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
The Black Adder (pilot episode) Robert Bathurst instead of Robert East. The rest of the cast (Atkinson, Tim McInnerny and Elspet Gray) were reunited for the commissioned series. It was directed by Geoff Posner, who was the director of the last series of "Not the Nine O'Clock News". The producer was the then head of Comedy Department, John Howard Davies but this was a temporary measure because John Lloyd, who had co-produced "Not The Nine O'Clock News" was working on a special with Pamela Stephenson. When the series was commissioned, Lloyd took over the producer's role. A unique instrumental version of the "Blackadder" theme by