The Anniversary

I like the bit where he pretends to forget but she gets really angry

Basil gets what he deserves as he attempts to throw Sybil a surprise Anniversary Party, but neglects to tell her, she of course gets the hump. This episode has some hugely funny moments, and some wonderfully sarcastic dialogue. A wonderful cast, with some hugely memorable performances, who can forget Roger and Alice, gloriously played by Ken Campbell and Una Stubbs, or Pat Keen's Virginia. It's funny all the way through, but the best moment must be where Basil and his Anniversary guests troop in to see a Polly disguised and Sybil, only to end up with all manner of injuries.

The sequences of Terry and Manuel fighting, and the moment where Basil is caught out for lying has me in stitches. It really is a joy. 9/10

Basil pretends to forget his wedding anniversary in order to surprise Cybil with a nice meal and a party.

This episode is all about Basil losing control of a situation and trying to rectify it by telling some outrageous lies. In true Fawlty style his pretence keeps spiralling out of control until it becomes and utter farce. The more the plot unfolds the less control he has and the more trouble he is likely to be in with Cybil.

There is only really one joke to it but it is a funny situation and John Cleese is as manic as ever playing Basil on the verge of disaster, whilst delivering his funny one-liners and making both Polly's and Manuel's lives extremely difficult.

Basil is planning a surprise party for his 15th wedding anniversary, having invited Sybil's friends over to help celebrate; unfortunately, Sybil believes that Basil has forgotten and leaves. To avoid embarrassment, Basil concocts a story about his wife having fallen ill, but this only causes more problems, with Polly having to pretend to be the sickly Sybil.

I thought that the story in the previous episode felt very forced, and the same thing applies here: why would Basil lie to his friends about Sybil having left the building? They would probably find the whole situation rather amusing and would be able to corroborate Basil's story should she arrive, but then that wouldn't allow for the craziness that ensues, would it?. Once again, the humour doesn't flow naturally.

With only one more episode to go, I can almost certainly say that the first series is far superior overall.

This was one episode of Britain's classic sitcom I'm very much familiar of yet can't say for sure it's my current favourite episode.

I could be wrong that this is seemingly the only Fawlty Towers episode without hotel guests or service even though Major appears briefly.

This is bit the opposite to Keeping Up Appearances episode "Hyacinth is Alarmed" with husband Richard - Basil pretends to forget his wedding anniversary to Sybil as he's planned friends to have drinks later on their arrival.

Unfortunately, Sybil has taken off, definitely angry thinking Basil has genuinely forgotten.

I really don't think I like how Basil lying about Sybil is actually very sick concocting idea even with Polly posing as Sybil in bed.

Rest in peace to several characters including Ken Campbell as guy Roger - one who made the Basil Brush reference with "Broom, broom!".