Basil the Rat

I recently watched season 1 of Fawlty Towers because I realised that I had not actually done so for quite some time. Yes the episodes were fresh in my head and I could easily quote sections of it but this was mostly down to seeing it used on clip shows etc. Coming to season 2 it was quite telling that only one or two of the episodes provide these clips because, put simply, the second season of the show is not quite as good as the first. The structure is the same and it is still very good but several of the episodes are of a slightly lower standard and are obviously so due to the very high standard of the series as a whole and the majority of the episodes here.

Just so I can get my slightly reserved negativity out of the way, the specific problem I had was that a couple of the episodes seemed to rely on rather crude and obvious sexual material that would be more befitting the Carry On series than this. Specifically the psychiatrist episode suffers from this. This is one episode but it happens a few times in others but generally they are strong enough to carry it. The situations are exaggerated and silly but this suits the character of Basil, here with the tragic nature of him played down slightly and the clown aspect played up. Each episode is one long panic and they are mostly very funny as events spin out of control. The writing here focuses on these events and reactions and, while still very funny, it must be said that there is less in the way of depth in terms of the deference to class, the snobby attitude and "tragic" nature of Basil – again all this is sort of played down to a certain extent.

This criticism (minor as it is) is also an afterthought because mostly I was laughing at the comedy and the speed of it. The Anniversary episode didn't quite pull it off but the first episodes (with the hard of hearing woman and the missing money) starts things off really well and is followed by strong episodes such as the Waldorf Salad one and of course the one with the health inspector and Basil the pet rat. The cast play up to it very well but the star is of course Cleese. Although he has a little less substance than before, he has done a lot of the work already so it doesn't show as a gap and he nails the physical comedy each and every time. Each reaction and each line is bang on and he is very funny to watch. Booth has a bit more to do and is funny for it but Sachs' is the most improved and is very funny again. Scales is good and a bit less separated from the mayhem than before as a character, while Hall's chef is a solid addition that helps some of the narrative.

Season 2 may not be as good as I thought the first season was but it is still hard to fault and it is only in a few minor aspects that it doesn't work. Otherwise it is as frantic, as funny and as well written as it is famous for being and it is well worth revisiting if all you've done is see it as clips over the last few years.

I'm Not Saying that this is my favorite episode of Fawlty Towers but I'd like to say that this is by far the funniest episode of the entire Fawlty Towers Series I do loving see this one. Unless you're a fan of the Simpson's or futurama you'll love watching this fable episode and enjoy every second of it. hey if you like fawlty towers watch this one it's funny as hell. Basil the Rat is most likely the key to the funny side of the show and or episode plus basil fawlty and manual are very talented comedians though i like to call them the mario bros. talented episode 8/10 and to all you fellow Americans out there there is no excuse for criticising this show

Without question the funniest chapter of the series, and in this case my favorite, too. So many subplots, so much going on in this time slot (making the episode appear somewhat longer and yet adding to the viewer's enjoyment) that one wants to just stand up and cheer at what's been achieved by Cleese and his most capable crew. The acting is outstanding, every cast member is fully engaged in this show. John Quarmby is particularly memorable as he rattles off one bed-and-breakfast violation after another (it comes to 17, I believe, depending on how you count), apparently without the benefit of cue cards. That's just the start; there are surprises from beginning to end. If you've been lukewarm to or even turned off by British humor in the past, see this one episode of Fawlty Towers. Chances are it'll make a convert out of you.

After a couple of somewhat disappointing episodes, Fawlty Towers finishes in style with the brilliant Basil The Rat, which offers up lots of crazy comedy and a cute furry critter to boot. After a health inspector declares that the hotel doesn't come up to standard, he give Basil twenty-four hours to address all of the problems. This means not just cleaning the kitchens, but also getting rid of Manuel's pet hamster, in reality, a brown rat.

Instead of taking the rat away, Manuel keeps it in the shed, but accidentally allows the animal to escape. A desperate Basil and his staff try to locate the rodent before the hotel inspector, back to check on the improvements, sees the animal and closes down the hotel.

Madcap humour abounds, much of it revolving around the preparation of veal which might just have rat poison on it, but the best moment is saved for the very end, when the rat pops up in a tin of biscuits, right before the inspector's very eyes. Classic stuff and a great way to end the series.

My favourite episode of the series.

Instead of using Sybil as the antagonist, this has all the regulars in league to pass the health inspection. The story uses each regular well - each doing what makes that character funny.

John Quarmby is great as the inspector and the scene where he rattles off the list of infractions to reaction shots from Basil and Polly and Sybil is fantastic.