The Great British Sitcom: Fawlty Towers

[Crimson]

For me it generally feels middling. It's Fawlty Towers so it's going to be good, but I've never felt this one to be peak Fawlty.

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.

With Sybil largely absent from the central parts of the episode it's in some ways not a perfectly balanced ensemble episode.

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.

I've seen him in some other things and he usually bears the Friar Tuck with sideburns look that balding men typically wore during the era, but I'd say the combover was definitely for comic effect.

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.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

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.

And that lack of foreknowledge of expectation is what's making this a delight to follow. In an ideal world, everyone would be able to enjoy any experience without knowing what to expect, but that's increasingly difficult with reviews and online spoilers and - in the case of a 51 year old series which is so well-known - some form of osmosis.

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.

Glad to hear it.

 

[Crimson]

And we conclude with the 12th episode, "Basil the Rat". While I don't expect this will make it into my top 5 and I didn't find it among the funniest episodes, I do think perhaps it's the most quintessential FAWLTY TOWERS. All of the elements of the show are firmly in place here. Each of the four leads are vital to the plot and have moments of comedy. Even the secondary characters of Terry, the Major and the old ladies have their moments. The plot follows the now familar structure of a mundane situation being complicated, resulting in escalating confusion and chaos.

Although Fawlty Towers was obviously shabby, the condition of the kitchen was unexpectedly deplorable. Watching pieces of veal fall on the floor, partially eaten by a cat, possibly poisoned, retrieved from the garbage -- well, I've always been a bit skeptical about how food is handled in the back of kitchens and this did nothing to soothe my paranoia.

I was relieved that the cat and the rat were both handled delicately. Old time productions were not always scrupulous in avoiding animal cruelty. I liked that were wasn't clarity about whether Manuel named his rat Basil as a sign of endearment or loathing for Mr Fawlty.

With only 12 episodes and given the flinty nature of the comedy, I hadn't expected the final episode to be any kind of conclusion or finale. With few exceptions, I prefer that approach for ending shows; life goes on, we are just no longer privy to watching the misadventures.

I will ponder the series for a day or two prior to sharing my final ranking and postscript thoughts.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

And we conclude with the 12th episode, "Basil the Rat".

It's come round too quickly in many ways, but it's exciting to think you've now completely watched the series beginning to end.

I've always been a bit skeptical about how food is handled in the back of kitchens and this did nothing to soothe my paranoia.

Same here. Some of those scenes make for uncomfortable viewing.

I liked that were wasn't clarity about whether Manuel named his rat Basil as a sign of endearment or loathing for Mr Fawlty.

Given Manuel's affection for his "Siberian Hamster" I lean towards the former. Either that or he acquired the pet at a time when he had just arrived and it was the only British name he knew.

With only 12 episodes and given the flinty nature of the comedy, I hadn't expected the final episode to be any kind of conclusion or finale.

It's pretty typical of British sitcoms - especially in this era - to simply end without any kind of acknowledgement. There are some exceptions, but most tend to be of the "life goes on" variety.

I will ponder the series for a day or two prior to sharing my final ranking and postscript thoughts.

I'm looking forward to this.