The twenty-second TV show: #339 Blackadder
For this write up, we really have to ignore the final episode, and especially the last few minutes of the show. It's such a sad and special moment that works well (and is led up to by plenty of jokes), but isn't quite the same.
This show is divided in four series (we're also ignoring the specials) and they really are four different series. They're all set at different periods in times and the main characters, though all called Blackadder and played by the same actor. The first is notably less intelligent and they descend down the ranks and classes as time goes on, from being a prince to a captain stuck in the trenches of the first world war.
They're all good - although you could argue some are better than others - for different reasons. For a bunch of backstage reasons, the first season is quite different from the others, with Black Adder feeling like a different character and everything being on film. The second and third are probably most alike, with Blackadder subservient to royals (in different positions, but partially dealing with their weirdnesses). The fourth season's war setting is quite different. Because of it, it's darker and less upbeat.
There's several elements that make it work. The performances are excellent. Rowan Atkinson is at his best - better, in my opinion, than the Mr Bean role he's known for. Tony Robinson as Baldrick is so pathetic and disgusting it's strangely endearing. From the less regular cast, Hugh Laurie puts in such an amazing effort that that might make the seasons he is in my favourite, creating characters that aren't intelligent, but have enough depth to them that they go beyond just the jokes they seem to be. The writing helps as well, creating more complex characters sometimes to enhance the comedy.
For me, this is one of the great British comedy series, where it all comes together and works well.