"My Lord, I have a cunning plan." The Blackadder Thread: Now disc. 'Blackadder Goes Forth'

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The sound of hoof beats 'cross the glade.
Good folk, lock up your son and daughter.
Beware the deadly flashing blade,
Unless you want to end up shorter.

Black Adder, Black Adder. He rides a pitch black steed.
Black Adder, Black Adder. He's very bad indeed.

Black. His gloves of finest mole.
Black. His codpiece made of metal.
His horse is blacker than a hole.
His pot is blacker than his kettle.

Black Adder, Black Adder. With many a cunning plan.
Black Adder, Black Adder. You horrid little man!
- theme song to Series 1: 'The Black Adder'

An introduction courtesy of Wikipedia:

For my birthday just recently, my sister got me Blackadder: The Ultimate Edition (Remastered) which features all 4 series plus the stand-alone episodes. I've only ever seen Series 4 (over a decade ago), plus a handful of episodes from Series 1 and 2 (though nothing from Series 3, or any of the stand-alone episodes either). So I thought it would be perfect to use this as an opportunity to host a thread as I start watching the collection right through.

For the benefit of gaining extra information, trivia, shout-outs etc. throughout I'll be primarily relying upon Wikipedia and the BBC's Blackadder webpage for references, however I'll also draw upon some of the fan pages as we go through if I find something of interest.

The chronological order (by historical setting, not release date) of Blackadder is as follows:
The Black Adder - set during the reign of Richard IV (fictional monarch between Richard III and Henry VII aka. Henry Tudor)
Blackadder II - set during the reign of Elizabeth I
Blackadder: The Cavalier Years - set during the English Civil War (one-off installment)
Blackadder the Third - set during the Regency period under Prince George
Blackadder's Christmas Carol - a retelling of the classic Dicken's tale, set in the 19th century (one-off installment)
Blackadder Goes Forth - set in the trenches of Word War 1
Blackadder Back & Forth - set initially at the turn of the millennium and then other time periods via time travel (one-off installment)

There were also numerous episodes done as sketches, theatre productions and even a radio episode, but I don't have access to these so will not be including them here.

So without further ado, let us begin with Series 1: 'The Black Adder' ...

 

As it so happens, I have never watched this show.

Maybe I should.

 

Series 1: 'The Black Adder'

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History has known many great liars. Copernicus. Goebbels. St Ralph the Liar. But there have been none so vile as the Tudor king Henry VII. It was he who rewrote history to portray his predecessor, Richard III, as a deformed maniac who killed his nephews in the Tower. But the real truth is that Richard was a kind and thoughtful man who cherished his young wards - in particular Richard, Duke of York, who grew into a big, strong boy. Henry also claimed he won the Battle of Bosworth Field and killed Richard III ? again, the truth is very different. For it was Richard, Duke of York, who became king after Bosworth Field, and reigned for 13 glorious years. As for who really killed Richard III and how the defeated Henry Tudor escaped with his life, all is revealed in this ? the first chapter of a history never before told, the history of ? THE BLACK ADDER. - opening narration for Series 1: 'The Black Adder'

Regular cast for the series:
Rowan Atkinson - Edmund, Duke of Edinburgh aka. The Black Adder
Tony Robinson - Baldrick
Tim McInnerny - Percy, Duke of Northumberland
Brian Blessed - Richard IV
Elspet Gray - The Queen
Robert East - Harry, Prince of Wales

Episode 1: 'The Foretelling' (first shown 15th June 1983)

Plot summary:

 

This sounds hilarious, actually.

 

Blackadder is a hilarious series, and on paper the 1st series looks no different - it's just the way Atkinson plays the title role here that doesn't do it justice unfortunately. Which is a real shame, as I've already watched 3 episodes (there's only 6 episodes per season - another smart idea that the British do with their TV series, stops them from dragging out too long) and there are some real gems in the dialogue - it's the delivery via Atkinson's persona here that ruins it.

Clearly the BBC knew there was *something* special about it, even though the 1st series was a disappointment ratings wise, which is why they gave them another chance to have a crack at it (with some stipulations, which I'll go into when we get there). The end result was Blackadder II, and the rest is history.

 

The Black Adder just doesn't work. It's too injokey, and the character dynamics improve hugely for the later series, where they're flipped about in regards to Edmund and Baldrick.

However, I do enjoy a few episodes of the first series, including the first episode, primarily because of Peter Cook. The guy was just a lightning rod for comedy, and it shows here. The cape caught in the throne gag always has me in hysterics.

 

Episode 2: 'Born to be King' (first shown 6th July 1983)

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Plot summary:

Quote of the episode:
"As the good Lord said: "Love thy neighbour as thyself ... unless he's Turkish, in which case, kill the bastard!" - Richard IV

Trivia:
* Although this is the 2nd episode chronologically, it was the 4th episode screened (Episode 4 was originally screened in it's place).
* The episode was a remake of the original (unaired) Blackadder pilot, only with the characters and setting altered.
* Shakespeare references - Blackadder substitutes a real blade for a harmless one to assassinate McAngus, ec

 

In the documentary Blackadder Rides Again, the writers and Rowan both mention they were in a conudrum with just how the characer of Blackadder should be portrayed, so that's why you have bits and pieces of what will eventually become traits of Blackadder as he is from Season Two (and strangely enough the Mr Bean voice does appear in the The Queen of Spain's Beard.)

Just about all of Blackadder 1 views like one long pilot episode, I must admit I do like The Archbishop out of all the episodes, you start to see the dynamic between Rowan, Tony and Tim in the scene when they're discusing how to make money from relgious relics scams.

 

Blackadder Rides Again came included on the DVD collection and I watched it before starting this thread - it's really interesting seeing how the concept and ideas developed as they went along. I'm planning to make a mention of some of them once we reach the end of Series 1 before starting Series 2.

I've watched The Archbishop, and I believe it is a step up - the relics scene is indeed very funny and (for once) the characters of Blackadder and Baldrick are utilised quite well.

 

I love Brian Blessed...

 

I always find mirth in the "Chiswick! Fresh horses!" gag. And I pull it out at random in public. Nobody knows what I'm talking about though.

I generally think that the second half of The Black Adder is a lot better than the first. The Witchsmeller episode is the highlight, if only because Frank Finlay is always extraordinarily great.

 

I liked the first series of Blackadder. As much as it's trashed I get the humor and why it's funny so I guess that might be it, but I think the original Edmund worked as a weasel, because that's generally what he is through the entire run. He's cowardly and will run from a fight or find a way to cheat in his favor. So I don't think they got the character wrong in the first series per se. More that they didn't get nail down his wit and absolute loathsomeness and for all his faults the original Edmund was kind of sympathetic whereas his later ancestors weren't very sympathetic. The fun was derived more from seeing him fail.

 

Episode 3: 'The Archbishop' (first shown 29th June 1983)

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Plot summary:

Quote of the episode:
"There appear to be four major profit areas: Curses, pardons, relics and selling the sexual favours of nuns." - Baldrick (in response to how Blackadder, as Archbishop, can make money)

Trivia:
* Both Godfrey, Archbishop of Canterbury and William, Bishop of London (his brother) are played by Arthur Hewlett.
* The 2 peasants that the characters ride past on several occasions are named 'Cain A. Peasant' and 'Abel A. Peasant' in the credits.
* (Not a) Shakespeare reference - at dinner at one point Richard IV yells out "Chiswick! Fresh horses!", it sounds Shakespearean but it really isn't (yes, the BBC checked ).

____________________

Well ... that was an improvement.

This episode is great. The characters now seem to be falling into place and timing between them is perfect. Edmund himself is starting to build up his sarcastic wit (check out the scene when he hears another Archbishop has had an 'unfortunate death') and his companions Percy and Baldrick are settling into their roles playing off him - as already mentioned earlier the scene discussing how to make money (particularly off relics - who'd like some shrouds from Turin? Or even a nice cheeseboard? (carved by Jesus himself of course) ) is hilarious and the 3 have great comic timing right up to the great final punchline.

Aside from that, the other characters are falling into place as well. I have to

 

Episode 4: 'The Queen of Spain's Beard' (first shown 22nd June 1983)

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Plot summary:

Quote of the episode:
"As my tutor, old bubble face, used to say: "make love and be merry, for tomorrow you may catch some disgusting skin disease." - Edmund

Trivia:
* Although this is the 4th episode chronologically, it was originally the 2nd episode screened (as mentioned in Episode 2's trivia).
* Star Wars reference - the princess of Hungary is called Princess Leia.
* Shakespeare references - three messengers come to the King in quick succession with news of the war. He says, "I like not this news! Bring me some other news." This is an echo of a scene in Richard III. After hearing bad news from a third messenger, Richard says, "There, take thou that till thou bring better news."

____________________

Another good episode. Once again Edmund's sarcastic wit gets a good run (usually at Percy's expense), we're also starting to see more and more 'cunning plans' being proposed by Percy and Baldrick (often to amusing results ... poor Baldrick). I also think the decision to have the Infanta (already funny) always accompanied by her translator was a stroke of genius (the love scene had me in hysterics).

Richard IV is a real chessmaster when it comes to foreign affairs and it's nice to see this side of him aside from BRIAN BLESSED!!! just bellowing all the time (though that is always funn

 

The messenger scene is one of my favourites in all of Blackadder.

Messenger 3: My Lord, news...
Richard IV: What?
Messenger 3: Lord Wessex is dead.
Richard IV: Ah! This news is not so good.
Messenger 3: Pardon, My Lord?
Richard IV: I like it not. Bring me some other news.
Messenger 3: Pardon, My Lord?
Richard IV: I LIKE NOT THIS NEWS! BRING ME SOME OTHER NEWS!
Messenger 3: Yes, My Lord!

*Messenger 3 exits, and comes straight back in*

Messenger 3: My Lord, news...
Richard IV: What?
Messenger 3: Lord Wessex is not dead.
Richard IV: Ah, good news! Let there be joy and celebration; let jubilation reign!

So damn funny. And yeah, it always reminds me of that scene from Richard III.

Also, I love the Miriam Margoyles/Jim Broadbent partnership, which of course gets a repeat of sorts in Blackadder's Christmas Carol. It's a shame they couldn't have a scene together in Harry Potter or something. I'd love to see them in a live action adaptation of When the Wind Blows, actually.

 

Anybody know where I can get this series?

 

You're in Canada aren't you Zaz? You can get the ultimate edition I'm watching from Amazon.ca.

 

Episode 5: Witchsmeller Persuivant (first shown 13th July 1983)

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Plot summary:

Quote of the episode:
"I've just been hearing about your work in Taunton. Imagine that - every single person in the village having an affair with the same duck." - Edmund

Trivia:
* Edmund refers to Harry as 'Henry' when he is proclaiming his innocence - a possible slip-up by Atkinson (the character had been originally called 'Prince Henry' in the unaired pilot).
* The Queen at the end wiggles her nose similar to Samantha in Bewitched.
* Monty Python references - in the village that has been victim to the plague a dead collector yells out "Bring out yer dead!" (before promptly succumbing himself). Near the end of the episode when Edmund is trying to buy time by confessing a multitude of sins, the Witchsmeller yells at him to "Get on with it!" - both quotes can be heard in Monty Python & The Holy Grail.

____________________

So the Black Death was spread by ... seamen . What interesting facts you learn.

Considering it's setting, I suppose it was inevitable that we would have a witch trial (complete with a hyster

 

Finlay is God.

Ever seen him in Othello or The Three Musketeers, Champion? The guy is a treasure.

I'd forgotten about the "nay" thing. Hilarious.

I also love Percy's story about the horse with two heads and two bodies...

 

The Witchsmeller Pursuivant: [Edmund is on trial, accused of being a witch] And Prince Edmund, I believe you have a pussy cat?
Prince Edmund: That's right, yes.
The Witchsmeller Pursuivant: Awww. Its name is Bubbles?
Prince Edmund: Yes, that's the one.
The Witchsmeller Pursuivant: Or to give it its full name,
[shouts]
The Witchsmeller Pursuivant: Beelzebubbles!

---

[face_laugh][face_cry][face_laugh]

I love the court-room scene, (I swear the next cat I own will be called [i]Beelzebubbles[/i],) I agree the series in its second part started to become much improved, when they called Blackadder's horse "Satin," to the stand though...

[hr]

[b]Witchsmeller[/b]: Now, Satin, just relax. You're among friends. Good. Now, tell
me, in your own words: Did you, Satin, on certain nights last
tide, indulge -- albeit, I accept, in all innocence
-- infrenzied, naked, and obscene Satanic orgies with your
master, known to you as the Great Grumbledook?

[b]Edmund[/b]: What?

[b]Witchsmeller[/b]: Silence, Grumbledook! Satin, you're not replying. (to Harry)
He's not replying, My Lord. Are we to assume this horse has
something to hide?

[b]Edmund[/b]: Either that or he can't talk.

[b]Witchsmeller[/b]: A likely story. Black Satin, known in the Hierarchy of Evil as
Black Satin the Loquacious, are you or are you not the servant
of Satan?

(The crowd screams; Black Satin whinnies)

[b]Harry[/b]: I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that. Was that a yea or a nay?
[b]
Witchsmeller[/b]: It was a neigh, My Lord, but I don't believe a word of it.
I call for a recess. He may think he controls us, but
we have ways of making him talk!

[face_doh!][face_laugh]

 

Admittedly, I had never even heard of him until here . Maybe one day I'll have to check out his other work (Othello in particular sounds interesting).

 

Episode 6: The Black Seal (first shown 20th July 1983)

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Plot summary:

Quote of the episode:
"Because Percy, far from being a fit consort for a Prince of the Realm, you would bore the leggings off a village idiot. You ride a horse rather less well than another horse would, your brain would make a grain of sand look large and ungainly and the

 

Series 2: 'Blackadder II'

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A series set in the Elizabethan era, where Edmund has grown a brain and *quite* a fetching beard. - BBC's description for Series 2: 'Blackadder II'

Regular cast for the series:
Rowan Atkinson as Lord Edmund Blackadder
Tim McInnerny as Lord Percy Percy
Tony Robinson as Baldrick
Miranda Richardson as Queen Elizabeth I
Stephen Fry as Melchett, Lord Chamberlain
Patsy Byrne as Nursie

Series Trivia:
* The opening titles are accompanied by a mock-Elizabethan arrangement of Howard Goodall's Blackadder theme played on a recorder and an electric guitar, and feature a black snake slithering about on a marble table. The snake, non-compliant to the wishes of its handler, is eventually removed and replaced with something related to the episode title (which in this series is always a single noun). The opening ominous string crescendo and imagery are also a parody of the opening credits of the 1976 BBC television adaptation of I, Claudius.
* The closing titles use a different arrangement of the theme on various instruments, accompanied by a counter-tenor (Jeremy Jackson) who sings lyrics reflecting the events of the preceding episode (which usually insult Blackadder). The song is played over a shot of Blackadder strolling through a formal garden and being annoyed by the lute-wielding minstrel (Tony Aitken). This sequence was incorporated as a separate subplot, with Blackadder constantly attempting to apprehend the musician each time with limited success.

Episode 1: 'Bells' (first broadcast 9th January 1986)

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Plot summary:

 

Episode 2: 'Head' (first broadcast 16th January 1986)

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Plot summary:

Insult of the episode:
"To you, Baldrick, the Renaissance was just something that happened to other people, wasn't it?" - Blackadder

'Wisdom' from Baldrick:
Blackadder: "Let's try again. If I have two beans and then I add two more beans, what does that make?"
Baldrick: "Umm ... a very small casserole?"

Trivia:
* Although broadcast after the first episode 'Bells', there are clear indications that 'Head' was intended to be the initial episode of the series. In 'Head' the character Lord Percy Percy wears a beard throughout; in 'Bells' he shaves it off and appears without it through the rest of the series. The song played over the end credits of 'Head' re-caps the final events of the first series and sets the scene for Blackadder II. Also, the first scene of the episode seems designed to introduce the new dynamic of the clever Blackadder and dim Baldrick, the reverse of their roles in the first series.

End credits song:
His great-grandfather was a king,
Although for only thirty seconds.
When put in charge of beheading,
He felt that fame and glory beckoned.
Blackadder, Blackadder. No such blooming luck.
Blackadder, Blackadder, Elizabethan shmuck.
Blackadder, Blackadder. Nothing goes as planned.
Blackadder, Blackadder. Life deals him a bum hand.
(note how the first 2 lines refer to Series 1)

____________________


Another brilliant episode. Personal highlights include:
* Blackadder attempting to teach Baldrick how to add (see quote above).
* The introduction of the execution squad (Ploppy the jailor son of Ploppy the slopper. And Mrs Ploppy, but no relation to the former - it's just a coincidence).
* The execution list (Sir Francis Drake? Admiral Lord Ethingham? Better make sure the souvenier store is stocked with anchors for all the sailing enthusiasts).
* The entire scene with Lady Farrow from start to finish (Lady Farrow: "I am prepared for the fact that he may have lost some weight." Percy: "Yes, and some ... height. That's the interesting thing, eh, you'll probably hardly recognise him at all actually." Lady Farrow: "You'll be telling me his arm's grown back next." )
* The final scene, echoing the earlier scene with Lady Farrow (Queenie: "So strange, Ponsonby turned out to be a traitor. You would have thought that he'd have had problems enough - what with that hunch, and only having one leg!" Nursie: "Yes and that terrible speech problem ..." Percy: "Your majesty