Ep 4. The Queen of Spain's Beard

Edmund Blackadder, a cunning and conniving English nobleman, returns in the fourth episode of the first season of the British historical sitcom Blackadder. In this episode titled "The Queen of Spain's Beard," Blackadder seeks to curry favor with the Spanish ambassador and win the hand of the Queen of Spain by procuring for her a rare and exotic artifact: a beard.

Blackadder learns of the Queen of Spain's peculiar obsession with beards and, in true Blackadder fashion, sees this as an opportunity for personal gain. He sets out to acquire the desired beard, which turns out to be attached to a band of Spanish ruffians who are not keen on parting with their prized possession.

With the help of his loyal (but hapless) servant Baldrick and the Queen's Chamberlain, Lord Melchett, Blackadder devises a plan to steal the beard and present it to the Queen as a gift. However, complications arise when the Spanish ambassador arrives unexpectedly and demands to see the artifact before it is presented to the Queen.

Blackadder finds himself in a race against time to secure the beard and prevent his plan from unraveling. Meanwhile, Lord Melchett's attempts to impress the Spanish ambassador with his knowledge of the Spanish language only serve to worsen the situation.

The episode is packed with witty one-liners and clever wordplay, as is characteristic of the Blackadder series. The plot is absurd and far-fetched, but that is part of the charm of this irreverent and entertaining sitcom.

Overall, "The Queen of Spain's Beard" is a fun and funny addition to the first season of Blackadder. Fans of the series will not be disappointed by the episode's hijinks and humor.