Ep 2. Born to be King

In season 1 episode 2 of the British sitcom Blackadder, entitled "Born to be King," we see our crafty protagonist, Edmund Blackadder, striving to climb the social ladder while working as the right-hand man to Prince Harry (played by an unrecognizable Robert East), son and heir to King Richard IV (Brian Blessed).

The episode begins with King Richard IV announcing to the court that Harry will soon be crowned as the next king of England. However, Edmund quickly realizes that Harry is far from fit to rule the kingdom. He is naive, clueless, and childlike in his behavior. He'd rather play with toys than learn anything about leading a kingdom, and he constantly needs adult supervision to perform even the simplest of tasks.

Edmund sees an opportunity to manipulate Harry's weakness and elevate his own status. He offers to tutor Harry in how to be a king, much to the surprise and skepticism of the other courtiers, who doubt Edmund's qualifications. However, Harry trusts Edmund and eagerly agrees to his proposal.

Edmund's tutelage begins, and it's clear that he is using Harry as a puppet to gain power for himself. He teaches Harry how to walk, talk and behave like a proper king, but he also plants cunning ideas in his mind for his own advantage. For example, he suggests that Harry should declare war on France, knowing that the entire kingdom would turn to Edmund for help in the war efforts.

Meanwhile, King Richard is suffering from a nervous breakdown and is unable to perform his kingly duties. His loyal but dim-witted servant Baldrick (played by Tony Robinson) suggests that a witch be brought in to cure the king. Edmund, ever the opportunist, decides to disguise himself as the witch and extort valuable goods from the king.

As the day of the coronation approaches, Edmund's schemes reach a climax. He has convinced Harry that he will need a chancellor to guide him in his ruling, and of course, Edmund has positioned himself to be the only candidate.

The coronation itself is a disaster. Harry is terrified and unable to deliver the traditional speeches that are required of him. Edmund steps in and delivers a rousing yet fake speech instead, garnering high praise and adoration from the crowd. It is clear that Edmund has achieved his dream of becoming the most powerful man in England, but at what cost?

"Born to be King" is a darkly comedic episode that showcases the ruthless ambition of Edmund Blackadder. It's a sharp commentary on the inherent flaws of the monarchy and the lengths that people will go to gain power and influence. The script is full of witty one-liners and the performances by the cast are superb. The chemistry between Edmund and Harry is particularly entertaining, as we see Edmund manipulating the innocent Harry for his own gain.

Overall, this episode is a great example of the clever writing and top-notch acting that makes Blackadder such a beloved sitcom.