Bells

"I like you, Bob, you've got balls!"

Let me open my comment by saying this - Blackadder II does not have the atmosphere of its predecessor. However, this is not all bad - the lack of real emotion actually makes it funnier, and lets us feel that we are watching proper comedy - not dark historical dramas. And this is how Blackadder shall be like from here on - not delivering the thrills and the shocks, but delivering the laughs, like it is meant to.

"Bells" starts off funny, and only gets funnier, and proves how stupid Blackadder, Baldrick and Percy really are. Also joining the Blackadder comedy cast are Stephen Fry (Lord Melchett), Miranda Richardson (Queen Elizabeth I), and a new character called Nursie, who is the Queen's old carer. The presence of these three makes the episode and series even more funny, and betters the comic appearances of Prince Harry, the Queen and Richard IV in Blackadder 1. Ben Elton's new role as the second writer of Blackadder has made the show more funny, and likely to be enjoyed by all. The first series tries to be taken seriously, but this series was a bigger success in not being serious and being lighter and more openly funny.

"Bells" contains some clever humour, some great new characters and a whole new era - a good opening to the second historic series! I give it an 8 out of 10.

Kate tricks Edmund by becoming his new man servant 'Bob,' he forms an unlikely attachment to Bob dismissing poor Baldrick in the process, Blackadder even seeks the help of the wise woman, a wild woman who is clearly a little insane. Edmund learns Bob's secret and the pair agree to marry, Edmund's friend Lord Flasheart arrives and causes a big problem.

I wasn't the biggest fan of the original Blackadder series (must re- watch,) but Blackadder II is utter comic gold, funny from start to finish. If anything it got funnier with each episode.

Bells is criminally funny, Rowan Atkinson is at his all time best, cutting, witty, sarcastic and strangely attractive. The introduction of the entire new lineup is magical, Miranda Richardson is utterly iconic as Queenie, it's one of my favourite all time performances, Tim McInnerny, Stephen Fry, Tony Robertson all just utterly wonderful, one of the best ever lineups.

Gabrielle Glaister did a cracking job as Bob, as did her father, some of the lines between them were absolutely hilarious. 'Yes Kate I want you to become a prostitute,' I don't think they could get away with that now. Awesome performance from Rik Mayall, just magical.

So much richness to this episode, Baldrick in his bridesmaid's dress, hilarious!!

One of the funniest sequences of all time when Blackadder goes to visit the Wise Woman, 'here is a purse of monies, which I'm not going to give you.' Utterly hilarious!! I could watch that sequence over and over, it never tires.

Blissful viewing. 9/10

Here is a joke from a traditional club comedian in the mid 1980s: What is the definition of alternative comedy? Someone that is not funny.

The first series of Blackadder was decent and sporadically funny. It was also very expensive with a lot of location shooting.

So it was a bit of surprise for a second series to be shown three years later. Ben Elton was drafted in as co-writer along with Richard Curtis. According to Elton, then controller of BBC1 Michael Grade only gave the go ahead with two changes. The budget was to be cut down by a third and he wanted more jokes.

In a sense this was a very economical series with more laughs per pound. It was also the first sit com made by alternative comedians to receive widespread praise and high viewing figures.

The first episode sets the tone of this new Blackadder. Rowan Atkinson's character is more wisely cynical, cunning and full of put downs. I think it was the first time Atkinson saw himself as a romantic hero rather than a gawky person.

The story is simple. Kate is so impoverished that her father wants her to become a prostitute. She goes to London and disguises herself as a boy called Bob to make a fortune.

Quick as a flash Baldrick is out on the streets as Bob becomes Blackadder's new manservant. Problem is both fall for each other leading to Blackadder going on a course of leeches to get rid of his affliction of fancying his manservant.

It is a barrel of laughs. I watched it 1986, seen it countless times since. Just to make sure that the memory did not cheat. I watched it again, even in the 2020's this one still stands up.

I can still remember the funny lines. Rik Mayall steals the show as Lord Flashheart. An absolute classic.

Ha ha what an idiot. Bob is a woman pretending to be a man. How can he not notice!!!!! Lol

Lord Blackadder falls in love with his new servant.

I thoroughly enjoyed this episode when I saw it many years ago and recently on a rewatch.

The story is a simple and effective comic farce where a deception spins out of control, but it ends on a quite unexpected note.

All the humour, which is mostly situational combined with razor sharp dialogue is excellent. Ben Elton and Richard Curtis started their writing partnership in style by reinventing the three central characters so the comedy dynamic works perfectly.

All performances are perfect with Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Tim McInnery, Stephen Fry, Miranda Richardson, Patsy Byrne and Rik Mayall all fantastic. Even other minor roles like the Wise Woman, peasant woman and doctor all add to the entertainment. Gabrielle Glaister plays the straight role well as the object of Blackadder's affection. Edward Jewesbury is very funny is his brief appearance as her father.

This is one of the classic episodes of the show, I would award 10/10 if not for a few minor technical flaws, but definitely a 9.5/10 and for IMDB as always I round upwards.