'Blackadder 2' provoked outrage when first broadcast in the U.K. Those who'd liked the first series were extremely unhappy at the show's reformatting; Nina Myskow, television critic of 'The News Of The World' bestowed on Rowan Atkinson her infamous 'wally of the week' title. Its only with the benefit of hindsight can we see now that the changes were absolutely spot-on; Edmund becoming a sarcastic cad, Baldrick turning stupid, and the expensive film sequences dropped in favour of stronger characterisations and tighter plots. Without the likes of Brian Blessed to constantly upstage him, Atkinson was free to dominate the show. Ben Elton replaced Atkinson as Richard Curtis' co-writer - another wise move. As the squeaky-voiced 'Queenie', Miranda Richardson was simply outstanding. Tom Baker played 'Captain 'Redbeard' Rum' in one episode, a tour-de-force of over-the-top acting. The weight of public opinion gradually swung behind 'Blackadder 2' - its now regarded as better than its predecessor.

I love the Blackadder series, but there is something extra special, almost magical about Blackadder II. A setting that we all have some knowledge of, and can relate to. The writing is sensationally witty, the scripts are just phenomenally good, but the acting, timing, deliveries are just delicious. Rowan Atkinson is just flawless as Edmund, his cutting put downs are fiercely funny. Tony Robinson, Stephen Fry, Tim McInnerny, Patsy Byrne, just fabulous, what a combination. It is Miranda Richardson's Queenie that steals it for me, absolutely sublime in the part, she's hilarious.

Every single episode has something to offer, Head and Potato are the two that have me in tears every time. Chains is utterly surreal, that ending is very daring. Great guest performances, my top three are Miriam Margolyes, Tom Baker and Rik Mayall's. All incredible.

For my part not just the best of Blackadder, but one of the best comedy Series of all time. Perfection. 10/10

This series is so brilliant, so witty, so laugh out loud funny, I watch them over and over again. I actually did NOT care for the first one (where Rowan was Edmund, the Duke). It seemed to be all over the place, embracing the history more than the comedy. But this one, Blackadder II, is MY favorite, even though Three and Four are also good. Four set during WWI is hit and miss, but some of the episodes are exceptional -especially the very last one. Funny, yet incredibly moving. Everyone's work in this series is fantastic. BELLS and HEAD are my two favorite episodes of this series. Rowan Atkinson was born to say Elton and Curtis' words and Miranda Richardson's performance as Queen Elizabeth, in all it's spoiled rotten pouting, is comic gold. The only American series that even came close to this (And I give them credit for even trying) was the summer series on CBS, THANKS - which was about the first American Pilgrim family at Plymouth, Mass. 1621. It, too, was brilliant satire, but, gee - American audiences preferred watching the premeire of Who Wants To Be A $%#@%%$ Millionaire!!! This Blackadder series IS available on video in America - so seek it out!!!

This has to be the funniest, most scathing comedy series of all times. Rowan Atkinson, whose persona and looks change with each reincarnation, is, in these episodes, a strutting peacock always on the lookout for funds to support his lifestyle and he is, in a word, priceless! The supporting cast is without peer...Baldrick the filthy: Lord Percy Percy, the stupidest git that ever drew breath; Queenie, the psychotic; Nursie with the udder fixation; Lord Melchett, the brown-noser.......all are perfect. And others who pop up in particular episodes are spot on. The famous Blackadder sneer begins in these episodes and the insults fly like fleas from Baldrick's hair. In Blackadder II, "Chains" is the one that will make you choke with laughter. Hugh Laurie, as Prince Ludwig who doesn't want to "inconwenience the quveen" is hilarious and the secret of Lord Melchett's sheep is revealed.....baaaaaa. If you like Blackadder in all it's iterations, buy the book "Blackadder, the Whole Damn Dynasty".....it contains the complete scripts of each episode and you can laugh all over again. This is the best of the best in British humor!

On a production level this second season, produced 3 years later seems actually less sophisticated; cheap looking sets, much more of a standard sit-com look.

But this is a sit com ala Fawlty Towers, weird, whip-smart, subversive and very dark. While I can't say for me that it quite stands up to the greatness of Fawlty Towers or Monty Python, the two shows to which it is inevitably compared, it has a ton of very funny moments, and the acting is top notch.

It's 100 years plus since series one, and Blackadder is no longer the weaselly immoral wimpy swine of the first series. He's now a handsome. dashing weaselly immoral swine, a favorite of the vaguely insane Queen Elizabeth --that is when she's not threatening to execute him.

It's a lot of fun to see Atkinson in this very different, non Mr. Bean persona, and he pulls it off wonderfully. And Hugh Laurie is hysterical in two completely different guest roles, while Miranda Richardson as Queen Elizabeth displays a flair for goofy silly physical comedy one would never suspect from her body of work.

Very worth a view, even if you were iffy on series one.

Set during the Elizabethan times, "BlackAdder II" is superb comedy as well as a major turning point for the series. Here not only does the show hit its stride but would serve as a template for the rest of the entries that would come after. Out of all the installments in the series, this one keeps the quality the most consistent, as the scripting and laughs remains solid throughout.

Rowan Atkinson is back in the title role but this time he is a much different person than before. In the first one, Edmund, the Duke of Edinburgh was a rather sniveling and cowardly opportunist. While "BlackAdder II", Lord Edmund BlackAdder is a cynical, cunning, and urbane bastard, which is the one that we would come to know and love for the rest of the series. We also see his sidekicks Percy and Baldrick again yet this time they have been "dumbed down" (pun intended) for the better. Tim McInnerny's Percy is a complete oaf while Tony Robinson's Baldrick becomes Edmund's dirty and lovably stupid servant.

Another major change also came with Ben Elton, replacing Atkinson, as the co-writer for the series alongside Richard Curtis. Not only do we get hysterical situations but also lots of one- liners that make you laugh every minute. How can you not love it when BlackAdder says "Percy the devil farts in my face once more." It is a classic exercise in the sarcastic humor that British comedies are often known for. If only more American sitcoms could be this nuanced and sophisticated. All of the episodes are very funny, ones that standout include "Head", "Money", and "Chains".

The rest of its supporting cast are also a delight. Stephen Fry is really good as Lord Melchett, Miranda Richardson is charming as The Queen, and Patsy Burne is fun as Nursie. However, it is the guests in each episode that are an absolute hoot such Rik Mayall as Lord Flasheart, an unrecognizable Tom Baker as the insane captain, and Hugh Laurie as the mad Prince Ludwig (Laurie and Fry would eventually become series regulars).

Recommended for anyone who likes droll and irreverent humor.

I've thought about it for a good while, but really nothing beats Blackadder at it's peak and this season is the bulk of that peak (Blackadder the third has one particular episode about a dictionary which can't be ignored). The first series was pretty good but Blackadder II truly elevated this series right to the top, this is the series where the characters become fully established and the style of humour has been perfected. The cast contains British comedy royalty: Rowan Atkinson, Stephen Fry, Rik Mayall and Ade Edmondson to name a few. If you still aren't convinced I'm rating this ahead of shows like Fawlty Towers, Only Fools and Horses and Father Ted (and I'm Irish).

The Blackadder franchise find its form... and my, how it fits. Highly satirical, witty, clever and biting sitcom that derives much of its humor from the way things were in the time it is set in. The plots remain unlikely, but they work better and are just generally funnier and of greater interest this time around. The pacing receives a needed lift, making this season an awful lot lighter and easier to sit through. It helps that every single line of dialog, every occurrence, is hilarious. Honestly, almost no jokes or gags fall flat in this. As with the others, the half-hour length varies, with some going a bit over, unlike the American productions where such will mean 22 minutes sans commercials. They update the theme song to the time period this is set during, with a soprano commenting on the events of the episodes(all of them of impeccable quality, and relatively distinguished from one another) at the end of each, instead of the deep-voiced, proud tone of the original show. While the credits sequences are simpler than those of the first, due to budget, it doesn't make a negative impression. Every acting performance is marvelous. Richardson as the childish queen is spectacular. Fry is a solid addition, as is Byrne, as the utterly insane Nursie. The characters are well-written and memorable. The main cast is one that you don't mind returning to. Edmund and Baldrick switch personalities... and the level of sarcasm goes through the roof, as well as that of the verbal, compared to how it was in the '83 series. Atkinson moves as far away as he can from his Bean character, an incredibly welcome change. Here, he's nasty and cruel. And he's considerably more successful in his schemes than he was before. Some of the silly bits, sexual material and even a tiny bit of gross-out stuff is retained(and occasionally than not feels out of place, among all the banter). Definitely worth watching for fans of the first, of British comedy in general and/or Rowan. One to watch if you fall under any of those categories. 10/10

The second series of the classic comedy series that chronicled the conniving, devious BlacAdder dynasty. This series saw several changes which cemented Its more familiar format. Rowan Atkinson stepped down as co-writer and handed over the reins to Ben Elton, who had come to prominence for his work on the anarchic The Young Ones. With the BBC having been displeased with the first series, then BBC controller Michael Grade decided to have it made a more studio sitcom show with an audience with the characterization of key characters redefined in such a way that as now become more renowned.

Seeing as the former iteration of the character came to a grisly end at the end of the first series, the narrative would see it shift to the Elizabethan period. Edmund who is the great-grandson of the original Blackadder is now a member of the London aristocracy. As opposed to the original interpretation, he is less sniveling and is more cunning and intelligent although still scheming and cynical in nature. It would follow his attempts to win favour with the infantile Queen Elizabeth I, here credited as Queenie (Miranda Richardson), As with Series 1 he is aided and abetted by his two cohorts. Baldrick who as opposed to his original representation became more slow-witted and stupid although good-natured and lovable, and Lord Percy, (Tim McInnerny) who became more of a downright prat.

The series also saw beside Queenie the introduction of new regular character's Lord Melchet, who is her sycophantic Lord Chamberlain played by Stephen Fry as well as Nursie, her demented former Nanny played hilariously by Patsy Byrne. Most of the episode's plotlines involved Blackadder attempting to ingratiate himself with Queenie, or her relying on him to perform a task on her orders..With Baldrick and Percy assisting him, often to his detriment. As with the first series, there was some pathos to his character, who although downright reprehensible at times displays a human side to himself. The first episode Bells sees him fall in love with his manservant Bob (Gabrille Glaister who would return in ...Goes Forth), who is in fact a young woman in disguise, and she in return with him. Predictably the course of true doesn't end up running smoothly. This series sees Rik Mayall who made his first appearance at the end of the first one as Mad Gerald, making his first one as Lord Flashheart, a character whose descendent would make an appearance in Series 4.

Further guest actors would include Tom Baker, Miriam Margoyles, Hugh Laurie, (who would become a regular member of the cast in both the third and fourth series) Ronald Lacy, and Simon Jones. With Margoyles and Baker being particularly memorable as a drunken sailor named Captain Rum, and Blackadder's incredibly puritanical Aunt, Lady WhiteAdder.

For my money, the weakest of the four series, BlackAdder II is far from terrible and does overall have a steady stream of gags although not all quite land quite as often. It's more accessible to mainstream audiences compared to the first, as it doesn't rely quite so much on the reliance to be aware of the comedic references to the works of William Shakespeare. The chemistry amongst the cast is also a strong selling point, and some of the more funnier moments having been a result of Percy's toadying to BlackAdder. As well as the latter's exasperation and annoyance and Baldrick's idiocy, and his frequently saying he "has a cunning plan" which would become a trend that would run throughout the next two series.

BlackAdder II was a welcome addition to the series if not the strongest of the series run. Bolstered by Miranda Richard at her scene-stealing best. It comes as no surprise that she was invited back to make guest appearances in the two series that followed. Like it's predecessor it retained a darker edge, especially with its grisly denouement that was a bonus. It has aged well and still holds up to this day.

More historical adventures with a new version of Black-Adder.

While I admire the talents over everyone in this series, and respect the fact that it is so beloved 31 years after it aired I can't say I enjoyed this show that much.

While it has its moments, and a wonderful central performance from Rowan Atkinson, it sadly isn't a show that I'd rush to watch again.

Comedy is subjective, more so than any other genre perhaps, and this just didn't do a lot for me.

To many who watched the ongoing saga of the Blackadder family at the time of release, this is the best Blackadder series of them all - and they have a very strong case. Although this is not my own personal favourite (I prefer the original series), this second installment is a superb piece of comedy.

The time-period moves on approximately sixty years to Elizabethan England and follows the story of Edmund Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson) - the great-grandson of the original slimy Blackadder. This time Edmund is not a Prince of the realm but a Lord in the court of Good Queen Bess (the wonderful Miranda Richardson). Tim McInnerny continues in the role as Percy and he threatens to steal the show throughout. Percy's character is built on from the first series, being given a more child-like and innocent personality to go with the lack of brain cells, and this combined with McInnerny's fantastic performance gives the comedy an added dimension and direction. The Baldrick role (Tony Robinson) is also reprised, but instead of the street-wise peasant with the cunning plan of series one, we get the first incarnation of the Baldrick character we are now more familiar with - dirty, smelly and incredibly stupid. In this series it works, because now Blackadder himself is significantly brighter and more refined than his ancestor and this time he's armed with a razor-sharp wit. The characters do complement each other well, but the close-nit group of the first series is now missing with Blackadder resenting and mistreating his sidekicks throughout, but this is used well for comic effect.

The supporting cast is also excellent and the characters they play are brilliantly written. Elizabeth herself is portrayed as a spoilt little school-girl, complete with screams! Richardson plays this role superbly and with hilarious results with the queen being highly unpredictable and volatile. Elizabeth also has a couple of loyal sidekicks, Nursy (Patsy Byrne) the woman who weaned her as a child, and Melchett (Stephen Fry), her advisor. All of these characters add weight to the comedy, and are sufficiently different to each other to provide alternative directions in comedy.

Although Blackadder does have a basic goal in this series - to marry Elizabeth and become her consort - it does not drive the plot as much in this series as it did in the first. The plots for each episode however are still extremely entertaining and contain the basic premise of Blackadder getting into a desperate situation that he must get out of - with the aid (or hindrance) of Percy and Baldrick. The stories are well-thought out and the comedy a good-blend of dry-wit from Blackadder and farcical situations. The stories are well scripted and contain some excellent supporting characters played memorably by the likes of Rik Mayall (of Young Ones and Drop Dead Fred fame), Ronald Lacey (Raiders of the Lost Ark) and ex Dr Who Tom Baker.

This series of Blackadder successfully alters the main character into the intelligent and dry cynic, because it does not do so at the expense of the other characters and the plots. Ben Elton's influence however is evident with the supporting characters being of the less intelligent type, aluding to things to come in the next two series where these characters becoming the main target for the humour. Blackadder II works so well because it is the stories that drive the humour with the dry-wit as an added bonus - things were about to be reversed.

Like the first series this is a classic of comedy and well deserves its standing as, arguably, the most popular Blackadder series. The first and last series of Blackadder could not be further apart in terms of humour and subtlety - this series fuses both styles to create, perhaps the definitive Blackadder.

Blackadder II is a massive change from Series 1 in five aspects:

1. The sets are a heck of a lot cheaper. 2. No blood, fancy special effects or superimpositions on screen. 3. There is a new screenwriter (Ben Elton). 4. Baldrick is stupid rather than smart this time. 5. It was far more successful.

Though Series 1 was different, Series 2 was better. It had far more wit, sarcasm, and hilarious one-liners, and had far more success on a far smaller budget. Blackadder is so much better as the cruel, cunning, intelligent man that everybody knows him as today, Baldrick is FAR FAR better as the idiot and stinky tramp everybody knows him as, and Percy has always been good as an idiot. Many people have forgot about Series 1 because Series 2 was the one that established Blackadder as one to be watched - it is a true classic, and manages to deliver some great performances, brilliant lines, cracking situations and good guest appearances. The best episode was Potato - Tom Baker was brilliant.

Series 2 of Blackadder was better than the first one because of one fact - Ben Elton and his cunning plans were what the show was destined to need. If he didn't show up, Blackadder would never have got off the ground and Rowan Atkinson would have never found his fame. Brilliant, but Series 1's epic budgets are evidently lacking, and that is a shame. 9/10

Rowan Atkinson has done an awesome job in all episodes....i love it.:)..whenever i used to watch the episode every time i used to laugh over the things done by the Rowan and it was actually feeling amazing to watch the episode...it is my favorite pass time to watch the black adder series or you can say it is my hobby..my passion us always revolve around the comic relief of Mr.Rowan Atkinson and the main point about his comic timing is that his comic timing is best.. The best thing about the black adder episodes is that it gives you the view of history and it is good for the peoples who love history because of the reason one should must watch the blacadder and especially IMDb helps me to find out these amazing episodes I would like to say thanks to this amazing application and i want to suggest to download this amazing application of IMDb..thank u very much

After the bad reviews of the first season, the series was almost canceled. They gave it a chance on the condition that it transforms into a standard studio sitcom with a much lower budget. Despite, or perhaps thanks to this, the series flourished and spawned a second season that secured its cult status.

Atkinson gave up writing and was replaced by Ben Elton, who did a fantastic job. While the first season had a unique story in which Blackadder tries to seize power, here each episode brings a separate story in which our anti-hero tries to get out of awkward and potentially deadly situations. The medieval malicious incompetent is inherited by an intelligent and cynical descendant, placed at the court of Elizabeth I. For the counterweight, there are Baldrick (Tony Robinson), who is transformed into a dirty and extremely stupid servant (To you, Baldrick, the Renaissance was just something that happened to other people, wasn't it?), and Lord Percy (Tim McInnerny), a simple but irreparably optimistic and loyal sidekick. On the other hand, we have Elizabeth, a childish and spoiled queen, who uses people as toys and cuts off heads if they are not to her liking. Miranda Richardson performed this role with unforgettable charm and stole every scene in which she appears. She also has two sidekicks, played by the excellent Stephen Fry and Patsy Byrne. In two episodes also appears Hugh Laurie, an indispensable part of the cast for the rest of the series. The characters are more complex and diverse than in the first season, and the humor is more natural, intelligent, and incomparably funnier.

9/10

• Give the place a more family atmosphere.
• The family atmosphere? This is meant to be a place of pain and misery and sorrow.
• That's what I mean, Sir.

I regularly watch all of the Blackadder series and specials, and have been a rabid fan for many years. One thing has always bothered me about the accepted episode order for the second series. It seems as though it is generally accepted that "Bells" is the series first episode, however, given the fact that Lord Percy shaves his beard upon learning of the infidelities of his "beloved," at the hands of both Blackadder and Baldrick, while this same beard appears throughout the entirety of the accepted second episode, "Head." It always seemed to me that "Head" was probably meant to be the first episode. Just a fanatic's lunatic ravings, I guess. But I do so love this series.

Better than the first series. Big improvement. I must have laughed more than once every episode. I'm beginning to understand why this series is so popular, and many of the jokes that are boring and old now must have been new and unique at the time. I've never been a fan of stupid, random humour such as the end of episode six, but this series has got much more unique and intelligent humour that I have love. I'm also beginning to love the three protagonists, Edmund Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson), Baldrick (Tony Robinson) and Percy (Tim McInnerny). I've heard that Percy won't be joining me next series, though, which is a shame.

I look forward to series three and, more excitingly, series four. I think Blackadder Goes Forth is the main reason this series is a legendary piece of TV. Apparently it is very unique to anything seen before. If it's better than this series I'll be a very happy boy anyway.

Along with Black Adder Goes Forth, this is my absolute favourite of the Black Adder series. The fact that this is hilarious is an understatement, a vast majority of it verges on hysterical. The Elizabethan period detail is sumptuous, the stories are clever and interesting, the opening credits are fun and the writing is sharp, cynical, sophisticated and hilarious. And once again I loved the performances, instead of the slimy, selfish and stupid character he played in the first series, Rowan Atkinson superbly plays a much smarter, cunning and more likable lead character, and his cynicism also creeps in too. Baldrick here adopts the persona we are more familiar with dirty and incredibly stupid, and Tony Robinson couldn't have been a more perfect choice, he is priceless. Miranda Richardson makes for a suitably shrill Queen Elizabeth I, Rik Mayall is hilarious and Patsy Byrne is delightful as the daft nurse. Stephen Fry and Tim McInnery are also wonderful in their respective roles as Lord Percy and Lord Melchett. Overall, simply hilarious and a must see. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Hilariously funny.

After the first season of Black Adder was set during the War of the Roses, Season 2 has our hero, played by Rowan Atkinson, an adviser to Queen Elizabeth I. Baldrick (Tony Robinson) and Percy (Tim McInnerny) are there again and we now have Miranda Richardson as Queen Elizabeth and Stephen Fry as Lord Melchett.

Even better than the first season. As before, hilariously funny, with some iconic skits. However, the script feels tighter and less prone to cheap jokes. It's cleverer, basically.

The change of Black Adder's character and station helps this. Before, he was over-privileged royalty and a sniveling selfish toadie. Now he is lower in station and has to use charm and deception to get ahead. Makes for better comedy.

Blackadder II is a vast improvement over its less popular predecessor. The second series was almost not made due to the lack of success of the original, and clearly the writers re-considered Blackadder's character. He, rather than the now dull-witted Baldrick, is the more intelligent of the pair and his character is now quick-witted, cunning and offers much in sarcastic humour. This, and possible Blackadder goes Forth, is the best of all the Blackadder series. Blackadder's new character is much funnier and Atkinson plays it masterfully. The series itself takes place some one hundred years after the first, just before the turn of the 17th century. I recommend it to all comedy fans.

Theo Robertson writes: >> The reason it works best is that Edmund has two foils to work against ( Lord Percy and Baldrick ) rather than just Baldrick in the other series . >>

Not sure what he means by this. Edmund has at least two foils in EVERY series.

Series 1: Baldrick and Percy Series 2: Baldrick and Percy Series 3: Baldrick and George Series 4: Baldrick and George

Series 2 throws in Queenie and Melchitt, Series 4 throws in Melchitt and Darling, so in no series do Edmund and Baldrick go it alone.