Ep 6. The Black Seal

In BlackAdder season 1 episode 6, titled The Black Seal, the cunning and ambitious Edmund BlackAdder gets assigned by the Queen to secure a treaty with the Spanish, who are threatening to invade England. Edmund, being the self-serving man that he is, sees this as a perfect opportunity to enrich himself and schemes to double-cross both the Spanish and the Queen's emissary, Lord Melchett, who he despises.

Edmund tries to impress the Spanish ambassador with a lavish banquet, but it soon becomes clear that the ambassador is not interested in making a treaty with England and is instead using the embassy as a cover for his Spanish Inquisition torture chamber. Edmund's attempts to sabotage the treaty negotiations only worsen the situation, as the Spanish ambassador becomes increasingly suspicious of him. Meanwhile, things go awry back at court when Lord Melchett discovers Edmund's plan and decides to take matters into his own hands.

As tensions rise, Edmund finds himself on the brink of being discovered by both the Spanish and the Queen's men. He enlists the help of his dim-witted servant, Baldrick, and his lovestruck friend, Lord Percy, to forge a secret pact with the Spanish to betray the English. However, things don't go as planned, and Edmund is forced to rely on his wits and cunning to salvage the situation and prevent an all-out war between England and Spain.

The episode is full of witty one-liners, clever wordplay, and outrageous slapstick comedy. Rowan Atkinson shines as Edmund BlackAdder, a conniving anti-hero who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. His interactions with the other characters, including his foppish friend, Lord Percy, and his clueless servant, Baldrick, are hilarious and often absurd. The episode is also notable for its Monty Python-esque visual gags, such as the Spanish Inquisition torture chamber disguised as a gift shop, and the Spanish ambassador's flashy costume changes.

The Black Seal is a prime example of BlackAdder's signature blend of dark humor, historical satire, and absurdity. It's a fun and entertaining watch that will leave you chuckling long after the credits roll.