The Blackadder appreciation thread.

[Denster]

Class!

[Drunken_Master]

Prince Ludwig: (laughs) Lord Melchett, we meet again.

Melchett: No, I don't think we had the pleasure.

Prince Ludwig: You do not recognize me, then. Let me refresh your memory. You remember when you were in Cornwall at the monastery, there was an old shepherd with whom you used to talk.

Melchett: Good Lord, Dimkins?

Prince Ludwig: Yes! *I* was one of his sheep.

Melchett: Not....

Prince Ludwig: Yes!

Melchett: Flossy?

Prince Ludwig: Yes!

Melchett: But didn't we...?

Prince Ludwig: Yes, Lord Melchett! BBBBAAAAA!

Melchett: Oh my God!

[Mogster]

It's become a bit of a cliché to say so, but I still can't watch the end of series 4 without wanting to cry. I was amazed when I first found out how much of a fluke it was that it turned out so well.

[Call and Answer]

The way I see it:

Series 1 has the strongest central dynamic, with a scheming but wimpy Blackadder, a streetwise Baldrick and a foolish but somehow not entirely useless Percy. It just suffers on the laughs per minute front, as most of the supporting characters aren't significantly funny in themselves. The final episode is excruciating, though. It shouldn't be funny, but how else can you respond to something so horrific?

Series 2 changes that dynamic completely, so the riffs about how stupid Baldrick and Percy are - while very funny - do betray a little one-dimensional comedic intent, but it's way more than made up for with the overall best supporting characters (I love that copycat messenger boy!) and a perfect balance between verbal humour, physical humour, plot and farce. In terms of pure comedy it's probably the best series.

The series 3 Blackadder is more of a banana split, but the dynamic between the central characters is even funnier, especially George's immense twittishness. I think swapping out McInnerny as a key character for Laurie was a positive change for this series, despite McInnerny's acting being a little better restrained; Laurie's fool is more extravagant than McInnerny's. Ultimately, though, the setting isn't really taken advantage of, and the ending is flabby.

The final series, however, is lent an enormous degree of pathos by its setting, and the satire of military figures is much sharper than the parody in previous series of ditzy royals. All the comedy is undercut by a sense of foreboding, the way you can tell from the very first episode that all these characters are strawberry floated. It's all very funny, though with a surprisingly thoughtful closing episode. For this reason, this series having the most relevant historical context, I consider it the best; Blackadder is still scheming and cynical, but this time he's not in control, and I felt his clear resignation before going over the top quite poignant considering his place as the latest in a long lineage of cruel, manipulative cowards.

I also watched the Christmas Carol, which was predictably disappointing, and will probably watch Back And Forth at some point over the weekend, which I don't have high hopes for... but the original four series will, in my estimation, stand for quite some time as the pinnacle of British comedy, both collectively and individually.

Oh and that Lord Flashheart. WOOF WOOF! strawberry floating hell. I've never seen Rik Mayall funnier than that.

Pretty much what you said.

As an additional point, I'd say Series 2 and 3 are the most accessible series of the lot.
Series 1 is off-putting to people I think because the art direction doesn't fit with the subject matter. It's too dark and oppressive (I'll admit when I first saw some of the episodes as a young, impressionable child, it scared the bejeesus out of me). It is undeserving of the hate it's getting 'round here mind. Series 4 is great but a bit over-reliant on in-jokes.

For me, Series 2 is the best. It holds a special place in my heart because, along with Fawlty Towers, it's something I grew up watching over and over again. Ah the wonders of VHS...

[JK]

The dictionary episode is probably my favourite.

C - big wobbly wet thing that mermaids live in.

[IGM]

The dictionary episode is probably my favourite.

C - big blue wobbly thing that mermaids live in.

Better.

One of my favourite episodes too.

"It's an aardvark! Can't you see that your highness? It's a bloody Aardvark!!"

[SEP]

The dictionary episode is probably my favourite.

C - big wobbly wet thing that mermaids live in.

Probably my favourite episode of series 3.

[Neo Cortex]

The dictionary episode is probably my favourite.

C - big wobbly wet thing that mermaids live in.

Probably my favourite episode of series 3.

My dearest contrifibularities!

[JK]

Cat - not a dog.

[Mogster]

Baldric? Who gave you permission to turn into an alsation?

[T9Flake]

On of my fav ep's is the one with the baby eating bishop of bath and wells

[Infibeyen]

Baldrick, does it have to be this way? Our valued friendship ending with me cutting you into long strips and telling the Prince that you walked over a very sharp cattle grid in an extremely heavy hat?

Always loved that line.

[Saint of Killers]

Edmund: Right. [to George] You're ready?

George: Just about sir, yes. Erm, if you just like to pop your clothes on the stool.

Edmund: I'm sorry?

George: Just pop your clothes on the stool over there.

Edmund: You mean, you want me... tackle out?

George: Well, I would prefer so sir, yes.

Edmund: If I can remind you of the realities of battle George, one of the first things that everyone notices is that all the protagonists have got their clothes on. Neither we, nor the Hun, favor fighting our battles "au naturel".

George: Sir, it's artistic licence. It's willing suspension of disbelief.

Edmund: Well, I'm not having anyone staring in disbelief at my willie suspension.

[TheTurnipKing]

On of my fav ep's is the one with the baby eating bishop of bath and wells

o/

[Denster]

Love that episode.

[floydfreak]

"Blackadder" - So whats your name
"Kate" - Kate its short for Bob

cant find the whole line quote sorry

[Jimmy Shedders]

Great booze up Blackadder!

[SEP]

Great booze up Blackadder!

Great Boo's up!

[Rubix]

BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM
BOOM BOOM BOOM
BOOM BOOM
BOOM BOOM





BOOM BOOM BOOM?

[Joer]

Was watching this again yesterday and remembered this: