That's how I perceived it then.
Now I realise that we are in fact experiencing all of the other episodes of Blackadder Goes Forth, and not just the dramatic and poignant final scenes. We are living day by day with uncertainty and the vague dread fear of something happening, but it not happening Quite Yet. In the meantime we shoot the messenger (er, pigeon) and come up with endless cunning plans.
Some of us are doing a fine imitation of George, infinitely chirpy and positive, always looking on the bright side, until finally the time comes when we have to ask permission for our lower lip to quiver.
Some of us are in a Blackadder/Darling face-off with colleagues or friends, where people who are closer to the Front Line are dismissive of those sipping the General's wine in the fancy chateau up the road . There is a oneupmanship afoot. "I work harder than you and I'm better than you and I deserve the box of Roses more than you". This, of course, simply stems from the exhaustion of working without sufficient support and acknowledgement, and is entirely self-destructive for both parties.
We like to think there are some General Melchetts up the ranks somewhere, dithering doddery idiots who we can blame for the PPE mess-ups, or testing failures, or nursing home tragedies. The truth is there probably is no moustachioed buffoon on whom all the blame rests. It was probably simply a product of a very, very difficult situation.
We may be tempted to try Blackadder's trick of feigning madness in order that we will be sent home from the Front. The irony being, of course, that it is the mad ones who stay. The more burnt out we get, the harder it is to make the wise decision to step back and take a break.
Captain Flashheart and co are great for the telly, and sure fair play to them, Virgin Media would be lost without their sage and learned advice.
As for Baldrick, well, we'll always need someone who can rustle up a quick cappuccino...
