Blackadder
The Black Seal
TV Flash files “The Black Seal” as the last listed hour of season 1 — Blackadder (1983–1989) on BBC One, season 1, episode 6, aired 1983-07-20, 30 min.
From the desk
How this hour is filed
This leaf is S01E06: listed hour 6 of 24 in the Blackadder guide, last listed hour of season 1. It aired 1983-07-20 (30 min). The listed hour before it is “Witchsmeller Pursuivant” (S01E05). Next is “Bells” (S02E01).
Catalog log
Broadcast listing — not a TV Flash recap.
Edmund makes a pact with the six most evil men in the kingdom in a bid to seize power. However, he is thwarted by the arrival of his nemesis, who imprisons him in a dungeon with Mad Gerald. When he eventually gets free, Edmund sets his original plan in motion - but have his co-conspirators stayed loyal?
Viewer FAQ
Where does The Black Seal sit in the Blackadder guide?
S01E06 is listed hour 6 of 24 — last listed hour of season 1, season 1 episode 6.
When did Blackadder S01E06 air?
The Black Seal aired 1983-07-20 and is listed at 30 minutes.
Do I watch in historical order?
The series eras escalate: medieval, Elizabethan, Regency, then the trenches. Start anywhere for the snark; finish in the mud. Goes Forth's last episode still drops the floor out of the joke.
In the series
Why this series still plays
Rowan Atkinson's historical snark escalator: medieval, Elizabethan, Regency, then the trenches. Baldrick's cunning plans, Hugh Laurie's upper-class vacancy, and a final Goes Forth episode that still drops the floor out of the joke. Peak 1980s UK comedy export — start anywhere, but finish in the mud. Tony Robinson's dogsbodies are the secret engine.
The escalator is the form. BBC, 1983–1989 across four series eras: cunning antihero Blackadder schemes through English history with idiot sidekick Baldrick — medieval snark to a WWI gut-punch. Blackadder is Rowan Atkinson with Tony Robinson, plus Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie in rotating upper-class vacancy, from Richard Curtis, Atkinson, and Ben Elton. Escalating quality across series; global cult via PBS and video. Baldrick's cunning plans as eternal meme. If you came for a blotter item about a finale that still…
Filed against
- Rowan Atkinson as Edmund Blackadder
Rowan Atkinson’s Edmund Blackadder rode a historical snark escalator from medieval to the trenches — Baldrick’s cunning plans, a Goes Forth closer that still drops the floor — then traveled without a translator as Mr. Bean’s almost-silent…
- Tony Robinson as Baldrick
Tony Robinson’s Baldrick turned Blackadder’s historical snark escalator into cunning plans that never were — medieval, Elizabethan, Regency, then the trenches. Rowan Atkinson’s sneer needed a servant with a turnip for a scheme. TV Flash…
- Stephen Fry as Melchett / various
Stephen Fry’s Melchett bellowed Blackadder’s historical snark — upper-class vacancy beside Atkinson’s insult escalator, a Goes Forth closer that still drops the floor — then entered The Dropout’s turtleneck scam as prestige limited-series…
- Hugh Laurie as George / Prince Regent
Hugh Laurie’s George / Prince Regent made Blackadder upper-class vacancy a blood sport — 1980s catalog historical snark, then House stretching the instrument into a cane, Vicodin, and a whiteboard America could not quit. TV Flash files…