Overview: Blackadder III

"I don't know what went wrong. I lied, bribed the press and threatend the electorate. I don't know what else a good politician can do." - Pitt, the Even Younger

BAIII is a tad darker than its previous incarnations, although it still keeps the firm sense of comedy about preceedings. The comedy delves further into more intellectual comedy, covering more gritty situations with deeper themes and a more ruthless Blackadder. It also featured several cast changes in the main trio, as well as an advance of setting, to the more advanced Napoleonic Era, covering many historical topics such as: Rotton Buroughs, the War with France, the First Dictionary, the Scarlet Pimpernel and Duelling.
     Hugh Laurie plays a stereotypical Prince George (III), cared for and often outwitted by his butler E. Blackadder Equire. This Edmund is ruthless, witty and sometimes murderous - he has killed at least five people by the series' end. Baldrick is mostly the same as his predecessor, except his "cunning plans" are even more insane. In the supporting cast, Mrs. Miggins is a nice addition and balances the males.
     It's strange in that the more ruthless approach and sophisticated comedy actually makes Blackadder III funnier; the comedy here balances on Blackadder's reactions to the world rather than what cause those reactions, as in Blackadder II. The characters are deeper and the comedy more advanced for it.
     Coming to the guest stars this series, and I was very happy with Episode 3, which featured a cameo from CHRIS BARRIE. Anyone at least familiar with this blog will understand Barrie's skillful voice and delivery, and he steals the episode. Note that this was a year before Red Dwarf - Barrie shining through to BBC Comedy before Dwarf had begun. Elsewhere, there are cameos by TimMcinnery (Percy Percy from TBA and BAII) and Steven Fry as Waterloo.
     This is an oddity, as one of the two-out-of-six Blackadders that actually win. A moral of the series on the whole; the most ruthless Blackadder of them all becomes King of England. Next week I go on a festive outing in Victorian England, with Blackadder's Christmas Carol.

Thanks.