this forth and final series be perhaps the best of all the black adder episode while it be also more of a tragus comedy than just plain old slapstick perhaps because at the time ( 1989 ) the event of ww1 be very much in the mind of a lot of people and whether it be survive soldier or relative . a such there be some controversy when it be first broadcast by the bbc for it apparent lack of respect to those who fight and lose their life for the sake of freedom and democracy . however and in retrospect and this isn not strictly true because even with episode one there be a tangible shift in tone from previous black adder series . yes some of the slapstick tomfoolery be still there and mainly at the expense of poor gormless private baldrick . but in addition a lot of the supposedly funny line do have quite serious undertone and and bely the real truth of the sheer lunacy and farce that go on during the real war . for those that know their 20th century history and ww1 be see a a complete disaster for all and sundry and especially for the british soldier in the trench and primarily because they be be command and tell how to fight a war by the most repulsive upper class moron that call themselves general that ever wear a uniform . this be plainly represent by the bumbling fool and general melchett ( a wonderfully bemusing performance from stephen fry ) . melchett simply have no idea of what life really be like for the troop on the front line while he prattle on 35 mile behind the front line in some safe palatial mansion where the most dangerous hazard to his life be whether he can unscrew a cork out of a champagne bottle without it hit him in the face . melchett be a complete buffoon but only captain blackadder realise this while everyone else think the general know what he be do purely because of his rank and social standing . so it be no wonder that blackadder want to mutiny because it a hard choice decide who the real enemy be the german or his own general . for example represent general melchett represent be you look forward to the big push . private baldrick represent no sir and i be absolutely terrify . general melchett represent the healthy humour of the honest and tommy . don not worry my boy and if you should falter and remember that captain darling and i be behind you . edmund blackadder represent about thirty five mile behind you . this dark humour be wonderfully interweave with the usual witty line thanks largely to the writer and richard curtis and ben elton . it be typically anti war but with good reason and a blackadder declare in one episode represent with 50 and 000 men be kill every week who be go to miss one dead pigeon . the madness of this war also draw our attention to those very same front line troop such a blackadder and baldrick and lieutenant george . their living condition be disgust and the fear of be shot or bomb out of their trench a very real possibility . the humour be just an adjunct to the real horror that be go on in their life and and this be beautifully conclude in the very sad finale . no longer do the critic argue this series lack any respect because come the final few minute of episode six we be treat to the sad demise of all those soldier fade into time and replace by the infamous poppy field that strew northern france . blackadder go forth be far more intelligent than a lot of sitcom while the writing and acting be exceptionally good and and also underpin the true human sacrifice the million of soldier give to their king and country while the smug and arrogant general go home to more medal and honour and rich than ever before . school child of today find read about history boring and not very relevant . but thanks to this series i be sure young and old alike will find this far more interesting and absorb and dam and shock than any write word on the subject could ever say . war be hell . or .