Okay, I can't lie it took me a good while to warm to the first series. I think a major part of it was that I was introduced to Blackadder via episodes from the 2nd and 3rd seasons, which set the very high standard. Going into the series that way made the first seem like it was still getting up to speed and little details don't instantly make sense when you haven't connected the dots in the right order.
If you were to watch the series in order you realise Blackadder starts off as the dim character and Baldrick is the brains and as the series goes on they switch over, Blackadder becomes more and more intelligent, Baldrick goes the opposite direction. If you do what I did, it takes a second to click why he's just went from intelligent to stupid without seeing the progression in context. Another silly hang-up from it is that by season 2 & 3 Blackadder is very foppish, again in season 1 he simply isn't like that and it will take you about half the season to accept his haircut.
Looking back, it's still a very funny season although I do think by season 2 everything about Blackadder becomes flawless. The idea of Blackadder makes more sense, the comedy is stronger, it's all just a lot more polished. Season 1 has a lot of what's great in it, but it's rougher. Rowan Atkinson when he's playing Blackadder is stronger at being the intellectual versions and it goes from strength to strength. Which is slightly unusual considering how great he is as Mr Bean, I guess with Blackadder it simply suits the character more.
If you were to watch the series in order you realise Blackadder starts off as the dim character and Baldrick is the brains and as the series goes on they switch over, Blackadder becomes more and more intelligent, Baldrick goes the opposite direction. If you do what I did, it takes a second to click why he's just went from intelligent to stupid without seeing the progression in context. Another silly hang-up from it is that by season 2 & 3 Blackadder is very foppish, again in season 1 he simply isn't like that and it will take you about half the season to accept his haircut.
Looking back, it's still a very funny season although I do think by season 2 everything about Blackadder becomes flawless. The idea of Blackadder makes more sense, the comedy is stronger, it's all just a lot more polished. Season 1 has a lot of what's great in it, but it's rougher. Rowan Atkinson when he's playing Blackadder is stronger at being the intellectual versions and it goes from strength to strength. Which is slightly unusual considering how great he is as Mr Bean, I guess with Blackadder it simply suits the character more.