Blackadder (1983, 1986-1989, 1999)

 

I didn’t take to Blackadder until my second try.  The first series of this historical Britcom is far and away its weakest; I made it through maybe two episodes before giving it up as not worth my time.  It wasn’t until I got into Fry & Laurie in a big way that I saw anything from later series, and that made all the difference.

 

This inventive comedy takes the same basic character templates – unscrupulous Blackadder, dull-headed Baldrick, exuberant George, etc. – and places them in different periods of English history over the course of the show.  So, we get Middle Ages Blackadder, Elizabethan Blackadder, Regency Blackadder, and World War I Blackadder, with a few detours to other eras for specials.  There’s a little reshuffling, but the cast largely remains the same across the seasons. 

 

Like I said, series 1 is mostly forgettable.  The show was still finding its footing, and it hadn’t yet hit on Blackadder’s foxlike conniving and imperious attitude.  Rather, he’s just a hapless dope like fellow characters Baldrick and Percy, and it all feels really unspecific.  Series 2 through 4, however, are definitely Blackadder, offering up some fun historical satire, hilarious dialogue, and terrific acting.

 

The assorted historical backdrops are what set Blackadder apart from many comedies.  The show mines its different eras for humorous potential, taking advantage of fads, fashions, and conventions of the day for each series.  Over the ages, it skewers topics as varied as medicinal leeches, the French Revolution, and flyboys.  Even the first series is at its most successful in this aspect – there’s a witch hunt that’s an absolute scream. 

 

And then, there’s the cracking dialogue.  The series thrives on insult comedy, and it’s always a pleasure to listen to the intricate diatribes the sharp-tongued Blackadder lets loose on his dimwitted friends.  Lest I spend four posts worth cataloguing favorite lines, I’ll limit myself to one:  “You wouldn’t see a subtle plan if it painted itself purple and danced naked on top of a harpsichord, singing ‘Subtle plans are here again.’”

 

In addition to the always-great Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie, other regulars include Rowan Atkinson as Blackadder (hard to believe he’s the same guy who does Mr. Bean,) Tony Robinson, and Tim McInnerny.  Also, Miranda Richardson is a delight as Queen Elizabeth in series 2, and she makes guest appearances in later seasons as well.

 

If I had to pick a favorite era of the show, I’d go with series 4’s World War I setting.  I’m not sure that it’s necessarily the strongest overall, but the gallows humor is excellent and the satire is particularly biting (not to mention, it’s the only series in which both Fry and Laurie are featured prominently throughout the whole thing.)  And after all the fantastic comedy of the first five episodes, the finale has a lot of genuine heart and emotion.  Just all-around great television.

 

Warnings

 

Swearing, sexual language and references, smoking, drinking, some exaggerated violence, and gross-out humor.