‘I have a cunning plan’ is the most recognised catchphrase from Blackadder. Let’s look at every cunning plan quote from every episode!
I have a cunning plan
The words ‘I have a cunning plan’ are perhaps the most recognisable from the Blackadder TV series. How many times were they used though, and who used them the most? Let’s take a look.
Blackadder Pilot Episode
The very first time that the words ‘I have a cunning plan’ were used, was in the unaired pilot episode of Blackadder. It was a great little scene (for anyone fortunate enough to have seen it!).
Baldrick’s Coffee T-Shirt
✓ Celebrate the legendary cunning brew from the trenches with this 'Baldrick's Coffee' T-shirt.
✓ How do you like yours, Darling? Ah, Cappuccino..
Also available in your local Amazon store. We may earn a commission from purchases you make after clicking links on this site
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on: 2024-12-05 10:29:37
Blackadder Series 1 Cunning Plans
Moving on to the first series of Blackadder, we start to see the word ‘cunning’ introduced in the very first episode.
Edmund: Those flags, Percy, are obviously just a cunning trick to deceive us into staying!
Baldrick: No, My Lord, I don’t think it is a cunning trick.
Edmund: Well, no, it’s not a particularly cunning trick, because we’ve seen through it! But obviously they thought it was cunning when they thought it out.
Whist this didn’t use the phrase ‘cunning plan’, we can see that it is well on its way!
Moving on to the second episode of Blackadder series 1, the ‘I have a cunning plan’ phrase from the pilot episode is revived.
Baldrick Cunning Plan
Baldrick (played by Sir Tony Robinson) is the first character to utter the words ‘cunning plan’.
Edmund: Ah, yes — a drawback. Yes… Perhaps we need something a little more cunning.
Baldrick: I have a cunning plan.
Edmund: Yes, perhaps, but I think I may have a more cunning one.
Baldrick: Well, mine’s pretty cunning, My Lord.
Edmund: Yes, but not cunning enough, I imagine.
Baldrick: Well, that depends how cunning you mean, My Lord.
Edmund: Well, pretty damn cunning. How cunning do you think I mean?
Baldrick: Well, mine’s quite cunning, My Lord.
Edmund: (fed up) Alright, then, let’s hear it! Let’s hear what’s so damn cunning!
Baldrick: Right, well, first of all, you get him to come with you–
Edmund: Oh yes, very cunning. Brilliantly cunning. I ask
him to come with me and then…then stab him, perhaps. How cunning can you get?
No Cunning Plan by Tony Robinson
✓ From Child Star to Comedy Icon: Discover Sir Tony Robinson's journey from a young performer in the original stage production of Oliver! to becoming the unforgettable Baldrick in Blackadder.
✓ Behind the Scenes Stories: Enjoy hilarious and surprising anecdotes, from being bullied by Steve Marriott and pushed into a dock by John Wayne, to writing and starring in Maid Marian and Her Merry Men.
Also available in your local Amazon store. We may earn a commission from purchases you make after clicking links on this site
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on: 2024-12-05 10:45:11
This is the cunning bit…
In the Queen of Spain’s beard, episode 4 of the first series, the word cunning is used again.
Edmund: Oh, please, please tell me what your plan is, please tell me, please tell me.
Percy: All right: I go along to the Infanta’s room and tell her that you’ve gone mad. She comes to the door, and you meet her disguised as a little pig. Then — and this is the cunning
bit — instead of saying `oink oink’, you say `mooooo’!
A cunning plan that can not fail…
In the Witchsmeller Pursuivant BlackAdder Series I, Episode 5, we get to hear about a cunning plan 3 times.
Edmund: Oh no, I’m doomed!
Baldrick: Wait a moment, My Lord! I have a cunning plan that cannot fail!
Edmund: Oh! What is it?
Edmund: Brilliant! (laughs, shakes Baldrick’s hand) Well done, Baldrick! Very cunning! You may capture the eagle, but you cannot clip its wings!
This one is our favourite though:
Baldrick: My Lord, I have a cunning plan.
Edmund: Oh, Baldrick! I think I might be able to stall him.
Cunning in its simplicity
In the final episode of the first series, The Black Seal, we get some final use of the phrase as Blackadder becomes King (briefly!).
EBA: Very well, the plan is simple.
WD I thought it was cunning.
ALL: Down with the plan.
EBA: Well….. it’s cunning in its simplicity. Tonight, I ride for home…
A 1980’s Childhood
✓ A Nostalgic Trip Back to the '80s: Revisit the iconic moments that defined your childhood, from solving Rubik's cubes in He-Man pajamas to making sound effects like Jones from Police Academy.
✓ Relive Iconic Pop Culture Memories: Recall the unforgettable wedding of Scott and Charlene on Neighbours, the thrill of watching Back to the Future, and other memorable '80s pop culture moments.
Also available in your local Amazon store. We may earn a commission from purchases you make after clicking links on this site
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on: 2024-12-05 09:53:25
Blackadder Series 2 Cunning Plans
Moving on to the second series of Blackadder, which is where Ben Elton took on the co-writing. In the very first episode, the phrase was used again, but not by one of the main characters. Instead, it was used by the Wise Woman.
W: Very well then. Three other paths are open to you. Three cunning plans to cure thy ailment.
After this, although the word ‘cunning’ was used in various episodes of the second series, the actual phrase ‘I have a cunning plan’ was not used again until the third series.
Blackadder Series 3 Cunning Plans
By the third series of Blackadder, the writers had clearly paid attention to which catchphrases people used in everyday conversations. The theme of a cunning plan really started to take off!
I’ve got a plan so cunning you could put a tail on it and call it a weasel.
I have a cunning plan, sir.
I’m I jumping the gun, Baldrick, or are the words “I have a cunning plan” marching with ill-deserved confidence in the direction of this conversation?
B: Don’t worry Mr B., I have a cunning plan to solve the problem.
E: Yes Baldrick, let us not forget that you tried to solve the problem of your mother’s low ceiling by cutting off her head.
Well, Your Majesty, I have a cunning plan which could get you out of this problem.
Really. Just tell him to meet me here at 5 o’clock, will you? To
discuss an extremely cunning plan. If all goes well by tomorrow the clan of McAdder will be marching back the high road back to glory.
So tell me cousin, I hear you have a cunning plan.
Blackadder Series 4 Cunning Plans
The final series of Blackadder is some of the funniest and well written comedy to ever come out of the UK.
Most people think of Baldrick cunning plan quotes from series 4.
It goes without saying that the phrase ‘I have a cunning plan’ was used multiple times! Here’s some of the best, including Baldrick quotes about cunning plans.
Baldrick: I’m carving “Baldrick”, sir.
Blackadder: Why?
Baldrick: It’s a cunning plan actually.
Blackadder: Of course it is.
Baldrick: Permission to speak sir.
Blackadder: Granted, with a due sense of exhaustion and dread.
Baldrick: I have a cunning plan to get us out of getting killed sir.
Blackadder: Ah yes, what is it?
Baldrick: Cooking.
Do not despair, sir. All my talk of food was just a dead herring. In fact, I have a cunning plan. This is not food, but an escape kit.
Not any-more sir. May I present my cunning plan.
I, too, have a cunning plan to catch the spy, sir.
This episode includes the very famous Baldrick cunning fox quote from Blackadder!
Baldrick: Well, I have a cunning plan, sir.
Edmund: All right, Baldrick — for old time’s sake.
Baldrick: I have a plan, sir.
Edmund: Really, Baldrick? A cunning and subtle one?
Baldrick: Yes, sir.
Edmund: As cunning as a fox who’s just been appointed Professor of Cunning at Oxford University?
Baldrick: Yes, sir.
Voice: On the signal, company will advance!
Edmund: Well, I’m afraid it’ll have to wait. Whatever it was, I’m sure it was better than my plan to get out of this by pretending to be mad. I mean, who would have noticed another madman round here?
Blackadder Cunning Plan Quotes
If you enjoyed this history of cunning plans, be sure to add it to your Pinterest board if you have one!
Also read: Blackadder Best Insults
