely turn people off the show entirely. It's so different from the rest of the show in terms of scripting, location and humour that it's definitely something that new-comers should leave until after they've watched 2-4.

I mean hell, Blackadder II was designed to be a fresh start anyway. Hopefully you'd agree with me on all this anyhow.
 
Blackadder is one of my most favouritest shows of all time!

The first series isn't that bad, but yeah, no one should start there. Series 2 is really where it starts getting awesome.

No movie love?
 
richisawesome said:
I wouldn't say it's "simple" at all, apart from the humour. The problem was it was too big, too grand and far too expensive.

It's impressive, but it just totally lacks the wit and sophistication of series 2-4. It's as if Mr Bean was transported back into time, rather than the deadly sarcastic and intelligent cunning fox that was Blackadder of 2-4.
Click to expand...

I've seen people criticize the writing as being too simplistic compared to S2-4. I really don't think it's worse so much that it takes a different approach.

It's not my favorite, but I still think it has its own merits.
 
I think one of my all time favourite moments was the election in S3. Including this little bit:

Blackadder: Right. Now all we have to do is fill in this MP application form. "Name"...Baldrick. First name?
Baldrick: Er... I'm not sure.
Blackadder: Well, you must have some idea.
Baldrick: Well, it might be Sod-Off.
Blackadder: What?
Baldrick: Well, when I was little and I used to play in the gutter, I used to say to the other snipes "Hello, my name's Baldrick." And they'd say "Yes, we know: Sod-Off Baldrick."
 
Kino 27 said:
I've seen people criticize the writing as being too simplistic compared to S2-4. I really don't think it's worse so much that it takes a different approach.

It's not my favorite, but I still think it has its own merits.
Click to expand...

Sure. The fact is though, it's almost entirely a different show. It's almost a prototype Blackadder.

All I'm saying is I don't want possible new fans finding this thread, watching Series 1 of Black Adder and thinking "This is it?!" Like I said, if anyone wants to do a section for The Black Adder (or the special episodes), feel free - I just personally want to concentrate on the absolute best of British comedy.

If a newcomer finds this thread and their first episode is Bells, then that's the best possible start anyone could ever had. Hell, it was the first episode I ever watched!
 
BadHand said:
Series 2 > 4 > 3 > 1
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I just feel the chemistry between Atkinson and Laurie during season 3 reaches critical levels and thus from my point of view I enjoy it more than the fourth season. But of course we're talking about Black Adder here, it's like debating the merits between Stinky Bishop and Parmigiano Reggiano. World class cheese anyways.

richisawesome said:
It's worth watching for him, I give you that.

The thing is, as I said in the OP, The Black Adder is known to completely turn people off the show entirely. It's so different from the rest of the show in terms of scripting, location and humour that it's definitely something that new-comers should leave until after they've watched 2-4.

I mean hell, Blackadder II was designed to be a fresh start anyway. Hopefully you'd agree with me on all this anyhow.
Click to expand...

Oh yeah I do agree.
 
lastplayed said:
I think one of my all time favourite moments was the election in S3. Including this little bit:

Blackadder: Right. Now all we have to do is fill in this MP application form. "Name"...Baldrick. First name?
Baldrick: Er... I'm not sure.
Blackadder: Well, you must have some idea.
Baldrick: Well, it might be Sod-Off.
Blackadder: What?
Baldrick: Well, when I was little and I used to play in the gutter, I used to say to the other snipes "Hello, my name's Baldrick." And they'd say "Yes, we know: Sod-Off Baldrick."
Click to expand...

That's not the best part from that episode.

"Mr. E Blackadder is the acting returning officer when the previous returning officer sadly, accidentally brutally stabbed himself in the gut while combing his hair."

edit: My favorite quote from Inc & incapability

"They due say Mrs. Miggins that verbal insults hurt more than physical pain. They are of course wrong as you will soon discover when I stick this toasting fork in your head."

And I started on season 1 due to my local pbs station and loved the show from then on.
 
Quite possibly the greatest British sitcom ever made.

Series 2-4 are simply flawless. I did enjoy series 1, but it was significantly weaker than the others.
 
richisawesome said:
Sure. The fact is though, it's almost entirely a different show. It's almost a prototype Blackadder.

All I'm saying is I don't want possible new fans finding this thread, watching Series 1 of Black Adder and thinking "This is it?!".
Click to expand...

I agree that it's not the best place to start, given how different it is from the rest of the show. I just think people shouldn't completely write it off, or never see it at all. :-)

And yes, it's worth seeing just for Brian Blessed.
 
Henchmen21 said:
That's not the best part from that episode.

"Mr. E Blackadder is the acting returning officer when the previous returning officer sadly, accidentally brutally stabbed himself in the gut while combing his hair."
Click to expand...

The whole episode is great, just had to pick something. :p

Ivor "Jest Ye Not Madam" Biggun (Standing at the Back Dressed Stupidly and Looking Stupid Party)
 
Oh yeah, I have this!!

Whole_Damn_Dynasty.jpg


Every single script for the entire show, plus bonuses in a massive hardcover book. Got it for christmas off my dad a few years back - spent the evening quizzing quotes with eachother!

My favourite excerpt:

Blackadder: Baldrick, where's the manuscript?
Baldrick: You mean the big papery thing tied up with string?
Blackadder: Yes Baldrick, the manuscript, belonging to Dr. Johnson
Baldrick: You mean the big baity fellow in the black coat who just left?
Blackadder: Yes, Baldrick. Dr. Johnson
Baldrick: So, you're asking where the big papery thing tied up with string belonging to the baity fellow in the black coat who just left is?
Blackadder: Yes, Baldrick. I am. And if you don't answer, then the booted bony thing with five toes at the end of my leg will soon connect sharply with soft, dangly collection of objects in your trousers. Now for the last time, Baldrick, where is Dr. Johnson's manuscript?
Baldrick: On the fire
Blackadder: On the *what*?
Baldrick: The hot, orangy thing under the stony mantelpiece
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absolute genius. you can feel the slowly building rage in Blackadder as he realises what's happened. And then that final line by Baldrick just kicks him even more
 
I can't remember how it goes exactly but there's one bit where Baldrick is scared about doing something for Blackadder because he could go to hell and Blackadder says something like, "Baldrick, an eternity with the devil and all his hellish machinations will be nothing compared to five minutes alone with me, and *this* pencil".

Loved this show growing up.
 
RedShift said:
I can't remember how it goes exactly but there's one bit where Baldrick is scared about doing something for Blackadder because he could go to hell and Blackadder says something like, "Baldrick, an eternity with the devil and all his hellish machinations will be nothing compared to five minutes alone with me, and *this* pencil".

Loved this show growing up.
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That was from my favourite episode, when Blackadder states Baldrick will help him steal Dr. Johnson's copy of the Dictionary:

Blackadder: Baldrick, believe me, eternity in the company of Beelzebub and all his hellish instruments of death will be a picnic compared to five minutes with me and this pencil if we can't replace this dictionary.

of course, there is no copy!!
 
I don't get the hate for The Blackadder. The Queen of Spain's Beard is one of the best episodes in the entire series, and, yes, Brian Blessed is just that damn good...surpassed by only Miranda Richardson in that 'role'.
 
AMUSIX said:
I don't get the hate for The Blackadder. The Queen of Spain's Beard is one of the best episodes in the entire series, and, yes, Brian Blessed is just that damn good...surpassed by only Miranda Richardson in that 'role'.
Click to expand...

I'm with you on this one. I loved The Blackadder even though the second series is my favorite.
 
Black Adder and Black Books are a shinning testament to truly great British comedy.

I've watched BA about 20 or 30 times, it's just brilliant. Every year around xmas i get that itch.
 
One of my favorite British comedies of all time. Even the regrettably lackluster first season holds a sweet spot in my heart.

Just as a side mention - one of the best dialogue lines ever comes from the seldom seen Christmas Carol:


Edmund: Ah, Melchett! Greetings!
I trust that Christmas brings you its traditional mix of good food
and violent stomach cramp.

Melchett: ...and compliments of the season to ]you[, Blackadder.
May the yuletide log slip from your fire and burn your house down.
 
Amazing series and one I always come back to now and then.

S4=S3>>>S2>>>>>>>>>>>>>S1

They benefited immensely from inclusion of Hugh Laurie to the cast.
 
glaurung said:
Just as a side mention - one of the best dialogue lines ever comes from the seldom seen Christmas Carol:


Edmund: Ah, Melchett! Greetings!
I trust that Christmas brings you its traditional mix of good food
and violent stomach cramp.

Melchett: ...and compliments of the season to ]you[, Blackadder.
May the yuletide log slip from your fire and burn your house down.
Click to expand...

"God bless Mister B. on Christmas Day and Baby Jesus too.
If we were little pigs then we'd sing piggywiggywiggywiggywoo.
Piggywiggywiggywiggywiggywiggywiggywiggywiggywiggywiggywiggywoo
Ohoh Pig-gy wiggy wiggy woo.
Piggywiggywoo.
Ohoh Piggywiggywiggywiggywiggywiggywiggywoo"

*clap*clap*clap*

"Utter crap"



The delivery from Rowan Atkinson on "Utter crap" was perfect.
 
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