Blackadder: the Whole Damn Dynasty , I've got to admit, it struck me as something to read just from the title alone. Primarily, this is just a book of all the scripts of all the episode - excluding the one-off special for the millennium, because that had't been made at the time. However, it deviates from being just a script book, into being something quite different by the fact that it fills in the gaps of all the Blackadder family members that we don't see, but are sometimes referenced in episodes. We find out how the line survived to when it did, and how each generation seemed further down the pecking scale than the one before, each story being told with the same humour you could expect from an episode proper All in all, the book makes for a great read. Somehow just reading through the scripts brings the voices of all these fantastic characters jumping back into your head, and you can't help but grin at some of the stage direction as well. In my opinion, it is a book that's well worth getting a copy for any fan of comedy in general. Also, if possible, can someone explain to be how "Goodbyeee" is somehow more poignant written down?

Published in 1999, this book consists of all episodes from series one to four. Blackadder's Christmas Carol (1988) is missing for some reason which means this isn't exactly complete. There is extra material in the form of a history of the blackadder family and various other bits. The scripts are well presented and are still funny but I did find it interesting that the writers who were at the forefront of the alternative comedy scene and were part of the effort to reform comedy in the 1980's felt comfortable at the time to use certain phrases and attitudes. They might have removed the 1970's mother in law or sexist remarks type humour but its surprising what is still there. There are a lot of references that would be problamatic if the scripts were brand new now. And no doubt the writers themselves would not use those words now anyway. Times change. This is still very funny but it does feels strange to say of a show that ended in 1989 that it's of it's time! If you aren't used to reading scripts it can take a little time to get the knack of it but these are well done and the book is a very welcome (if not entirely complete) addition to my shelves. Right. Back to baldrick's cunning plans...

Now, don't get me wrong I am a huge fan of this series and ca't help but kill myself laughing whenever I watch them (even when I know what's going to happen), but I just couldn't get into the reading of this at all. I loved the extra scenes and lines that have been kept in comparison to the final cut and I really enjoyed the bonus material (especially the Index of Blackadder's Finest Insults) but I just find without the actual actors portraying these characters something is lost (this could just be my inability to really picture it as I read it, or the speed at which I read, who knows) and I just didn't find it as laugh out loud funny as the TV series itself. Having said that though, if you're one for reading scripts and other such material and/or and avid fan of the show I would certainly recommend you get stuck in.