Blackadder Goes Forth from the front, and Melchett's bureaucratic assistant, Captain Kevin Darling (Tim McInnerny). Despite the two being of equal rank, Blackadder treats Darling with contempt—while the former is on the front line, the latter is "folding the general's pyjamas". Their animosity is mutual, largely as a result of Blackadder exploiting the comic potential of Darling's surname at every opportunity. "Blackadder Goes Forth" is more satirical in tone than the previous three "Blackadder" series and most sitcoms, taking the opportunity to present an anti-war message. The dialogue is marked throughout by satirical musings about the nature of the war, its origins and
Blackadder: Back & Forth and photographs of historical scenes, edited to contain a Blackadder, accompanied by a full orchestral version of the Howard Goodall's "Blackadder" theme. The closing theme is a reprisal of the heroic version of the first series, with new lyrics sung by Giles Underwood; the lyrics appear onscreen with Blackadder's head as a bouncing ball. At Blackadder Hall in 1999 Lord Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson) is entertaining three guests on New Year's Eve. He informs them he has invented a time machine and wagers £10,000 each that he can bring back any item from history they ask for. Archbishop Melchett (Stephen Fry),