Blackadder II (TV Series) Head (1986) User Reviews

Edmund becomes Lord High Executioner

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 24 January 2015]

When the Lord High Executioner accidentally signs his own death warrant there is only one man to replace him; Lord Edmund Blackadder. It is not a job he wants as everybody who gets the post seems to end up dead. Once introduced to his team; Mr Ploppy, the gaoler; Mrs Ploppy (no relation), the 'last meal cook' and Baldrick the executioner he gets down to the business of getting heads removed. In order to free up the rest of the week he has all the condemned men executed in one go… this wouldn't be a problem but the wife of one wants to visit him and the Queen says that Edmund will be executed himself if he doesn't comply; something that may be tricky given that the man no longer has a head! He must think fast if he is to survive.

This episode has similarities to series one's 'The Archbishop' in that Edmund gets a job that could get him killed; the way it is executed, forgive the pun, is quite different though. There are plenty of laughs to be had, starting with Edmund's efforts to teach Baldrick to count and going on to his attempts to hide the fact that he had somebody executed prematurely. The scene where the wife meets her 'husband' is priceless… especially when Baldrick comes in just as the lady was going to give 'one last treat'! Rowan Atkinson does a fine job as the cunning Blackadder and Miranda Richardson is a treat as the somewhat immature Queen Elizabeth.

Very strong episode with great comic situations

[snoozejonc · 9/10 · 25 January 2021]

Lord Blackadder is appointed Lord High Executioner.

This is a very funny episode that creates superb black comedy situations and character moments.

Blackadder has the unenviable task of overseeing the execution of all traitors to the crown. From this premise Richard Curtis and Ben Elton give us a number of farcical situations that Edmund is dragged into, along with Percy and Baldrick of course.

The writing is as strong as ever, with the usual fabulous banter between the central three characters and some great characterisation of Queen Elizabeth as a spoilt child who's whimsical temper tantrums can easily result in death. It's a very effective satire of how fragile life could be in a time when Monarchs wielded so much power.

All performances are fantastic, particularly Rowan Atkinson, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Miranda Richardson and Holly de Jong.

For me its and 8.5/10, but I always round upwards for IMDB.

One of my favorites from Series Two

[ericksonsam60 · 9/10 · 7 February 2015]

After the Lord High Executioner dies by accidentally signing his own death warrant, Edmund is appointed to the position. However, things go completely awry for him when he decides to move up the execution of Lord Farrow from Wednesday to Monday.

This episode is extremely funny as well as cleverly scripted. The opening scene is complete gold with Edmund's attempts to teach Baldrick adding while commenting on Percy's new ruff ("You look like a bird who swallowed a plate"). We also get to meet a jailer and a last meal cook who both happen to be called "Ploppy." From then on, it is one great comic twist after another. The whole scene where Edmund has to pose as Lord Farrow while wearing a bag over his head is utterly hysterical. Not only is Rowan Atkinson is in great form during this part but Tim McInnerny's Percy also shines, particularly in his conversations with Lady Farrow such as when he suspects her of being gloater.

"Head" is smashing episode and has all the classical ingredients that make "BlackAdder" great. You certainly can't go wrong with it!

Even after a hundred views it still has me belly laughing.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 10/10 · 15 January 2016]

After attempting to teach Baldrick how to count, The Queen gives Edmund the dubious job of becoming High Executioner after the last one was killed. Edmund alters the schedule, and all manner of disasters follow. Lady Farrow wishes to see her husband and gets the Queen's permission, but he's already had the chop. Edmund faces execution for breaking the Queen's command and has to devise a cunning plan to ensure Lady Farrow sees her husband.

'Ointment that's what you need when your head's been cut off,' that's one of my favourite lines of all time. The scene of Edmund's impersonation of Lord Farrow is a moment worthy of a few rewinds, comedy platinum.

One of the very funniest episodes from Series 2, gloriously acted, utterly hilarious, dark, witty, there literally aren't enough superlatives that can be thrown at this episode, it is an absolute gem, madcap, laugh out loud funny.

The usual cast are on flawless form, wonderful, but the supporting cast also provide huge laughs, Linda Polan, Holly de Jong, Bill Wallis all just wonderful.

I love sarcasm, and this episode is overloaded with sarcastic humour, if it's your thing too you will be belly laughing. 10/10

"Head" perhaps the best Series 2 episode.

[general-melchett · 10/10 · 1 September 2006]

"No-one's ever going to believe we've just cut it off, it's gone GREEN!"

"Head" is perhaps the best episode of Series 2 of Blackadder. It is funny, clever, and finally depicts Baldrick as being just a stupid moron, which is why everyone likes him. The Queen, Nursie and Lord Melchett don't have such a strong role in this episode as others, the episode revolving around Blackadder himself, but this actually makes it better. Blackadder and Percy steal the show, but it is Baldrick who gets them into trouble. The episode seems more authentic than the first one - lots of heads were cut off in Tudor times, and yes, the Lord High Executioners were killed. This episode beats "Bells" hands down for being funny, clever, and disastrous for the terrible trio all in one episode - it is surprising how the second happens to be possibly the best of the series. There are no special appearances in this, but as I said a few lines up - this actually makes it better.

If you are a fan of Blackadder, then "Head" certainly won't disappoint! A cracking watch! 10/10

Among the best...

[planktonrules · 10/10 · 2 June 2010]

Had it not been for the previous episode ("Bells"), then "Head" would have been the best show of the second series. It was delightfully dark and twisted--and therefore very funny.

The show begins with daffy Queen Elizabeth making Blackadder her royal executioner. The job is dreadful and it's made worse by his new assistants--who are as gross and annoying as old Baldrick. In a time-saving move, Edmund decides to just kill three condemned men now instead of waiting--which causes HUGE problems when, first, one of the men has a visit from his wife and, second, when Elizabeth herself pops around to visit another of the condemned men.

Well written, stupid and full of nasty humor--this one is a keeper!

Oops

[bevo-13678 · 10/10 · 2 April 2020]

I like the bit where he was interrupted at a very inopportune moment. Damn.

Head

[Prismark10 · 10/10 · 28 November 2020]

Edmund Blackadder is appointed the Lord High Executioner. A job where you end up quickly getting the chop if Queen Elizabeth is displeased.

When Blackadder decides to improve efficiency, He discovers that he might have executed a few people a little too early. Queen Elizabeth shows mercy on one prisoner.

It is a case of carry on don't lose your head.

It starts off with Blackadder trying to teach Baldrick some basic arithmetic. It takes a detour with fashion and the size of a ruff.

Blackadder tries to do impressions of the prisoners with a bag on his head and nearly gets an unexpected bonus.

Another crude, rude funny episode. There is even a nod to Dad's Army as Lord Percy shouts 'We're doomed.'

Great fun but some bits can be hard to watch sometimes.

[zacpetch · 8/10 · 2 December 2014]

Having established itself properly in the previous episode, this episode starts with a quick reminder of how Blackadder and Baldrick have been re-characterised into the comedy traditions we know and love.

One of series two's funniest moments is the opening scene from this episode as Edmund tries to teach Baldrick about adding (the ape creature of the Indies have mastered this) using beans and getting such results as 'some beans', 'some beans and that one' and the best of all 'a small casserole'. To you, Baldrick, the Renaissance was just something that happened to other people wasn't it? Where WERE you three years earlier, Elton?!

The plot gets going quickly as Blackadder is given the job as the new minister for religious genocide (i.e. Lord High Executioner), something a later Edmund will do again in a way in "The Cavalier Years", but we don't actually see or hear any executions this time.

That's not really what "Head" is about though. The story we're told is about how he chops someone's block off two days early only for the victim to get an early reprieve. Edmund knows someone'll have to be punished, telling Percy "Let's face it: It's you." How kind.

Cunning plans come thick and fast from there as Edmund goes to get the head only to be interrupted by the Queen (PERHAPS YOU'D LIKE TO WALK WITH ME A WHILE IF YOU'RE NOT TOO BUSY!!!) forcing him to hide the head behind him, dumping it in his trousers as one does, then trying to pass himself off as the dead man with a bag on his head and with his missing arm and booming voice so that pumpkinny-wumpkinny will believe her husband hasn't died yet.

The best moments include the Ploppies, Melchett's list of candidates and everything Percy does standing atop his box and getting ignored.

Great episode overall, but only worthy of 8/10 because it does turn into farce at times with is never a good thing for such an intelligent show as Blackadder.