Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
After four series of intricate insults and evasions, the farewell is plain. Blackadder can no longer talk his way out of what is coming, and for once he speaks to his companions without superiority or a hidden scheme. The words matter because of the people saying and hearing them: the comedy briefly makes room for an ordinary human goodbye.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for BlackadderShow the scene
These are Captain Blackadder's final spoken words in ‘Goodbyeee’, the last episode of Blackadder Goes Forth (1989). His attempt to escape the attack by pretending to be mad has failed. Blackadder, George, Baldrick and the newly arrived Darling wait at the trench ladders; a momentary hope that the guns have stopped because peace has come is quickly dispelled. Blackadder wishes the men luck, blows his whistle, and they climb out together.
Sources (2)
- Goodbyeee — episode subtitle transcriptBlackadder Goes Forth — Goodbyeee; quoted conversationReference checked
- Blackadder Goes Forth — WikiquoteGoodbyeeeReference checked
Context reviewed
