The End
In the final scene of the series, Blackadder shows the first (and, so far, only) sign of bravery (or resignation) from any Blackadder in the series. Finally deciding that continuing to avoid battle would be just as futile as taking part, he accepts his fate and leads an equally frightened Captain Darling, Lieutenant George and Private Baldrick over the top of the trench and out into no man's land for the 'Big Push'. His final recorded words, uttered while standing in the trench with Darling, George and Baldrick (along with the infantry company he commanded), were "Good luck, everyone." after which he blew a whistle. Blackadder is believed to have been killed in action after going over the top, though his actual fate is uncertain.
In a 2005 BBC documentary series showcasing some of Britain's favourite sitcoms, The Blackadder edition of the series, presented by John Sergeant, revealed that the original ending of this series had Baldrick, George and Darling unambiguously killed. While Blackadder himself only feigned death and survived.
In the documentary "Blackadder Rides Again", the unedited version of the ending is shown where Blackadder lies down and plays dead, getting up only after the gun-fire stops with the rest of the advancing troops dead.
At the dinner party at the beginning of Blackadder Back and Forth (1999), a portrait of Captain Blackadder is positioned on the wall behind the present Blackadder. See Blackadder Hall.
Captain Blackadder also has a cameo in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Black Dossier, fighting at the Battle of Mons.
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Famous quotes related to the end:
“Until the end of the Middle Ages, and in many cases afterwards too, in order to obtain initiation in a trade of any sort whatever—whether that of courtier, soldier, administrator, merchant or workman—a boy did not amass the knowledge necessary to ply that trade before entering it, but threw himself into it; he then acquired the necessary knowledge.”
—Philippe Ariés (20th century)
“It is seen
At the end that the kind and good are rewarded,
That the unjust one is doomed to burn forever
Around his error, sadder and wiser anyway.
Between these extremes the others muddle through
Like us....”
—John Ashbery (b. 1927)