Right, so I'm now onto my 2nd and last part of my top 5 Fawlty Towers episodes and in this episode I will look at my pick of the best and the runner up spot.
So, let's take a look....
P.S. I am just trying to get this post uploaded before the end of the night, so I will have 5 posts for the month and I will continue to add to it in December!
2. Hotel Inspectors (Series 1) "Sppppppppoooonns!!!"
Right, so in second place is this hilarious episode "Hotel Inspectors" from the first series, which sees Basil face the prospect of having the hotel being inspected after Sybil hears some gossip from her friend that apparently there are some hotel inspectors in town. However one of the guests, Mr Hutcheson (Bernard Cribbins) arrives, who has a rather bossy outward nature and when he mentions in his job he is in "constant contact" with hotels, Basil automatically suspects him to be a hotel inspector.
However what ensues is a escalation of calamities for Basil as he soon finds out that Mr Hutcheson isn't in fact a hotel inspector but works in the spoon trade as a salesman and this sets him on a vengeful frame of mind. And from here its not long before things end rather badly in different ways for both men.....
THOUGHTS
Hotel Inspectors is an undeniably great episode and one of the funniest in the series and it also features some clever moments too, such as the one where Basil tells Mr Hutcheson to shut up but Polly convinces Hutcheson that Basil actually told her to shut up. So, as Mr Hutcheson says "If you say "Shut up" to somebody, - that's the one you want to shut up, isn't it?!" and Polly says "Well not necessarily". And from this point on Basil and Polly talk alternately to each other without looking each other while looking at Mr Hutcheson when they are not acknowledging each other. Its a clever scene and must have taken ages for them to rehearse!
The episode also works so well thanks to a great performance by Bernard Cribbins, the uppity and fussy Mr Hutcheson, who Basil is incredibly rude to at first until he suspects he could be a hotel inspector. However after Basil finds out, Hutcheson works in the spoon trade, he goes back to being belligerent toward him and the episode ends with perhaps the funniest ending of the whole series.
NOTABLE SCENES
So, the episode has its share of great scenes, starting with the one where Basil first deals with Mr Hutechson at reception while Sybil gossips on the phone. So, Basil says to Sybil sarcastically "Darling, when you're finished, why don't you have a lie down?!" and he turns to Mr Hutcheson and says "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. I had no idea my wife was so busy!". Mr Hutcheson then says "Fear not, kind sir, it matters not one whit" and Basil, puzzled asks "I beg your pardon?" and Mr Hutcheson reiterates cheerfully "It matters not one whit. Time is not pressing on me, fortunately. Now some information, please. This afternoon I have to visit the town for sundry purposes which would be of no interest to you I am quite sure, but nevertheless shall require your aid in getting for me some sort of transport, some hired vehicle that is, to get me to my first port of call!". Basil, now slightly irritated asks "Are you alright?" and Mr Hutcheson says "Oh, yes. I find the air here most invigorating!". Basil now irritable asks "Did I gather from your first announcement that you want a taxi?" and Mr Hutcheson says "In a nutshell" and Basil mutters to himself "Case more like(!)".
Then after Basil reluctantly draws a diagram for Mr Hutcheson to where the local post office is, Mr Hutcheson criticises Basil's writing and says his "P" looks like a "B". So, Basil snatches the sheet the diagram is written on from Mr Hutcheson and shows it to another guest, Mr Watt (James Cossins) and asks "Excuse me, would you say that was a "P" or a "B"? There.Does it say "Boff," or does it say "Poff"? It's a "P," isn't it?!" and Mr Watt wearily says "I suppose so". Basil then refers to the abbreviated way he has written post office as "P-Off" and he says to Mr Watt "P-Off!" which leaves Mr Watt somewhat taken aback "I beg your pardon??" and Basil says again "P-Off! Whoever heard of a "bost office".
This is then followed by a hilarious moment where Basil asks Manuel to take Mr Watt's cases to room 7 but Manuel's poor English at this stage leaves him confused by Basil's request and he asks "Que?". So, Basil then holds up a couple of illustrated drawings of a suitcase and the letter "7" and Manuel in turn, cheerfully holds up a card that reads "OK!".
Another great scene comes when Basil is about to make a phone call but Mr Hutcheson rings the reception bell but Basil chooses to ignore him until he finally snaps and says to Mr Hutcheson sharply "I'm on the telephone!". Mr Hutcheson then says "You haven't finished dialing yet!" and Basil sharply slams down the reciever back onto the cradle. Mr Hutcheson then asks Basil "Now, listen There is a documentary on BBC 2 this evening about Squawking Bird, the leader of the Blackfoot Indians in the late 1860s. This starts at 8:45 and goes on for approximately three quarters of an hour. Is it possible for me to reserve the BBC 2 channel for the duration of this televisual feast?!". Basil then snaps back "Why don't you talk properly??!" and he then responds to Mr Hutcheson's request by saying "It is not possible to reserve the BBC 2 channel from the commencement of this "televisual feast" until the moment of the termination of its ending, thank you so much!".
So, Mr Hutecheson then suggests that Basil should introduce it in future and that he deals hotels, who have such a scheme and he is in constant contact with hotels in his current job, which makes Basil believe he might be a hotel inspector, so he immediately changes tone and becomes more polite to him.
Then there is the scene Sybil tells Basil on overhearing Mr Hutcheson's telephone conversation that he sells spoons and isn't in fact a hotel inspector. So, Sybil asks Basil "How are you getting on with your hotel inspector?" and Basil says "Oh, fine!" and Sybil tells him "He sells spoons". Basil then appears a little stunned and asks "Sorry?" and Sybil tells him "He works for a cutlery firm, but he specializes in spoons".
Basil then at first appears indignant to Sybil's actions and asks her "You listened on a private call of one of ours guests?" and Sybil says "That's right, Basil". Basil then immediately turns angry and says of Mr Hutcheson "Little rat! I'll get him for that!" and he rants "Pretending he's a hotel inspector, "Do we hire television sets?" Fresh peas, ice buckets....!!". Sybil then says "Basil, it was your mistake..." and Basil interrupts and says "Now you let me handle..." and Sybil shouts back "BASIL!!!" which makes Basil jump back, frightened. Sybil then firmly tells Basil "This whole inspector business was in your own imagination, it's nothing to do with him. There is no excuse for rudeness. Do you understand? Do you understand?!". Basil finally says "Yes!" and Sybil says "Good!" and she walks off leaving Basil to look after her and pretend to throttle her!
This is then followed by the great moment where, Basil walks into the dining room and he circles Mr Hutcheson angrily and he mutters "Spoons, eh???" and Mr Hutcheson asks "What?" and Basil spits out the word "Spppppooonnnnsss!!". Mr Hutcheson, a little taken aback, wiping some spit from his face, asks "I beg your pardon?!" and Basil explains "I understand you are in the spoon trade" and Mr Hutcheson suddenly smiles and says "Oh, yes!". Basil then feigns politeness and says "Fascinating, how absorbing for you. So much more interesting than being a HOTEL INSPECTOR!" and he walks away, leaving Mr Hutcheson perplexed.
This is followed by Mr Hutcheson complaining about getting the wrong order from Polly and Basil steps in and he snaps again at Mr Hutcheson and asks him "You wanna run the place?!" and Mr Hutcheson says "No" and Basil then snaps "Well, shut up then!". Mr Hutcheson then furiously stands up and says "Excuse me! I've changed my mind. I do not want the cheese salad. I wish to cancel it. I am not used to being spoken to like that, and I have no wish to continue my luncheon!!". Basil instantly apologies and says "I apologise if I seemed a trifle brusque" and Mr Hutcheson furiously says "It was rude, Mr Fawlty! I SAID RUDE!! You told me to shut up!". Polly then interjects and brilliantly tells Mr Hutcheson "No, he told me to shut up!" and Basil and Polly then successfully manage to confuse Mr Hutcheson into thinking that Basil did tell her to shut up and instead.
Basil during this time, also serves Mr Watt and opens a bottle of wine for him but after Basil pours him a glass, Mr Watt smells the glass and says to Basil "Excuse me, this is corked". Basil however doesn't understand and says "I just uncorked it! That's how I managed to get the wine out of the bottle into your glass!". Mr Watt then explains "No, that's not what I meant. The wine has reacted with the cork and gone bad!" and Basil takes a sip of the wine and whinces and says "Well, that's cost me! I'll get you another one!".
Basil then has a big row with Mr Hutcheson, who is furious about Manuel getting his order wrong and he rants infront of the guests and Basil then puts his mouth over Mr Hutcheson to shut him up and punches him in his back, which sends Mr Hutcheson face down into his food, unconscious. After this Basil says to Sybil "He fainted, dear, he got a bit of cheese stuck!" and Sybil says "Basil, you do not faint from getting a bit of cheese stuck!". Basil then apologies to Mr Watt and he asks him if he enjoyed his wine and Mr Watt says "Yes, it was very good. Lots of body" and Basil, misunderstanding again, lifts the bottle to feel its weight. Basil then says to Mr Hutecheson "It's always a pleasure to meet someone who appreciates the boudoir of the grape. I'm afraid most people we get here don't know a Bordeaux from a claret!". Mr Hutcheson then corrects Basil and says "A Bordeaux IS a claret" and Basil tries to cover up his faux pas and says "Oh, a Bordeaux is a claret but I mean they wouldn't know that!".
Then after this, Mr Hutcheson is taken through to the office behind reception and he eventually comes around and he suddenly punches Basil several times. Mr Hutcheson then angrily says to Basil "I'm not a violent man, Mr Fawlty!" and Basil under the desk says "Yes, you are!" and Mr Hutcheson responds "No, I'm not! When I'm insulted and then attacked, I prefer to rely on my own mettle than call the police!". Basil then get's up and laughs infront of a shocked Mr Watt, who has come into reception and Mr Hutcheson asks "Did I something funny, Mr Fawlty!" and Basil says "Well more pithy!" and Mr Hutcheson angrily says "Oh, yeah?! Well, here's the punchline!" and he elbows him in the stomach and says "Now, I'm going to fetch my belongings and I do not expect to recieve a bill!".
Basil then tries to convince an uninterested Mr Watt that Mr Hutcheson is actually a regular guest that what he witnesses was just a bit of fun and Mr Watt happens to mention he is in town with two other colleagues, which automatically makes him suspect that he is now a hotel inspector. Basil then desparately pleads with him and says "Please! It's taken us 12 years to build this place up. Don't put this in the book. We're finished if you please don't!". Mr Watt, confused and taken aback asks "What book!" and Basil says "The hotel book...!" and he stops himself and says fearfully "Oh, what have I done???!" and he starts sobbings comically.
Mr Watt then tries to calm Basil down and says to him "I have nothing to do with the hotel trade. I sell outboard motors!" and he shows a magazine to Basil who through his tears says "Outboard motors?! You're not an inspector? Not on the side??". Mr Watt then says "I tell you, I have nothing to do with it!" and Basil then immediately relieved and grateful says "Oh, thank you so much! I don't how I could ever...Thanks!" and he runs off with Manuel to plot his revenge over Mr Hutcheson.
And the episode finishes with the three real inspectors entering the lobby, only for Mr Hutcheson to the come down the stairs with his briefcase and all of a sudden Manuel appears and says "Excuse me, senior, Mr Fawlty want to say adios!". Then out of nowhere, Basil appears with two pies and shoves one over his face and another on his crotch and Manuel pours a pint of cream into his briefcase and Basil shakes it up and tucks it under Hutcheson's arm and forcibly ejects him out the door. Basil then turns to Manuel and triumphantly kisses him on the forehead and he strides toward the three gentlemen at the reception. Basil then addresses them "Good afternoon, gentlemen! And what can I do for you three gentleman?" but then the horrible realisation dawns on him that these are the real inspectors and he screams out loud "AGGGGHHHH!!!".
SUM UP
So, Hotel Inspectors is terrific and it more than deserves its place in the runner spot as it is nicely written, wonderfully performed, particularly by John Cleese and Bernard Cribbins, who are at loggerheads throughout. It also is another example of the series clever structure and how events bubble and spiral out of control as things go along and it certainly stands out as one of the series best episodes.
So, its now time for the No.1 episode of Fawlty Towers (for me anyway) which is.......
1. The Psychiatrist (Series 2) "Right, the game's up!!"
Yes, I didn't pick "The Germans" or "Gormet Night" or "Basil the rat", no for me "The Psychiatrist" is the best episode of Fawlty Towers and the reason being as it is a brilliantly funny story where we see Basil's neurosis get the better of him when a psychiatrist stays as a guest. And later, Basil then tries to rumble one of the guests, Mr Johnson (Nicky Henson) who has smuggled in his girlfriend into his room and Basil overhears her and is determined to try and catch him with her.
THOUGHTS
Yes, this episode has everything that makes a great Fawlty Towers episode and its the way in which it sets itself up with events starting off pretty slow with Basil behind the desk at reception "enjoying himself" by mocking Mr Johnson, for wearing his shirt open to the waist and wearing alot of medallions. And later on after Basil discovers the Abbots, a married couple, staying at the hotel, are both doctors and the male doctor is a psychiatrist, which makes Basil neurotic and nervous. And after this Mr Johnson sneaks his girlfriend into his room and Basil later overhears them laughing together and Basil spends the rest of the episode trying to catch Johnson out.
However, Basil also get's into trouble with Sybil when he takes a very attractive, Australian girl, Raylene, up to her room and finds that the light switch isn't working and while trying to repair it, he accidentally feels around the door for the switch and grabs her boob instead! And this of course happens just a second before Sybil walks into the room to hand in something that Raylene left in the lobby. So from here, Basil has to up his efforts to try and find the girl and also try and not have Sybil divorce him for apparently "groping" the guests (i.e. Raylene) infront of her!
NOTABLE SCENES
As for "The Psychiatrists" notable scenes, well...just take your pick!
To start with there is the scene at the start where Mr Johnson (Nicky Henson) who's natural charm appeals to Sybil, who flirts with him. So, as Mr Johnson makes a phone call to a friend of his and is kept waiting on hold, he is forced to listen to Sybil go on about her mother. Sybil tells Mr Johnson "
She has these well, morbid fears they are, really. Vans is one. Rats Doorknobs Birds, heights, open spaces Confined spaces It's very difficult getting the space right for her, really. You know Footballs, bicycles, cows And she's always on about men following her. I don't know what she thinks they're going to do to her. Vomit on her, Basil says!".
Basil of course takes an immediate dislike to Mr Johnson at his appearance and his nature and he sharply asks him "Are you taking dinner here tonight?" and Mr Johnson asks "Sorry?" without looking up as he is looking at a book and Basil asks "Are you dining here tonight in this unfashoinable dump?!" and Mr Johnson says "I wasn't planning to". Basil then annoyed further says "No, not really your scene here, is it?" and "Thought I'd try somewhere in town. Anywhere you'd recommend?" and Basil mockingly asks him "What sort of food were you thinking of? Fruit?!". Mr Johnson however remain oblivious of Basil's mocking tone and asks "Anywhere they do French food?" and Basil sarcastically replies "Yes, France, I believe. They seem to like it there, and the swim would certainly sharpen your appetite. You'd better hurry. The tide leaves in six minutes!".
Sybil then reappears and recommends an eatery to Mr Johnson but Basil continues to mock him and says "Or that ancient Eygptian place? The Golden Dog something....." but they both ignore him and Sybil politely says to Mr Johnson "Do enjoy yourself" and Mr Johnson walks off. Sybil then furiously turns to Basil and quietly says to him "I have had it up to here with you(!)" and Basil asks her "What, dear?" and Sybil angrily says "You never get it right, do you? You're either crawling all over them, licking their boots, or spitting poison at them like some Benzedrine puff adder!". Sybil then walks off, leaving Basil unfazed and he says to himself "I'm just trying to enjoy myself!".
Then there is the scene where Basil asks the Abbots, who are sitting down for dinner "So, are you both in general practice?" and Mrs Abbot says "No, I'm a paediatrician" and Basil asks "Feet?" and Mrs Abbot replies "Children". Basil then asks Mr Abbot "And you doctor..." and Mr Abbot says "I'm a psychiatrist" and Basil instinctively takes Mr Abbot's glass of sherry and sips it and says "Very nice too. Cheers!" and he realises what he has done and says "I'll get you another, sorry".
Basil later in the kitchen, having become very edgy on learning that Mr Abbot is a doctor, says to Sybil "Just take it easy, okay? Just keep your distance. Remember who you are, all right? Just don't tell him too much about yourself, all right?!". Sybil then says "Basil why are you so nervous? You liked him when you met and then you find out he's a psychiatrist...." and Basil suddenly yells "I'm not bothered about that! If he wants to be a psychiatrist, that's his funeral! They're as mad as bloody march hares anyway! How does he earn his money? He gets he get paid for sticking his nose in to people's private parts...DETAILS!". And as Sybil tries to calm Basil down, he then edgily says to her "You know what they're all obsessed with, don't you? You know what they say it's all about, don't you? Hmm? Sex. Everything's connected with sex. Huh! What a load of cobblers!".
Then as Basil goes out to get Mr Abbot to sign something, he goes back in and while he is away Mr Abbot says to Basil "We were just speculating how people in your profession arrange their holidays. How often you can get away. How often do you manage it?". Basil is stunned by the question as he thinks that Mr Abbot is asking him about something else and Mr Abbot says "You don't mind my asking??" and Basil, still stunned says "Not at all...." and he has a think and says "About average". Mr Abbot then asks "What would be average?" and Basil is gobsmacked and Mr Abbot asks him "Couple of times a year? Once a year? Well, we knew it must be difficult, my wife and I didn't see how you could manage it at all!". Basil then replies "Well, as you've asked, two or three times a week, actually. We're quite normal down here in Torquay, you know?!".
Another funny scene is where Basil takes the attractive Australian girl, Raylene Miles up to her room and he notices that the bathroom light switch isn't working, so will Raylene does some exercises to loosen herself up, Basil's hand comes round the corner of the door and contacts with her right breast, just as Sybil walks into the room. Basil then enters the room and notices he has his hand on Raylene's boob and snatches it away instantly and Sybil looks not impressed and puts something down on the bed for Raylene and tells her "You left this downstairs".
So, Basil runs after Sybil to try and explain and he says "Sybil! I'm sorry. I didn't know she was there! - I was trying the switch!" but Sybil is not in the mood to listen and says "Its pathetic, Basil" but Basil still tries to explain "The lights weren't working in the bathroom, right? Okay? So I went in, checked the fitting, which was loose...". Sybil then says "I've read about it, Basil. The male menopause it's called. Oh, and one word of advice: If you're going to grope a girl have the gallantry to stay in the room with her while you're doing it, hmm?!".
Then there is the scene where Basil overhears Mr Johnson from his hotel room, say the punchline of the joke he told Sybil earlier and Basil gives look of annoyance but then he hears a female laugh. So, Basil goes over to the Mr Johnson's door and just as he does, Mr Johnson comes out and looks awkwardly at Basil. Basil asks "Yes? Can I help you?" and Mr Johnson awkwardly says "Yes. I was wondering if I could get a drink...now. Well a bottle of champagne". So, Basil tries to feel out Johnson and says to him "I see. You are aware of our rule about visitors, are you? Hmm? No visitors in guests' rooms after 10:00. Of the opposite sex". Johnson replies "No. But I am now. So you will send up the champagne then, will you?". Basil asks him "So, you will be drinking it on your own, will you?" and Johnson says "Yes, unless you care to join me" and Basil says "No thank you. Not while I'm on the job" and Johnson sarcily says "Oh, that's when I enjoy it most!" and he goes back into his room.
Another priceless moment is when Basil and Manuel go outside with a ladder and Basil climbs up it in an effort to get a look at the girl that Johnson has smuggled into his room. However, Basil ends up looking into the Abbott's room just as they are getting ready for bed and Basil rather embarrassed, suddenly smiles at them and does his sounding thing to check the window (as earlier he pretended to check the walls by placing his hands on them in different places) and the ladder topples over with Basil lying flat on his back!
Manuel urgently then rushes back in and tells Sybil that Basil has fallen off a ladder, and Sybil asks him "What was he doing up a ladder??" and Manuel says "He was trying to the girl" and Sybil then becomes cross and asks "What?!". Manuel then says "He try to see into room to see girl, she make him crazy!" and Sybil sharply says "I see!" and she storms out with Manuel. Basil outside, has managed to get on his feet again and Sybil then marches up to him and Basil says "Hello, dear! I was just..." and she delivers a mighty slap across his face that sends Basil right back down again and she turns about as storms back into the hotel.
In the next scene, Basil runs upstairs after Sybil to their bedroom door where Sybil hits him again and says angrily "How dare you?! What were you doing up that ladder?!" and Basil says "I was trying to see the girl! Is that so strange?!" and she slaps him again and says "Stop hitting me!". Sybil then snaps at him "Don't you dare try to come in here tonight!" and she slams the door in his face leaving Basil dumbfounded. Basil turns to Manuel and says "Mad! She's gone completely!" and Manuel says to him "She crazy!" and Manuel continues to explain "I say to her you try and see in girl's room and she go crazy. I tell her you go to see girl in room. You crazy about this girl, okay? Okay, so You go up to try to look at her and Mrs. Fawlty, she go crazy!". Basil, now quietly furious moves toward Manuel and picks him up and shakes him violently and shouts "I'm punishing you for being alive!!" but then he says Mrs Abbott appear and he drops Manuel and pretends that he is teaching Manuel self defence!
Then there is the pricelss moment where Basil hides in the cupboard upstairs and the next morning, he waits behind the door for Johnson to come out his room with the girl. So, as Basil hears Mrs Abbott come out Mr Johnson's room (to hand back Johnson's Torquay guide) he suddenly appears with a broom in his hand and shouts "Right! The game's up!!" and he freezes when he sees the couple and instantly says "A bit of game pie was stuck up there" and he sweeps the ceiling and Basil cheerfully says to them "Right, well enjoy your walk!". And as the Abbotts walk downstairs, Mr Abbott says to his wife "There's enough material there for an entire conference!".
So then there is the moment where Basil in the broom cupboard knocks over a plastic bottle and picks it up only to reveal his hand is now covered in black sticky stuff. So, in the next moment he hears a door open and he waits to pounce and we see Raylene walk across the hallway and Basil suddenly springs on her, grabbing her and shouts "Right! That's it!". Raylene, startled screams out "Jesus! What's going on?!" and Basil is instantly apologetic and says "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" and Raylene, aghast says "You scared the hell out of me!!". And at this point, Sybil appears and we see that Basil's sticky hand has left a mark on Raylene's top right on her chest area!
And then we get to the great moment where after Basil goes in to ask Raylene to leave, he hides in the wardrobe when Sybil comes in and notices his finger sticking out the door to keep it shut and she opens the door and Basil bluffs her saying "Hello, dear! Just checking the doors!". Sybil, disgusted with Basil, says "Do you really believe in your wildest DREAMS that a girl like this could possibly be interested in an aged, brilliantined stick insect like you?!". Basil then admits he came to apologise for putting his hand on Raylene's breasts and she shuts the wardrobe door on him and walks out and Basil get's after her and tries to explain.
However, Sybil is not interested and says to Basil "Why can't you be a man? If you want to grope the guests, why can't you at least be honest about it without making up some pathetic song and dance..." and Basil has finally had enough and shouts "Shut up!!". Sybil, now even angrier says "Oh, you've done it now!" and makes to move off but Basil grabs her by the arm and says "No, I'm just going to! I'm fed up with you, you rancorous, coiffeured old sow! Why don't you syringe the donuts out of your ear and get some sense into the dormant organ you keep hidden in that rat's maze of yours?!!". Basil then forcefully grabs her and leads toward Johnson's door and indicates to it and angrily says "There is a woman in that room, that Johnson smuggled in last night! That's the woman I've been trying to get hold of!!". So, Basil forcefully pushes Sybil back and says to her "Stand there! And watch!" but by this time, Johnson has managed to smuggle his girlfriend out of his room without Basil knowing.
So, as Basil asks Johnson "It's just that I thought that I'd rather formed the impression that there was someone in the room, there, with you. A female person!". Johnson says to Basil "Mrs Johnson is in here, yes" and Basil asks her who she is and Johnson replies "She's my mother". And Basil suddenly smug puts on a cockney accent and says " Your mother? Oh, I see. This bit of crumpet's your old mummy, is she? Oh, this is rich. Old mother Johnson popped up for a quickie, did she? May I meet her?!". Johnson says rather wearily "Certainly!" and he goes back into the room and Basil mockingly says "Mother Johnson! Come out! Come out! Wherever you are!". Suddenly a sweet old lady appears and Basil instantly switches on his charm and shakes her hand and says "How do you do? Are you enjoying your stay here?" and Mrs Johnson smiles and says "Yes thank you" and Basil says "Well, this calls for a celebration!" and everyone walks away and Mr Johnson goes back in his room.
So the episode ends with Basil, now utterly mortified, puts his head in his hands and squats on the floor, pulling his jacket over his head, he starts doing some frog-like leaps of agony just as the Abbotts once again appear at the wrong time and witness him doing something mad. Mrs Abbott then turns to her husband for advice, who simply says to her "I'm on holiday!" and they go into their room, while Basil oblivious, falls on the floor into a foetal position.
SUM UP
You never get it right, do you? You're either crawling all over them, licking their boots, or spitting poison at them like some Benzedrine puff adder. Read more: https://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/view_episode_scripts.php?tv-show=fawlty-towers&episode=s02SUMSo, yes, "The Psychiatrist" is an episode that just builds and builds the comedy up brilliantly throughout and its also another great example of just how neurotic Basil can really be and how as Sybil says of the way he treats the guests, that he's either "licking their boots or spitting poison at them like some benzedrine puff adder!".
Whatever way you want to look at it, I think its a hilarious, great episode and more than deserves to take the top spot here.
Right, so that's it for now and I will be back soon with another post in December (can't believe we are nearly at the end of the year already!).
So, till then, its bye for now!
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