RETRO TV REVIEW: Blackadder’s Christmas Carol

Although I don’t regard myself as a huge fan of sitcoms, I consider Black Adder to be one of the more notable exceptions. The historical approach of the series, the generational aspect to each season, and the unique rapier wit of the dialogue set that show apart from most comedies of its type. The series has also aged remarkably well, representing some of the finest British comedy ever aired on either side of the pond. This is also perhaps the best work of comedic actor Rowan Atkinson, and his dynamic with Tony Robinson made for a natural comedic duo.

While the main Black Adder series is outstanding in its own right, especially during its last three seasons, the show also produced some specials during its run. One of the most interesting of these is Blackadder’s Christmas Carol, which was produced between the third and fourth seasons of Black Adder, arguably the peak era of the show. As one might surmise, Blackadder’s Christmas Carol was intended as a Christmas episode based on the classic Charles Dickens story. However, the brilliance of the episode is in its concept, an inverted twist on the Christmas Carol story. Where the Dickens story and its offshoots focus on the redemption of a rich miser, this version takes a uniquely Blackadder-inspired twist to the whole idea. In this episode, Ebenezer Blackadder, a descendant of the previous Blackadders in the earlier seasons, is a good man who becomes corrupted by the ghostly visitations at Christmas night. It is a deeply cynical take, but it makes perfect sense for a Blackadder story. The humor of the series flows between Blackadder’s wickedly razor-sharp wit and the madcap foolishness of the world around him.

The corruption of Ebenezer Blackadder is handwaved slightly, but he has a clear character arc. His reasons for turning bad fit with the cynical tone of the series—Ebenezer is taken advantage of by everyone around him and finally grows tired of it. He is also seduced by the legacy of his wicked forebears before him, as shown in ghostly flashbacks to Blackadder’s past incarnations from Seasons 2 and 3. The use of the ghostly spirit of Christmas to introduce Christmas-themed flashbacks works well as a framing device, allowing the Blackadder cast to reprise their earlier roles. It also allows for old favorites to return, including Lord Melchett and Queen Elizabeth from Blackadder the Second and Prince George from Blackadder The Third. The vision of the future, echoing the Ghost of Christmas Future, is ridiculous but cements Ebenezer on the dark path. The inverted structure of the classic story is distinctive but provides a good structure for the episode to work with.

At the same time, the series is also hilarious and succeeds on the comedic side. Series co-creator Richard Curtis and Ben Elton raise the bar in the comedic writing with the special, keeping to the high standards set by the regular Black Adder series. Even the earliest segments, with Rowan Atkinson as a saintly Blackadder, still manages to be compelling. Blackadder’s insults towards Baldrick in the early scenes are less the usual mean and vicious taunts, and more the friendly banter between close friends. Yet even with the change of the relationship, the Blackadder/Baldrick dynamic drives the comedy, with Baldrick’s stupidity giving Blackadder good comedic material to work with. The flashbacks to the previous seasons of Black Adder have the same energy of those seasons. It’s especially good to see Edmund Blackadder the Third in one of the flashbacks; the twisted Jeeves and Wooster vibe between Blackadder and Prince George was always entertaining in Season 3. This is also an episode where the setup makes the payoff all the more rewarding when it comes. The characters in the early scenes are so unsympathetic that by the end of the episode, it’s satisfying to see Ebenezer become fully a Blackadder and get his revenge on those who take advantage of him earlier. These moments are likewise wonderfully funny in addition to emotionally satisfying to watch. So while the Christmas episode itself is as un-Christmas-like as you could imagine, the execution is so entertaining and emotionally fulfilling that it doesn’t matter in the end.

Black Adder always had a tremendous cast, including some of the best British actors of the time, many of whom are household names today. Rowan Atkinson and Tony Robinson are the core of the series as Blackadder and Baldrick, and their relationship is at the center of the episode. Atkinson plays a number of different Blackadders in this episode, and he excels especially as Blackadder the Second and Blackadder the Third. However, Atkinson also sells the setup and transformation of Ebenezer Blackadder, convincingly getting across the character arc from saint to villain. Tony Robinson basically plays the same character with the various Baldricks, but it doesn’t matter, because he serves the role he needs to play—the foolish counterpoint to Blackadder’s wicked brilliance. Although they don’t interact much together in the episode itself, Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry were both accomplished comedians who were known for decades as a double act; they’re always funny together, but they also play off well against Atkinson individually. A pre-Hagrid Robbie Coltrane is perfect casting as the Ghost of Christmas Past, capturing the jovial giant persona of the character while evoking some of the Hagrid flavor that Coltrane does well. Miranda Richardson is both a strong dramatic actress and a good comedic actress, and that shows in her two roles in the vision sequences. Jim Broadbent and Miriam Margolyes also turn in a humorously credible performance as Prince Albert and Queen Victoria, both very true to their historical selves while being exaggerated for comedic effect. Even some smaller roles are filled by notable people; Doctor Who fans may recognize Nicola Bryant as Ebenezer’s annoying goddaughter, a surprising change from her portrayal of Peri Brown. This episode’s cast is a who’s who of great British comedic actors, all of them at their best on this show.

Even though the story’s content doesn’t fit the spirit of Christmas, Blackadder’s Christmas Carol is an episode I come back to every December. It’s a show that is extremely aware of itself, cynical while also laughing at how insane the world often is. It pokes fun at a classic story while also respecting the foundations of what Dickens wrote; the story pulls a twist on the formula, but it understands what it’s twisting and why it works. This is an episode created by some of the finest voices in British comedy during one of its strongest eras, including some of the greatest comedic actors working at the time. The result is a Christmas classic that shouldn’t work and yet it does so brilliantly. If you’re looking for something offbeat to watch for the holidays, Blackadder’s Christmas Carol should be on the list.

Score: 5/5

Writers: Richard Curtis and Ben Elton

Director: Richard Boden

Cast: Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry, Miranda Richardson, Jim Broadbent, Robbie Coltrane, Miriam Margolyes

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Steve Sellers

Steve Sellers had been a fan of superheroes ever since Superman: The Movie. But it took the JSA, the Legion of Super-Heroes, Dragonlance, Lord of the Rings, Twilight Zone, and Chris Claremont's legendary run on the X-Men to make him a writer and a longtime fan of comics, fantasy, and science fiction. Steve is the co-creator of WHITE DRUID & MICHAEL NERO and GUARDIANS OF ELAYIM for Omen Comics, and he is also the creator of BLITZ and SHOCKWAVE for Revelation Comics (an imprint of Omen Comics).