Blackadder II
As I said before, this was a huge transition. The show was nearly cancelled because of the dire ratings the first series pulled in, but fate was on our side and as any writer will tell you, the first series is important, but the second can make or break you. And Blackadder II did more than make the show. It made it, baked it, put decorative icing on top and added little pink roses and candles just for effect. This is my favourite series for 3 reasons; Lord Flashheart, Lord Flashheart and Lord Flashheart. Anyone spot the trend? Seriously though, the first episode and especially Lord Flashheart's scene is so spectacularly timed and written that I want to kiss Richard Curtis and Ben Elton's feet. Maybe even wash them with my hair. Rik Mayall too, cannot be overlooked in his portrayal of the walking, talking ego-trip himself. And kudos to the rest of the crew for not dying of laughter, and if you watch them carefully, they have to try really hard.
But you can't just love an entire series for just one episode, I hear you exclaim. You're right, luckily every episode is a gem. Miranda Richardson as the Queen was an inspired choice of casting. A woman normally shown as tough and proud, was actually a man-hungry, guillotine-happy, lisping mad-woman. Genius. Her faithful sidekicks, Melchett and Nursie provide an echo of sensibility and childhood anecdotes respectively. And of course, Blackadder, Baldrick and Percy themselves. In just a few generations Blackadder is now a suave, debonair, sneaky trickster out for money and fame and will actually use his brains to get them. He is, dare I say it, one of those sexy bad guys you can't help cheering for. Yes, sexy. I think the future Inspector Fowler and Mr Bean is sexy. I bite my thumb at those who do not agree. Blackadder is indeed mean, especially to his faithful servant Baldrick, but you can't help admiring his struggle through life.
Baldrick, the stupid, smelly but dedicated servant to Blackadder is adorable in a way akin to those half-dead, furless dogs you see on RSPCA adverts; he and Percy the half-wit Lord whom Blackadder can't seem to shake off help Blackadder wherever and whenever they can, despite their better judgement (albeit short-lived due to their small brains).
| 1 - Bells | 2 - Head | 3 - Potato |
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| Blackadder hires a new servant to replace Baldrick (but kindly allows Baldrick to stay and work for free) and finds himself falling in love with the newbie. But the servant is really a girl in disguise. Shame; it could've been quite an interesting tale if she was a boy. | The notoriously briefly-lived job of High Executioner is forced upon Blackadder. To save time he kills a man on an earlier day so he can get a longer mid-week break, but the man's wife arrives demanding to see her beloved. | When Sir Walter Raleigh returns from his explorations to a proposal from the queen, Blackadder sees it as a chance to get into the royal family and becomes an explorer to beat all others to her hand. By cheating of course. |
| 4 - Money | 5 - Beer | 6 - Chains |
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| Blackadder owes money to a vicious money-lender with a delight for torturing those who do not pay up, with a red-hot poker in a place most uncomfortable. And the queen tries out a few practical jokes on the poor, unsuspecting Blackadder. | Blackadder's rich aunt comes to discuss his inheritance over dinner. But she is devoutly religious and against all evils and Blackadder has booked a drinking party for the same night. Meanwhile, Baldrick whips up his famous Turnip Surprise for the dinner, comprising of a humorously shaped turnip. | Blackadder and Melchett are kidnapped by Germans at the same time that the queen decides to hand out only one more ransom before banning it entirely. And Lizzie never goes back on her word. |