History Fridge / Blackadder

* In Blackadder Goes Forth, Captain Darling's TwitchyEye is a classic symptom of [[ShellShockedVeteran shell shock - or, in modern parlance, post-traumatic stress disorder.]] If he actually had been invalided out of active service already, just imagine how much each one of Blackadder's (years of) veiled insults must have hurt - not to mention General Melchett sending him back into the front lines to get pointlessly killed.

* Also, Darling's line in the final episode. "The Great War: 1914 to 1917". To think that this insanity will continue for yet another year is almost too awful to contemplate.

* In the episode "Dish and Dishonesty" in ''{{Blackadder}}'' the Third, Edmund says that he'll be back before the prince can say "antidisestablishmentarianism". It just seems like a long funny word, which the prince, who is an idiot, is unable to figure out how to pronounce before Edmund returns two days later. But, the word itself basically means "the movement of people against people who are against the establishment". Especially it refers to a 19th century political movement against the separation of the Church of England and the government. The prince is actually Prince Regent and thus effectively the head of the Church of England and the British sovereign, the whole series ([[AnachronismStew sort of]]) takes place in the early 19th century, and Edmund is going out to recruit an MP to support the Prince and oppose those who are seeking to remove him power--thus antidisestablishmentarianism is exactly what they are doing!

* Leia is shown giving Edmund a doll, looking like the Witchsmeller Pursuivant. Most likely, given company, it was made by Edmund's mother. At the end of the episode, it's revealed she was a witch. She gave him a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poppet poppet]] to kill the Witchsmeller with. It is a voodoo doll, and it is implied the Queen was in on it...

* In the episode "Dish and Dishonesty" in ''{{Blackadder}}'' the Third, Edmund says that he'll be back before the prince can say "antidisestablishmentarianism". It just seems like a long funny word, which the prince, who is an idiot, is unable to figure out how to pronounce before Edmund returns two days later. But, the word itself basically means "the movement of people against people who are against the establishment". Especially it refers to a 19th century political movement against the separation of the Church of England and the government. The prince is actually Prince Regent and thus effectively the head of the Church of England and the British sovereign, the whole series ([[AnachronismStew sort of]]) takes place in the early 19th century, and Edmund is going out to recruit an MP to support the prince and oppose those who are seeking to remove him power--thus antidisestablishmentarianism is exactly what they are doing!

* In "Chains", Lord Melchett gets the line, "As private parts to the gods are we! [[ADateWithRosiePalms They play with us for their sport]]. The joke here is not only a play on a famous line from ''Theatre/KingLear'' ("As flies to wanton boys, are we to the gods. They kill us for their sport."), it also plays on a thematically similar line from ''Theatre/TheDuchessOfMalfi'' ("We are merely the stars' tennis balls, struck and banded which way please them.") Note that Stephen Fry, who plays Melchett, went on to write a retelling of ''Literature/TheCountOfMonteCristo'' called ''Literature/TheStarsTennisBalls''.
* Queenie's court looks rather empty throughout the second season. When they made Black Adder Back and Forth they made it more inline with what one would expect. In universe though there's a perfectly reasonable explanation for this difference. Queenie says the modern Black Adder looks old which means he travels back to the start of her rein. By the time the series comes round her Queen of Hearts tendencies has made it so the majority of people have either lost their head already or are too terrified to even hang around and try to gain her favor.

* Near the end of "Goodbyee!", Edmund says, "The guns have stopped because we're about to attack. Not even our generals are mad enough to shell their own men. They think it's far more sporting to let the Germans do it." According to the Real Life section of TrialByFriendlyFire, the orders to walk slowly towards the enemy were intended to keep the troops behind the barrage of shells so they will have cover fire. By ceasing fire for the charge, the generals are just showing once and for all that they're deliberately trying to get everyone killed.

* Also, George's line in the final episode. "The Great War: 1914 to 1917". To think that this insanity will continue for yet another year is almost too awful to contemplate.

* Near the end of "Goodbyee!", Edmund says, "The guns have stopped because we're about to attack. Not even our generals are mad enough to shell their own men. They think it's far more sporting to let the Germans do it." According to the Real Life section of TrialByFriendlyFire, the orders to walk slowly towards the enemy were intended to keep the troops behind the barrage of shells so they will have cover fire. By ceasing fire for the charge, the generals are just showing once and for all that they're deliberately trying to get everyone killed.

* In "Chains", Lord Melchett gets the line, "As private parts to the gods are we! [[ADateWithRosiePalms They play with us for their sport]]. The joke here is not only a play on a famous line from ''Theatre/KingLear'' ("As flies to wanton boys, are we to the gods. They kill us for their sport."), it also plays on a thematically similar line from ''Theatre/TheDuchessOfMalfi'' ("We are merely the stars' tennis balls, struck and banded which way please them.") Note that Stephen Fry, who plays Melchett, went on to write a ''Literature/CountOfMonteCristo'' retelling called ''Literature/TheStarsTennisBalls''.

* What if Samuel Johnson's ghost took revenge on the Blackadder family by corrupting Ebenezer Blackadder so that he [[spoiler: wouldn't get the money from Queen Victoria]]?

* The [[spoiler: dying Blackadder]] in the last episode of season one should logically be [[spoiler: screaming in agony, after his genitals, ears and hands have been chopped off]]. He isn't. He does, however, seem to have no strength left and carries physical injuries. Now bare in mind that Gertrude was [[spoiler: a witch, who had used her powers to save her son's life before]] and another layer is added to the story. Of course if she did manage to [[spoiler: completely save his life]] she wouldn't have shown it at that time, so as to protect her own life. We will never know, as [[spoiler: she and Blackadder both drink poison and die]].

* Leia is shown giving Edmund a doll, looking like the Witchsmeller Pursuivant. Most likely, given company, it was made by Edmund's mother. At the end of the episode, it's revealed she was a witch. She gave him a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poppet poppet]] to kill the Witchsmeller with. It is a voodoo doll, and it is implied the Queen was in on it..

* In the episode "Dish and Dishonesty" in ''{{Blackadder}}'' the Third, Edmund says that he'll be back before the prince can say "antidisestablishmentarianism". It just seems like a long funny word, which the prince, who is an idiot, is unable to figure out how to pronounce before Edmund returns two days later. But, the word itself basically means "the movement of people against people who are against the establishment". Especially it refers to a 19th century political movement against the separation of the Church of England and the government. The prince is actually Prince Regent and thus effectively the head of the Church of England and the British sovereign, the whole series ([[AnachronismStew sort of]]) takes place in the earth 19th century, and Edmund is going out to recruit an MP to support the prince and oppose those who are seeking to remove him power--thus they are being antidisestablishmentarians!

* The [[spoiler: dying Blackadder]] in the last episode of season one should logically be [[spoiler: screaming in agony, after his genitals, ears and hands have been chopped off]]. He isn't. He does, however, seem to have no strength left and carries physical injuries. Now bare in mind that Gertrude was [[spoiler: a witch, who had used her powers to save her son's life before]] and another layer is added to the story. Of course if she did manage to [[spoiler: completely save his life]] she wouldn't have shown it at that time, so as to protect her own life. We will never know, as [[spoiler: she and Blackadder both drink poison and die]].

* "Blackadder Back and Forth" features the modern descendants of the entire main cast from different periods of history, assembled with a time machine in their midst. This creates infinite possibilities, especially with Lady Elizabeth who looks like she would travel back in time and pull a Prince Ludwig on Queenie in a heartbeat.

* In "Blackadder Back and Forth", Blackadder travels back in time and steals Robin Hood's girlfriend. In the second season Lord Flashheart, a descendant of Robin Hood, stole Blackadder's fiance.

* In the final episode of ''Blackadder Goes Forth'', Baldrick comes up with a "cunning plan" involving a splinter on a ladder. At first this seems like comedic NoodleImplements, but pay attention to what he says- he says "that's a rather nasty splinter on that ladder, '''someone could get hurt'''." His plan was essentially to do something to the ladder so that when Edmund climbed out of the trenches, the ladder would break and he'd fall, possibly breaking a leg in the process and getting sent to the hospital (and thus avoiding the dreaded "Final Push").

* Clearly it's not above Mr. Blackadder to take the Prince's identity when the opportunity arised, but after all, George promised him "everything", and Blackadder himself fulfilled his promise to die on his friend's behalf. Technically, he's only taking what was promised. The rest was Fate being kind to him.

* Each significant member of the Blackadder line is slightly smarter and more competent, building on the mistakes of the past, until he finally wins. Now it makes sense that Edmund I was a complete idiot!

* In the episode "Dish and Dishonesty" in ''{{Blackadder}}'' the Third, Edmund says that he'll be back before the prince can say "antidisestablishmentarianism". It just seems like a long funny word, which the prince, who is an idiot, is unable to figure out how to pronounce before Edmund returns two days later. But, the word itself basically means "the movement of people against people who are against the establishment". Especially it refers to a 19th century political movement against the separation of the Church of England and the government. The prince is actually Prince Regent and thus effectively the head of the Church of England and the British sovereign, the whole series ([[AnachronismStew sort of]]) takes place in the earth 19th century, and Edmund is going out to recruit an MP to support the prince and oppose those who are seeking to remove him power--thus they are being antidisestablishmentarians! - zrice03
* In the Blackadder Christmas Carol, I realised that it would have made ''no'' difference in status if Blackadder had been nicer and so gotten the money and a title from the queen - he was horrible so he didn't get it, but if he had been nice and gotten the rewards, he probably would have ended up giving it all up to the poor.

* In the episode "Dish and Dishonesty" in ''{{Blackadder}}'' Edmund says that he'll be back before the prince can say "antidisestablishmentarianism". It just seems like a long funny word, which the prince, who is an idiot, is unable to figure out how to pronounce before Edmund returns two days later. But, the word itself basically means "the movement of people against people who are against the establishment". Especially it refers to a 19th century political movement against the separation of the Church of England and the government. The prince is actually Prince Regent and thus effectively the head of the Church of England and the British sovereign, the whole series ([[AnachronismStew sort of]]) takes place in the earth 19th century, and Edmund is going out to recruit an MP to support the prince and oppose those who are seeking to remove him power--thus they are being antidisestablishmentarians! - zrice03

* Leia is shown giving Edmund a doll, looking like the Witchsmeller Pursuivant. Most likely, given company, it was made by Edmund's mother. At the end of the episode, it's revealed she was a witch. She gave him a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poppet poppet]] to kill the Witchsmeller with. When it was too late, the Queen did it herself - note the fact that the Witchsmeller burns alive without touching fire.

[[AC:[[{{Fridge/LiveActionTV}} Click here]] to return to the Live-Action Television FridgeBrilliance page.]]

* Leia is shown giving Edmund a doll, looking like the Witchsmeller Pursuivant. Most likely, given company, it was made by Edmund's mother. At the end of the episode, it's revealed she was a witch. She gave him a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poppet poppet]] to kill the Witchsmeller with. When it was too late, the Queen did it herself - note the fact that the Witchsmeller burns alive without touching fire.