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<blockquote data-quote="Crimson" data-source="post: 440009" data-attributes="member: 5079">One great advantage of watching this show with no foreknowledge is not having any preconceived notions of which episodes are well regarded by the fans or even on this discussion.&nbsp; To me, this seems like the most intricately plotted episode so far -- a web of lies, every detail of which pays off by the end.&nbsp; This is also a rare instance of Basil getting away with something, although presumably not so much once he let Sybil out of the cupboard. It&#039;s true this isn&#039;t one of the episodes where the quartet is used equally, but Sybil being off screen in a huff is essential to the plot.&nbsp; Basil, Polly and&nbsp; Manuel all had such great comedic moments that I wasn&#039;t going to quibble about Sybil&#039;s screentime having to be sacrificed for the plot.Certainly not the only actor of the era to use a bad combover for comedic effect -- Zero Mostel in THE PRODUCERS springs to mind -- but still curious to me.&nbsp; Men who were self-conscious enough about balding to have a combover but also willing to mock their own hairstyle; an odd mixture of vanity and self-deprecation.&nbsp; The nature of being an actor, I suppose.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Crimson, post: 440009, member: 5079"] One great advantage of watching this show with no foreknowledge is not having any preconceived notions of which episodes are well regarded by the fans or even on this discussion. To me, this seems like the most intricately plotted episode so far -- a web of lies, every detail of which pays off by the end. This is also a rare instance of Basil getting away with something, although presumably not so much once he let Sybil out of the cupboard. It's true this isn't one of the episodes where the quartet is used equally, but Sybil being off screen in a huff is essential to the plot. Basil, Polly and Manuel all had such great comedic moments that I wasn't going to quibble about Sybil's screentime having to be sacrificed for the plot. Certainly not the only actor of the era to use a bad combover for comedic effect -- Zero Mostel in THE PRODUCERS springs to mind -- but still curious to me. Men who were self-conscious enough about balding to have a combover but also willing to mock their own hairstyle; an odd mixture of vanity and self-deprecation. The nature of being an actor, I suppose. [/QUOTE]

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