Blackadder: Season 2, Episode 1 Bells

Ah no you missed the song at the end

Josiah Cole

You don’t need to but it’s better if you know all the characters first...

Kieran B

I don't think you need to wait till after seasons 2 and 3 to watch Blackadders Christmas Carol as there are no spoilers, you just meet the main characters from season 3. It's one of my Christmas staple watches along with Scrooged and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation!

Dave Barratt

Awesome man, hope you enjoy the show. I thought the same thing lol

After Work Reactions

I've never really watched Blackadder so I'll try and watch it along with you, I'm intrigued as to why the first series was so bad, and how it was given a second series if it was that bad? Alan Partridge should have referenced this when he didn't get his second series :D

Jon Johnson

Shame about season 1 too. It's different, but I still quite liked it. It's just a different vibe is all. Remember that on the internet that the people talking loudest are often just the people who don't like something. People who do like something tend make less noise about it, but there are still plenty of them.

Pkirby422

Listen to the end credits songs for season 2 !! :)

Pkirby422

Thanks bud I did realize that was him =]

After Work Reactions

Thanks for the info bud!

After Work Reactions

Haha lol thanks bud!

After Work Reactions

Thanks man I do really like her so that is a treat for sure.

After Work Reactions

Thanks for the info and the recommendation bud, I will check that out for sure =] Take care.

After Work Reactions

Thanks man I will keep that in mind. I really did like this first episode a whole lot I am looking forward to the rest of the show.

After Work Reactions

Ok thanks bud I will remember to do that. Take care.

After Work Reactions

Just incase you didn’t notice it, Flasheart was played by Rik Mayall (Bottom)

Jay C

Rowan Atkinson has a stutter and that is why he says "Bob" in that amazing way.

Ronnie Hotdog

However, the change between S1 and S2 is massively jarring because Blackadder is essentially completely different. It's probably best to skip S1 and maybe revisit it in the future to judge for yourself.

Jason

I have to say that I'm fond of the first BL series (minus the first episode, which is more interested in being Shakespearean than modern) for its own reasons. It gets better as it goes on, and episode 4 as others have said here is excellent - though I'd go further and say the whole second half of the series is full of memorable moments. Also there's the tour de force that is Brian Blessed as the king and he's plain awesome. However I do get why a lot of folk skip it as Blackadder is a completely different character, and the general tone is different too so it's quite jarring going from S1 to S2.

Jason

Totally agree. I watched it through once, wondering if people had misjudged it. No, no they hadn't.

Kieran

Season 1 Blackadder is basically Mr Bean without the silly voice. He's stupid and Baldrick is smart....it just doesn't work

Steve King

Josh. you're about one Curly Wurly bar away from becoming a bonafide Brit.

Jason

Respectfully, I disagree. The purpose for my money (figuratively and literally) of a reaction channel is to see the reactor react. There are some shows that just wouldn't work. Now, I personally feel Blackadder 1 is poor comedically which for me is the main issue and seems to be for the vast majority of others too. Excellent production values, the odd amusing moment, but it would be a hard grind to watch someone else watch it. I adore The Royle Family but I wouldn't suggest it as an ideal show for Josh to react to because it's genuinely far too subtle and relies heavily on blink-and-you-miss-it character quirks. One belly laugh per series, almost exclusively British but not accessibly so, and almost entirely bereft of plot. It's a show to be savoured on a very personal level and you react inwardly by-and-large. The Office is risky for my money at times as it is very naturalistic but it's a much more kinetic experience, Josh is familiar with Ricky, and there is a plot and some much more tangible "beats", some of which can be described as jokes. The cast is larger too and there are different flavours there to appreciate. I think it's telling that this is a comedy reaction channel. A drama reaction channel wouldn't work IMHO. So many amazing dramas I am sure Josh would really appreciate but we'd have no idea whilst he's watching it as (unless it's a thriller or something), you watch and concentrate on a drama but you'd not react outwardly. You'd need to wait until the end for him to summarise his thoughts. Yes, any content provider can manufacture reactions to give us something to watch but I am sure I'm not alone in enjoying this channel for Josh's *natural* reactions and those big comedy moments we know are on the way. The anticipation of those big moments is fantastic, something you wouldn't get in a comedy that simply doesn't have them. We're not here to watch someone watch TV; we've seen most of the shows already and we're here for the reactions. The shows will be chosen (democratically) to squeeze the best reactions out of Josh accordingly. Just my few cents! :-)

Ash Jeffries

season 1 is good. I hope he changes his mind and watches it anyway. damn mofos telling him its not good. gtfo

Tom Schwartz

Personally I don't think you should skip anything. Everyone is different. It's a reaction channel surely. Gotta take the bad with the good. The first series of this and 'Knowing me, Knowing You' should have had reactions. Neither of them are bad at all. People just want you to rush to things they like the most. It's all very impatient.

Wilss

Josh after you finish blackmailer go back to series one and watch the Spanish enfants episode. It stars Miriam margaleys and i know you are a fan of her. She also appears in the current season your watching👍👍👍

ezza

while i agree with your sentiment i think the continuity isnt that important in blackadder so season 1 can be reacted to after season 4 without an issue, i think thats probably the best way to do it as season 1 is a hard grind

lee cooper

Gutted you not doing season one, you guys who told him to skip it are real morons. I'm not a fan of Alan Partridge or Red Dwarf but you don't see me in the comments saying 'skip it' blah blah blah... Selfish people. Great reaction though Josh and thankyou so much for everything you do. To me this show is right up there with 'Only Fools' as one of the greats. 💚

Keithy

I genuinely enjoy season 1 of Blackadder, definitely feels more 'raw' sometimes but it's not so bad it needs 'skipping' in my opinion. Recommend re-visiting it if you enjoy seasons 2-4.

James

Trivia time: Rowan Atkinson had a stammer as a child and still has trouble pronouncing B's, that's why his pronunciation of "Bob" is so inimitable. The guy's an absolute comedy genius. There's a thought Josh - he did a live sketch show, Rowan Atkinson Live, in the early 90's. It was one of those VHS tapes I had as a kid and it's absolutely amazing. Short clips, too - perfect for Youtube. For example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZMoB6ms2mE Glad to see you're enjoying it!

Ian Webster

Thanks bud lol I will check it out.

After Work Reactions

LOL thanks bud. I knew most of you don't care for the first season so I decided to skip it. Take care man!

After Work Reactions

Glad you enjoyed it Josh, but please don’t skip through the end credits. The end song is always a funny roundup of things that happened in the episode and a great way to finish.

PunchyPariah

Thanks bud, this was super hilarious I am happy to finally check this show out.

After Work Reactions

Yea man I have had a ton of people tell me the first season isn't too great lol I am looking forward to finishing up the rest of the show =]

After Work Reactions

Thanks bud, looking forward to checking it out with you all =]

After Work Reactions

Thanks bud. I knew most of you don't care for it so I just decided to skip lol

After Work Reactions

Wow. Amazing choice Josh! I have been one of those who recommend you skip Knowing Me Knowing You, because it is a poorly realised version of Alan Partridge. But I would rather you watched that version of Alan than Black Adder 1, which is so far removed from the later characterisations as to be disingenuous.

Rob Thompson

I'd like him to also hear the red dwarf outro at least once, its a banger lmao. Still get it stuck in my head sometimes.

Michael

^This is a pretty good summary of why not watching season 1 is ok for blackadder imo ^

Michael

Wait, you went on that whole rant, and ended with 'there hasnt been a PETER KAY comedy sitcom shown on the channel yet'. Bro you are the audience member in the When The Whistle Blows studio wearing a 'garlic bread' t-shirt. You are literally the person who Ricky Gervais takes the piss out of in Extras omg. Come on man don't hate on what wins. Don't be THAT GUY. I personally dont watch a number of days here on after work reactions, but i love the weekends and a couple of the mid week ones, but i'm not an ass in comments about it.

Michael

Honestly early medieval to Elizabethan times was like something straight out of game of thrones all over europe. Must have been a crazy time to live in

Michael

Publico

The Queen, Elizabeth I , probably was a bit of nutter. Though it is more of a comical fashion in Blackadder. Her upbringing and life was like something out of Game of Thrones. Her mother beheaded by her father, Henry VIII. Imprisoned as a teen in the terrifying Tower of London by her half sister, Bloody Mary,who was probably one of the most evil people to ever rule England. Her locking her cousin Mary Queen of Scots up for 19 years for plotting against her. It goes on and on with evil, plotting and revenge. Great stuff for reading up on if you like history. They did a film to in about 98 called Elizabeth which is good to give an idea

Danny

As has been already mentioned, there's no need to skip the credits. In fact when it comes to classic shows in general feel free to chill for a minute and let them roll! Which does remind me of a segment on Charlie Brooker's Screen Wipe about the joy of classic credit sequences and how programme makers aren't allowed to do elaborate credit rolls any more... https://youtu.be/Yrm2dj6bIU0

David Lyons

Great reaction Josh! I knew you'd love this and I'm so happy you skipped to season 2! This is such a solid start too. A genuinely funny episode and I defy anyone not to enjoy it! I must agree with others who have said to listen to the end songs for Blackadder 2; it's not just a credit sequence, the jokes continue both verbally (funny lyrics) and visually. It's very much part of the show. :-D It's also just a wonderful piece of music. The Blackadder theme, the melody of which remains the same, but the style of which changes from season to season, was composed by the same man who also composed the music for Red Dwarf (Howard Goodall). He has written theme songs for many British comedies. I mentioned before also that you should listen to the end song for Red Dwarf too but you'd only need to do that once as it's the same song. It is cool though, great tune and lyrics! Queen Elizabeth I, as played here by Miranda Richardson, is characterised as being petulant and child-like. We imagine a 5 year old and her wilful, tantrum-laden, precocious ways, heading the throne and it's this absurdity that makes it work IMHO, haha! Incidentally, I met Miranda Richardson and have her autograph. She's in her early 60s now but still very young-looking! At that same convention in London, about three years ago, I didn't meet but crossed paths a few times with Tony Robinson (Baldrick), and I saw the long queue for Tim McInnerny (Percy) but we were out of time so I didn't join it. Rowan Atkinson's "Bob" is a famous soundbite over here now. He has such a unique and funny way of saying it! :-D

Ash Jeffries

Love it, really excited to watch this along with you Josh, just like Red Dwarf! I don't personally think that the first series is THAT bad, there's definitely some funny moments. Its more that each series is a different generation of Blackadder and the first was just so massively different to what came after in terms of humour and the type of character that the Blackadders are, that now it just really feels off compared to the rest of the show. Anyway, I think you're going to love these 3 series, and don't forget to do the specials too, they're fantastic in their own right!

Andy Hill

With you completely on that. I've only seen the first series of Men Behaving Badly once, then gave away the DVD to a charity shop. Utter crap, then somehow brilliant by series 2. At least the first series of Blackadder has SOME redeeming qualities.

Thomas McDonald

Don't know who suggested to skip Only Fools ands Horses series 1. Thats crazy. I found it just as good as the others. I get why with this one though.

Luke Barron

Good choice. The only first season I can think is worth missing apart from this is men behaving badly - which is much worse!

W Martin

I'd say 2, 4, 3, 1.

Z is for Zed

It's the right choice. Red Dwarf starts off shaky and finds its feet as time goes on, but Blackadder was a straight-up "No, this doesn't work" and reboot. There's no character development as to why the Blackadder character lineage was suddenly completely different, it was a start from scratch situation.

Z is for Zed

Make sure you listen to the songs at the end of each episode. They change every episode and some are very humourous.

Alan Ward

Respect your decision completely Josh, I'm a fan of Blackadder but I never watched the first series in full, it honestly is a completely different show entirely. To make a comparison, there was recently a debate on whether you should react to Knowing Me, Knowing You before I'm Alan Partridge, in the end you decided to skip KMKY. Well KMKY is far far more similar to I'm Alan Partridge, than the first series of Blackadder is to the rest of the series. For one thing, it has the same character, in the same continuity, the same can't be said for the Blackadder comparison. One thing I think is important to say though, as you are omitting six episodes, I really recommend watching some of the specials once you've finished the 4th series. I'm not sure how many there are, but for example there's a Blackadder Christmas Carol, which is a one off story set in a different era to any other Blackadder series. Perhaps someone with more knowledge than I can come up with the definitive list of specials for you to react to once you've watched the main series. and now, time for me to watch! been looking forward to Blackadder making it's way on here :D [Edit After Viewing] Surprised to hear that people recommended skipping the first season of Peep Show! That would have been a big mistake, glad you didn't do that. I'm glad you enjoyed this Josh, your reaction tells me you'll enjoy the rest of this show a lot. Beware of spoilers for later episodes, I know you avoid them anyway, but there are some shows where it doesn't matter (like I'm Alan Partridge) and others (like this, Peep Show, The Office...) where it's best to have an unspoiled viewing experience.

Ben

It's the same with Ben Elton. Now known as a bit of an unfunny luvvie, yet he created The Young Ones and completely lifted Blackadder to new heights when he came on board for Season 2 onwards.

Jay

great show i was dying at the flash part and laughing my ass off throughout the whole thing

Leeroy Nabowitz

Not forgetting Peter Cooke as Richard the 3rd.

Jay

The only worthwhile thing in Series 1 is Brian Blessed as Richard IV.

Daniel Davies

Think it might have been me you mentioned in the video as that’s exactly what I said on YouTube. I don’t think the first season is awful (but it’s really not great, it’s the only series I’d suggest skipping any episodes of) and it’s rather different from the rest. And as each series is standalone and isn’t the same character it’s not like other shows where you see character development. As I said before it might be worth watching at the end of the run if you wanted to - Queen of Spain’s Beard and the Archbishop are good episodes, and I know a few that like Witchsmeller Pursuivant Bear in mind there is the Christmas episode between seasons 3 and 4. There’s a 10 minute special called the Cavalier Years which would take place between 2 and 3 (but I don’t know when it was filmed), and then there’s a full special they did for the year 2000 called “Blackadder - Back and Forth”. I’d love to see reactions to all of those as they all fit into the whole run of the series nicely.

Kieran B

Like the others say, correct call. If i'd have discovered black adder through series 1 I would have never have become a fan. I remember been excited to watch series 1 for the first time after seeing season 2&3 and was like wtf is this shit. It's so different to the rest. Been years since I watched black adder so looking forward to your reactions

John Sellers

I agree with the decision to skip series 1....and I have watched it many times. Go back to it after series 4 and you will enjoy it however it is an entirely different show compared to 2,3 & 4 in every way imaginable. So how does everyone rank the series best to worst? I have it 4, 2, 3, 1

MG

I've never watched the first season fully ...i've seen clips and it's crap and is not related to season 2, 3,or 4. If you ever do get a chance to watch some of it josh, you'll know what we mean.

Hannah

Richard Curtis is probably more known for schmaltzy saccharine rom-coms such as Notting Hill and Love Actually but people often forget he co-wrote what is now considered one of Britain's best comedies.

Christopher Horner

ayy i checked the page just now and then i had this feeling maybe cuz its around when u upload that if i refresh the page itll be here and there it was time to sit back and enjoy also i think you meant season 1 at least i hope lol EDIT: just started and now i see thats intentional

Leeroy Nabowitz

I think you can get away with skipping series with Blackadder as each series arc is self-contained. That said two points which are important: Make sure to watch the Christmas special (Blackadder's Christmas Carol) between series 3 and 4. AND watch to the very end of the credits in series 2. Each of the end credits is different and there are things to watch for. You'll ultimately get a much better experience if you watch to the end each time and don't click and skip like you normally do - it might ruin it. I really can't say why for spoilers, but sit patiently and watch them no matter how sceptical you might be or become - you'll thank me for it at the end of the series.

BertFredStan