The lowdown: For the uninitiated, "Blackadder" is widely considered to be one of the best British comedies of all time.
Indeed, a television poll in 2004 saw Blackadder voted the second best British sitcom ever. The show encompasses four
series and several one-off specials, made between 1983 and 1999. The series told the story of the Blackadder character
(played by Rowan Atkinson) and his descendants in various periods of English history, beginning in 1485.  In the first 
series, we are introduced to Prince Edmund, a snivelling fool who eventually adopts the title of The Black Adder (after 
considering calling himself The Black Vegetable). The subsequent three series were set in the Elizabethan era, the 
Regency period and World War II. In 1999 the story was brought up to modern times with "Blackadder: Back and Forth",
set on the eve of the millennium.

"Blackadder 2" is set in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Lord Blackadder is the great-grandson of Prince
Edmund, who is always trying to impress the Queen. Baldrick (Tony Robinson) and Lord Percy Percy (Tim McInnerny)
are the only returning character from the first series. Other regulars include Miranda Richardson as Queen Elizabeth, 
Lord Chamberlain Lord Melchett, Elizabeth's former nanny Nursie. "Potato" is the third episode of the series, Sir Walter
Raleigh is the talk of England after his return from his voyage. In order to impress the Queen and marry her, Blackadder
declares his intention to sail around the Cape of Good Hope. He charters the ship of Captain Rum (Tom Baker) and sets
sail with Baldrick and Percy on a voyage so dangerous that nobody expects them to return alive. 

Tom Baker is brilliant in this episode, playing the mad Captain with a large red beard and no legs. It is worth watching
the series just for his performance (although "Blackadder" is such a great series that you do not need an excuse to 
watch it!). This is probably Tom Baker's best known role after Doctor Who, and shows that he is a great character actor.

Trivia: Fans of classic British comedy will recognise Simon Jones (aka. Arthur Dent in "The Hitchhikers' Guide to the 
Galaxy") as Sir Walter Raleigh.

Quote:
Captain: 'You have a woman's legs!  I'll wager those legs have never been sliced clean off by a falling sail and swept into
the sea before your very eyes!'

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