The Black Adder (First series, 1983)[]
The episodes in this series, written by Rowan atkinson and Richard curtis, were originally shown on on Wednesday evenings, 21:25 – 22:00.
Title/Airdate | Plot outline |
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15 June 1983 |
As the war of the roses reaches its climax, Edmund arrives late for the war and accidentally kills the king and becomes a prince as 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 the three wise women give Edmund some really fantastic news. |
Born to be King 22 June 1983 |
Edmund plots revenge when Douglas McAngus, the King's Supreme Commander, arrives and steals Edmund's lands. Edmund decides to kill McAngus in a play, but discovers that he has secrets about Edmund's mother which could make him king. |
The Archbishop 29 June 1983 |
king Richard announces that he is going to make his son Archbishop of Cantebury. Edmund discovers that if his brother, Harry, becomes the archbishop, he will be killed and Edmund will become king. Unfortunately, when Edmund becomes the archbishop, two knights are out to kill Edmund. |
The Queen of Spain's Beard 6 July 1983 |
Edmund realises that he is going to get married to a beautiful woman, but discovers that his future bride is an ugly queen. With the help of Baldrick and Percy, Edmund does whatever he can to stop the wedding.
First appearance of Miriam Margolyes . |
Witchsmeller Pursuivant13 July 1983 | 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. |
The Black Seal 20 July 1983 |
After the king takes away Edmunds titles, the furous prince abandons his friends and creates a union with the six worst enemies of england, but a old foe returns looking for revenge... First appearance of as Rik mayall 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. This series (and all forthcoming episodes) were written by Richard curtis and Ben elton . The episode titles are single word references to the theme of the episode: a wedding, executions, voyages of exploration, dept , drinking and imprisonment, respectively.
It is likely that "Head" was originally intended to be the first episode, which can be proved by Lord Percy having 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 Baldrick is now stupid.
Title/Airdate | Plot outline |
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Bells 9 January 1986 |
Blackadder gains a new young servant called bob, and for some reason, 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. Featured Gabrielle Glaister as Bob for the first time. |
Head 16 January 1986 |
Blackadder becomes the head executioner and ends up killing a prisoner (Lord Farrow) that the Queen has allowed a woman to see, where he will be executed if she does not visit him. Wearing a bag over his head, Blackadder must make Lady Farrow believe that he is her husband, but once that's over, the Queen has completely pardoned Lord Farrow. |
Potato 23 January 1986 |
In the wake of Sir Walter Raleigh's return and as an attempt to impress the Queen, 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 Redbeard Rum to accompany them, who seems to think that everything belongs to a woman. Features an appearance by Simon jones as Sir Walter Raleigh and Tom baker as the captain. |
Money 6 February 1986 |
Blackadder is threatened by the baby-eating bishop of Bath And Wells that Blackadder must pay 1000 pounds, or the bishop will shove his sword up Blackadder's bottom. With Blackadder having to pay the Queen each time he falls for her stupid tricks, things look dark for Blackadder, until he comes up with a plan so cunning you could brush your teeth with it. |
Beer13 February 1986 | Blackadder discovers that his really religious aunt and uncle Whiteadder are coming to visit him on the same night that he is having a party and a drinking contest with Lord Melchett, which he had made a bet on. Also, Queenie plans to sneak into the party to find out what happens on Boy's Nights Out.
First appearance of Hugh laurie , and second appearance of Miriam Margolyes. |
Chains20 February 1986 | Blackadder and Melchett are kidnapped by a German mastermind, known as Prince Ludwig the indestructible, and held for ransom. Queenie must decide between Blackadder or Melchett which one 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 aliteration in parody of the titles of Jane austen's novels Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice.
Title/Airdate | Plot outline |
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Dish and Dishonesty 17 September 1987 |
Edmund attempts to win an election against the evil William Pitt, the younger, using Baldrick (later known as Mr. S Baldrick, which stands for "Sod Off") as the MP. Unfortunately, after Blackadder wins, Baldrick votes for Pitt, causing Blackadder to lose. |
Ink and Incapability 24 September 198 7 |
The prince decides to become patron of 's new , until they become enemies. When Blackadder discovers that Baldrick has burnt Dr. Johnson's dictionary, and Johnson has no copy, Blackadder has no choice to replace the dictionary by rewriting it. |
Nob and Nobility 1 October 1987 |
Blackadder, irritated by the new obsession with all things French, makes a bet on Topper and Smedley and goes out to rescue an aristocrat and claim his 1000 guineas. Guest starred and . |
Sense and Senility 8 October 1987 |
When an assassination attempt is made on the Prince, Blackadder decides to help him with his image by employing two actors to coach him on how to act. With Blackadder being bullied by both actors and the prince, Blackadder decides to run away. |
Amy and Amiability 15 October 1987 |
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". Featured a guest appearance from as Amy Harwood. |
Duel and Duality22 October 1987 | 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 to take the prince's place in the duel, and Blackadder intends on using his mad Scottish cousin, McAdder. guest stars as the Duke. |
Blackadder: The Cavalier Years (Comic Relief special, 1988)[]
Broadcast 5 February 1988. England is in , and Blackadder is harbouring the most wanted man in the country: .
Blackadder's Christmas Carol (Christmas Special, 1988)[]
Broadcast 23 December 1988. A parody of ' book . As approaches, gets a surprising meeting from the ...
Blackadder Goes Forth (Fourth series, 1989)[]
The episodes in this series were originally shown on on Thursday evenings, 21:30 – 22:00. The episode titles are, with exception of the final episode, puns on .
Title/Airdate | Plot outline |
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Captain Cook 28 September 1989 |
's new plan is to commision a man who can do a splendid painting of the front cover of the next issue of the famous war magazine, King And Country, which Blackadder hates. When Blackadder is made the new , he is allowed to leave the trenches.This episode features no guest stars for the only time in the series. |
Corporal Punishment 5 October 1989 |
With communication problems in the phone line, Blackadder ends up being sentenced to death after shooting a carrier pigeon. With only one night to live, George ends up being Blackadder's attorney in Court Martial, and Baldrick offers Blackadder a rather unique escape kit. |
Major Star 12 October 1989 |
With everyone talking about the famous comedian, , 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 as Bob for the second time. |
Private Plane 19 October 1989 |
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 planes behind enemy lines, they are captured by the Germans and must prepare for a fate worse than death.Third appearance of , for the second time as and as Bob for the third time. Also featured as . |
General Hospital 26 October 1989 |
A game of "I Spy" goes terribly wrong when a bomb strikes Blackadder's bunker and injures George severely. After Melchett and Darling inform Blackadder that there is a German spy in the field hospital, giving away their battle plans, Blackadder must identify the spy, with a patient that has a strong German accent under high suspicion.Guest appearance of as Nurse Mary Fletcher-Brown. |
Goodbyeee...2 November 1989 | Finally, this time for sure, Blackadder and his friends are going into battle. Baldrick suggests to Blackadder that he pretends to go mad by putting undies on his head and shoving two pencils up his nose, like in the . 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 . |
Blackadder: Back & Forth (Millennium Special, 1999)[]
Broadcast 31 December 1999. As the new dawns, Blackadder tries to con his friends out of £30,000 with a fake which, thanks to Baldrick, unexpectedly works.