Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that the first 'Blackadder' series was the best?

83 replies

Dragonwoman · 06/09/2011 21:35

Watching a programme about best bits of Blackadder a couple of nights ago. I enjoy all the series, but they always go on about how the first one was a bit of a flop & the concept was rescued by Ben Elton who co-wrote series 2,3 & 4 - these being much better.

Now maybe my memory is affected by nostalgia as I was just entering my teens when Blackadder first started, but I LOVED series one. It was hilarious. It's still hilarious now. Blackadder was much more inept than in later series, Brian Blessed was great as his father who could never remember his name, all the cast & the sets were excellent. All my school friends at the time loved it too.

Who could not enjoy the episode with the Spanish Enfanta? Or the one where they were on trial for witchcraft? I think they were fantastic.

Is it just me? Is my sense of humour stuck at age 13 forever?

OP posts:
PuppyMonkey · 06/09/2011 22:00

Two three or four the best IMHO but one was ok.

"She's got a Tongue like an electric eel and she likes the taste of a maaaan's tonsils." etc.

Original poster
Dragonwoman · 06/09/2011 22:02

I think I like the childishness of series one. Not as 'clever' as the others. And the sets were pretty good for the time I think. I'm not keen on Mr Bean though & that's a similar character - I think the rest of the cast played an important part in the success of Blackadder.

Though I do secretly fancy Edmund in his ruff in series 2 & that's just wrong isn't it? I think series 3 is my least fave as there is no Lord Percy.

As a contrast I also loved 'The Young Ones' but that I think has dated badly & I don't find it funny as an adult.

OP posts:
Catsmamma · 06/09/2011 22:05

The first one is my least favourite, except for the Infanta and her translator

I think Edmund is really quite the thing in the 2nd series with his doublet and hose.

I'd be hard pressed to choose a favourite series though.

and i'd do Lord Flashheart woof --in his frock or fighter pilot gear.

Catsmamma · 06/09/2011 22:07

dammit, forgot to finish my strike out!

and Highfives dragonwoman for her obvious good taste in men in ruffs.

normaleggy · 06/09/2011 22:07

I totally agree, Dragonwoman!! It's fucking hilarious, the other series don't even come close. The Spanish Infanta episode is funnier than anything Ben Elton has ever written in his life.

"Oh Edmond, my love..."

normaleggy · 06/09/2011 22:08

And I think it got too clever for it's own good.

MavisGrind · 06/09/2011 22:10

2 was best, IMO, however Baldrick's line in the first episode of series one

"Oh dear, Richard the Third"

is one of my favourite lines in British comedy like my opinion counts for jack all

Matildarabbit · 06/09/2011 22:10

Second series...most definitely

Original poster
Dragonwoman · 06/09/2011 22:12

And the one where Edmund oversleeps, turns up later for the battle & kills the king (Peter Cook)by mistake. Tries to claim he has killed loads including the Bishop of Bath & Wells who is conducting the memorial service. Loved it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Dragonwoman · 06/09/2011 22:14

Yeah that's the one Mavis Grind - I love that line too.
And the one where his mother wakes him in the morning - 'Edmund - did you want to go to the battle dis morning?'

OP posts:
SpiderObsession · 06/09/2011 22:17

Ha Dragonwoman it's Sunday evening, nothing on the tele and you're bored. Wink

Series 2 just edges into being my favourite (and the extra laugh at the end with the Minstrel), but then there's Hugh Laurie in Series 3 and Stephen Fry in Series 4. Decisions, decisions...

SpiderObsession · 06/09/2011 22:19

On a side note, DH & I did debate whether to send DS1 to the baby-eating bishop of bath & wells at one point. Blush

hocuspontas · 06/09/2011 22:22

Forth was the best. George and Baldrick were SO funny. I love the bit where they think Blackadder has been fooled by Baldrick's Charlie Chaplin impersonation. Am giggling now. Must watch the series again.

Original poster
Dragonwoman · 06/09/2011 22:22

It's tuesday Spider - did you miss some days? The rest of your assessment is correct however....

OP posts:
hocuspontas · 06/09/2011 22:25

Just remembered the only bits that let Forth down and they were the continual farce-like references to 'Darling' and the canned laughter that accompanied them.

SpiderObsession · 06/09/2011 22:26

Grin I'm all out of sync because DS has his first day back at school tomorrow. Wonder if I put those name tags on his uniform...

milkyways · 06/09/2011 22:27

My brothers used to watch Blackadder when I was a little girl - they used to always make me baldrick when acting out the jokes! I don't remember which series they were, but the best ones were the Prince George and WW1 ones. We still use dialogue as jokes from both of those series in our family!

pointythings · 06/09/2011 22:28

I luuurve series one - bring fresh horses!

cheeseandwhine · 06/09/2011 22:30

Love love BlackadderSmile.

Can I just ask, cos I can't decide, what age is it ok for dc to watch it would you say?

Ds (9) is very keen, but sometimes it's a bit um adult imo for 9's. I am usually the last to let my dc watch stuff though when all their friends do, so my radar is probably overtuned.

HattiFattner · 06/09/2011 22:33

I loved series 1.... the spanish infanta was genius. Grin "oh Edmund my love my love..."

Also loved the one where he has Oliver Cromwell in his bed and his mum walks in..

"Edmund do you have a woman in there....A man?......Oh Edmund it isnt a sheep is it?"

I thought it was the bull buggering bishop of Bath and Wells...?

pissovski · 06/09/2011 22:33

Never liked the first one really, except for the Infanta one. Blackadder was too Mr Bean- like for me. I love the rest.

S2 'Chains' is my absolute fave - think i know it word for word ("oh its a scythe!").
S3 'Dish and Dishonesty' and 'Amy and Amiability' ("Squirrels, bastards!").
S4 Obviously the last one - so poignant. But i adore 'Private Plane' (Woof!! @ Flash!) and 'General Hospital' is good too.

As a History teacher, I can work them into lessons too (genuinely!)

pissovski · 06/09/2011 22:35

Cheeseandwine - i saw them all when they where on tv first time (except S1). I could only have been 9 - 11. Watched them with my mum and nan :o Think the dodgy bits went over my head really

susiedaisy · 06/09/2011 22:37

Another fan of blackadder can't really pick a favourite but the final scene in the fourth series always gets to me, all series great for different reasonsGrin

Whatmeworry · 06/09/2011 22:38

"WHO's QUEEN" wins IMO !

Original poster
Dragonwoman · 06/09/2011 22:39

Oh yes the plane one in goes forth was excellent. With the Flasheart character again.

'Treat your plane like you treat your woman. Get inside her twice a day & take her to heaven & back!'

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread