Opinion: Blackadder Ramble

I just thought I'd have a little ramble about Blackadder. Do excuse me.
    After doing a Marathon, it's resoundingly clear to me that Blackadder III is by far the most refined and thus funniest of the series. Hugh Laurie is a much better third man than Tim McCinnery was previous, as well as this being the most ruthless Blackadder. It's also the only "lucky" Blackadder - in the end, he becomes King.
      The Black Adder is funny but in a far different way, relying more on Atkinson's comedy tropes to pull the laughs. The characterisation wasn't that slick and there wasn't a consistant stream of laughs as their is in later series, but I suppose the higher overall budget means that there's a good aesthetic.
      Blackadder II was a vast improvement, but his pandering to Queenie kept some of his more pathetic and petty nature. This made the character of Queenie far more interesting in the long run. Nevertheless, Ben Elton's fast-paced scripts make it the second-best.
      Blackadder Goes Forth borders at times on Anvillicious propoganda; released, of course, on the 70th Anniversary of the Armistice, its jokes on the First World War feel somewhat bittersweet and distasteful, especially when one considers how close the subject is to a great many people, and the number of deaths involved. Despite this, the areas where it isn't hammering down anti-war sentiments are just as fast-paced and witty as before. One noticable problem is a little bit of self parody; a new over-reliance on the similie gag, as well as slapstick, that begins to tire. The supposed educational value of Goodbyeeee..., and thus its overuse in the classroom, means that I can't watch it any more.
      Moving on to the Specials, and the shining lead is Blackadder's Christmas Carol, which captures the fun spirit of Blackadders II and III in a topical mood. The Cavalier Years is fun, and Steven Fry is especially good, but it isn't overly interesting. Back and Forth, on the other hand, is a bastardisation of the series. The rule that states Higher Budget = Lower Quality certainly applies, with more focus being placed on scatological and generally racist humour than to any sort of vocal wit.

Thanks.