This is the first show of the third Black Adder series and fortunately is one of the better shows. This incarnation of Edmund Blackadder works as a gentleman's gentleman for the biggest thickie in Britain--the Princee Regent (the future George IV).
This episode begins with the Prime Minster, Pitt the Younger, leading an effort to cut off the finances of George as he is a total idiot and leads a dissolute life. The vote in the House of Commons will be close and to insure that votes goes in favor of George, Edmund decides to fix an election in a 'rotten borough'--a voting district where there are almost no voters. Such boroughs were common at the time, though none had only one voter like this one. That's because women and non-land owners could not vote--and the plan is to put an idiot in the office. Why they chose Baldrick, I don't know, as he's too stupid for such a role. And, not surprisingly, he screws it up royally.
Overall, a very good episode--particularly if you are up on history and understand the references (such as the extreme youth of Pitt, the way elections and boroughs were drawn, etc.). Still, even without this, the show is funny--in a rather droll manner.
This episode begins with the Prime Minster, Pitt the Younger, leading an effort to cut off the finances of George as he is a total idiot and leads a dissolute life. The vote in the House of Commons will be close and to insure that votes goes in favor of George, Edmund decides to fix an election in a 'rotten borough'--a voting district where there are almost no voters. Such boroughs were common at the time, though none had only one voter like this one. That's because women and non-land owners could not vote--and the plan is to put an idiot in the office. Why they chose Baldrick, I don't know, as he's too stupid for such a role. And, not surprisingly, he screws it up royally.
Overall, a very good episode--particularly if you are up on history and understand the references (such as the extreme youth of Pitt, the way elections and boroughs were drawn, etc.). Still, even without this, the show is funny--in a rather droll manner.