# Blackadder **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 14, 2019, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder/843409 "2019-11-14T13:24:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder/843409/41 "2019-11-18T19:35:29Z")
For some reason _Blackadder Back and Forth_ is on YouTube in watchable quality, and has been there since 2014. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VEFaBSJwEc) ---
**Author:** ![Teuton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teuton/32/3864_2.png) [@Teuton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teuton)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder/843409/42 "2019-11-18T20:48:14Z")
Ah, Slackbladder! I like S1, but for different reasons than I like S2-4. Unlike other posters here, though, I think S3 is the weakest of those three - S2 is the best. But they are all brilliant. Now, who’s for a celebratory slap up binge at Mrs Miggin’s Pie Shop? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder/843409/43 "2019-11-18T22:43:04Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Any idea where I can watch Seasons 2-4 and the specials without paying extra? Amazon Prime only has Season 1 as part of the package. > > For reference, I have DirecTV, Amazon Prime, and Netflix (USA version). > [@Teuton](#): > > Ah, Slackbladder! > > I like S1, but for different reasons than I like S2-4. Unlike other posters here, though, I think S3 is the weakest of those three - S2 is the best. But they are all brilliant. > > Now, who’s for a celebratory slap up binge at Mrs Miggin’s Pie Shop? I would agree that out of seasons 2-4, 3 is the weakest. ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder/843409/44 "2019-11-18T23:20:32Z")
Here’s [an online poll](https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=204&t=1292646) (with possible bias/leading question for the first series): > [@](#): > > **Poll: Best Blackadder series?** > > Total Members Polled: 334 > > The rubbish first one from 30 years ago!!!: 5% > > The second Elizabethan one: 36% > > Blackadder the third - Prince Regent: 21% > > Blackadder Goes Forth: 37% > > One off Christmas Carol: 1% > > One off Back and Forth: 0% ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder/843409/45 "2019-11-18T23:38:14Z")
The whole lot is available on Britbox but that’s in the UK. Not sure if US Britbox has it or not… ---
**Author:** ![typoink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2019, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder/843409/46 "2019-11-19T21:58:23Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > After all I had heard about the series, I admit I was quite disappointed by Season 1. So if you start watching it and don’t like it, don’t give up but skip to Season 2. The later seasons deserve their reputation. But still, Season 1 does have its moments, and IMO is worth the watch. I ALMOST gave up on Blackadder because the first series just didn’t grab me and I figured it was another one of those “great in its time but not really enjoyable now (in 2005…yikes)” things. Luckily I persevered and absolutely fell in love with 2-4. My standing advice for the first series of Blackadder is the same as for the first 2-3 Discworld books: if you’re already sold and committed to the series somehow, go ahead and start there. Otherwise, skip ahead. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2019, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder/843409/47 "2019-11-19T22:02:29Z")
Blackadder taught me that “Kate” is short for “Bob.” ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2019, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder/843409/48 "2019-11-20T01:26:21Z")
I’ve only seen glimpses of the first season, and I found it off-putting, so I never watched it. I might have gone ahead and watched for completeness after reading some comments here, but I _hate_ the Mr. Bean character. So, if it’s like six episodes of Mr. Bean in the Dark Ages, I’ll pass. ---
**Author:** ![Princess\_Perfume](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/princess_perfume/32/16518_2.png) [@Princess\_Perfume](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princess_Perfume)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2019, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder/843409/49 "2019-11-20T08:23:29Z")
A kindergarten girl defeats Mr. Bean with the Gone Swimming, Clothes Stolen trope. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2019, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder/843409/50 "2019-11-20T14:18:38Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > I’ve only seen glimpses of the first season, and I found it off-putting, so I never watched it. I might have gone ahead and watched for completeness after reading some comments here, but I _hate_ the Mr. Bean character. So, if it’s like six episodes of Mr. Bean in the Dark Ages, I’ll pass. it isn’t at all like Mr. Bean. it is very different from the other seasons, the second being my favorite by far. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2019, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder/843409/51 "2019-11-20T16:31:52Z")
Looks like I’m the only one around here that likes Season 3. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2019, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder/843409/52 "2019-11-20T16:54:07Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Looks like I’m the only one around here that likes Season 3. Most people have said that they like 2, 3, and 4 just fine. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2019, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder/843409/53 "2019-11-20T17:01:31Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Looks like I’m the only one around here that likes Season 3. To be honest, I think the quality of 2,3 and 4 is very even. No real drop-off or dip but Queenie is a stand-out so she perhaps elevates 2 over the others slightly. All great though. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2019, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder/843409/54 "2019-11-20T17:04:59Z")
Count me as one of the folks who loves season 1. I love all the Shakespeare references, love the “Witchsmeller Pursuivant” episode, love Brian Blessed, love the Russian Black codpiece. I don’t care if Edmund is a snivelling, weaselly little turd in this season. He’s still funny. And, of course, Peter Cook kicked butt in that first episode. ---
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2019, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder/843409/55 "2019-11-20T17:28:53Z")
As mentioned before, Season 1 is my favourite. I’ve never quite been a fan of the fart jokes which dominated most of season 2+3. I found the Queenie and Nursie characters to be stupid, and more a bad version of traditional UK Carry On stereotypes, which had been long overplayed. Indeed, it was Ben Elton’s writing talents, when he was on the wane which was part of 2 and 3, and I much preferred the humour of Rowan Atkinson, who was the cowriter with Curtis on the first season. Having been a brit and a big fan of the alternative comedy scene bred out of The Young Ones and The Comic Strip Presents, it made me feel as if it was using out of date and unfashionable humour, and, if anything, have found seasons 2 and 3 have dated more. The first season is much more like The Comic Strip Presents: a genre parody, the next two much more like the appalling genre Parody of Elton’s: The big blue line. I’m sure if you approach it as a non brit, you’ve not got the same viewpoint of being there as they were broadcast… However, seasons 2 + 3 are one of the few products of the 80s alternative comedy scene I’d not want to watch again. Along with the post Young Ones sitcom: Happy Families, but that was because it was in effect a 6 episode long rejected Comic Strip script… Elton never really reached the heights of his Young Ones promise after that… ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2019, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder/843409/56 "2019-11-20T18:32:31Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Fair warning: the first season is distinctly different from the rest. The first has him as a much more low sniveling backstabbing character. The sniveling is of higher standards in later seasons. Each one has a different kind of humor. 1. Buffoonery 2. Witty Repartee 3. Sarcasm 4. Black humor. ---
**Author:** ![Teuton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teuton/32/3864_2.png) [@Teuton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teuton)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2019, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder/843409/57 "2019-11-21T14:08:24Z")
> [@Smid](#): > > I’m sure if you approach it as a non brit, you’ve not got the same viewpoint of being there as they were broadcast… However, seasons 2 + 3 are one of the few products of the 80s alternative comedy scene I’d not want to watch again. I’m a Brit and I loved them at the time, and I love them now. I mean, I’m not going to tell you that your opinion is wrong (although it’s not mine), but it’s not just non-Brits who prefer the later seasons. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2019, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder/843409/58 "2019-11-21T15:01:42Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Most people have said that they like 2, 3, and 4 just fine. The trend seems to be liking Season 2 better than 3 & 4, even if they like 2-4 “evenly.” I, OTOH, while liking Season 2, find Queenie and Nursie very hard to take in other than minutely small doses. That kicks the season down a notch. My highly biased ranking would be 3, 4, Back & Forth, Specials, 2. Then Season 1 on a separate page. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2019, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder/843409/59 "2019-11-21T15:32:04Z")
> [@Smid](#): > > the appalling genre Parody of Elton’s: The big blue line. I love _The Thin Blue Line_. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2019, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder/843409/60 "2019-11-21T15:34:55Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > I love _The Thin Blue Line_. Ditto. Fun series. Very under-rated. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder/843409.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackadder/843409.md?page=4)