Blackadder series 1 is so frustrating. 50% of the jokes don't ever land as they're so vague, narrow and just attempts to emulate/parody Shakespeare. E.g. Prince Harry: "I don't know how I'm going to tell his catamite." Also, S1 Edmund is so ill-defined. Why is he even called 'the Black Adder'?
I do find series 1 to be a hard watch. It's a shame as some of the cast are great. The Spanish Queen episode is funny except the kiddie wife bit is quite disturbing!!!
The 50% that do land are mostly kids tv jokes. "I suppose if you tied me to that tree, you could have em for less." And then there's... Ep 6 "THE SNAILS!!!" Not funny. Not scary. Not thought-out. It's like 'Holy Grail' written by someone who'd only ever HEARD about Monty Python.
I watched a few of series 1, but hated him as a wimp. I rewatched rest and most of them are excellent, tight and rarely a wasted line. Some of Baldrick’s lines are weak. Series 3 is the best. The Darling gag lifts 4. When Bob is lying on the floor and looks at him and says ‘My Lord…’ I go weak