First Time Watching: Blackadder Goes Forth | Advanced WW1 Tactics | Reaction

This is my first time watching Blackadder’s General Melchett on advanced WW1 tactics. I’m thinking of seeing the whole series but should I really skip season 1?

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[menty]

Blackadder is one of the greatest shows of all time. These clips are funny but the context of the show makes it so much better. Please consider doing the entire series.

[ericisprobablyfullofshit]

Each season takes place in a different historical era starting in 1485.
In the first series Blackadder is kind of dumb and conniving, manipulated by his much more clever servant Baldrick.
This relationship is reversed in subsequent seasons.
My personal favorite is season 2 because Miranda Richardson is hilarious as Elizabeth I, but Hugh Laurie's Prince Regent in season 3 is also pretty hilarious.
Enjoy.

[TheHarrip]

Rowan basically plays a different character with the same name in S1 the blackadder we know and love was invented for S2+ it really is one of the greatest shows. Each season is a diferent era of history

[swanchamp]

Season 4 ended with what is consistently voted as one of the greatest scenes in TV history. Probably best if you watch the whole of season 4 to properly build up to it and get a feel for all the characters.
Unfortunately watchinng the final scene clip alone on YT tends to cut off the final 20 seconds or so of the episode leaving out an important aspect of it that is part of what makes the ending so great.

[highfunctioningsociopath]

For an 80s British comedic masterclass in politics that remains relevant to this day (timeless, really) and applicable to politics pretty much everywhere, I can't recommend *Yes Minister/Yes Prime Minister* highly enough. Brilliant and hilarious, and it'd be totally your kind of thing.

[jonathanjeffreys]

You are of course right: "Darling" is the surname of the General's aide, which fact is naturally intended to cause amusing misunderstandings throughout the series. I have to say that, in contrast to some American commentators who have aired their opinions concerning various subjects, your obvious intelligence, educated outlook and general background knowledge all make a very welcome change. Your habit of quietly arriving at informed and perceptive conclusions sets a very enviable standard.

[jonisilk]

Watch the show.

You can watch season one if you want, but it's like a half-baked version of the final product.
They weren't quite sure what they were doing yet, they just had some ideas, but from season 2 onwards, it's in full stride and every episode is brilliant

[politenessman]

In the Australian Army (big fans of Blackadder S4), I worked with a Lt Love.
His life was hell in the officers mess.

[Jesusisking]

You gotta look at Captain Flashheart he is freaking crazy I love him Rick Mayhew I hope I spelled it right but he was on the show the brit show the young ones and played drop dead Fred in the movie

[simonwaugh]

Season 1 is worth watching, just because a sitcom set in 1485 England is a mad idea. But yes, the series hits its real stride from the very beginning of season 2 and everything is brilliant and perfect from then on. .

For the future, I'll also highly recommend 'Ripping Yarns' by Michael Palin and Terry jones, of Monty Python fame). The theme of the series is that of "thrilling adventures for young boys" (as it were), each episode set in the late heyday of the British Empire (basically Victorian/Edwardian Era through to the 1920's). Episode titles include 'Roger of the Raj'. "Tomkinson's School Days" (which parodies 'Tom Brown's Schooldays, published in 1857), 'Escape From Stalag-luft 112b ( World War 1), 'Murder at Moorstone's Manor', ( a 1920's 'Murder Mystery'), 'Across The Andes by Frog' and 'Golden Gordon' ( a tale of an obsessed soccer fan in the 1930's who persuades the retired members of a once successful local soccer team to take to the field once again). There are plenty of biting jokes about British Imperial Jingoism and social class in all of them).

[unclelink]

"I have a cunning plan, sir!" Running gag of the century!
It's beet to watch all seasons.
Black Adder, Hogan's Heroes, Allo Allo! Brilliant shows I've seen that revolved around war. Any other show i didn't mention because I haven't seen them.
British comedy alway hits different! The Vicar Of Dibley is one of my favourites!

[flagcoco]

I love Blackadder. Classic British comedy in general, but Blackadder's near the top of my list. Check out the Lord Flashheart clips featuring Rik Mayall. In fact, just look up Rik Mayall, everything he did was grand!

[GrilloTheFlightless]

Everyone say “skip series one”. But it’s not bad at all. It’s just very different. It’s not as good as the rest but it has some great moments.

[jhnnK]

If you plan to watch the series, i strongly urge you to not start at season 4 (where these clips are from) but to start at season 2 instead, 1 is not bad, do not get me wrong, but the show came into a perfect groove from season 2 on.
And when you get to season 4 and it's progression, then this final season hits extra hard, especially that final episode.. which is seen as one of the best endings of a tv show ever, it leaves an impact. Truly one of the best comedy shows that the UK has given us.

[karllong]

Highly recommend watching the all four seasons of Blackadder. The first season is considered the weakest but it does have a lot of good history jokes, almost worth it just for Brian Blessed chewing the scenery. Each season is set in a particular time period, the first is during the middle ages, 1485 and includes the battle of Bosworth field. A somewhat under the radar historical sitcom is Upstart Crow about Shakespeare played by David Mitchell also with writing from Ben Elton (who did a lot of writing for Blackadder).

[donkfail]

Sure, a lot of people think the first season is bad. But season 1 of Blackadder is just a little different than the rest. They had a real budget and filmed a lot outside instead of the sets they mostly used in season 2-4. They hadn't really found the format and made a lot of Shakespeare references as it is set in the middle ages, so it helps if you have heard of Richard III and Macbeth. And they used a lot of video that was new technology then and it looks pretty bad sometimes.
But it has Brian Blessed in a big role. That in itself makes it worth watching. "FRESH HORSES!"
In my opinion you will appreciate the whole series better if watching season one too.

[toniheikkila]

"His resignation and suicide would seem the obvious solution" is one of the greatest black comedy lines ever 😅

[LaoWatsonSmith]

You need to watch the full season. The season finale is hands down the best piece if television ever written

[Toracube]

The climax to the end of the show is timeless. One of the best British comedy has ever done. Very moving way to go out. I’d recommend the it crowd and Alan Partridge as our comedy highs.

[ruyldev]

Ooo! Depeche Mode! They were very hot in the 80s. I remember buying their albums back in High school.