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
Review of Blackadder II
