List of Blackadder episodes

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This is an episode list of the British sitcom Blackadder. Dates shown are original airdates on BBC One.

Episodes

Unaired pilot

Unaired Pilot (1982)

# Title Writer
0 "The Black Adder" Rowan Atkinson, Richard Curtis
The pilot of The Black Adder was not broadcast, and was subsequently remade as the episode "Born to Be King".

List of episodes

The Black Adder (First series, 1983)

The episodes in this series were originally shown on BBC One on Wednesday evenings, 21:25 – 22:00. Note: The "Ultimate Edition" DVD retains the broadcast order, which switched the second and fourth episodes as "Born to Be King" was not ready for transmission, despite on-screen dates continuing to identify the true order as "Born to Be King", "The Archbishop", "The Queen of Spain's Beard"[1]

# Title Writer Director Airdate
1 "The Foretelling" Rowan Atkinson, Richard Curtis Martin Shardlow 15 June 1983 (1983-06-15)

As the Wars of the Roses reach their climax, Edmund arrives late for battle and accidentally kills the King and becomes a prince when Richard IV becomes king. With the ghost of Richard III haunting Edmund's every waking moment, he must do his best to keep it a secret, until three wise women give Edmund some fantastic news.

Guest starring Peter Cook as King Richard III.
2 "Born to Be King" Rowan Atkinson, Richard Curtis Martin Shardlow 22 June 1983 (1983-06-22)[1]
Edmund plots revenge when Dougal McAngus, the King's Supreme Commander, arrives and is given Edmund's lands by Harry acting as Regent. Edmund decides to kill McAngus in a play, but discovers that McAngus has secrets about Edmund's mother which could make Edmund king.
3 "The Archbishop" Rowan Atkinson, Richard Curtis Martin Shardlow 29 June 1983 (1983-06-29)
King Richard announces that he will make his son Archbishop of Canterbury. Edmund discovers that if his brother Harry becomes the archbishop, he will be killed and Edmund will become king. Unfortunately, the King appoints Edmund as Archbishop, then unintentionally sends two knights to kill him.
4 "The Queen of Spain's Beard" Rowan Atkinson, Richard Curtis Martin Shardlow 6 July 1983 (1983-07-06)[1]

Edmund thinks he is marrying a beautiful princess, but discovers that his future bride is an ugly Spanish Infanta. With the help of Baldrick and Percy, Edmund strives to stop the wedding.

First appearance of Miriam Margolyes as the Spanish Infanta.
5 "Witchsmeller Pursuivant" Rowan Atkinson, Richard Curtis Martin Shardlow 13 July 1983 (1983-07-13)

After a witch test gone wrong, Edmund is accused of being a witch, and the witchsmeller does everything to make everyone believe Edmund really is a witch.

Guest starring Frank Finlay as The Witchsmeller.
6 "The Black Seal" Rowan Atkinson, Richard Curtis Martin Shardlow 20 July 1983 (1983-07-20)

When all of Edmund's titles are removed except Warden of the Royal Privies, he is furious and decides to raise an army of six of the most ruthless bandits in all the lands to seize the throne and become king.

Featuring Patrick Allen (who also narrated the series) as Phillip of Burgundy. First appearance of Rik Mayall as Mad Gerald, though the character is credited as "himself".

Blackadder II (Second series, 1986)

The episodes in this series were originally shown on BBC One on Thursday evenings, 21:30 – 22:00. The episode titles are single word references to the theme of the episode: a wedding, executions, voyages of exploration, debt, drinking alcohol, and imprisonment, respectively.

It is likely that "Head" was originally intended to be the first episode: Lord Percy has a beard in "Head" which he shaves off in "Bells". Also, early scenes in "Head" introduce the audience to the characters, such as the opening scene that shows that Baldrick is now stupid.

# Title Writer Director Airdate
7 "Bells" Richard Curtis, Ben Elton Mandie Fletcher 9 January 1986 (1986-01-09)

Blackadder gains a new young servant, Bob, and somehow falls for him. When he discovers that Bob is a girl named Kate, he wishes to marry her, much to Queenie's confusion.

This is the second appearance of Rik Mayall, this time as Lord Flashheart, and the first appearance of Gabrielle Glaister as Bob.
8 "Head" Richard Curtis, Ben Elton Mandie Fletcher 16 January 1986 (1986-01-16)
Blackadder relishes his new position as the Queen's head executioner, until a simple change to the execution schedule leads to catastrophic results when prisoner Lord Farrow's wife wishes to visit him and the Queen decides to pardon him, despite having been executed two days earlier.
9 "Potato" Richard Curtis, Ben Elton Mandie Fletcher 23 January 1986 (1986-01-23)

Attempting to impress the Queen in the wake of Sir Walter Raleigh's return, Blackadder plans to go on a voyage to the Cape Of No Hope, where no man has ever returned, and he might marry the Queen if he returns. Blackadder hires the flamboyant Captain Redbeard Rum, who has lost his legs and thinks that everything belongs to a woman, to accompany them.

Simon Jones appears as Sir Walter Raleigh; Tom Baker as Captain Rum.
10 "Money" Richard Curtis, Ben Elton Mandie Fletcher 6 February 1986 (1986-02-06)

Blackadder is threatened by the baby-eating Bishop of Bath and Wells. If Blackadder doesn't pay back the 1000 pounds he once borrowed from the Bank of the Black Monks, the Bishop will shove his heated poker up Blackadder's bottom (presumably killing him). With Blackadder having to pay the Queen each time he falls for her stupid tricks, things look bleak for Blackadder, until he comes up with a plan so cunning you could brush your teeth with it.

Guest appearance by Ronald Lacey as "The Baby-eating Bishop of Bath and Wells".
11 "Beer" Richard Curtis, Ben Elton Mandie Fletcher 13 February 1986 (1986-02-13)

Blackadder discovers that his ludicrously Puritan Aunt and Uncle Whiteadder are coming to visit him on the same night that he is having a party and a high-stakes drinking contest with Lord Melchett. Also, Queenie plans to sneak into the party to find out what happens on Boys' Nights Out.

First appearance of Hugh Laurie, and second appearance of Miriam Margolyes.
12 "Chains" Richard Curtis, Ben Elton Mandie Fletcher 20 February 1986 (1986-02-20)

Blackadder and Melchett are kidnapped and held for ransom by the German mastermind Prince Ludwig the Indestructible. Queenie must decide whether Blackadder or Melchett should go free.

Second appearance of Hugh Laurie.

Blackadder the Third (Third series, 1987)

The episodes in this series were originally shown on BBC One on Thursday evenings, 21:30 – 22:00. The episode titles use alliteration in parody of the titles of Jane Austen's novels Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice.

# Title Writer Director Airdate
13 "Dish and Dishonesty" Richard Curtis, Ben Elton Mandie Fletcher 17 September 1987 (1987-09-17)

Edmund attempts to win an election against the evil William Pitt the Younger (who plans to bankrupt Blackadder's master, the Prince Regent), using Baldrick (later known as Mr. S Baldrick, which stands for "Sod Off") as the MP. Unfortunately, after Baldrick wins, he votes for Pitt, pushing Blackadder to meddle with politics even further.

Featuring Vincent Hanna as "his own great-great-grandfather".
14 "Ink and Incapability" Richard Curtis, Ben Elton Mandie Fletcher 24 September 1987 (1987-09-24)

The Prince decides to become patron of Dr. Samuel Johnson and his new dictionary, until they become enemies. When Blackadder discovers that Baldrick has burnt Dr. Johnson's dictionary and Johnson has no copy, Blackadder must rewrite the dictionary.

Guest starring Robbie Coltrane as Dr. Johnson.
15 "Nob and Nobility" Richard Curtis, Ben Elton Mandie Fletcher 1 October 1987 (1987-10-01)

Irritated by the new obsession with all things French, Blackadder makes a bet with Topper and Smedley and goes out to rescue an aristocrat and claim his 1000 guineas.

Guest starred Tim McInnerny, Nigel Planer and Chris Barrie.
16 "Sense and Senility" Richard Curtis, Ben Elton Mandie Fletcher 8 October 1987 (1987-10-08)

When an assassination attempt is made on the Prince, Blackadder decides to help him with his image by writing a public speech. Against Blackadder's advice, the Prince employs two actors, Mossop and Keanrick, to coach him on how to give the speech.

Guest starring Hugh Paddick, Kenneth Connor and Ben Elton.
17 "Amy and Amiability" Richard Curtis, Ben Elton Mandie Fletcher 15 October 1987 (1987-10-15)

When the Prince runs out of money, Edmund attempts to marry him off to the daughter of a rich industrialist, but is thwarted at every turn by the mysterious highwayman "The Shadow".

Features guest appearances from Miranda Richardson as Amy Hardwood and Warren Clarke as Mr Hardwood.
18 "Duel and Duality" Richard Curtis, Ben Elton Mandie Fletcher 22 October 1987 (1987-10-22)

The Duke of Wellington promises to kill the Prince in a duel after the Prince hangs out with the Duke's nieces. Baldrick comes up with a plan involving Blackadder taking Prince's place in the duel, and Blackadder intends on using his mad Scottish cousin, MacAdder.

Stephen Fry guest stars as the Duke.

Blackadder Goes Forth (Fourth series, 1989)

The episodes in this series were originally shown on BBC One on Thursday evenings, 21:30 – 22:00. The episode titles are, with exception of the final episode, puns on military ranks.

# Title Writer Director Airdate
19 "Captain Cook" Richard Curtis, Ben Elton Richard Boden 28 September 1989 (1989-09-28)

Field Marshal Haig's new plan is to commission a man who can do a splendid painting for the front cover of the next issue of the famous war magazine, King And Country, which Blackadder hates. When Blackadder is made the new Official War Artist, he is allowed to leave the trenches.

This episode features no guest stars for the only time in the series.
20 "Corporal Punishment" Richard Curtis, Ben Elton Richard Boden 5 October 1989 (1989-10-05)
In order to avoid being ordered to go over the top, Blackadder fakes bad phone communications and then shoots a carrier pigeon – which is revealed to be a prized pet of General Melchett. With George as his attorney in a farcical court-martial and Baldrick offering a rather unique escape kit, can the "Flanders Pigeon Murderer" ultimately avoid execution by firing squad?
21 "Major Star" Richard Curtis, Ben Elton Richard Boden 12 October 1989 (1989-10-12)

With everyone talking about famous comedian Charlie Chaplin, Blackadder becomes in charge of the War show and will be shifted off to London. Unfortunately, Melchett has fallen in love with the fair Georgina (George dressed as a woman). After a date with the General, the General asks George to marry him, and George says "Yes".

Featured Gabrielle Glaister as Bob for the second time.
22 "Private Plane" Richard Curtis, Ben Elton Richard Boden 19 October 1989 (1989-10-19)

After a visit from Lord Flashheart, Blackadder, Baldrick and George intend on joining the "Twenty Minuters" at the Royal Flying Corps to go to Paris. After Blackadder and Baldrick crash their 'plane behind enemy lines, they are captured by the Germans and must prepare for "a fate worse than a fate worse than death".

Third appearance of Rik Mayall, for the second time as Lord Flashheart and Gabrielle Glaister as Bob for the third time. Also featured Adrian Edmondson as Baron Manfred von Richthofen.
23 "General Hospital" Richard Curtis, Ben Elton Richard Boden 26 October 1989 (1989-10-26)
George ends up in field hospital after a bomb strikes Blackadder's bunker. Melchett and Darling task Blackadder with finding a German spy who is in the hospital and giving away battle plans. Instead, Blackadder embarks on a relationship with Nurse Mary Fletcher-Brown, played by Miranda Richardson.
24 "Goodbyeee" Richard Curtis, Ben Elton Richard Boden 2 November 1989 (1989-11-02)

Finally, this time for sure, Blackadder and his friends are going into battle. Baldrick suggests to Blackadder that he pretend to go mad by putting undies on his head and shoving two pencils up his nose, like in the Sudan. Once this fails, Baldrick comes up with another plan that could definitely get Blackadder out of the trenches for sure.

Final episode. The final scene voted ninth most memorable television moment of all time in a 1999 poll of The Observer and Channel Four.

Guest appearance (billed as "Special Guest Brass Hat") by Geoffrey Palmer as Field Marshall Haig.

Specials

Blackadder: The Cavalier Years (Comic Relief special, 1988)

Title Writer Director Airdate
"Blackadder: The Cavalier Years" Richard Curtis, Ben Elton Richard Boden 5 February 1988 (1988-02-05)
England is in civil war, and Blackadder is harbouring the most wanted man in the country: King Charles I.

Blackadder's Christmas Carol (Christmas Special, 1988)

# Title Writer Director Airdate
19 "Blackadder's Christmas Carol" Richard Curtis, Ben Elton Richard Boden 23 December 1988 (1988-12-23)
A parody of Charles Dickens' book A Christmas Carol. As Christmas approaches, Ebenezer Blackadder gets a surprising meeting with the Ghost of Christmas Present...

Blackadder: Back & Forth (Millennium Special, 1999)

# Title Writer Director Airdate
26 "Blackadder: Back & Forth" Richard Curtis, Ben Elton Paul Weiland 31 December 1999 (1999-12-31)
As the new millennium dawns, Blackadder tries to con his friends out of £30,000 with a fake time machine which, thanks to Baldrick, unexpectedly works ... up to a point.

Additional appearances

Title (unofficial) Writer Airdate
"Woman's Hour Invasion" Richard Curtis, Ben Elton 28 September 1988 (1988-09-28)
Woman's Hour is a show on BBC Radio 4 consisting of reports, interviews and debates aimed at women, and also includes short serials during the last quarter of the show. On one instance of the show, in 1988, Blackadder and Baldrick show up, travel back in time and talk to Shakespeare and others. The purpose of the "invasion" was to raise money for Children in Need.[2]
"Children in Need" Richard Curtis, Ben Elton 1988 (1988)
Terry Wogan interviews Blackadder and Baldrick, both of which appear and behave as they are in series 3, with Blackadder insulting both Baldrick and Terry Wogan. This special cameo was done during a TV appeal for Children in Need.[3]
"Clown Court" TBA 1988 (1988)
Clown Court was an item on Noel's Saturday Roadshow in which Noel Edmonds presented blooper compilations in a mock court setting. Tony Robinson appeared as Baldrick, who stands accused of a number of bloopers from the third series, and is sentenced to death.[4]
"Shakespeare Sketch" Richard Curtis, Ben Elton 18 September 1989 (1989-09-18)
This non-canonical sketch was performed on stage at the Sadlers Wells Theatre on 18 September 1989. It was written for and performed at an AIDS benefit concert directed by Stephen Fry, and features Hugh Laurie as "Bill" Shakespeare and Rowan Atkinson as his agent or manager, whose name is not mentioned in the sketch. They discuss cutting various sections of Hamlet – in particular the "To be, or not to be" soliloquy. Shakespeare is very reluctant to cut any dialogue, but ultimately, Rowan Atkinson's character talks Shakespeare down from an over-long speech to the familiar 'snappy' phrase.[5] Because the agent's name is never given, it is not certain he is an incarnation of the Blackadder family, although he is often identified as a Blackadder.[5] However, Richard Curtis later stated that it was never intended as a Blackadder sketch.[6] The sketch was available on video as part of Hysteria 2 – The Second Coming, released by Palace Video on 21 May 1990.
"Blackadder and the King's Birthday" TBA 12 January 1998 (1998-01-12)
A short sketch performed at the Prince of Wales' 50th Birthday Gala. It featured Rowan Atkinson as Lord Blackadder and Stephen Fry as King Charles II, and was televised on ITV (in the UK) on 14 November 1998.[7]
"Blackadder: The Army Years" Ben Elton 19 October 2000 (2000-10-19)
A short monologue performed at the Dominion Theatre for the Royal Variety Performance 2000. It features Rowan Atkinson as the modern-day Lord Edmund Blackadder of Her Royal Highness's regiment of Shirkers. The sketch was written and introduced by Ben Elton, who was the compère of the evening.[8]
"The Jubilee Girl" Richard Curtis 29 December 2002 (2002-12-29)
The Jubilee Girl was a BBC special about the making of the Party at the Palace, a concert held on the grounds of Buckingham Palace for Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee. The concert had been reluctantly announced on the BBC by Sir Osmond Darling-Blackadder, Keeper of the Royal Lawn Sprinklers, and while he does not appear in connection with the actual concert, he makes a few brief appearances in The Jubilee Girl to provide a humouristic note.[9]
"Blackadder Exclusive: The Whole Rotten Saga" TBA 8 October 2008 (2008-10-08)

A 50 minute documentary produced by Tiger Aspect for UKTV Gold.[10]

It featured interviews with most of the major cast members and other contributors, including Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Richard Curtis, Ben Elton, Miranda Richardson, Tim McInnerny and Tony Robinson and was narrated by comedian David Mitchell. Rowan Atkinson did not appear.[11] It was followed by another hour with a compilation called `Most Cunning Moments´ where celebrities and invited guests vote on their favourite scenes.[12]
"Blackadder Rides Again" TBA 25 December 2008 (2008-12-25)
A 60 minute documentary produced by Tiger Aspect for the BBC and broadcast on 25 December 2008, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the show. It featured interviews with all of the major cast members and other contributors, including Rowan Atkinson, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Richard Curtis, Ben Elton, Miranda Richardson, Tim McInnerny and Tony Robinson.[13] Rather than relying on 'talking head' interviews and clips from the show, the documentary included several pieces of rare, and even unseen material (behind the scenes clips, cut scenes from Series 1 etc.). It also reunited certain cast and crew members with their costumes, visited cast members on their current ventures, or took them to the original filming locations.
"Blackadder 2012" Ben Elton 28 September 2012 (2012-09-28)
A new Blackadder sketch about the banking crisis, performed at a special charity gala event “We Are Most Amused” in aid of the Prince’s Trust. Sir Edmund Blackadder is the chief executive of the Melchett, Melchett & Darling bank, who brings his gardener Sodoff Baldrick to an enquiry.[14]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 The True History of the Black Adder, ISBN 978-1-8480-9346-1, pg125 & pg419-420
  2. ↑ The Woman's Hour Invasion at Blackadder Hall Retrieved 12 January 2008.
  3. ↑ J.F. Roberts, The True History of the Black Adder: The Unadulterated Tale of the Creation of a Comedy Legend (Preface publishing, 2000) 253-254.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 The Shakespeare Sketch at Blackadder Hall. Retrieved 12 January 2008.
  6. ↑ More information about the Shakespeare Sketch at Blackadder hall Retrieved 18 November 2010
  7. ↑ The King's Birthday at Blackadder Hall. Retrieved 12 January 2008.
  8. ↑ The Army Years at Blackadder Hall. Retrieved 12 January 2008.
  9. ↑ The Royal Gardner at Blackadder Hall. Retrieved 12 January 2008.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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