The Builders

Hire the cheapest contractor, and (usually) get even less than what you hoped for. Basil and Sybil decide to block off a couple doors and put in a couple new doors instead - the notoriously bad construction company in town, run by airhead Mr. O'Reilly, is hired by Basil because they work for cheap. All hell breaks loose when the Fawltys go away for the weekend, during which time O'Reilly's men do great damage to the hotel lobby. The incomparable (and always underweight!) David Kelly does splendidly as unscrupulous O'Reilly, who has about as much knowledge of construction as a garden gnome. This episode shows Sybil at her most caustic, "nest of vipers" self - Basil and O'Reilly don't stand a chance against her when she catches a glimpse of the remodel. John Cleese has stated that this episode is probably the weakest of the series - but there really is no weakness. The situation itself was perhaps not one that would evoke much comedy, but it has its great moments, such as the bit where Manuel gets attacked by Basil when he can't figure out how to get into the dining room because the door is missing...then, as usual, the Major comes in and puts the icing on the situation, wondering what's going on. BASIL: "Well, I was silly enough to leave the hotel for a few minutes."

I always thought this was a great episode for fans of Manuel, Sachs is super funny, thrown to the wolves by Basil as he battles with O'Reilly's hapless team of builders.

David Kelly is terrific as the useless O'Reilly, but it's the annoyance and frustration that Sybil feels towards her husband for trying to get the job done on the cheap. I love how utterly zany Miss Gatsby and Miss Tibbs were. Best scene must be Sybil battering Basil and O'Reilly with her umbrella.

It's not my favourite, but along with the first episode, it helps to cement Fawlty Towers place as the ultimate comedy.

My main criticism of this particular episode is that is has been placed way too early in the life of the series. We haven't had nearly enough time to get sufficiently accustomed to the hotel's interior structure, and one of the primary scenes wants us - alongside Basil - to be deeply shocked by how there is now a door at the stairway, and a door still being present next to the reception area. Also saddens me to bits but i have to say this is a weaker Manuel presence compared to anything else in any other episodes. It is just chuck full of those if you love the series, lovable but not very well landing scenes and bits to it. The drawing is of Mr. Fawlty huh, well would have been great to actually see it. The overall acting is not yet very defined, the two permanent old lady guests give the kiddiest acts, Basil is a bit raw at certain places. But the main Irish builder guy is a stand-out performance, and while Sybil is obviously afraid to hit hard enough is great at the end. Overall thee least great episode, definitely not the one to initiate someone to Fawlty Towers, you will ruin the show for someone if you do that.

I like the bit where the builders did a really bad job

Having established the characters in the opening episode, The Builders sees John Cleese and company in riotous full swing, their impeccable situation comedy resulting in a barrage of non-stop laughs.

This time around, Basil is tasked with arranging some building work on the hotel while he and his wife Sybil are away for a couple of days. Rather than hire a reliable builder, as Sybil suggests, Basil goes for the cheaper option, cowboy outfit O'Reilly's. The results are, unsurprisingly, far from perfect, and when Basil comes home to check on the work, he slips into panic mode, afraid of what his wife will say.

Priceless moments abound, with a hilarious pair of dotty old women who inexplicably adore Basil, and hapless Manuel left in charge of the hotel while the far more capable Polly takes a nap. But the best moments are, of course, all Basil's, John Cleese performing some wonderful histrionics guaranteed to entertain.

Best line: 'Cloth-eared bint'.