"Black-Adder II" Potato (TV Episode 1986) - IMDb (United Kingdom) – See all my reviews Potato is another great Series 2 episode - Tom Baker appears in this, and his role as Captain Redbeard Rum is absolutely hilarious. The humour is once again strong, Baldrick is once again on stupid form (he is much funnier this way), and there are more endlessly quotable lines to be found in this. From the start to the end - Potato is an absolutely cracking episode. Yes, the budget is still remarkably cheap for this episode - there should have at least been some fancy visuals on Blackadder's boat. However, Tom Baker's legs were hidden quite well during this episode (he is meant to be a legless captain, after all) and the effects aren't to be snorted at. Blackadder 1 may have had a higher budget than this, but this is Blackadder at its very best - clever, cheap, and cheerful. Potato is the last 10/10 episode of this series - the others are good, but they just can't recapture its heights. On the whole, Potato is a great Blackadder episode - not to be skipped!

10/10 4 of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes 15 Things You Might Not Know About Blackadder II | Mental Floss UK 15 Things You Might Not Know About Blackadder II Abandoned episodes, how the series helped to create Comic Relief, and more about the wonderful Blackadder II... google+ Set in Elizabethan England, Blackadder II is the second series of the British sitcom classic starring Rowan Atkinson. But even if you've seen every episode, we reckon there are a few things on this list even you won't be aware of… 1. The series aired out of order Although the episode Bells was shot second, it was considered a stronger opening than the original first episode, Head. While it was common to shift episodes around between production and airing since most sitcoms of the era lacked any episode-to-episode interplay, Blackadder II did introduce a small continuity error by doing so. Lord Percy shaves off his beard in Bells, but it reappears in Head before disappearing again for the rest of the series. 2.

Tom Baker isn't a fan… of himself In episode three, Potato, famous Doctor Who actor Tom Baker appears as the deranged and (literally) legless sea captain, Redbeard Rum. Although the cameo was enjoyed by fans and his performance praised by his co-stars, Baker himself didn't feel the same way. In an interview with UK newspaper Metro, he described his performance as "appalling" and claimed that someone should've "taken away my Equity Card" for it. 3. Queenie was completely rewritten for Miranda Richardson The search for the right person to play Queen Elizabeth I (Queenie) seemed so fruitless that at one point Brian Blessed was set to don a red wig and play the character, until he became unavailable due to prior commitments. Over 40 actresses were auditioned until Richardson got the part. The character of Queen Elizabeth I was continually revised based on her delightfully petulant interpretation and remains a fan-favourite. 4. Series 2 almost didn't happen at all The three-year gap between the first two series of Blackadder is unusual by the standards of most TV, and it's partly because no-one was sure whether the show would return at all.

After passing on it once, Michael Grade claims that he only renewed the show after they agreed to a number of changes – in particular a much lower budget than the notoriously expensive first series had commanded. A consequence of this was that the production was restricted to studio sets only, though co-writer Ben Elton denies that this edict came from above, claiming that the scripts were already written with sets in mind. 5. An entire episode was written then abandoned Tasked with dramatically raising the standards on series 2, principal writer Richard Curtis claims that the production scrapped a near-complete 'murder-mystery' episode because it didn't quite work. It's not the only 'lost' episode, either – Curtis also penned parts of a special episode called Blackadder in Bethlehem which was set during the birth of Jesus – though it was never completed after he realised it would prove too offensive to film. 6. Blackadder's intelligence dictated Baldrick's Of all the changes made to Blackadder, perhaps the most notable and lasting is that the characters of Blackadder and Baldrick swap intelligences.

The revised dynamic was a success, but it only happened because after Blackadder had been made more intelligent (to take advantage of Atkinson's comic range), the writers needed to make sure Baldrick wasn't just one of many characters less smart than his master. To that end, they made sure he was the least smart of anyone, ever – and a legend was born. 7. Baldrick's Turnip obsession was a mistake In the fifth episode, Beer, Baldrick and Percy explain that they have found "a turnip shaped exactly like a thingie". This marked the beginning of Baldrick's turnip obsession, but it was actually a mistake: Elton had confused the aforementioned root vegetable with the more comically-shaped parsnip. Still, the reference stuck, and it remains closely identified with the character today. 8. Shakespeare was a big influence on the production The Elizabethan setting means that Shakespeare is a big influence on Blackadder II in several ways.

Blackadder's costume was closely modelled on that of Edmund from Jonathan Miller's 1982 BBC King Lear production, while the dim-witted Lord Percy Percy (played by Tim McInnery) is inspired by Sir Andrew Aguecheek from the Shakespeare play Twelfth Night. Indeed, the plot of Bells also famously references Twelfth Night as Blackadder falls in love with his cross-dressing manservant – to name but three examples! 9. 'Bob' was friends with Ben Elton Speaking of 'Bob', the actress for this part was Gabrielle Glaister, a school-friend of Ben Elton's who made one of her first major TV appearances in Blackadder II. She later reprised the role (of sorts) in Blackadder Goes Forth, playing 'Bob' Parkhurst. 10. Richard Curtis wrote his neighbour into the series As if to prove that good neighbours can become good friends (wait, wrong show!), Richard Curtis honoured a promise to write his neighbour William Greeves into the series by having his name appear on a tombstone in the episode Money. 11.

Richard Curtis and Ben Elton used to cut each other's jokes During this series Curtis and Elton developed a co-writing process that would persist long into their partnership, maintaining a rule where no-one was allowed to question a cut that the other had made. The theory, according to Elton, was that "you don't tell a joke at dinner and then if no-one laughs, say 'Wait a minute, you weren't listening, I just said something really funny! You just move on." – so if the other writing partner removed or replaced a line, the original was gone for good. 12. Rik Mayall had one condition for his guest appearance… Fresh off the era-defining series The Young Ones, anarchic comic genius Rik Mayall was approached to appear in the revived Blackadder. Mayall agreed to it on one condition: that every line he spoke was funnier than the best that series star Rowan Atkinson's had anywhere else in the episode. To meet the challenge, Elton and Curtis created Lord Flashheart, probably the single best guest character in all four seasons of the show.

At the end of the predictably energetic live taping of the episode, Mayall was famously heard to remark: "Did I win?" 13. The reputation of the Bishop of Bath & Wells wasn't real… but it is now Played by Ronald Lacey (a veteran of Porridge and Raiders of the Lost Ark) the grotesque baby-eating Bishop of Bath & Wells seen in the episode Money was not a genuine historical figure. That said, the depiction become so recognisable than in 2001 the incoming Bishop of Bath & Wells - the Right Reverent Peter Price - related to the House of Lords that upon his arrival there the Bishop of Southwark had spotted his five-week-old granddaughter and remarked "The Bishop has brought his own lunch!" 14. It didn't catch on straight away Although the series is now considered one of the greatest sitcoms of all time, Blackadder II arrived in the public consciousness slowly. Contemporary reviews were complimentary but far from effusive. Only when the series was repeated in 1987, ahead of the third series, did it become apparent how beloved it was.

Baldrick Actor Tony Robinson says he only realised when he took his children to Alton Towers and was unable to walk around without being accosted by fans. 15. It helped launch Comic Relief Comic Relief was set up in 1985 by Richard Curtis and the comedian, Lenny Henry. Blackadder II may have aired in 1986 but it was filmed in May and June 1985 – and the idea for Comic Relief and the involvement of many of its biggest names started at a Blackadder II wrap party. Reportedly, the cast were watching famous 80s charity concert Live Aid on TV and wondered what might be done along the same lines by the stars of comedy. The first Comic Relief aired in 1988, with a Blackadder framing device forming an integral part of the evening. Read more about: "My Lord, I have a cunning plan." The Blackadder Thread: Now disc. 'Blackadder Goes Forth' | Page 2 | Jedi Council Forums "My Lord, I have a cunning plan." The Blackadder Thread: Now disc. 'Blackadder Goes Forth' Not open for further replies.

Page 2 of 3 Dec 27, 1999 Obi Anne said: Season 2 is my favorite season! I love all the characters in it, especially Queenie though. Series 2 is hilarious so far. I'm having a lot of fun with it. Obi Anne FF manager Celebrations Manager Member Since: Nov 4, 1998 It's been a while since I saw it though, so I can't really comment on specifics, but if I'm not totally wrong the episode with sir Francis Drake is the funniest one. Mar 3, 2005 Obi Anne said: It's been a while since I saw it though, so I can't really comment on specifics, but if I'm not totally wrong the episode with sir Francis Drake is the funniest one. Walter Raleigh, I think. As for the title of the second episode... I see what they did there. Now that you mention it, so do I.

Episode 3: 'Potato' (first broadcast 23rd January 1986) [image= Plot summary: Wikipedia said: The episode opens with Blackadder at home, preparing to go to court to celebrate the return of Sir Walter "Oooh what a big ship I've got" Raleigh (Simon Jones). Blackadder is typically sarcastic and embittered, refusing to join in the festivities and endures much taunting from children, to which he retaliates by shooting one with an arrow. Melchett arrives and offers Blackadder a potato, the last having just been discovered by Raleigh on his voyages; Melchett plans to smoke his. Blackadder declines, scoffing that people will be "eating them next." At the court, Raleigh's tales of discovery greatly impress the Queen. Blackadder attempts to upstage him by declaring his intention to circumnavigate the Cape of Good Hope, a journey Raleigh believes is impossible, stating that sailors do not count it as part of the "Seven Seas" owing to its treacherousness.

Unbeknownst to the Royal Court, Blackadder's bold declaration is a bluff, and he intends to merely sail to France and enjoy a holiday, before returning to England with tales of great bravery. Blackadder enquires of Raleigh which seaman would be insane enough to Captain such a voyage, and is told where to find Captain Redbeard Rum. ("Usually up the Old Sea Dog.") Rum (Tom Baker) is not only mad but legless (in more ways than one), with no navigation skills whatsoever. Nursie however, is quite taken with him, and agrees to marry him once he returns. Once their journey starts, Rum admits that not only does he not know the way to the Cape of Good Hope, he does not even know the way to France, and so he would resort to his usual trick of circling the Isle of Wight until everybody was dizzy. He hasn't even chartered a crew to steer the ship ("Opinion is divided [on whether it is necessary to have a crew]. All the other captains say it is. I say it isn't").

Utterly lost, they run out of food and water and are reduced to drinking their own urine (joining Rum, who's been swigging his with abandon even before the water ran out) when their ship runs aground on a desert island with lava streams, mangrove swamps and cannibalistic natives. Two years later they somehow land back in Britain, but are greeted by a Queenie distinctly fed up of explorers, having spared Raleigh execution because he "blubbed on his way to the block". After breaking the news to Nursie that her beloved Rum had been eaten by the savage natives, they give her his beard as a memento. Blackadder offers Queenie a stick that, when thrown away, comes back. She is displeased until she witnesses an offhanded throw of the boomerang return and strike Percy in the back of the head. Having been commanded to also present Melchett and Raleigh with a gift, Blackadder offers a bottle of "fine wine", which Blackadder states is in inexhaustible supply (seeing as how it is actually Baldrick's urine). Insult of the episode: "So.

Where's this barnacle-bottomed, haddock-flavored, bilge-rat Sir rather-a-wally Raleigh then? I hear he's about as exciting as one of his potatoes." - Blackadder 'Wisdom' from Baldrick: Blackadder: "To you it's a potato, to me it's a potato. But to Sir Walter Bloody Raleigh it's country estates, fine carriages, and as many girls as his tongue can cope with. He's making a fortune out of the things; people are smoking them, building houses out of them ... they'll be eating them next." Baldrick: "Stranger things have happened--." Blackadder: "Oh, exactly." Baldrick: "--that horse becoming Pope." Trivia: * Both Simon Jones and Tom Baker are well-known for their roles in British science fiction television. Jones played Arthur Dent in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (as well as the original radio series and LP records), while Baker was the Fourth Doctor in Doctor Who.

* It is implied that Blackadder and crew actually reach Australia in their travels, as one of the gifts E Episode 4: 'Money' (first broadcast 6th February 1986) [image= Plot summary: Wikipedia said: Blackadder and a cheap prostitute named Molly are disturbed at four in the morning by the baby-eating Bishop of Bath and Wells, who has come to collect on a loan. A year before the episode, Blackadder borrowed one thousand pounds from the Bank of the Black Monks of St. Herod (whose two mottos are "Banking with a smile and a stab" and "repayment or revenge"), and the debt is now due. When Blackadder admits that he cannot pay, the Bishop takes him to a graveyard, where they visit the grave of a previous customer: a certain William Grieves from Chelmsford (1513-1563) who died painfully of having a spike up his backside. The Bishop informs Blackadder that he has until sundown to raise the money, or he will meet a similar fate. Since Blackadder only has eighty-five pounds to his name, he has to work quickly to get some more money.

Unfortunately, he is interrupted by a summons from the Queen. After cracking a ridiculously juvenile joke at his expense, the Queen forces Blackadder to pay up on her bet with Lord Melchett that Blackadder wouldn't fall for the joke. Rather conveniently, the bet is for eighty-five pounds, and Blackadder is left penniless - although due to what he calls "a cunning web of deceit", the entire court believe him to be incredibly rich. Upon Blackadder's return home, Baldrick develops a cunning plan that Blackadder become a rent boy down at the docks. Blackadder is desperate for the money, but dresses Baldrick in women's clothing and takes him to the docks where they encounter a fat and immature sailor who pays them sixpence for a kiss (from Blackadder), a goodnight story (Blackadder again) and a "good, hard shag" (from Baldrick).

After Baldrick suggests that they bet the money on a cock fight after entering a bird that has odds of forty thousand to one (prompting Blackadder to elicit a few reluctant home-truths about mummy birds, daddy birds and certain urges), Blackadder is again summoned to the Queen, who pretends to apologise for her previous infantile joke. The apology is of course just another joke, and Blackadder is quickly relieved of his sixpence so that the Queen can play a game of shove ha'penny. While Blackadder is at the palace, Lord Percy utilises Blackadder's living room to attempt to discover the secret of alchemy and thus restore Blackadder's fortunes. Unfortunately all he ends up producing is a terrible smell and a lump of a green glowing substance (aptly named by Blackadder as 'green,') which Percy plans to make it into jewellery. Returning home once more, Blackadder determines that he must sell his house, and puts it on the market.

He manages to sell it to a couple on the strength of the lack of indoor lavatories ("I can't stand those dirty indoor things," the wife says after confirming that the privy facilities consist of nothing more than a window and the street), and Baldrick beats the husband up until he agrees to pay Â£1100. In this apparent moment of triumph, the Queen again summons Edmund to the palace, where she claims that the French intend to invade and that every noble must pay five hundred pounds for the upkeep of the navies. Unfortunately for Blackadder, Lord Melchett is also penniless, and the Queen declares that since Edmund is "so fabulously wealthy", he can pay double to compensate. Blackadder protests that he has a cash flow problem, but the Queen notices his bulging purse containing just over a thousand pounds. Blackadder claims it is just small change he left in his codpiece by accident, which impresses the Queen greatly, but as soon as he leaves it is revealed to be yet another practical joke at Blackadder's expense, although it doesn't occur to the Queen to return the money afterwards.

Upon returning home Blackadder is faced with the imminent prospect of death, as he now has no money and will shortly have no house. Blackadder tells Baldrick he lost the Episode 5: 'Beer' (first broadcast 13th February 1986) [image= Plot summary: Wikipedia said: Blackadder is having breakfast with Lord Percy when he receives a letter informing him that his fanatically Puritan and extremely wealthy aunt and uncle, Lord and Lady Whiteadder, will be visiting him to discuss the terms of his inheritance over dinner that evening. Before Edmund can revel in his fortune, a messenger arrives and informs him that Queen Elizabeth demands his presence at court. Blackadder rushes to Hampton Court to discover the Queen and Nursie tending to an ailing Lord Melchett, whom the Queen believes to be dying. However, it is quickly revealed that Melchett is simply suffering from a dire hangover. Blackadder mocks Melchett for his lack of alcoholic tolerance, while Melchett reminds Edmund of his own drunkenness during the visit of the King of Austria, during which Blackadder wandered naked around the grounds of Hampton Court singing "I'm Merlin, The Happy Pig".

Blackadder challenges his rival to a drinking bout, with 10,000 florins at stake. After Blackadder leaves, Queenie conspires to somehow gain entry to the party. Upon arriving back home, Blackadder begins to draft a guest list for the drinking party, with Percy's assistance. Baldrick, fully aware that his master does not have ten thousand florins to gamble with, questions the wisdom of his master holding a drinking contest; according to the dogsbody, everyone knows once Blackadder hits the ale, he falls flat on his face and starts singing "that song about the goblin". Things are further complicated when Percy reminds him that the puritan Whiteadders will also be coming around that evening. Blackadder hastily returns to the Queen and asks that the contest be moved to another night; however, she senses that he's trying to cop out of his promise (since she also knows about his tendency to sing about the goblin when drunk) and refuses to postpone the contest. Blackadder decides to hold both events the same evening but in different rooms. The drinking party is to be held in Baldrick's bedroom, while the Whiteadders are to be entertained in Blackadder's dining room, where Percy will dine.

Blackadder is further annoyed when he's informed by Percy and Baldrick that while rooting through the vegetable patch for suitable food, they came across "a turnip shaped exactly like a thingie". In order to outlast Melchett at the drinking contest while simultaneously not making a fool out of himself in front of his aunt and uncle, Blackadder tells Baldrick to hand him water when he asks for his "incredibly strong ale" at the party. The evening begins with the arrival of the Whiteadders, who are (by degrees) comically revealed to denounce most everyday comforts as the work of Satan, including chairs (at home, they sit on spikes), mashed turnip, the concept of family (due to the requirement of sex) and central heating (since "cold is God's way of telling us to burn more Catholics"). To make matters worse, Lord Nathaniel Whiteadder has taken a "vow of silence", leaving Edmund's abusive and volatile aunt to hold the conversation. The drinking guests arrive, wearing fake comedy breasts and rubber noses on their foreheads. They sing 'Happy Birthday' to Edmund.

Lady Whiteadder overhears this and grows suspicious, but Blackadder has obviously realised and replies 'But it's not my birthday, Archdeacon'. Melchett arrives shortly after, sporting a larger, golden pair of breasts. Farters Parters (Hugh Laurie) has the tendency to proclaim that whatever Blackadder says is "incredibly rude" and "sounds a bit like...'bum'!". The Queen arrives at the party, disguised as Percy's girlfriend Gwendolyn, and Blackadder makes the mistake of locking her in the closet. The other competitors in the drinking contest quickly realise Blackadder is drinking water and force him to down a strong ale. Forty-two seconds later, Blackadder re-enters the dining room blind drunk, bearing an Member Since: Oct 14, 2004 A classic episode, the gags in this one ran like a Tudor version of an American college movie, my favourite part is Baldrick entering the room with the mouse over his face in replacement of the cheese: Baldrick: My Lord...? Edmund: Why? Baldrick: I got fed up with the all-mouse diet, My Lord. I thought I'd try cat for variety. Edmund: Good.

Well done. Perfectly executed dialogue and Tony Robinson at his dead-pan best. And of course: Edmund: I can't -- not just like that. I'm a complicated person, you see, Aunty... Sometimes I'm nice, and sometimes I'm nasty -- hee hee! ...and sometimes I just like to sing little songs, like: "See the little goblin, see his little..." I'm wearing a cardinal's hat because I'm Cardinal Chunder; I have an ostrich feather up my bottom [Percy nods and mouths Edmund's words, having heard this before] because Mr Ostrich put it there to keep in the little pixies -- ha ha! And double yay for the first appearance of Hugh Laurie in Blackadder, (he pops up again in the last episode too. ) "See the little goblin, see his little feet / And his little nosy-wose -- isn't the goblin sweet?" "Yes!" Episode 6: 'Chains' (first broadcast 20th February 1986) [image= Plot summary: Wikipedia said: Blackadder and Melchett are kidnapped by the Spaniards and held for ransom.

Blackadder does not speak Spanish, so he and the Spanish torturer engage in a lengthy game of charades to determine the exact threats and mode of torture ("If I admit that I'm...head-over-heels in love...with Satan and all his little wizards, then you will...remove my testicles with a blunt instrument [which he learns moments later is a scythe]...and roast them over a large fire." "Si! Si!"). Prince Ludwig the Indestructible, a German pretender to the throne who mispronounces English words, interrupts just as the torturer is about to get started on Edmund; when Edmund does not recognise him, Ludwig reveals that he was once disguised as Big Sally, a waitress at The Old Pizzle in Dover. Edmund is horrified: "But I went to bed with you, didn't I?" Lord Melchett is dragged in screaming. Melchett does not recognise Ludwig, until Ludwig tells him that he once impersonated Flossie, a sheep at a monastery in Cornwall.

Melchett is aghast: "But didn't we...?" Queenie's replies that she has decided to spend the requested ransom money on "a big party." Ludwig agrees not to torture the two men in exchange for information on how he can get into the palace during the costume party. When he leaves, Blackadder and Melchett escape and make their way back to England, arriving just in time for the party. Queenie is dressed as Henry VIII, while Baldrick is a pencil case. Edmund promptly stabs "Nursie", who is revealed to be Prince Ludwig masquerading as Nursie dressed as a cow, Ludwig however is still alive and leaves, swearing revenge (Ludwig: "I'll be back to vreak my rewengay"). Blackadder throws a dagger at him stating "you will die and be buried". Every one asks how Blackadder knew the cow was Ludwig. Blackadder explains that Ludwig was a master of disguise while Nursie is a "sad old wrench with an udder fixation".

Everyone then asks if Blackadder missed them, for Percy Blackadder wished it was him who was being tortured instead of him, for Baldrick he was just not missed at all and as for the Queen Blackadder states that life without her is like "a broken pencil" she asks him to explain the statement and he replies "pointless". After the credits, we see that Blackadder, Baldrick, Percy, Queenie, Melchett and Nursie have been murdered by a surprise attack. Ludwig stands over their bodies disguised as Queenie and holding a blood-drenched dagger. He claims that impersonating Queenie is a role he will enjoy ... if he can "just get the voice right" (including the death scene as an epilogue could suggest that it was not intended to be part of the narrative and was merely tacked-on as a joke and the characters did not really die). Insult of the episode: "Yes, well, enough of this banter.

Who the hell are you, sausage breath?" - Blackadder 'Wisdom' from Baldrick: Queenie: "What are you meant to be?" Baldrick: [has 2 pencils stuck up his nose] "A pencil case." Trivia: * Guest-starring Hugh Laurie (again), this time as Prince Ludwig the Indestructible. * In the very final scene after the end credits, the music track used (the bell tolling and wolves howling) is the first part of Elton John's "Funeral for a Friend". * Shakespeare reference - following their kidnapping Melchett bemoans their cruel fate - "As private parts to the gods are we, they play with us for their sport." This is a take on Gloucester's line in King Lear ("As flies to wanton boys, are we to the gods, they kill us for their sport.") End credits song: Beware all ye who lust for fame. The path of life is most uncertain. Prince Ludwig thought he'd won the game. But now the Kraut's gone for a burton. Blackadder, Blackadder. He beat the Hun by luck. Blackadder, Blackadder. He's smarter than a duck.

Lord Melchett, Lord Melchett, intelligent and deep. Lord Melchett, Lord Mel 'Blackadder: The Cavalier Years' (first broadcast 5th February 1988) [image= In 1648, King Charles was in flight from the wrath of Cromwell & his Roundheads. Only two men remained faithful, risking certain death by their fidelity to the crown. One was the sole descendant of a great historical English dynasty -- his name, Sir Edmund Blackadder. The other was the sole descendant of an unfortunate meeting between a pig-farmer & bearded lady. History has, quite rightly, forgotten his name. - opening narration Cast: Rowan Atkinson as Sir Edmund Blackadder Tony Robinson as Baldrick Stephen Fry as King Charles I Warren Clarke as Oliver Cromwell Plot summary: Wikipedia said: The episode begins in November 1648. King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland have already lost the Civil War. Only two men remain loyal to him: Sir Edmund Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson), the sole descendant of the Blackadder dynasty at the time and his servant Sodoff Baldrick Esq (Tony Robinson).

They have given refuge to the King in Blackadder Hall, having assured him that he is as likely to be caught "as a fox being chased by a pack of one-legged hunting tortoises". Sir Edmund remains loyal because as a known royalist he sees the King's survival as his only hope of survival. He also fears the spread of Puritanism, full of moral prohibitions (as he describes it, the Puritans will "close all the theatres, lace handkerchiefs for men will be illegal, and I won't have a friendly face to sit on this side of Boulogne!"). During Sir Edmund's short absence, Oliver Cromwell (Warren Clarke) himself arrives at Blackadder Hall, accompanied by a number of his Roundheads ? supporters of the Parliament of England. Baldrick attempts to deny knowing the King's whereabouts, but blows the gaff when he asks Cromwell later to put down a cup, "because it's the king's". The second scene takes place in the Tower of London, two weeks later. King Charles's prayers are interrupted by two subsequent visits. The first is from Cromwell who warns him of his doom and the second by Sir Edmund, disguised as a priest.

He informs the King that he is planning the King's escape. While Sir Edmund is still there, the King receives a notice that he has been sentenced to death. (This occurs in late November or early December 1648 within the context of this episode, though historically the death sentence came on January 27, 1649). As January 29, 1649 arrives and his execution approaches, King Charles is again visited by Sir Edmund. Though his plans for an escape haven't materialised, he informs the King that there is still some hope. The Parliament has yet to find a man willing to be the King's executioner. Charles, rather philosophically, proclaims that he isn't looking forward to his execution but "It's a question of balance, isn't it? Like so many other things" (Charles, played by Stephen Fry, is very much a pastiche of his modern day namesake the Prince of Wales). Sir Edmund proceeds to assure Charles that no one would dare to become the King's executioner. Just as he says that, the King receives a notice that they found his executioner.

Back at Blackadder Hall, Baldrick is singing happily as Sir Edmund proclaims his life to be in ruins. While Baldrick informs him that he has accepted a job, Sir Edmund wonders who could be so utterly without heart and soul, so low and degraded, as to behead the King of England. As his own words sink in, he questions Baldrick, who admits that it was he who accepted the position (historically King Charles' executioner was Richard Brandon). Baldrick explains to the understandably enraged Blackadder that he has a cunning plan to save the King. He presents Sir Edmund with a huge pumpkin, poorly painted to represent a human face. He plans to place it on the King's head and chop it instead. Sir Edmund dismisses the plan, as Baldrick will have to hold the monarch's head in front of the crowd, and criticises Baldrick's stup Series 3: 'Blackadder the Third' [image= The dynasty continues, with E. Blackadder Esquire as the butler to House M.D.-- err ... I mean the Prince of Wales.

- BBC's description for Series 3: 'Blackadder the Third' (with my own addition ) Regular cast for the series: Rowan Atkinson as Edmund Blackadder Tony Robinson as Baldrick Hugh Laurie as George, the Prince Regent Helen Atkinson-Wood as Mrs. Miggins Series Trivia: * Hugh Laurie joined the regular cast after featuring as a guest star in the previous series. * Tim McInnerny decided not to continue playing the character of Lord Percy for fear of being typecast - he did however appear in a guest role in Episode 3. * Although this series reduced the size of the show's cast, the program featured a number of guest appearances in each episode - including Stephen Fry and Miranda Richardson who had played major parts in 'Blackadder II'. * Apparently Blackadder doesn't sport a beard in the third series because Atkinson's girlfriend hated it. * This third series won a BAFTA award for best light entertainment series.

Episode 1: 'Dish & Dishonesty' (first broadcast 17th September 1987) [image= Plot summary: Wikipedia said: The newly appointed Prime Minister, Pitt the Younger (portrayed here as a petulant teenager), wants to strike the idiotic Prince Regent from the Civil List. Since the House of Commons is evenly divided on the issue, the Prince's butler, Mr. Blackadder, suggests to the Prince that they tip the scales in his favour by bribing an MP named Sir Talbot Buxomley (Denis Lill) with the position of High Court judge. The Prince calls for Buxomley, who, after assuring the Prince that he will stand by him, promptly sits down in a chair and dies. Moving quickly, Blackadder realizes that Buxomley represented the constituency of Dunny-on-the-Wold, a rotten borough consisting of a tiny plot of land with several farm animals and only one voter. Blackadder chooses to instate Baldrick as the constituency's new MP to ensure that he votes in favour of the Prince.

After an obviously rigged election (in which it is revealed that Blackadder is both the constituency's returning officer and voter, after both died in highly suspicious "accidents"), Baldrick is made an MP in a landslide victory. Once Baldrick enters the House of Commons, Pitt manipulates him into voting the wrong way, and the issue proceeds to the House of Lords. Blackadder then plans to get himself named to the House of Lords, where he will be able to vote against the bill, and he even purchases a ludicrously expensive catskin robe in preparation. However, his scheme is ruined by Prince George's stupidity and Baldrick is elevated instead. He is also given Â£400,000 to bribe a few Lords, which he spends on a giant turnip. Once he finds out, Blackadder smashes the turnip over Baldrick's head.

Insult of the episode: "Give the likes of Baldrick the vote and we'll be back to cavorting druids, death by stoning and dung for dinner." - Blackadder Hail Prince George: Blackadder: "Sir Talbot represented the constituency of Dunny-on-the-Wold, and, by an extraordinary stroke of luck, it is a rotten borough." George: "Really! Is it! Well, lucky-lucky us. Yippee. Lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky. Lucky, lucky. Lucky. Luck-a-doodle-dandy-dingle. Luck luck. Luck. Cluck, cluck, cluck. Cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck." Blackadder: " ... you don't know what a rotten borough is, do you, sir?" George: "No." Trivia: * The episode features a cameo by political commentator Vincent Hanna as "his own great-great-great grandfather." * In reality, Pitt the Younger had been dead for 5 years before Prince George became Regent. * Early in the episode, reference is made to Pitt the Elder being Prime Minister.

At the time the title of Prime Minister did not officially e Dec 27, 1999 Mar17swgirl said: You left out the best quote, when Pitt the Young mentions his brother and Blackadder says, "Really? And which Pitt would that be? Pitt the Toddler? Pitt the Embryo? Pitt the Glint-In-The-Milkman's-Eye?" I did have it included originally, plus several others (such as Blackadder's description of Sir Talbot (Blackadder: "Well, according to 'Who's Who', his interests include flogging servants, shooting poor people, and the extension of slavery to anyone who hasn't got a knighthood." Prince: "Excellent! Sensible policies for a happier Britain!") and Pitt the Even Younger's rant about losing the election (Pitt: "Yes! I'm horrified! I smeared my opponent, bribed the press to be on my side, and threatened to torture the electorate if we lost. I fail to see what more a decent politician could have done!")) but I find that if I'm not careful I end up quoting 75% of the episode which is just a bit much.

I do try to at least catch the scenes/quotes that best reflect what's going on that I enjoyed. I can quote Blackadder third backwards. I love these parts: Edmund: Certainly, sir. I will return before you can say `antidisestablishment- arianism'. George: Well, I wouldn't be too sure about that! `Antidistibblincemin...' `Antimistilinstid...' `Antistits...' George: Anti-distinctly-minty-(???)... And Sir Talbot: I care not a jot that you are the son of a certified sauerkraut-sucking loon! George: Ah, thank you, sir. Sir Talbot: It minds not me that you dress like a mad parrot and talk like a plate of beans negotiating their way out of a cow's digestive system. It is no skin off my rosy nose that there are bits of lemon peel floating down the Thames that would make better Regents than you. George: Well, bravo! Sir Talbot: The fact is, you *are* Regent... George: Yes, I am...

Sir Talbot: ...appointed by God, and I shall stick by you forever, though infirmity lay me waste and ill health curse my every waking moment. (falls into the chair) George: Ah, good on you, sir. And don't talk to me about infirmity. Why, sir, you are the hardy stock that is the core of Britain's greatness. You have the physique of a demigod. Purple of cheek, and plump of fatlock, the shapely ankle and the well-filled trouser that tells of a human body in perfect working order. Edmund: (who has found T's stillness rather odd and is checking for a pulse) He's dead, sir. Edmund: Yes, Your Highness. George: Oh, what bad luck; we were rather getting on.

Tony Robinson and Rowan Atkinson are in fine form this series, but Hugh Laurie is remarkable and he gets some of the best lines./>/> Episode 2: 'Ink & Incapability' (first broadcast 24th September 1987) [image= Plot summary: Wikipedia said: Samuel Johnson (Robbie Coltrane) seeks Prince George's patronage for his new book, A Dictionary of the English Language. The Prince ? seeking to amend his reputation as an "utter turnip-head" ? is keen, but Blackadder tries to turn him against the idea, condemning the dictionary as "the most pointless book since 'How to learn French' was translated into French". It soon emerges that Blackadder resents Johnson for apparently ignoring his novel Edmund: A Butler's Tale which, under the pseudonym of "Gertrude Perkins", he had secretly sent to Johnson in the hope that he would get it published. Johnson has a meeting with the Prince, during which George fails to grasp the purpose of the dictionary and Blackadder infuriates Johnson by continuously inventing and using new words in order to convince him that his work is incomplete. However, on learning that Dr.

Johnson had also intended, if given the Prince's patronage, to promote Edmund: A Butler's Tale ? a book Johnson considers to be the only one better than his ? Blackadder persuades George that he should, in fact, support the dictionary. However, when Blackadder seeks to retrieve the dictionary for Johnson, Baldrick nonchalantly admits that he has used it to light a fire for the Prince. Repairing to "Mrs. Miggins' Literary Salon", where Johnson and his admirers (Byron, Shelley and Coleridge) are socialising, Blackadder attempts to find out where a copy is kept, but Johnson indignantly proclaims that there is none, considering it "like fitting wheels to a tomato, time consuming and completely unnecessary". Under threat of death from Johnson and his devotees, Blackadder desperately attempts to recreate the Dictionary before Johnson discovers the truth. Baldrick and George try to assist but their efforts are of little help (Blackadder: "Have you got 'C'?" Baldrick: "Yes. 'C: Big blue wobbly thing that mermaids live in.'") The next morning, Johnson and his devotees arrive at the palace, demanding the dictionary.

As they are about to kill Blackadder for the dictionary's destruction, the Prince emerges from his room, holding the dictionary and offering his patronage. It is ultimately revealed that Baldrick did not burn the dictionary but instead burned the only copy of Blackadder's novel (which Johnson had also brought with him when visiting the Prince). Blackadder is, of course, devastated. Johnson departs in a fit of rage on realising that his dictionary is missing the word "sausage" after he reads Baldrick's "semi-autobiographical" novel ("Once upon a time there was a lovely little sausage called Baldrick, and it lived happily ever after. The End.") The episode ends with Baldrick lighting another fire and this time burning the actual dictionary. Insult of the episode: George: "Do you think he's a genius?" Blackadder: "No sir, I do not.

Unless, of course, the definition of genius in his ridiculous dictionary is 'a fat dullard or wobble-bottom; a pompous ass with sweaty dewflaps'." Hail Prince George: Samuel Johnson: "Well, I simply observed, sir, that I'm felicitous, since, during the course of the penultimate solar sojourn, I terminated my uninterrupted categorisation of the vocabulary of our post-Norman tongue." Prince: "Well, I don't know what you're talking about, but it sounds damn saucy, you lucky thing! I know some fairly liberal-minded girls, but I've never penultimated any of them in a solar sojourn, or, for that matter, been given any Norman tongue!" Trivia: * Robbie Coltrane guest stars as Samuel Johnson. * Samuel Johnson actually published his dictionary in 1755 (7 years before the Prince was born) and died in 1784 (25 years before Prince George became Regent). * Well-known poets Lord Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Samuel Taylor Coleridge appear in this episode, hanging round Mrs.

Miggins's coff "Black-Adder II" Reviews & Ratings - IMDb from West Virginia 20 April 2004 This has to be the funniest, most scathing comedy series of all times. Rowan Atkinson, whose persona and looks change with each reincarnation, is, in these episodes, a strutting peacock always on the lookout for funds to support his lifestyle and he is, in a word, priceless! The supporting cast is without peer...Baldrick the filthy: Lord Percy Percy, the stupidest git that ever drew breath; Queenie, the psychotic; Nursie with the udder fixation; Lord Melchett, the brown-noser.......all are perfect. And others who pop up in particular episodes are spot on. The famous Blackadder sneer begins in these episodes and the insults fly like fleas from Baldrick's hair. In Blackadder II, "Chains" is the one that will make you choke with laughter. Hugh Laurie, as Prince Ludwig who doesn't want to "inconwenience the quveen" is hilarious and the secret of Lord Melchett's sheep is revealed.....baaaaaa.

If you like Blackadder in all it's iterations, buy the book "Blackadder, the Whole Damn Dynasty".....it contains the complete scripts of each episode and you can laugh all over again. This is the best of the best in British humor! Was the above review useful to you? 29 out of 30 people found the following review useful: Definitive Blackadder from Hampshire, England 14 December 2000 To many who watched the ongoing saga of the Blackadder family at the time of release, this is the best Blackadder series of them all - and they have a very strong case. Although this is not my own personal favourite (I prefer the original series), this second installment is a superb piece of comedy. The time-period moves on approximately sixty years to Elizabethan England and follows the story of Edmund Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson) - the great-grandson of the original slimy Blackadder. This time Edmund is not a Prince of the realm but a Lord in the court of Good Queen Bess (the wonderful Miranda Richardson). Tim McInnerny continues in the role as Percy and he threatens to steal the show throughout.

Percy's character is built on from the first series, being given a more child-like and innocent personality to go with the lack of brain cells, and this combined with McInnerny's fantastic performance gives the comedy an added dimension and direction. The Baldrick role (Tony Robinson) is also reprised, but instead of the street-wise peasant with the cunning plan of series one, we get the first incarnation of the Baldrick character we are now more familiar with - dirty, smelly and incredibly stupid. In this series it works, because now Blackadder himself is significantly brighter and more refined than his ancestor and this time he's armed with a razor-sharp wit. The characters do complement each other well, but the close-nit group of the first series is now missing with Blackadder resenting and mistreating his sidekicks throughout, but this is used well for comic effect. The supporting cast is also excellent and the characters they play are brilliantly written. Elizabeth herself is portrayed as a spoilt little school-girl, complete with screams! Richardson plays this role superbly and with hilarious results with the queen being highly unpredictable and volatile.

Elizabeth also has a couple of loyal sidekicks, Nursy (Patsy Byrne) the woman who weaned her as a child, and Melchett (Stephen Fry), her advisor. All of these characters add weight to the comedy, and are sufficiently different to each other to provide alternative directions in comedy. Although Blackadder does have a basic goal in this series - to marry Elizabeth and become her consort - it does not drive the plot as much in this series as it did in the first. The plots for each episode however are still extremely entertaining and contain the basic premise of Blackadder getting into a desperate situation that he must get out of - with the aid (or hindrance) of Percy and Baldrick. The stories are well-thought out and the comedy a good-blend of dry-wit from Blackadder and farcical situations. The stories are well scripted and contain some excellent supporting characters played memorably by the likes of Rik Mayall (of Young Ones and Drop Dead Fred fame), Ronald Lacey (Raiders of the Lost Ark) and ex Dr Who Tom Baker.

This series of Blackadder successfully alters the main character into the intelligent and dry cynic, because it does not do so at the expense of the other characters and the plots. Ben Elton's influence however is evident with the supporting characters being of the less intelligent type, aluding to things to come in the next two series where these characters becoming the main target for the humour. Blackadder II works so well because it is the stories that drive the humour with the dry-wit as an added bonus - things were about to be reversed. Like the first series this is a classic of comedy and well deserves its standing as, arguably, the most popular Blackadder series. The first and last series of Blackadder could not be further apart in terms of humour and subtlety - this series fuses both styles to create, perhaps the definitive Blackadder. Was the above review useful to you? 19 out of 20 people found the following review useful: The best, by far! from Xanadu 28 June 2003 Blackadder II is the finest series of them all. we have the perfect cast and the crispest writing. Everything is spot on here. Miranda Richardson joins the cast, as a particularly loopy Queen Elizabeth.

Stehen Fry joins in as the toadying Lord Melchett and the delightful Patsy Byrne is the daft Nursie. Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, and Tim McInnerny are back as the descendants of their previous characters. Percy is still a cretin, but now so is Baldrick! Luckily, Lord Edmund is a step above his ancestor, even if his station in life has fallen. The guests this time include Hugh Laurie as mad Prince Ludwig, Rik Mayall in his first turn as the great Lord Flasheart, and Tom Baker as a rather insane sea captain. If you never get to see any of the other series, watch this one. Was the above review useful to you? 18 out of 19 people found the following review useful: Excellent and original from Surrey, England 10 August 2003 Blackadder II is a vast improvement over its less popular predecessor. The second series was almost not made due to the lack of success of the original, and clearly the writers re-considered Blackadder's character.

He, rather than the now dull-witted Baldrick, is the more intelligent of the pair and his character is now quick-witted, cunning and offers much in sarcastic humour. This, and possible Blackadder goes Forth, is the best of all the Blackadder series. Blackadder's new character is much funnier and Atkinson plays it masterfully. The series itself takes place some one hundred years after the first, just before the turn of the 17th century. I recommend it to all comedy fans. Was the above review useful to you? 11 out of 11 people found the following review useful: Blackadder  as good as it ever was from United Kingdom 8 June 2002 Lord Edmund Blackadder is a Lord in the court of Queen Elizabeth I. With his long suffering servant Baldrick and `close-friend' Percy he must wiggle his way through several sticky situations to come through with his political state and his skin intact! This second of four series of Blackadder ranks as one of the consistently best.

It may not be as fresh as the thrid and fourth series  mainly because the later series were sharper, crueler and benefited from very familiar (and by then  quite famous) characters and actors. The stories were always a little absurd but built around the deadpan, downbeat Blackadder. Plots include the Blackadder falling in love with his female man-servant Bob, beheading a man who was meant to be pardoned or just being kidnapped by a French master of disguise. They all are filled with sarcasm and wit and make up for the daffy plots. Atkinson is comfortable in his role  but is better in series 3. Robinson is funny in a poor role of Baldrick. McInnerny is OK as percy but is not as good an idiot as Laurie's Prince in 3. The royal court is funny with Fry, Richardson and Byrne all good. Overall this is as good as all the series are. Witty, cruel, sarcastic and with off the wall plots and extreme characters  it's typical of how good British comedy can be. Was the above review useful to you?

8 out of 8 people found the following review useful: The Elisabethan Sitcom from Ambrosia 22 August 2006 'Blackadder 2' provoked outrage when first broadcast in the U.K. Those who'd liked the first series were extremely unhappy at the show's reformatting; Nina Myskow, television critic of 'The News Of The World' bestowed on Rowan Atkinson her infamous 'wally of the week' title. Its only with the benefit of hindsight can we see now that the changes were absolutely spot-on; Edmund becoming a sarcastic cad, Baldrick turning stupid, and the expensive film sequences dropped in favour of stronger characterisations and tighter plots. Without the likes of Brian Blessed to constantly upstage him, Atkinson was free to dominate the show. Ben Elton replaced Atkinson as Richard Curtis' co-writer - another wise move. As the squeaky-voiced 'Queenie', Miranda Richardson was simply outstanding. Tom Baker played 'Captain 'Redbeard' Rum' in one episode, a tour-de-force of over-the-top acting. The weight of public opinion gradually swung behind 'Blackadder 2' - its now regarded as better than its predecessor.

Was the above review useful to you? 8 out of 8 people found the following review useful: So good it hurts from United Kingdom 10 March 2006 I adore this. It's about as funny as old-fashioned brutal British sarcasm gets. Not only that, but the characters themselves are fantastic, despite the theory that it is "being a true and japesome historie of Englande" is perhaps a little unlikely. Favourite episode? "Head", has both verbal and physical side-splitting hilarity, and although the lines are occasionally a little predictable, their fantastic delivery makes up for it. In my opinion, this is by far and away the best of all the Blackadder series if only for the Miranda Richardson factor(perhaps I am a little biased....) but I would recommend this to just about anyone in need of a laugh. Unless they had a heart condition. Was the above review useful to you?

10 out of 13 people found the following review useful: Why can't Atkinson do more characters like this from England 18 March 2005 Reading through the many comments on Blackadder i agree with the majority that it was an extremely funny and enjoyable show, especially once they had sorted out the main character from being a whiny no hoper with a stupid voice... time and time again Rowan Atkinson has played characters like this and they are just not funny...someone has even suggested that Mr Bean is Atkinson at his best... Balderdash... Blackadder (series 2,3 and four) will remain a testament to great writing and performance...idiot characters should hopefully be forgotten to time. Was the above review useful to you? 7 out of 8 people found the following review useful: As Good As Comedy Gets from L.A. CA 29 August 2001 This series is so brilliant, so witty, so laugh out loud funny, I watch them over and over again. I actually did NOT care for the first one (where Rowan was Edmund, the Duke). It seemed to be all over the place, embracing the history more than the comedy.

But this one, Blackadder II, is MY favorite, even though Three and Four are also good. Four set during WWI is hit and miss, but some of the episodes are exceptional -especially the very last one. Funny, yet incredibly moving. Everyone's work in this series is fantastic. BELLS and HEAD are my two favorite episodes of this series. Rowan Atkinson was born to say Elton and Curtis' words and Miranda Richardson's performance as Queen Elizabeth, in all it's spoiled rotten pouting, is comic gold. The only American series that even came close to this (And I give them credit for even trying) was the summer series on CBS, THANKS - which was about the first American Pilgrim family at Plymouth, Mass. 1621. It, too, was brilliant satire, but, gee - American audiences preferred watching the premeire of Who Wants To Be A $%#@%%$ Millionaire!!! This Blackadder series IS available on video in America - so seek it out!!! Was the above review useful to you? 5 out of 6 people found the following review useful: Fantastic from Colchester, England 24 June 2003 Simply fantastic.

Whilst this isn't my fav series (I prefer series III) it is still hugely funny. Unfortunately the humour is very British and probably won't work in the USA. Pity. This series is a huge improvement on the first, the increased interplay (piss-taking) between Blackadder and Baldrick is the key (it also helps having a little more stability in the story line. Simply fantastic, can be watched over and over again, although one must avoid quoting it on a daily basis! Was the above review useful to you? Page 1 of 5:

Question: Who played the mad legless Captain Rum in the second series of Blackadder?
Answer: Tom Baker