Blackadder Series 3, episode 3: Nob and Nobility
The Plot:
It seems that everyone in Britain is mad with admiration for the Scarlet Pimpernel, who has been bravely rescuing French aristocrats from the clutches of evil revolutionaries. The scornful Blackadder accepts a bet from the foppish lords Smedley and Topper that he can rescue an aristo himself. Of course, actually going to France would be insanely dangerous, so Blackadder simply picks up a French toff at Mrs Miggins’ coffee shop. Tragically, when Blackadder turns up at the French Embassy with Le Comte de Frou Frou he discovers that it has been taken over by revolutionaries. They are saved by Lord Smedley, who turns out to be the Scarlet Pimpernel’s right hand man. The Pimpernel himself is Lord Topper - who was disguised as Frou Frou all along.
We hail Prince George:
George: I intend to wear the most magnificent pair of trousers ever to issue forth from the delicate hands of Messrs Snibcock and Turkey, Couturiers to the Very Wealthy and the Extremely Fat.
Insult of the week:
Blackadder: (to Baldrick) You are last in God’s great chain. Unless there’s an earwig around here you’d like to victimise.
1766 and all that:
The forces of Revolutionary France invaded Britain but decided to advance no further than the French Embassy. We also learn in this episode that the Guillotine, terrifying agent of revolutionary justice, was named after a hideous crone called Mme La Guillotine, who bore a marked resemblance to Neil from the Young Ones.
Quotes:
Blackadder: You see the ancient Greeks, your Highness, wrote in legend of a terrible container in which all the evils of the world were trapped. How prophetic they were. All they got wrong was the name. They called it ‘Pandora’s Box’, when of course they meant ‘Baldrick’s Trousers’.
Ambassador: I hate you English. With your boring trousers and your shiny toilet paper and your ridiculous preconceptions that Frenchmen are great lovers. I’m French and I’m hung like a baby carrot and a couple of petits pois.
Blackadder: Am I jumping the gun, Baldrick, or are the words ‘I have a cunning plan’ marching with ill-deserved confidence in the direction of this conversation?
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.
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