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<blockquote data-quote="Crimson" data-source="post: 440036" data-attributes="member: 5079">And we conclude with the 12th episode, &quot;Basil the Rat&quot;.&nbsp;&nbsp; While I don&#039;t expect this will make it into my top 5 and I didn&#039;t find it among the funniest episodes, I do think perhaps it&#039;s the most quintessential FAWLTY TOWERS.&nbsp; All of the elements of the show are firmly in place here.&nbsp; Each of the four leads are vital to the plot and have moments of comedy.&nbsp; Even the secondary characters of Terry, the Major and the old ladies have their moments.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; Watching pieces of veal fall on the floor, partially eaten by a cat, possibly poisoned, retrieved from the garbage -- well, I&#039;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.&nbsp; Old time productions were&nbsp; not always scrupulous in avoiding animal cruelty.&nbsp; I liked that were wasn&#039;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&#039;t expected the final episode to be any kind of conclusion or finale.&nbsp; 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.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Crimson, post: 440036, member: 5079"] 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. [/QUOTE]

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