George (Blackadder)

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George
Duel and Duality" (series 3)
"Goodbyeee" (series 4)
Portrayed byHugh Laurie
In-universe information
OccupationPrince regent (series 3)
Lieutenant (series 4)
NationalityBritish
Alma MaterUniversity of Cambridge (series 4)

George is a supporting character who appeared in various adaptations of the

typecast
.

The first incarnation of the character was a caricature of George, Prince of Wales, serving as one of the three main characters of the third series. The second, Lt. The Hon. George Colthurst St Barleigh, was a young officer in the British Army during World War I, a supporting protagonist in the fourth series. Both portrayals were of "dim-witted upper-class twits",[1][2] who depended greatly on Edmund Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson). The character garnered positive responses from critics.

Personality

Both Prince George and Lt. George are portrayed as dim-witted "upper class twits".

King George III,[4] Prince George is represented as a childish, spoiled, bumbling fool who spends money extravagantly (especially on impressive trousers and socks).[5][6] Lieutenant George, stationed in the trenches of World War I,[7] retains his enthusiastic naiveté, despite being stuck in the trenches for three years, revealing a lack of awareness of the seriousness of his circumstances; Robert Bianco of USA Today stated the character "smiles through in the face of certain death".[4]

Both men are portrayed as very incompetent,

Duel and Duality," the final episode of the third series, after a sexual encounter with the Duke of Wellington's nieces, this princely incarnation of George is struck in the chest by a point-blank shot from the vengeful Wellington's pistol and killed, Wellington having become increasingly exasperated with George's behavior, not realizing that George and Blackadder had switched identities. George briefly awakes, believing that he may have a cigarillo case on him that deflected the blow, but when he realises that he must have left the case at home on his dresser, promptly falls dead again in Baldrick's arms; Blackadder, disguised as the Prince Regent in order to take his place in the duel with Wellington, takes George's place to become George IV
.

George's incarnation as Lieutenant

General Melchett (Fry), an old family friend.[16] Melchett even offers George a way out of the trenches for the "final push", which he refuses, much to Blackadder's incredulity. Although George is shown to have benefited from his background of privilege, he still remains a generally kind and hopeful individual, and shortly before the big push at the end of the final episode George finally expresses some genuine fear and sadness that he may indeed die.[14]

In the 1989 sketch

Lord Blackadder is his agent and manages to persuade him to condense his new play Hamlet
.

Awards and decorations

In the series, Lieutenant George is seen wearing the following ribbons:

Military Cross 1914 Star Croix de Guerre
(France)

Development

George IV of the United Kingdom, who served as prince regent between 1811 and 1820.[19] Laurie had previously guest starred in the final two episodes of Blackadder II, making his debut appearance in the episode "Beer" as Simon Partridge and then the series finale episode, "Chains" as the main antagonist, Prince Ludwig the Indestructible, an evil German master of disguise later responsible for killing all the members of the court[2] and the producers decided to cast him in the role of Prince George.[13] Laurie's physical appearance differed significantly from that of George IV, who was obese during the time of his regency.[20] Writers Ben Elton and Richard Curtis were unfazed by this, referring to George as "a fat, flatulent git", an appropriate description for the real Prince rather than Laurie.[5][21]

Laurie was supposed to wear a monocle as Lt. George, the character's second incarnation, but eventually decided against it after it kept falling out of his eye.[2] Laurie reprised the role of Prince George in the Christmas special Blackadder's Christmas Carol, and portrayed a new character, Lord Pigmot, set in the distant future.[22] He also appeared in the millennium special Blackadder: Back & Forth, playing the Roman Consul Georgius and the modern day Major George Bufton-Tufton, The Viscount Bufton-Tufton.[23][24] Although no new series or specials were made, the creators of the series have commented on various proposals over the years;[25] one possibility was a film in which the main characters return as a 1960s' rock band, with George playing the guitar and keyboard.[26] Curtis later said Laurie's international success with House would make a new Blackadder installment difficult.[27]

Reception

George, as well as Laurie, drew positive responses from critics. Tara Ariano and

Sarah Bunting of Television Without Pity considered Laurie one of the best actors in the series' cast.[28] Richard Barber of People lauded Laurie's performance as George as "hilarious" and "brilliant".[29] David Smith of The Guardian highlighted the pathos of the performance, writing that Laurie's performance as Lt. George, as he was about to go over the top to his death, "elicited tears of both laughter and grief".[30]

References

  1. ^ a b Fulton, Rick (18 January 2006). "A Whole Hugh Me". Daily Record. Retrieved 26 April 2009.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g White, Roland; Curtis, Richard (23 September 1989). "Oh, What an Ugly War". Radio Times. London, England: Immediate Media Company. pp. 4–5.
  3. ^ Baxter, Sara (10 April 2005). "Hugh Laurie hits America's funny bone". The Times. London, England. Retrieved 26 April 2009.
  4. ^
    Gannett Company
    . Retrieved 26 April 2009.
  5. ^
    Dish and Dishonesty". Blackadder the Third. Series 3. Episode 1. BBC
    .
  6. ^ Staff (18 January 2006). "In praise of ... Hugh Laurie". The Guardian. London, England. Retrieved 26 April 2009.
  7. ISBN 0-8386-3702-7
    .
  8. Rolling Stone. New York City: Wenner Media LLC. Archived from the original
    on 20 June 2008. Retrieved 4 April 2009.
  9. Nob and Nobility
    ". Blackadder the Third. Series 3. Episode 3. BBC.
  10. ^ Salem, Rob (15 November 2004). "Belligerent doctor makes House calls; New character for British comedian". Toronto Star. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Toronto Star Newspapers Ltd.
  11. Ink and Incapability
    ". Blackadder the Third. Series 3. Episode 2. BBC.
  12. ^ Lawson, Mark (12 May 1991). "Guilt and the goggle-eyed gargoyle; Embarrassed but unspoilt by his success as upper-class twit, Hugh Laurie is making the best of being a good sort". The Independent. London, England: Independent Print Ltd. p. 14.
  13. ^ a b Cast and Crew of Blackadder (25 December 2008). Blackadder Rides Again (Television Broadcast). BBC Two.
  14. ^ a b c Curtis, Ricard; Elton, Ben (2 November 1989). "Goodbyeee". Blackadder Goes Forth. Series 4. Episode 6. BBC.
  15. ^ Montgomery, Sue (12 March 2006). "Racing: The week Nicholls has to stay a jump ahead". The Independent. London, England: Independent Print Ltd. Archived from the original on 29 December 2010. Retrieved 26 April 2009.
  16. ^ Curtis, Ricard; Elton, Ben (5 October 1989). "Corporal Punishment". Blackadder Goes Forth. Series 4. Episode 2. BBC.
  17. ^ Staff (21 May 1999). "More bite than Blackadder". London, England: BBC News. Retrieved 26 April 2009.
  18. ^ Haneke, Ross (7 June 2005). "House call aids cut Price blues". The Age. Melbourne, Australia: Fairfax Media. Retrieved 27 April 2009.
  19. ISBN 978-0-19-926164-2
    .
  20. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press
    .
  21. ^ "Blackadder the Third". BBC. Retrieved 27 April 2009.
  22. McClatchy
    . p. SC5.
  23. ^ "From Baldrick to The Buzzcocks, from Mr Darcy to Siouxie Soux, the latest DVD releases capture the best of British culture, says Darryl Webber". Essex Chronicle Series. Essex, England: Local World. 7 October 2005.
  24. London, England
    .
  25. ^ Staff (20 June 2006). "Blackadder Returns". Time Out. London, England: Time Out Group. Archived from the original on 5 May 2009. Retrieved 27 April 2009.
  26. Glasgow, Scotland: Reach plc
    .
  27. Evening Echo. Cork, Ireland: Thomas Crosbie Holdings. 30 January 2006. Archived from the original
    on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 27 September 2009.
  28. ISBN 978-1-59474-117-3
    .
  29. ^ Barber, Richard (17 April 2005). "Star Chat: Plastic surgery?". People. New York City: Meredith Corporation.
  30. ^ Smith, David (24 April 2005). "Doctor Hugh". The Guardian. London, England. Retrieved 27 April 2009.

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