# Blackadder fans- is it essential to start from the very beginning? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 25, 2005, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder-fans-is-it-essential-to-start-from-the-very-beginning/286581 "2005-01-25T14:08:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mal\_Adroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@Mal\_Adroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mal_Adroit)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder-fans-is-it-essential-to-start-from-the-very-beginning/286581/1 "2005-01-25T14:08:32Z")
Have either read or heard that the first Blackadder series or segment had a slightly different vibe than what followed (?) Is that accurate or did I hear it wrong? I tend to be anal-retentive and start at the very beginning of a series (am still refusing to watch the current season of _Arrested Development_ until I get through the first season via Netflix :rolleyes: ), but I’m wondering if this policy is always necessary. Especially if a series morphs over time, gets signifigantly better/worse, etc. So . . . best place to start? Tanks in advance. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder-fans-is-it-essential-to-start-from-the-very-beginning/286581/2 "2005-01-25T14:12:48Z")
Actually, many people (myself included) believe it is essential you skip the first season, and start with Black Adder II. Black Adder I is more like Mr. Bean in the middle ages. If that’s your thing, then go for it. ---
**Author:** ![AngelicGemma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/439d5e/32.png) [@AngelicGemma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelicGemma)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder-fans-is-it-essential-to-start-from-the-very-beginning/286581/3 "2005-01-25T14:19:37Z")
Watching the series in order is really not needed. And yes, the first series is different from the others. Hope you enjoy them! ---
**Author:** ![tagos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@tagos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tagos)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder-fans-is-it-essential-to-start-from-the-very-beginning/286581/4 "2005-01-25T14:20:34Z")
Each series is self-contained in a different historical era. It’s the second series that hits the stride. The first is funny but blackadder is not the cunning evil swine he later becomes. More a stupid, evil swine. Save the last series to last theough. Best. Comedy Series. Ending. Ever. ---
**Author:** ![Mal\_Adroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@Mal\_Adroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mal_Adroit)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder-fans-is-it-essential-to-start-from-the-very-beginning/286581/5 "2005-01-25T14:37:40Z")
Ah, so I wasn’t imagining a certain qualified praise for the first series. No. 2 it is. Thank you, friends. ---
**Author:** ![paulberserker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@paulberserker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paulberserker)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder-fans-is-it-essential-to-start-from-the-very-beginning/286581/6 "2005-01-25T14:51:58Z")
It does have a different vibe (Baldrick’s the smart one for instance) but miss it at your peril. I watched it a few months back after not seeing it for years, and laughed my tits off. Focuses more on Brian Blessed actually, and if he’s your bag, then yo. Very much worth watching. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder-fans-is-it-essential-to-start-from-the-very-beginning/286581/7 "2005-01-25T14:57:33Z")
> [@tagos](#): > > Save the last series to last theough. Best. Comedy Series. Ending. Ever. If you’re renting the DVDs, then make sure you watch the historical features and the specials. I loved the Sir Blackadder and Charles I. The historical features on the forth series really put a lot of WWI into persective. Wow. Just wow. I hope we (the human race) never go through something like that again. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder-fans-is-it-essential-to-start-from-the-very-beginning/286581/8 "2005-01-25T15:08:53Z")
Perhaps you’d enjoy a visit to [Blackadder Hall](http://www.blackadderhall.co.uk/) > [@](#): > > Please feel free to wander through my magnificent halls and into the many fabulous rooms that contain great treasures from around the world. At Blackadder Hall you will find some real gems of useless information all relating to the Blackadder family. I do apologise for the smell in the kitchen, Baldrick’s been cooking dung again. I hope that you enjoy your visit…Enjoyed it? Good, now sod off! ---
**Author:** ![GeoDude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/eb8c5e/32.png) [@GeoDude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GeoDude)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder-fans-is-it-essential-to-start-from-the-very-beginning/286581/9 "2005-01-25T15:20:21Z")
Speaking of the specials, make sure to NOT watch “Blackadder Christmas Carol” until after you’ve at least seen series 2 and 3. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder-fans-is-it-essential-to-start-from-the-very-beginning/286581/10 "2005-01-25T18:40:45Z")
I’ll be the dissenting voice and say I think the first series is the best of them all. It’s not presented as well as the others, but I think the jokes are far far smarter, once you figure them out. If that makes any sense. Still, I’ll admit I had to watch them a few times before I really caught all the jokes and figured out what was going on with them all. Watching the series the first time, it’s probably best to start with series two, since the other series are more accessible, but if you like what you see, go back and catch the first one as well. ---
**Author:** ![Mal\_Adroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@Mal\_Adroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mal_Adroit)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder-fans-is-it-essential-to-start-from-the-very-beginning/286581/11 "2005-01-25T18:54:44Z")
On my honor, **paulberserker** and **smeghead** , I’ll not neglect Series 1. Thanks to all for various tips/links. > [@maus magill](#): > > If you’re renting the DVDs, then make sure you watch the historical features and the specials. Before watching the shows on that particular DVD, you mean? ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder-fans-is-it-essential-to-start-from-the-very-beginning/286581/12 "2005-01-25T19:02:46Z")
I’ll chime in that the first season isn’t quite as good as the others. Blackadder’s the dumb one and Baldrick’s the smart one, which doesn’t work quite as well as the other way around. I think it’s because Rowan Atkinson is just so damn good at playing the evil cunning Blackadder. I think you should watch the rest in order, though. Especially: definitely don’t watch the very last episode of the last season until you’ve watched all the others. ---
**Author:** ![ianzin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed655f/32.png) [@ianzin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianzin)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder-fans-is-it-essential-to-start-from-the-very-beginning/286581/13 "2005-01-25T22:17:41Z")
Start with Blackadder II, then III and then IV, and (as everyone else has said) get ready with the IVth series to witness the best ever ending to a sitcom series. Then enjoy Christmas Carol, and then enjoy anything else you want in terms of DVD extras and specials. And then look at the Blackadder I. It’s not as funny, it doesn’t work as well, and it’s not Atkinson’s finest work. The trouble is that at the time they wrote and produced the first series, Atkinson had enjoyed great success largely playing dimwit, whacky, idiot roles, with silly gurning and general lack of sense being his stock in trade. He even enjoyed a modest West End theatre hit with a revival of ‘The Nerd’. When all concerned saw that for some reason this didn’t quite work with Blackadder I, they tried it the other way, with the Atkinson character being the smart schemer and devious self-surviving survivor, surrounded by others who were dimmer than he was. This worked spectacularly well, and that’s how they played it from then on. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder-fans-is-it-essential-to-start-from-the-very-beginning/286581/14 "2005-01-25T22:40:56Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > I’ll be the dissenting voice and say I think the first series is the best of them all. It’s not presented as well as the others, but I think the jokes are far far smarter, once you figure them out. If that makes any sense. Still, I’ll admit I had to watch them a few times before I really caught all the jokes and figured out what was going on with them all. Watching the series the first time, it’s probably best to start with series two, since the other series are more accessible, but if you like what you see, go back and catch the first one as well. Plus, it has one of the best TV theme songs EVER!! \*The sound of hoofbeats cross the glade, Good folk, lock up your son and daughter, Beware the deadly flashing blade, Unless, you want to end up shorter, Black Adder! Black Adder! He rides a pitch-black steed, Black Adder! Black Adder! He’s very bad indeed, Black, his gloves of finest mole, Black, his codpiece made of metal, His horse is blacker than his vole, His pot is blacker than his kettle, Black Adder! Black Adder! With many a cunning plan, Black Adder! Black Adder! You horrid little man!\* ---
**Author:** ![vl\_mungo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc8723/32.png) [@vl\_mungo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vl_mungo)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder-fans-is-it-essential-to-start-from-the-very-beginning/286581/15 "2005-01-26T01:09:04Z")
I’ll say start from the beginning and watch them in order. The first series isn’t my favorite one, but it can be pretty damn funny funny. It is interesting, as you go through the series, the Blackadders become smarter and smarter and smarter, but simultaneously decrease in social standing. ---
**Author:** ![Tenar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@Tenar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenar)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder-fans-is-it-essential-to-start-from-the-very-beginning/286581/16 "2005-01-26T01:15:27Z")
I’m with Mungo on this one. I note a definite arc of intelligence on Blackadder’s part – which gets him absolutely NOWHERE. FWIW, I LOVED Blackadder I, particularly the Archbishop of Canterbury episode. The business with his mother is an absolute riot. Blackadder II is my favorite, though, especially “Bells” (the episode with Lord Flashheart). ---
**Author:** ![Monstre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@Monstre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monstre)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder-fans-is-it-essential-to-start-from-the-very-beginning/286581/17 "2005-01-26T03:00:52Z")
I loved all of them, including Blackadder I. You could start with BA II to get the flavor of the later ones, but I wouldn’t go skipping any of them. Plus, it would be a crime to miss Brian Blessed in the first series – he’s hilarious! (Fezzik! Fresh horses!!!) Personally, I thought that “Queen of Spain’s Beard” was the most fun one in the first series, and “Witchsmeller Pursuivant” was the least – just a bit on the ho-hum side. The rest of them I enjoyed just fine. In fact I found it kind of fun that the first Edmund was kind of whiny and snivelly in the first one, and his descendants got smarter and more ruthless in the later series (and yet to some extent lesser in power and station than the first Edmund). ---
**Author:** ![roger\_thornhill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@roger\_thornhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roger_thornhill)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder-fans-is-it-essential-to-start-from-the-very-beginning/286581/18 "2005-01-26T03:18:28Z")
> [@Monstre](#): > > Personally, I thought that “Queen of Spain’s Beard” was the most fun one in the first series, and “Witchsmeller Pursuivant” was the least – just a bit on the ho-hum side. The rest of them I enjoyed just fine. In fact I found it kind of fun that the first Edmund was kind of whiny and snivelly in the first one, and his descendants got smarter and more ruthless in the later series (and yet to some extent lesser in power and station than the first Edmund). Couldn’t agree more. Though living in England when the first three series were broadcast, I saw nothing of Blackadder until I got the VCDs a few years ago. I watched them in the order they were produced and didn’t suffer any harmful consequences. A lot of the first series was shot on location and has a distinctly different flavour. Some of the supporting characters are lacking in substance (e.g. Edmund’s elder brother Harry) while others, such as the Infanta and her campy interpreter in the unequalled Queen of Spain’s Beard, are brilliant. You could certainly fast forward over the pretentious and ineffectual Witchsmeller with impunity. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder-fans-is-it-essential-to-start-from-the-very-beginning/286581/19 "2005-01-26T06:00:05Z")
_The Witchsmeller Pursuivant_ has one of my favourite sequences, the “Clever Jake” dialogue. But _the Queen of Spain’s Beard_ has such marvellous character actors as Miryam Margolyes (who returned twice in future series - most notably in the turnip themed ‘Money’ episode in _Blackadder II_, but also as Queen Victoria in _Blackadder’s Christmas Carol_) and also Jim Broadbent, who plays Don Speekingleesh, the interpreter, and also returns as Prince Albert in the aforementiond Christmas Carol. I love the first series. The only thing I don’t like is that Prince Harry is quite dull, and that some of the sound effects seem to drown out a lot of the dialogue. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder-fans-is-it-essential-to-start-from-the-very-beginning/286581/20 "2005-01-26T06:10:59Z")
I’ll also give some of the love to BlackAdder I. They are all great, and the first one as well. I’ll also chime in and say The Archbishop of Canterbury was pure gold, especially the part about religious relics. I’ll also recommend watching them in order. You get to see the progression of BlackAdders, which is very amusing as well. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder-fans-is-it-essential-to-start-from-the-very-beginning/286581.md?page=2)