Rate the Blackadder series in order here! - Blackadder II (1986) Discussion

[–] Mrs_Twelvetrees 20 years ago

1. Blackadder Goes Forth
Because of all the hilarious dialogue... Especially all the "tally-ho yippety dap and zing zang spillip" stuff!!! And Flasheart ("My God!" - "Yes, I suppose I am!").

2. Blackadder the Third
Because of Prince George, mainly... And Keanrick and Mossop ("Aaah! Hot potato off his shorts pluck will make amends!")...and Amy/the Shadow ("But what about the lovely wovvly poem that stole my hearty wearty?" - "All writteny witteny be me wee I'm afraidy waidy.").

3. Blackadder II
Because of the beer party ("Great booze up, Edmund!") and Percy's discovery of "green" ("It looks like you've sneezed.").

4. The Black Adder
Not very funny... Only "The Queen Of Spain's Beard", because of the Infanta's interpreter ("You are the love of my life my love my love.").

The last three series are GREAT, but The Black Adder is really not that funny, especially because Edmund isn't mean, but rather stupid and a coward (I agree, a bit Mr. Bean-ish).

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Hi, I'm rather sick and twisted, how are you?

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[–] 20 years ago

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[–] mbeswick99 20 years ago

1. Blackadder II - by a mile. Funnier, wittier, and the Blackadder in this series has a bit of status, which adds to the character. Any programme that features the line "Cross me and you'll find that beneath this playful, boyish exterior, beats the heart of a ruthless, sadistic maniac" gets my vote.

2. Blackadder III - very funny, with some clever plots, but edges towards the cruder jokes of IV and I. Not as consistent as II.

3. Blackadder Goes Forth - reliant on similar jokes throughout eg- the worst disguise since...., the worst idea since..... Still, it remains very funny, and the poignant ending has been rightly praised.

4. The Black Adder - you'll laugh a couple of times. All credit to its creators and the BBC for following up something so mediocre with the genius of Blackadder II.

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[–] Jefferson_Smith 20 years ago

Can't believe nobody had B III in first!!

1. Blackadder III (this one had so many great episodes I can't go through them all... but the 'rotten borough election' 'the scarlet pimpernel' and 'the dictionary' stand out in my mind.)
2. Blackadder Goes Forth (tight between this and the II but this has the memorable last scene! and the execution)
3. Blackadder II (perhaps funnier than the last in places but not as enjoyable overall...)
4. The Blackadder (easily the least amusing! but the 'witch-smeller' episode is perhaps the exception to the rule and could have been the real inspiration for the later revamped series?)

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[–] Sepulchrive 20 years ago

It's a hard call between III and II for me. The third series had arguably the better plots, but some of the jokes were a bit of a stretch.

My fav episodes on III were:

Dish & Dishonesty (the election)
Ink & Incapability (the dictionary)
Duel & Duality (the duel)

B: "And by an extroadinary stroke of luck, it is a rotten borough"
G: "Really? Is it? Well, lucky, lucky us... lucky, lucky, luck, luck, lark, lark, lark..."
B: "You don't know what a rotten borough is do you?"
G: "No"
B: "Then what was the chicken imitation about?"
G: "Well, I just didn't want to hurt your feelings and all that..."

J: "Where is my DICTIONARY"
B: "Well, truth is Dr. Johnson ...and don't get all upset about this... we burnt it"

B: "Yes well, Dr. Johnson, I said you would have the dictionary on monday but you can't have it. I want Baldrick to read it first, which will unfortunately mean teaching him to read. This will take about 10 years but I think that's time well spent for a book like this... O MY GOD we've been burgled!"

D: "I hear your father grows ever more excentric these days, and at present believes himself to be [reads out] a small village in Lincolnshire, commanding spectacular views of the Nene valley; I therefore pass on my full account of the war onto you, the prince of Wales"
B: "We won, signed, Wellington."

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[–] Frockgirl 20 years ago

1)Blackadder II

2)Blackadder Goes Forth

3)Blackadder the Third

4)The Black Adder

I have to agree with most people that The Black Adder was not very funny.

No, I mentioned the bisque!

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[–] soadvent 20 years ago

1. Blackadder II (definately!)
2. Blackadder Goes Forth (very close to BA2, actually)
3. Blackadder The Third (cool series! love it!)
4. The Black Adder (okay...)

Blackadder II
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Fantastic! I enjoyed 'Beer' and 'Head' very much. Rik Mayall was great as 'Flashlight' in 'Bells'!

Blackadder Goes Forth
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Fantastic, apart from the ending scene, which was totally bullcrap.

Blackadder The Third
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Prince George is hilarious!

The Black Adder
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Not much funny stuff in there, but it is kinda alright... Doesn't bore me.
-.

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[–] Le_philosophe85 20 years ago

Geez, aren`t you all a little harsh on The Black Adder? It's not so bad, in fact I'd say it's better than just okay. Also, I can't get over the fact that everyone loves Blackadder goes forth so much,it's funny but not the best of the lot. I'd rate them as followed:

1. Blackadder II
2. Blackadder The Third
3. The Black Adder
4. Blackadder goes forth
(it`s a close call, I'd say the first of the series and fourth are tied)

There are a lot of seemingly obsure historical references in the first of the series that makes the humour just a little more tedious, when compared to the other three. I say they're all good though, every one of them has it's merits.

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[–] Mrs_Twelvetrees 20 years ago

The ending scene of Blackadder Goes Forth was BRILLIANT!!! Such a brave thing to do to end a comedy series...especially because World War I was such a traumatic thing for the British...

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[–] 20 years ago

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[–] lizg84 20 years ago

No!! The ending was brilliant - the episode is a spoof of Sherrif's 'Journey's End' (it is actually scary how much Atkinson looks like Northam did in the BBC adaptation of the play). It is the most effective way to portray the horror of the war that I have ever seen. The contast between the humour of the rest of the episode and the end scene in which they go over the top makes a lasting impression. We had the script for the final scene in my A-Level English Literature (which made me giggle when Blackadder says that he wouldn't want to face the German machine guns without his stick) - I'm lucky I know it so well. I felt more strongly about this than I have all the other War Literature combined (and I've read a lot of it!).

I guess if you're only looking for comedy then it might not be so impressive but I think it's one of the finest moments in television history.

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[–] Uberhamster 20 years ago

But apart from that? Because the whole rest of the show still was plain comedy.

Say something sensible, Jeff!
Don't tell a lie!
(Coupling)

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[–] Louise_R 19 years ago

It was George who said "I wouldn't want to face the German machine guns without this" after Blackadder hands him the stick.

Tell me your dreams... am I in them?

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[–] wayneoo2 8 years ago

/this

I completely agree

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[–] ian-rhodes70 8 years ago

1) Blackadder 2 - absolute peak of the show's run. All the cast in top form, the writing was fantastic. I always love how Baldrick's stupidity wasn't too lazy. The 'some beans' exchange is wonderful. He's thick, but there is a certain logic in his reasoning.

2) The Black Adder - Perhaps because it was the least re-watched, or perhaps because it was the first Blackadder we saw, I think it's held up much better than some of what followed.

3) Blackadder Goes Forth - not bad, some good laughs, but starting to feel somewhat worn. 'Darling' (audience dies of laughter) 'I have a cunning plan' (audience is revived and then dies again). It was starting to get a bit 'Allo' Allo'.

4) Blackadder the Third - weakest of the lot for me. The writing was just poor all round. The repeated joke of saying 'Macbeth' to the actors is my nadir of the show. We get it, Elton. Move on.

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[–] Fiery_Boycs 7 years ago

For me it's:

III > II ~ IV >> I

108 193 23 8114 246* 47.73 22 42

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[–] M_Y_L_O 19 years ago

Agreed, mine is exactly the same as this!! III is pure class through and through!

Tuco: I like big fat men like you. When they fall they make more noise.

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[–] Louise_R 19 years ago

1) Tie for first place between Blackadder II and Blackadder Goes Forth.

2) Blackadder the Third. Although, the theme music for this Blackadder is the best by far.

3) Blackadder. Never got to see more than one episode, but the characters are completely different in this series, so it's like watching a totally different show. Doesn't compare to the other three series.

Not that anyone will care, but the "bob" part of my name was inspired by Edmund's bird in the second series:

Edmund: What's your name boy?

Kate: (in a girly voice) Kate

Edmund: (puzzled) Isn't that a girl's name?

Kate: (in a gruff voice) Oh! It's short for... um... Bob!

Classic stuff!!

Tell me your dreams... am I in them?

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[–] taraskat 15 years ago

by Louise_R (Tue May 24 2005 02:48:57):

3) Blackadder. Never got to see more than one episode, but the characters are completely different in this series, so it's like watching a totally different show. Doesn't compare to the other three series.

I don't think it's really fair to judge The Black Adder (the first series) on one episode. I personally thought it was great, or else I wouldn't have continued watching the remaining series. I loved what a cowardly, simpering weakling Edmund was in the first series, and I thought his parents (not seen in any other series) were a riot. Then there was the whole rivalry with his older brother (who was also not seen in future series). I have to admit I was a little disappointed when I got to Series II, and everything was totally different (though, of course, Rowan Atkinson was so much better-looking, so that helped ease the transition). :-)

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[–] arvindh-mani 9 years ago

Exactly how I felt about series 1. I can't quite understand why there's so much hate. And like you said, I'd not have continued watching had I not found series 1 so funny.

"Andy Dufresne - who crawled through a river of sh!t and came out clean on the other side."

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[–] AstralWeeksHatfulOfHollow 14 years ago

Series 3 is my favourite because of Hugh as Prince Regent. 2 & 4 were just as brilliant, can't seperate them really, about equal second. Series 1 was a level below the rest, but still had some standout moments.

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[–] Sonatine97 13 years ago

Blackadder III

Because it had the most complete ensemble cast, with special guests from Stephen Fry as the Duke of Westminster, and Robbie Coltrane as "Doctor Johnson" and of course the incomparable Hugh Laurie as the Prince Regent. Wonderful interplay, funny lines and great stories.

Blackadder II

Credit to the BBC for giving Blackadder a second chance after the rather negative reaction to the first series. A definite improvement, with tighter scripts, funnier lines, better character development and far more engrossing stories.

Blackadder IV

The best ending of all the BA series, and some genuinely funny gags. But I felt some of the humour was becoming forced, repetitve and predictable towards with Baldrick & George. The return of Flash Heart was a welcome bonus though.

Blackadder

Couldn't find its feet right from the first episode, even with Brian Blessed leading the way. Perhaps the location shooting, inconsistent writing, poor comic timing and unsympathetic characters just didn't sit well with audiences.

And I looked & I beheld a pale horse & the name that sat on him was Death & Hell followed with him.

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[–] smurfhater 12 years ago

1.Black Adder II

2.Black Adder Goes forth

3.Black Adder The Third (I didn't really appreciate this much until recently)

4.The Black Adder (Although it's the original it's not the classic character I grew to love, still pretty decent though.

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[–] Thyson 20 years ago

1. Blackadder the Third (stupid george, smart scenario's)
2. Blackadder Goes Forth AND Blackadder II (I can't choose)
4. The Black Adder (funny, great first episode)

fav. quote:

Black Adder: "the devil farts in my face once more..."

fav. episodes / serie:

- first episode of The Black Adder (the one where the king is killed)
- the episode in which Black Adder gets drunk, Blackadder II
- the dictionnary, Blackadder the Third
- the execution, Blackadder Goes Forth

L'enfer, c'est les autres (J.P.Sartre)

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[–] Barbarella87 20 years ago

1. BlackAdder III
(I like the Prince Regent. I quite like the last episode. Duel and Duality)
2. BlackAdder II
(It is the most repeated one and I have seen all the episodes so many times. The best is Chains. I liked Prince Ludwig. He was funny)
3. BlackAdder goes Forth.
(Again I think that the last one is the best)
4. BlackAdder
(I've only seen the first episode of this and didn't like the look of it.

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[–] bleasdale-1 20 years ago

Second.
Fourth.
Third.
First.

"We're doomed to a watery grave with a captain who's legless"

"Rubbish! i've hardly touched a drop"

I think i may watch them again.

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[–] bengood4000 20 years ago

i agree

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[–] Uberhamster 20 years ago

I vote against IV. The jokes and characters are all old except for a guy called Darling, a pun that is chewed on for the rest of the IV series.
The end doesn't make up for anything. How else do you end WOI? By Baldrick almost messing up the armistice?

Now don't gett cross, but we burnt it!
I've got a thingy like a turnip!
Translator: finally we are alone!

Say something sensible, Jeff!
Don't tell a lie!
(Coupling)

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[–] lostsoulsalliance 20 years ago

1. Blackadder II - Queenie is great! Miranda Richardson acts her so well, she's so versatile and really hilarious in this. Plus, in this series, Baldrick and Percy are so down trodden their gags are all the funnier. It also has Shorty Greasy Spot Spot (aka Prince Ludwig) in it, one of Hugh Laurie's best characters I reckon.
2. Blackadder Goes Forth - the finale, of course, is legend. I also think Steven Fry is best in this of all the Blackadders.
3. Blackadder the Third - it's still good, and I liked Baldrick in this one with his giant turnip.
4. The Black Adder - I haven't seen much of it, but I think I prefer the slimier, more intelligent Blackadder in the later series.

We are the Knights who say... NI!

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[–] j_e_samuel 20 years ago

It's a toughie between II and III but I'll say:
Blackadder II (proably the wittiest series -ever)
Blackadder III
Blackadder Goes Forth
Black Adder (Which isn't nearly as good and the others but I still like it)

Blackadder's Christmas Carol is excellent too. Anyone seen the Cavilier Years episode (think it was for comic relief)? I saw ages ago but can't really remember if it was any good.

"Personally, however, I like to start the day with a total d**khead to remind me I'm best"

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[–] Sepulchrive 20 years ago

Cavalier Years has its moments but then again it's not very memorable. The Millenium special suffered from a few mistakes.

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[–] Uberhamster 20 years ago

Cavalier years was only 15 minutes anyway.

By the way: the making of the Millennium Special contains a large number of excellent but sadly deleted scenes. So don't miss it.

This is not a signature.

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[–] Shade2 20 years ago

Blackadder II
Balckadder Goes Forth
Balckadder III
The Blackadder
Between 4 & 3 there is so little in it, for me but I really thought that some of the lines in IV were just brilliant and the simplicity of "Darling".

"It is better to die once, than to live in constant fear of death."

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[–] 20 years ago

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[–] agentmaxsmart 20 years ago

1. Blackadder II
2. Blackadder Goes Forth
3. The Black Adder
4. Blackadder the 3rd

I haven't seen the 5th one, but I don't see it on anyone else's list.

I love the second one best because I feel Baldric is the best in it.
Also, love the Christmas Special.

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[–] MidniteRambler 20 years ago

Blackadder II
Blackadder III
Blackadder IV
The Blackadder

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[–] 20 years ago

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[–] Phil_man1010 16 years ago

How on Earth can people NOT like The Black Adder...It is by far the most ambitious and epic of the whole lot. Sure, it may not be as consistenly funny, however the basic idea of rewriting history was incredibly clever. Maybe you people are just kind of dumb...

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[–] taraskat 15 years ago

by Phil_man1010 (Sun Aug 10 2008 19:47:54):

How on Earth can people NOT like The Black Adder...It is by far the most ambitious and epic of the whole lot. Sure, it may not be as consistenly funny, however the basic idea of rewriting history was incredibly clever. Maybe you people are just kind of dumb...

I'm glad I'm not the only one who liked it! Maybe it's because I watched the Blackadder series in order (so The Black Adder was naturally the one I saw first), but I think it is my favorite. It's the one whose episodes I've most wanted to go back and watch again. I liked the characters (especially his parents), and I liked that Edmund wasn't a sarcastic, handsome man, but a rather ugly, cowardly, weak man. And I loved the theme song, too. :-)

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[–] Sepulchrive 20 years ago

That's because there isn't a fifth series ;)

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[–] Howlin Wolf 20 years ago

Blackadder Goes Forth

Blackadder II

Blackadder the Third

The Black Adder.

"Next time someone offers you a penny for your thoughts, sell... "

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[–] squigitbum 20 years ago

1) Blackadder II
I love queenie and nursey, and of course Blackadder's sarcastic nature. He's such a bastard in this series (as indeed he is in III & IV!)"Head" is definately my favourite episode from this series (Blackadder the Goaler & Mr & Mrs Ploppy)
Mrs P - "I'm the last meal cook.....They can have anything they like. As long as it's sausages, coz sausages is all it I got, see" - Hysterical!
2)Blackadder I
I find "silliyness" really funny, so I lvoe the way that Blackadder acts in this.
3) Blackadder III
The Prince Regent is absolutely priceless. I too love the Rotten Borough & the thespians episodes!
4)Blackadder IV
I could never really get on well with this one. Apart from anything else I could never understand why everyone got to keep their name except Percy Percy, who somehow was now called Darling! I do however like Baldrick's "Madness" idea of putting a pair of pants on your head and sticking 2 pencils up your nose! Brilliant!

I also love Blackadder's Christmas Carol and Blackadder Back and Forth, however I was a little dissapointed that they didn't use the same Palace set in the latter as they did in Blackadder II, but never mind! You can't win them all!

Blackadder is definately my favourite British comedy by a mile!!!! It's a shame they felt they had to stop at 4 series :o(

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[–] 20 years ago

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[–] Orpington 20 years ago

1 Blackadder the Third: Absolutely outstanding series, thanks to some wonderful lines and brilliant performances. Rowan Atkinson was at the peak of his comic powers in this one, his delivery and facial expressions are priceless.

"It's no skin off my rosy nose that there are bits of lemon peel floating down the Thames that would make better Regents than you."

2 Blackadder II: The start of Blackadder as we all know and love it, and Miranda Richardson is hilarious as Queenie. "Beer" and "Bells" are all-time classic episodes.

"Baldrick, to you the Renaissance was just something that happened to other people, wasn't it?"

3 Blackadder Goes Forth: The writing perhaps got slightly repetitive in this one, but still very funny and, of course, poignant as well. Rik Mayall is fantastic in "Private Plane."

"He went to one of the great universities I expect, Oxford, Cambridge, Hull."

4 The Black Adder

Not as good as the later series but nevertheless better than a lot of people give it credit for. Brian Blessed is great, and I actually quite like Baldrick as an intelligent character.

" Or as I shall be known from now on...The Black Vegetable."

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[–] Louise_R 19 years ago

Edmund: Surely not another rendition of "God rest ye merry Mr Blackadder"?

Mrs Scratchitt: Could you find me a little foul for Tiny Tim?

Edmund: I've always found you foul, Mrs Scratchitt - and more than a little!

Edmund: Baldrick, if there's one thing guaranteed to stop Santa coming down the chimney - it's your sock waiting for him at the end of it!

I could go on all day...

Tell me your dreams... am I in them?

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[–] Graeme Cree 20 years ago

>>
I really dislike the first series. Blackadder is much like Mr. Bean transported into the Middle Ages and the scripts or jokes aren't very funny either.
>>

A lot of them are very funny, especially the first three episodes. Series 1 is highly underrated. It feels less like a standard sitcom than the other three, and comes off like a parody of Masterpiece Theater, what with the location filming and the real castles and the large casts, and the introductions with the years mentioned. A lot of the jokes are subtler, and may go over the heads of more people than the later stuff does, but it's a very funny series.

That being said, all three of the other series are better.

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[–] ike642000 19 years ago

I too think the first series "The Black Adder" is highly underrated, this is mainly because it's always compared to the other 3 excellent series.

Personally I've always prefered 'Blackadder Goes Forth' - It was the series that first got me into Blackadder, and I think I just prefer the general 'World War' theme to the others..
Although the general dry wit and charm of Blackadder II does come a close second.
So all in all it's;

1. Blackadder Goes Forth
2. Blackadder II
3. Blackadder The Third
4. The Black Adder

My all-time favourite episode is 'Private Plane' from Blackadder Goes Forth - Partly because of the cameos from Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson, as Flasheart, and a stereotypical German.

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[–] garlicbreath 19 years ago

Everyone's so tough on The Black Adder! It was funny, I still love it - especially Balder's "seethe seethe seethe" line in The Spanish Infanta, I crack up EVERY TIME i hear it!

Anyway, here's mine:

Blackadder the Third - hilarious, funniest thing ever. Most probably down to Hugh Laurie, though Balders is my favourite. Prince George is the most idiotic imbecilic character, and I love him for it.

Blackadder II - very funny, very witty, and Blackadder was at his peak here. When Hugh Laurie says "I will seek my rewengay!", I can't help but snort with laughter. In fact, I'm laughing now thinking of it!

The Black Adder - I thought it was pretty funny. Gets a tad boring after too many watches (I should know!) but quite all right

Blackadder Goes Forth - very sad, I make it a point to watch another episode after the last one, so that the last scene doesn't linger with me. It's a brilliant series, but just happens to be my least favourite. The jokes get a bit old, what with Bobby Parkhurst and Darling, though they really are very funny.

You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you

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