Blackadder Series 1, episode 5: Witchsmeller Pursuivant
The Plot:
It is a time of plague and omens in the kingdom. In this atmosphere of paranoia, the Witchsmeller Pursuivant is called to court, to sniff out the chief witch and bring an end to the country’s bad luck. Inconveniently, the Witchsmeller decides that Edmund is the Chief Witch, and that Percy and Baldrick have something a bit witchy about them, too. Just as the boys are about to burned at the stake, the Witchsmeller spontaneously combusts - as if by magic. It seems that, when Edmund’s mother said she “hasn’t had any power for years”, she may have been exaggerating.
Moment of pure evil:
Edmund is not particularly evil in this episode, but the Witchsmeller Pursuivant is very evil indeed. And the Queen turns out, somewhat unexpectedly, to be a witch. But a nice one.
This week’s most interesting fact:
In 1495, there was a wise saying which went: “a rat a day keeps the plague away.” Come to think of it, it wasn’t such a wise a saying.
Quotes:
Blackadder: I’ve just been hearing about your work in Taunton. Imagine that - every single person in the village having an affair with the same duck.
Blackadder: I have erred and strayed like a lost ox… I have coveted my father’s adultery… I have not always honoured my neighbours ass.
Percy: Only this morning in the courtyard I saw a horse with two heads and two bodies.
Blackadder: Two horses standing next to each other?
Read the other episode guides:
Series 1:
1. The Foretelling
2. Born to Be King
3. The Archbishop
4. The Queen of Spain's Beard
5. Witchsmeller Pursuivant
6. The Black Seal
Series 2:
1. Bells
2. Head
3. Potato
4. Money
5. Beer
6. Chains
Series 3:
1. Dish and Dishonesty
2. Ink and Incapability
3. Nob and Nobility
4. Sense and Senility
5. Amy and Amiability
6. Dual and Duality
Series 4:
1. Captain Cook
2. Corporal Punishment
3. Major Star
4. Private Plane
5. General Hospital
6. Goodybyeee
These guides were brought to you by the BBCi Comedy website.
|
Home
Start a new conversation