Overview: Blackadder Goes Forth

"I, on the other hand, am a fully rounded human being, with a degree from the University of Life, a diploma from the School of Hard Knocks, and three gold stars from the Kindergarten of Getting the Shit Kicked Out of Me."

1988 was a sombre year. The 70th Anniversary of the Armistice of WWI, and the nation was focussed on the War. So what better era for the fourth series of Blackadder to cover? Blackadder Goes Forth is very strongly written, with powerful satire and near-constant gags. However, the rather sombre, and recent, nature of the war makes the whole thing a bit bittersweet...
     Captain Blackadder heads a small area on the Western front. He's bitter, slightly twisted and a genius realist. He's fought in wars before, and seems to recognise early on the stupidity and pointlessness of Trench Warfare. This disdain is furthered by his two lower ranks, George (Hugh Laurie, playing a toned-down version of his Prince) and Baldrick (even more stupid, but in a seemingly recognisable way - a bit more genre savvy.) Heading up the ranks, in an office 30 miles from the front, are General Melchett (Steven Fry, again a toned down Wellington) and Captain Darling (Tim McInnery, from TBA and BAII).
     What with the closeness of the subject matter, nearly every gag is a push on the First World War. And it does start to wear down - my favourite episode of this series is General Hospital, which relies less on these types of jokes. It is no doubt well-written, stirring stuff; a piece of art in itself, but for me it doesn't spring towards to fun mix that Blackadder has always had. It's funny. It's very funny. But it's a little bit of an aquired taste.
     The thing most remembered about this later series is the ending, which was broadcast on November 11. It was very sombre, ending on a field of poppies. It's considered one of the most touching endings to a series in British television history, but I don't agree. It seems a little bitter to me; I find the end to be clumsily done and so far away from what this series represents - taking a satirical but poignant look at the First World War, while advancing the characters to their most powerful.
     But fear not, dear gentlemen, for the story of the dynasties of Blackadder is not yet finished. Next week I make one final review, to the Millenium special, Blackadder Back and Forth.