Review: Blackadder's Christmas Carol

"Going to buy some cake for your silver haired mother?"
"Nah, sod that. I'm off to the gin shop."
AND
"What can I do with a girl that I can't do with you, Blackadder?"
"I cannot conceive, sir." 

B'sCC is a subversion of both the traditional Christmas Carol and of Blackadder itself. The series' works well to skew the concept into something funny and thoughtful, as well as adding an outing for some excellent guest stars. It's the total opposite of what Christmas should be, and that's why is is absolutely perfect.
     Ebenezeer Blackadder has reached the lowest point in the dynasty - a small shop owner, and the nicest man in England. He gives droves of money to charity, and at Christmas he gives away everything he has to the people around him, who abuse his generosity. For example, all of the "orphans" are obese, and "Tiny Tim" weighs fifteen stone. Baldrick serves, as always, and seems to have a little more common sense than usual in acting out the real problems with Ebenezeer's giving nature. In the night, Blackadder is visited by a spirit, played by Hagrid from the Harry Potter films.
     After realising that Eb. doesn't need any help to be good, he become curious. Reluctantly, the Spirit shows him Christmasses from BAII and BAIII, giving us welcome cameos from Miranda Richardson, Steven Fry and Hugh Laurie, as well as Atkinson getting to stretch his acting muscles again. Eventually, we get to see the future - if Blackadder remains good, then his family will become slaves to the Baldricks. If he becomes bad, his ancestors will rule the universe.
     It's a lovely look at the nature of Series II - III, and its lovely. It's a Christmas staple now, and good for it. A strange time of year to review it, for sure, but it takes place in a chronological order. Very soon (as in, just after this review) I take a look at the much deeper and darker tale told by Blackadder Goes Forth.

Thanks.