Blackadder the Third (TV Series) Dish and Dishonesty (1987) User Reviews

Good start to the third series!

[general-melchett · 9/10 · 31 October 2006]

Blackadder is back - and he's just as good as ever. The absence of Stephen Fry and Percy Percy may put a slight damper on things, but Hugh Laurie's role as the stupid Prince George makes up for this loss with hilarity and character. Baldrick is just as stupid as ever, and Blackadder's sharp, dry wit and sarcasm are just as hilarious as they ever were. The third series is off to a good start, and is probably the most historically accurate of them all.

This episode takes a slight while to get properly funny, but is strong on introducing character from the start - Mrs. Miggins is another new character - though she isn't hilarious or particularly significant, she does give the series some spark (we've heard her name a few times in the second series). Pitt the Younger is also funny, and there isn't a single weak scene in this episode. The plot is intelligent, and the sets are grander and better-designed than in Series 2 - it captures the Regency period very well. Of course, it isn't absolutely hilarious, but it is good, and is a good start to a great series. The script may not be absolute genius, but Blackadder's charm is in its constant hilarious lines and non-stop humour, and on that tone, it succeeds.

On the whole, this episode is good - Ben Elton has once again done wonders for Blackadder. Bravo! 9/10

A great way to start the Third series

[ericksonsam60 · 9/10 · 21 November 2015]

In this first episode of "BlackAdder The Third", Rowan Atkinson returns as Mr. E. Blackadder who is Butler to the thick-headed Prince Regent (Hugh Laurie, in what is by far his funniest performance), the son of Mad King George. Tony Robinson is also back too as the lovably stupid Baldrick. Here, Blackadder must be political schemer as the Prince faces the threat of being bankrupted by William Pitt the Younger in an upcoming vote.

Just as everyone has already stated, it is a wonderful first episode. Its script is immensely funny and full of delicious political satire. Illustrates how people can play dirty to win in a poor region or in this case "a rotten borough" or that they could have such idiotic candidates like the one from the "Standing at the Back Dressed Stupidly and Looking Stupid Party." The scene where both the Prince and Blackadder make fun of William Pitt is cracks me up every time and how can you not laugh when you here the words "Sod Off."

"Dish and Dishonesty" makes for one of best episodes in this third series as well as one of the better episodes in the entire "BlackAdder" series overall.

Blackadder is back; this time in Regency England

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 23 May 2015]

Blackadder is back for a third series; in this incarnation he is butler to the Prince Regent. The prince is clearly a buffoon but he is also Blackadder's meal ticket. Unfortunately this may end soon as Prime Minister, Pitt the Younger, is fed up with the prince's profligacy and intends to have him removed from the civil list and thus bankrupted. With the vote on a knife edge Blackadder finds an easily corrupted MP… who promptly dies. This leaves an empty seat in a rotten borough; Blackadder fixes it so Baldric can be made an MP; surely nothing can go wrong now.

This episode quickly and efficiently introduces us to a new era and to some new characters. Rowan Atkinson and Tony Robinson are back as Blackadder and Baldrick; their characters much the same as they were in 'Blackadder II'. Percy is no longer with us but has been replaced by Hugh Laurie's Prince George; a character of similar intelligence who on the strength of this will be an entertaining character. The story is funny with plenty of good laugh out loud moments; the highlight being Vincent Hanna appearing as his own great great great grandfather to give the election report. Overall this was a solid introduction to the third series that left me looking forward to future episodes.

I agree...a good start to the series.

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 4 June 2010]

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.

Edmund's not a Lord anymore...

[zacpetch · 8/10 · 1 December 2014]

Probably series three's most forgettable outing, but still a strong entry and not the worst of the third series. This introduces us to the series three regulars at fast pace so as to get down to business quickly. Just as well, since there's a lot to do in the half-hour.

The new Blackadder is much more cunning than his predecessors and arguably his successors also and the new Baldrick is even stupider than ever before. The Prince is also an idiot and this is our main cast. Just the three of them and this leads to new situations that 1 & 2 didn't really get into in the same kind of way.

This episode sees the trio try to get a new MP elected, Baldrick of course, so that Pitt the Younger can't strike the Prince off the civil list for his stupidity. Edmund does this by replacing the voter in a rotten borough and putting Baldrick into the house of commons. Pitt doesn't let this stop him when he tricks Baldrick into voting against George anyway, so in order to stop the Lord Privy-Toastrack the prince recruits a new lord so as to stop the vote going through. Hence we are introduced to an interesting role-reversal: The Lord Sodoff Baldrick MP. Blackadder is not a lord this time but his servant is.

Ever the exaggerated show, Pitt the Younger is a schoolboy doing his O-Levels, Edmund's robes of state made from cat-skin belonging to Lord Nelson's mistress (complete with collars and name tags) and Baldrick manages to spend £40000 on a turnip. Is this show getting a bit too silly? No it isn't because all this is perfectly believable in the world of Blackadder thanks in no small way to the wonderful writing of Ben Elton.

This isn't the most memorable episode, but it's still enjoyable enough. The highlights include the other political parties and Bladrick's MP application form.

I also love the incredibly catchy new ending theme.

One more thing: The Standing At The Back Dressed Stupid & Grinning Stupidly Party has the same colours as UKIP. I wonder if Farage knows that...?

Nose

[bevo-13678 · 10/10 · 2 April 2020]

I like the bit where he spent all that money on socks

Dish and Dishonesty

[Prismark10 · 10/10 · 14 January 2021]

Given the gap between Blackadder and Blackadder II.

I was surprised to see Blackadder the Third return so quickly to the television screens. Just over a year after the broadcast of the second series.

Set in the Regency period. Edmund Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson) is the butler to the foppish and idiotic Prince Regent (Hugh Laurie) who is only slightly more intelligent than Baldrick.

The first episode sees Blackadder trying to rig a by-election. All to stop petulant teenager William Pitt the Younger's plans to stop the government giving money to the Prince.

Unfortunately for Blackadder. He has picked the turnip obsessed Baldrick as the candidate.

Rather topically this episode was broadcast just a few months after the 1987 General Election. So Ben Elton and Richard Curtis get to have a bit more fun with their political jokes especially the ones about corrupt politicians.

Even Vincent Hanna who was then the BBC's by-election correspondent appears at the count. He gets to interview the sole voter in the rotten borough, Mr Blackadder.

The comedy is more subtle this time but again it is very witty and at times with biting satire. It is also more noticeable that Blackadder gets more intelligent and more cunning in each new series.

There has also been some cast changes with Hugh Laurie and Helen Atkinson-Wood having main roles.

Some years later Ben Elton gave an interview where he talked about writing for the series. He mentioned that Rowan Atkinson had the right to veto one joke in each episode of Blackadder on the grounds that his mother would not like it.

He only ever exercised that right once. It was in this episode where he had to wear a robe with fur that was made out of cats. Something about being up to his neck in Mrs Miggins pussy!

Very strong start to the third series with great historical political satire

[snoozejonc · 10/10 · 29 January 2021]

Prince George is targeted by Prime Minister William Pitt to be struck off the civil list, prompting Blackadder to dabble in British politics.

I enjoyed this first episode for how it establishes a new set-up, with more of the classic series dialogue and excellent performances.

This story introduces a new central trinity of Blackadder, Baldrick and Prince George (in place of Percy) and shows how Blackadder exploits and manipulates the pair of them. The plot themes of government v monarchy and the democratic system Britain had in place prior to the great reform are fascinating subjects done in a very humorous way.

From the very first scene we have a barrage of brilliantly sharp one-liners from Blackadder, as virtually every character in the episode continually says or does things to set him up for a pitch perfect delivery of a punchline or repost.

Rowan Atkinson is brilliant, delivering every word with venomous wit in the most contemptuous way imaginable. Hugh Laurie plays George as a dim-witted, posh buffoon and Tony Robinson has plenty to do as Baldrick and does it effortlessly well.

It felt slightly shy of perfect so I score it 9.5/10 and round upwards.