"Baldrick, why do dislike the first, original series of The Black Adder?""I dunno. I suppose it's because the Baldrick character is smart and Black Adder character is stupid.""Why does that bother you so much?""Well I suppose that it's more funny to see a stupid guy being made to look stupid who isn't in charge of anything.""Go on.""In the first series the Prince looks stupid, but he's in charge of things so they go wrong. In the other series, Blackadder looks smart because he has all these cunning plans, and so things go wrong.""Brilliant. A brilliant analysis considering that your body contains absolutely no brain tissue!"

Let's face it. Blackadder is one of the best sitcoms ever put on television, with consistently excellent and brilliantly funny scripts all the way through........well, from Seasons 2-4 at least.The first Season of Blackadder, simply titled "The Black Adder", focusing on some sort of secret history where Henry Tudor was never king until later and he re-wrote history to eliminate his predecessor Richard IV (played by the legend that is Brian Blessed) from the history books, is generally regarded as the weakest season, and it is easy to see why. The show was a lot sillier back in this season, and the character of Edmund (the "Black Adder") is pretty much a snivelling, unlikable toad rather than the witty character we would see in later seasons.That said, despite the first seasons many faults, it was still entertaining, so I guess that allows me to give it at least a 6/10. But the show hasn't yet reached its classic status until Season 2.

In the middle ages, Edmund, the Duke of Edinburgh, is a young man who will do just about anything to become King of England. This slimy schemer would be known by a name that would exist throughout all of time called "BlackAdder." From this moment onwards a legend was born, as it would go on to become one of the finest British sitcoms ever.Rowan Atkinson makes his debut in the role that made him famous. Although, his personality is unlike the one he would be known for in the later series. Here Edmund is sniveling and cowardly (his neurotic nature reminds you of Atkinson's other comic creation,"Mr.Bean") instead of being the slick and sarcastic S.O.B. that he would become in the next installments. Also, we are introduced to his companions Percy and Baldrick (Tim McInnerny and Tony Robinson) for the first time. However, they are also very different as well. Percy comes across as rather normal and Baldrick is actually a clever and articulate fellow instead of being the moronic tramp that BlackAdder would always loathe and ridicule.This first series is rough around the edges in general. The scripting can be can be inconsistent at times and the comedic timing can be rather off on several occasions too. Yet despite these flaws, there are some laughs to be found as well as historical satire. Brian Blessed steals every scene he is in. It was also made on a much higher budget than the later ones as you get both interior and exterior shots. Not mention that it has the most rousing opening and closing theme out of all them.A nice enough start for the series but it would only get better from here

IMO The Blackadder is the best of the four series - edging out Series 3. When I first saw Episode One, however, I hated it. I had seen The Blackadder series pretty much in reverse order, so I was used to seeing the confident, sarcastic, clever & scheming Blackadder character.In series one, the character of Edmund was different epitomised by the way he talked and his spineless,cowardly persona. But with several viewings you get used to it, and from then on you can concentrate on the comedy - that is brilliant! Set in The Middle Ages - when life was cheap - you actually get the sense that his life really is in danger in every episode.The relationship between Blackadder, Baldrick and Percy was different in this first series. In the others, Percy and Baldrick were just the butt of Blackadder's jokes - mocked and openly loathed by him.In The Blackadder, he actually needs their help, and together they go through a series of hilarious and dangerous situations. 'Baldrick' in series one was much better than say the Baldrick of Series 4. He was smart and street-wise - and he genuinely believed he had 'cunning plans' to get Blackadder out of trouble. Typically it was Baldrick who sparked off Blackadder's scheming with his subtle insinuations. Baldrick also displayed a ruthless side, not seen in the other series. He held a knife to a priest's throat and assaulted a Bishop - all in good fun of course!By series 4, Baldrick was a more a figure of fun, an empty vessel - his main purpose was to act stupid and make Blackadder look clever.The supporting cast in the first series was also the best IMO: Brian Blessed was brilliant as the menacing King and Blackadder's 'Dad'. Robert East as Prince Harry, Elspet Gray as the Queen. Throw in guest appearances by Peter Cook, Alex Norton as 'McAngus', Frank Finlay as 'The Witchsmeller' and Miriam Margolyes and Jim Broadbent in one of the funniest episodes of all the series - 'The Spanish Infanta's Beard'.This was the only series that featured outside locations, which made it more 'real'.My main gripe with Series 2 - was the irritating Queenie and Nursie. Their humour was very childish and generally unfunny. There was also one very weak episode 5. Baldrick was just slightly disappointing. Blackadder himself though was very good - but just a little too smug.Series 3 -the Blackadder character was on a par with that of Series 2 very intelligent - but less smug. Great scenes between Blackadder, Prince George and Baldrick. Also loved the 'coffee-shop scenes'. Episodes 2, 3 and 4 are outstanding.Series 4 - Captain Darling wasn't as good as Percy from Series 1 and 2. General Melchett and George - brilliant. Blackadder IMO was too much of a know-it-all in Series 4 and he rarely looked ruffled even when faced with death (total contrast to Series 1). They also overcooked the 'canned laughter'. All the episodes though were solid.Series 1 didn't really have any 'weak' episodes. If I had to pick one weaker episode, it would be episode 5 (Witchsmeller Pursuivant). The final episode 6 - was more story-based and introduced a whole new group of characters - the writers appeared to try and end the series with a bang.