Blackadder II (1986) User Reviews

The Elisabethan Sitcom

[ShadeGrenade · 10/10 · 22 August 2006]

'Blackadder 2' provoked outrage when first broadcast in the U.K. Those who'd liked the first series were extremely unhappy at the show's reformatting; Nina Myskow, television critic of 'The News Of The World' bestowed on Rowan Atkinson her infamous 'wally of the week' title. Its only with the benefit of hindsight can we see now that the changes were absolutely spot-on; Edmund becoming a sarcastic cad, Baldrick turning stupid, and the expensive film sequences dropped in favour of stronger characterisations and tighter plots. Without the likes of Brian Blessed to constantly upstage him, Atkinson was free to dominate the show. Ben Elton replaced Atkinson as Richard Curtis' co-writer - another wise move. As the squeaky-voiced 'Queenie', Miranda Richardson was simply outstanding. Tom Baker played 'Captain 'Redbeard' Rum' in one episode, a tour-de-force of over-the-top acting. The weight of public opinion gradually swung behind 'Blackadder 2' - its now regarded as better than its predecessor.

Comedy perfection.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 10/10 · 19 January 2016]

I love the Blackadder series, but there is something extra special, almost magical about Blackadder II. A setting that we all have some knowledge of, and can relate to. The writing is sensationally witty, the scripts are just phenomenally good, but the acting, timing, deliveries are just delicious. Rowan Atkinson is just flawless as Edmund, his cutting put downs are fiercely funny. Tony Robinson, Stephen Fry, Tim McInnerny, Patsy Byrne, just fabulous, what a combination. It is Miranda Richardson's Queenie that steals it for me, absolutely sublime in the part, she's hilarious.

Every single episode has something to offer, Head and Potato are the two that have me in tears every time. Chains is utterly surreal, that ending is very daring. Great guest performances, my top three are Miriam Margolyes, Tom Baker and Rik Mayall's. All incredible.

For my part not just the best of Blackadder, but one of the best comedy Series of all time. Perfection. 10/10

As Good As Comedy Gets

[shark-43 · 10/10 · 29 August 2001]

This series is so brilliant, so witty, so laugh out loud funny, I watch them over and over again. I actually did NOT care for the first one (where Rowan was Edmund, the Duke). It seemed to be all over the place, embracing the history more than the comedy. But this one, Blackadder II, is MY favorite, even though Three and Four are also good. Four set during WWI is hit and miss, but some of the episodes are exceptional -especially the very last one. Funny, yet incredibly moving. Everyone's work in this series is fantastic. BELLS and HEAD are my two favorite episodes of this series. Rowan Atkinson was born to say Elton and Curtis' words and Miranda Richardson's performance as Queen Elizabeth, in all it's spoiled rotten pouting, is comic gold. The only American series that even came close to this (And I give them credit for even trying) was the summer series on CBS, THANKS - which was about the first American Pilgrim family at Plymouth, Mass. 1621. It, too, was brilliant satire, but, gee - American audiences preferred watching the premeire of Who Wants To Be A $%#@%%$ Millionaire!!! This Blackadder series IS available on video in America - so seek it out!!!

Hilarious is not a strong enough word!

[Bucs1960 · 20 April 2004]

This has to be the funniest, most scathing comedy series of all times. Rowan Atkinson, whose persona and looks change with each reincarnation, is, in these episodes, a strutting peacock always on the lookout for funds to support his lifestyle and he is, in a word, priceless! The supporting cast is without peer...Baldrick the filthy: Lord Percy Percy, the stupidest git that ever drew breath; Queenie, the psychotic; Nursie with the udder fixation; Lord Melchett, the brown-noser.......all are perfect. And others who pop up in particular episodes are spot on. The famous Blackadder sneer begins in these episodes and the insults fly like fleas from Baldrick's hair. In Blackadder II, "Chains" is the one that will make you choke with laughter. Hugh Laurie, as Prince Ludwig who doesn't want to "inconwenience the quveen" is hilarious and the secret of Lord Melchett's sheep is revealed.....baaaaaa. If you like Blackadder in all it's iterations, buy the book "Blackadder, the Whole Damn Dynasty".....it contains the complete scripts of each episode and you can laugh all over again. This is the best of the best in British humor!

history lesson with a twist

[tsf-1962 · 10/10 · 23 December 2006]

Has anybody besides me realized that the apparent source for the character of Edmund Blackadder was Edmund, the scheming bastard son of Gloucester in "King Lear"? That out of the way, I must admit that I love all four "Blackadder" series (including the much-maligned first), but this is my favorite. "Blackadder" may be full of anachronisms and frequently gets names and dates wrong, but as Brechtian social commentary it couldn't be more true. As in all four series, "Blackadder II" cuts through the hypocritical platitudes of official history and presents the harsh realities of life in Elizabethan England, with its religious intolerance, official oppression, and vast gap between the haves and have-nots. This is no Renaissance Faire view of "Merry England": here is a world of dirt and grime, where old men urge their daughters to become prostitutes, where sadistic bishops cheerfully practice usury (organized religion, in all Blackadder series, is generally a tool of oppression), people are convicted and beheaded on insufficient evidence, and aristocratic fools play games with people's lives. My favorite episode is the one where Edmund is appointed Lord High Executioner and addresses his staff: "I am the newly appointed minister in charge of religious genocide." Despite the fast-and-loose approach to history, all four Blackadder series look authentic: costume and set design is always right on target; indeed, I've seen few Shakespearean productions that looked as good as "Blackadder II." Rowan Atkinson's Edmund bears more than a passing resemblance to Johnny Depp's Captain Jack Sparrow--an intelligent man trapped in a world less evolved than he--and Tony Robertson is brilliant as always as Baldrick, the Common Man reborn throughout history. Miranda Richardson's Queen Elizabeth I may not be the best screen portrayal of the Virgin Queen, but she's certainly the funniest, and Stephen Fry's Lord Melchitt is perfect as the irritating voice of authority. A word of advice to college students: don't bother to take British history; just rent all four "Blackadder" series and watch them over the weekend before finals. You may get the facts wrong, but your professor will have a good chuckle over your essay exams.

This is the greatest series of British comedy ever.

[jonny_ · 10/10 · 27 February 2020]

I've thought about it for a good while, but really nothing beats Blackadder at it's peak and this season is the bulk of that peak (Blackadder the third has one particular episode about a dictionary which can't be ignored). The first series was pretty good but Blackadder II truly elevated this series right to the top, this is the series where the characters become fully established and the style of humour has been perfected. The cast contains British comedy royalty: Rowan Atkinson, Stephen Fry, Rik Mayall and Ade Edmondson to name a few. If you still aren't convinced I'm rating this ahead of shows like Fawlty Towers, Only Fools and Horses and Father Ted (and I'm Irish).

OK so 'they' were right, The second season IS much better!

[runamokprods · 8/10 · 28 July 2012]

On a production level this second season, produced 3 years later seems actually less sophisticated; cheap looking sets, much more of a standard sit-com look.

But this is a sit com ala Fawlty Towers, weird, whip-smart, subversive and very dark. While I can't say for me that it quite stands up to the greatness of Fawlty Towers or Monty Python, the two shows to which it is inevitably compared, it has a ton of very funny moments, and the acting is top notch.

It's 100 years plus since series one, and Blackadder is no longer the weaselly immoral wimpy swine of the first series. He's now a handsome. dashing weaselly immoral swine, a favorite of the vaguely insane Queen Elizabeth --that is when she's not threatening to execute him.

It's a lot of fun to see Atkinson in this very different, non Mr. Bean persona, and he pulls it off wonderfully. And Hugh Laurie is hysterical in two completely different guest roles, while Miranda Richardson as Queen Elizabeth displays a flair for goofy silly physical comedy one would never suspect from her body of work.

Very worth a view, even if you were iffy on series one.

BlackAdder Reaches Its Peak

[ericksonsam60 · 9/10 · 15 April 2014]

Set during the Elizabethan times, "BlackAdder II" is superb comedy as well as a major turning point for the series. Here not only does the show hit its stride but would serve as a template for the rest of the entries that would come after. Out of all the installments in the series, this one keeps the quality the most consistent, as the scripting and laughs remains solid throughout.

Rowan Atkinson is back in the title role but this time he is a much different person than before. In the first one, Edmund, the Duke of Edinburgh was a rather sniveling and cowardly opportunist. While "BlackAdder II", Lord Edmund BlackAdder is a cynical, cunning, and urbane bastard, which is the one that we would come to know and love for the rest of the series. We also see his sidekicks Percy and Baldrick again yet this time they have been "dumbed down" (pun intended) for the better. Tim McInnerny's Percy is a complete oaf while Tony Robinson's Baldrick becomes Edmund's dirty and lovably stupid servant.

Another major change also came with Ben Elton, replacing Atkinson, as the co-writer for the series alongside Richard Curtis. Not only do we get hysterical situations but also lots of one- liners that make you laugh every minute. How can you not love it when BlackAdder says "Percy the devil farts in my face once more." It is a classic exercise in the sarcastic humor that British comedies are often known for. If only more American sitcoms could be this nuanced and sophisticated. All of the episodes are very funny, ones that standout include "Head", "Money", and "Chains".

The rest of its supporting cast are also a delight. Stephen Fry is really good as Lord Melchett, Miranda Richardson is charming as The Queen, and Patsy Burne is fun as Nursie. However, it is the guests in each episode that are an absolute hoot such Rik Mayall as Lord Flasheart, an unrecognizable Tom Baker as the insane captain, and Hugh Laurie as the mad Prince Ludwig (Laurie and Fry would eventually become series regulars).

Recommended for anyone who likes droll and irreverent humor.

Blackadder II

[jboothmillard · 10/10 · 20 April 2005]

Rowan Atkinson returns in the second series of the popular sitcom. This time Edmund Blackadder is the smart one, and Baldrick (Tony Robinson) and Percy (Tim McInnerny) are the thick ones. This is based in the years of Elizabeth I (Miranda Richardson). There is also Stephen Fry as Lord Melchett (the Queen's adviser) and Patsy Byrne as Nursie. Throughout the series Lord Blackadder tries everything to become rich or rewarded by her fan, the silly Queen. There are many people you may recognise throughout this series. There's Rik Mayall as Lord Flasheart (who appears again in series 4), Gabrielle Glaister as Kate, or "Bob" (also in series 4) and Hugh Laurie in two episodes, first as Simon Partridge, then as the evil Prince Ludwig. This is a very good series to the popular sitcom. Rowan Atkinson was number 18 on The 50 Greatest British Actors, he was number 24 on The Comedians' Comedian, and he was number 8 on Britain's Favourite Comedian, Edmund Blackadder was number 3 on The 100 Greatest TV Characters, and he was number 3 on The World's Greatest Comedy Characters, and Blackadder (all four series) was number 2 on Britain's Best Sitcom. Outstanding!

Perfection, by far the best of the four

[TBJCSKCNRRQTreviews · 10/10 · 15 August 2009]

The Blackadder franchise find its form... and my, how it fits. Highly satirical, witty, clever and biting sitcom that derives much of its humor from the way things were in the time it is set in. The plots remain unlikely, but they work better and are just generally funnier and of greater interest this time around. The pacing receives a needed lift, making this season an awful lot lighter and easier to sit through. It helps that every single line of dialog, every occurrence, is hilarious. Honestly, almost no jokes or gags fall flat in this. As with the others, the half-hour length varies, with some going a bit over, unlike the American productions where such will mean 22 minutes sans commercials. They update the theme song to the time period this is set during, with a soprano commenting on the events of the episodes(all of them of impeccable quality, and relatively distinguished from one another) at the end of each, instead of the deep-voiced, proud tone of the original show. While the credits sequences are simpler than those of the first, due to budget, it doesn't make a negative impression. Every acting performance is marvelous. Richardson as the childish queen is spectacular. Fry is a solid addition, as is Byrne, as the utterly insane Nursie. The characters are well-written and memorable. The main cast is one that you don't mind returning to. Edmund and Baldrick switch personalities... and the level of sarcasm goes through the roof, as well as that of the verbal, compared to how it was in the '83 series. Atkinson moves as far away as he can from his Bean character, an incredibly welcome change. Here, he's nasty and cruel. And he's considerably more successful in his schemes than he was before. Some of the silly bits, sexual material and even a tiny bit of gross-out stuff is retained(and occasionally than not feels out of place, among all the banter). Definitely worth watching for fans of the first, of British comedy in general and/or Rowan. One to watch if you fall under any of those categories. 10/10

That's what I mean, Sir

[Bored_Dragon · 9/10 · 12 February 2021]

After the bad reviews of the first season, the series was almost canceled. They gave it a chance on the condition that it transforms into a standard studio sitcom with a much lower budget. Despite, or perhaps thanks to this, the series flourished and spawned a second season that secured its cult status.

Atkinson gave up writing and was replaced by Ben Elton, who did a fantastic job. While the first season had a unique story in which Blackadder tries to seize power, here each episode brings a separate story in which our anti-hero tries to get out of awkward and potentially deadly situations. The medieval malicious incompetent is inherited by an intelligent and cynical descendant, placed at the court of Elizabeth I. For the counterweight, there are Baldrick (Tony Robinson), who is transformed into a dirty and extremely stupid servant (To you, Baldrick, the Renaissance was just something that happened to other people, wasn't it?), and Lord Percy (Tim McInnerny), a simple but irreparably optimistic and loyal sidekick. On the other hand, we have Elizabeth, a childish and spoiled queen, who uses people as toys and cuts off heads if they are not to her liking. Miranda Richardson performed this role with unforgettable charm and stole every scene in which she appears. She also has two sidekicks, played by the excellent Stephen Fry and Patsy Byrne. In two episodes also appears Hugh Laurie, an indispensable part of the cast for the rest of the series. The characters are more complex and diverse than in the first season, and the humor is more natural, intelligent, and incomparably funnier.

9/10

• Give the place a more family atmosphere.
• The family atmosphere? This is meant to be a place of pain and misery and sorrow.
• That's what I mean, Sir.

Question as to Episode Order - Still, Though, one of the world's greatest comedies

[LBzura · 10/10 · 6 November 2007]

I regularly watch all of the Blackadder series and specials, and have been a rabid fan for many years. One thing has always bothered me about the accepted episode order for the second series. It seems as though it is generally accepted that "Bells" is the series first episode, however, given the fact that Lord Percy shaves his beard upon learning of the infidelities of his "beloved," at the hands of both Blackadder and Baldrick, while this same beard appears throughout the entirety of the accepted second episode, "Head." It always seemed to me that "Head" was probably meant to be the first episode. Just a fanatic's lunatic ravings, I guess. But I do so love this series.

I appreciate its quality, but I didn't overly love it

[studioAT · 3/10 · 27 October 2017]

More historical adventures with a new version of Black-Adder.

While I admire the talents over everyone in this series, and respect the fact that it is so beloved 31 years after it aired I can't say I enjoyed this show that much.

While it has its moments, and a wonderful central performance from Rowan Atkinson, it sadly isn't a show that I'd rush to watch again.

Comedy is subjective, more so than any other genre perhaps, and this just didn't do a lot for me.

Definitive Blackadder

[GoonerMan · 14 December 2000]

To many who watched the ongoing saga of the Blackadder family at the time of release, this is the best Blackadder series of them all - and they have a very strong case. Although this is not my own personal favourite (I prefer the original series), this second installment is a superb piece of comedy.

The time-period moves on approximately sixty years to Elizabethan England and follows the story of Edmund Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson) - the great-grandson of the original slimy Blackadder. This time Edmund is not a Prince of the realm but a Lord in the court of Good Queen Bess (the wonderful Miranda Richardson). Tim McInnerny continues in the role as Percy and he threatens to steal the show throughout. Percy's character is built on from the first series, being given a more child-like and innocent personality to go with the lack of brain cells, and this combined with McInnerny's fantastic performance gives the comedy an added dimension and direction. The Baldrick role (Tony Robinson) is also reprised, but instead of the street-wise peasant with the cunning plan of series one, we get the first incarnation of the Baldrick character we are now more familiar with - dirty, smelly and incredibly stupid. In this series it works, because now Blackadder himself is significantly brighter and more refined than his ancestor and this time he's armed with a razor-sharp wit. The characters do complement each other well, but the close-nit group of the first series is now missing with Blackadder resenting and mistreating his sidekicks throughout, but this is used well for comic effect.

The supporting cast is also excellent and the characters they play are brilliantly written. Elizabeth herself is portrayed as a spoilt little school-girl, complete with screams! Richardson plays this role superbly and with hilarious results with the queen being highly unpredictable and volatile. Elizabeth also has a couple of loyal sidekicks, Nursy (Patsy Byrne) the woman who weaned her as a child, and Melchett (Stephen Fry), her advisor. All of these characters add weight to the comedy, and are sufficiently different to each other to provide alternative directions in comedy.

Although Blackadder does have a basic goal in this series - to marry Elizabeth and become her consort - it does not drive the plot as much in this series as it did in the first. The plots for each episode however are still extremely entertaining and contain the basic premise of Blackadder getting into a desperate situation that he must get out of - with the aid (or hindrance) of Percy and Baldrick. The stories are well-thought out and the comedy a good-blend of dry-wit from Blackadder and farcical situations. The stories are well scripted and contain some excellent supporting characters played memorably by the likes of Rik Mayall (of Young Ones and Drop Dead Fred fame), Ronald Lacey (Raiders of the Lost Ark) and ex Dr Who Tom Baker.

This series of Blackadder successfully alters the main character into the intelligent and dry cynic, because it does not do so at the expense of the other characters and the plots. Ben Elton's influence however is evident with the supporting characters being of the less intelligent type, aluding to things to come in the next two series where these characters becoming the main target for the humour. Blackadder II works so well because it is the stories that drive the humour with the dry-wit as an added bonus - things were about to be reversed.

Like the first series this is a classic of comedy and well deserves its standing as, arguably, the most popular Blackadder series. The first and last series of Blackadder could not be further apart in terms of humour and subtlety - this series fuses both styles to create, perhaps the definitive Blackadder.

Blackadder

[mjsdjaaakash · 10/10 · 8 June 2015]

Rowan Atkinson has done an awesome job in all episodes....i love it.:)..whenever i used to watch the episode every time i used to laugh over the things done by the Rowan and it was actually feeling amazing to watch the episode...it is my favorite pass time to watch the black adder series or you can say it is my hobby..my passion us always revolve around the comic relief of Mr.Rowan Atkinson and the main point about his comic timing is that his comic timing is best.. The best thing about the black adder episodes is that it gives you the view of history and it is good for the peoples who love history because of the reason one should must watch the blacadder and especially IMDb helps me to find out these amazing episodes I would like to say thanks to this amazing application and i want to suggest to download this amazing application of IMDb..thank u very much

Better than the first series

[ellimic · 8/10 · 15 December 2018]

The second series of Blackadder was much improved. Moving forward to the Elizabethan era, the storyline was very good and the characters were greatly improved (although Tim McInnerny's character 'Percy Percy' was very similar to the previous series and rather unnecessary).

The actors here retained thier characters names from the previous series. In this series Blackadder is a Lord (the great grandson of the Blackadder of series I) and often attends Queen Elizabeth I's court alongside the Queens follower and suck-up Lord Melchett and her former nanny turned side-kick Nursie. Blackadder is again aided by his servant Baldrick and fellow Lord, the bumbling Percy Percy.

The final episode again seemed a bit odd as every character was killed off by the supposedly dead 'master of disguise' Prince Ludwig who took the place of Queen Elizabeth I.

A step up from Series 1.

[general-melchett · 9/10 · 22 November 2006]

Blackadder II is a massive change from Series 1 in five aspects:

1. The sets are a heck of a lot cheaper. 2. No blood, fancy special effects or superimpositions on screen. 3. There is a new screenwriter (Ben Elton). 4. Baldrick is stupid rather than smart this time. 5. It was far more successful.

Though Series 1 was different, Series 2 was better. It had far more wit, sarcasm, and hilarious one-liners, and had far more success on a far smaller budget. Blackadder is so much better as the cruel, cunning, intelligent man that everybody knows him as today, Baldrick is FAR FAR better as the idiot and stinky tramp everybody knows him as, and Percy has always been good as an idiot. Many people have forgot about Series 1 because Series 2 was the one that established Blackadder as one to be watched - it is a true classic, and manages to deliver some great performances, brilliant lines, cracking situations and good guest appearances. The best episode was Potato - Tom Baker was brilliant.

Series 2 of Blackadder was better than the first one because of one fact - Ben Elton and his cunning plans were what the show was destined to need. If he didn't show up, Blackadder would never have got off the ground and Rowan Atkinson would have never found his fame. Brilliant, but Series 1's epic budgets are evidently lacking, and that is a shame. 9/10

Vast Improvement

[Alex_Hodgkinson · 10/10 · 16 March 2014]

Better than the first series. Big improvement. I must have laughed more than once every episode. I'm beginning to understand why this series is so popular, and many of the jokes that are boring and old now must have been new and unique at the time. I've never been a fan of stupid, random humour such as the end of episode six, but this series has got much more unique and intelligent humour that I have love. I'm also beginning to love the three protagonists, Edmund Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson), Baldrick (Tony Robinson) and Percy (Tim McInnerny). I've heard that Percy won't be joining me next series, though, which is a shame.

I look forward to series three and, more excitingly, series four. I think Blackadder Goes Forth is the main reason this series is a legendary piece of TV. Apparently it is very unique to anything seen before. If it's better than this series I'll be a very happy boy anyway.

An excellent second helping of Blackadder

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 15 March 2015]

This, the second series in the Blackadder Saga, follows another Edmund Blackadder; this one is a lord during the early years of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Unlike is somewhat silly ancestor this Blackadder has a sharp wit and a penchant for withering sarcasm; like his forebear he has a servant named Baldrick and a stupid friend called Percy.

Over the course of six episodes he gets into various scrapes; falling in love with 'Bob' his apparently male servant, getting involved in a drinking game the night he meets his puritanical aunt, becoming an explorer to impress the queen, owing money to the most feared bishop in the land, getting the job of Lord High Executioner and being held for ransom. He, Percy and Baldrick deal with these predicaments in a manner that should have most viewers laughing heartily.

Rowan Atkinson excels in the role of Blackadder; delivering every line with just the right degree of sarcasm. He is ably supported by Tony Robinson and Tim McInnerny who return as Baldrick and Percy. New cast members include Miranda Richardson; who does a great job as the Queen; portraying her in a way that makes her both innocent and rather dangerous… she frequently threatens to have heads chopped off. Stephen Fry is good as the somewhat obsequious Melchett and Patsy Byrne is hilarious as the delightfully bonkers Nursie. There are also some fine cameo roles; most notable an appearance from the late Rick Mayall who steals the episode he appears in despite only being on screen for three or four minutes.

While I really enjoyed the oft maligned first series I must admit this takes it up to a new level. The changes in Blackadder's character work really well and the new writing team have delivered a more subtle approach; sarcasm delivered by rapier sharp wit rather than gags with the subtlety of a sledgehammer. If you enjoy classic British comedies then this series is a must see. It is shocking to realise that this will be thirty years old this year; it feels as fresh as ever!

An Elizabethan history lesson but with one "slight" comedy twist

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 14 May 2010]

Along with Black Adder Goes Forth, this is my absolute favourite of the Black Adder series. The fact that this is hilarious is an understatement, a vast majority of it verges on hysterical. The Elizabethan period detail is sumptuous, the stories are clever and interesting, the opening credits are fun and the writing is sharp, cynical, sophisticated and hilarious. And once again I loved the performances, instead of the slimy, selfish and stupid character he played in the first series, Rowan Atkinson superbly plays a much smarter, cunning and more likable lead character, and his cynicism also creeps in too. Baldrick here adopts the persona we are more familiar with dirty and incredibly stupid, and Tony Robinson couldn't have been a more perfect choice, he is priceless. Miranda Richardson makes for a suitably shrill Queen Elizabeth I, Rik Mayall is hilarious and Patsy Byrne is delightful as the daft nurse. Stephen Fry and Tim McInnery are also wonderful in their respective roles as Lord Percy and Lord Melchett. Overall, simply hilarious and a must see. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Hilariously funny

[grantss · 10/10 · 18 December 2015]

Hilariously funny.

After the first season of Black Adder was set during the War of the Roses, Season 2 has our hero, played by Rowan Atkinson, an adviser to Queen Elizabeth I. Baldrick (Tony Robinson) and Percy (Tim McInnerny) are there again and we now have Miranda Richardson as Queen Elizabeth and Stephen Fry as Lord Melchett.

Even better than the first season. As before, hilariously funny, with some iconic skits. However, the script feels tighter and less prone to cheap jokes. It's cleverer, basically.

The change of Black Adder's character and station helps this. Before, he was over-privileged royalty and a sniveling selfish toadie. Now he is lower in station and has to use charm and deception to get ahead. Makes for better comedy.

Excellent and original

[montezuma_ · 10 August 2003]

Blackadder II is a vast improvement over its less popular predecessor. The second series was almost not made due to the lack of success of the original, and clearly the writers re-considered Blackadder's character. He, rather than the now dull-witted Baldrick, is the more intelligent of the pair and his character is now quick-witted, cunning and offers much in sarcastic humour. This, and possible Blackadder goes Forth, is the best of all the Blackadder series. Blackadder's new character is much funnier and Atkinson plays it masterfully. The series itself takes place some one hundred years after the first, just before the turn of the 17th century. I recommend it to all comedy fans.

Number of Foils

[Graeme Cree · 10/10 · 15 September 2004]

Theo Robertson writes: >> The reason it works best is that Edmund has two foils to work against ( Lord Percy and Baldrick ) rather than just Baldrick in the other series . >>

Not sure what he means by this. Edmund has at least two foils in EVERY series.

Series 1: Baldrick and Percy Series 2: Baldrick and Percy Series 3: Baldrick and George Series 4: Baldrick and George

Series 2 throws in Queenie and Melchitt, Series 4 throws in Melchitt and Darling, so in no series do Edmund and Baldrick go it alone.

Every bit as good as the first season

[planktonrules · 10/10 · 11 July 2008]

I was happily surprised when I saw BLACKADDER II because even though the series was set almost a hundred years later, it still managed to maintain the same level of humor and enjoyability. This time, instead of occurring during the supposed reign between Richard III and Henry VII, Edmund Blackadder was a courtier in the time of Elizabeth I. Fortunately for the audience, the characters are as stupid or unscrupulous as ever and the show picks up wonderfully where it left off the previous season.

Like BLACKADDER, each half hour episode tell a story (almost always ending badly) in the sorry life of the fictional Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson). Considering that Miranda Richardson, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson and Stephen Fry are there for support, the show was blessed with a lot of talent--and the same can be said about the writers.

Funny, very irreverent and rather adult, this is a very funny series that you can enjoy--just don't let the little ones watch!