 Following a spate of kidnappings, Queen Elizabeth declares that she will no longer pay the perpetrators their ransom demands. Almost immediately, Edmund Blackadder and Lord Melchett are kidnapped by the demented German spy Ludwig, who may have more on his mind than just money. Knowing that the Queen will not pay for their release, Blackadder and Melchett must outwit their half-wit captors in order to escape.