Ep 6. Onslow's Birthday

Onslow's Birthday, the sixth episode of the second season of Keeping Up Appearances, follows Hyacinth, a middle-class snob, as she plans a birthday surprise for her brother-in-law Onslow. Hyacinth has always found Onslow to be a nuisance and disapproves of his and her sister Daisy's lifestyle, which she considers to be below her standards. Nonetheless, she throws a birthday party for him, inviting her sister Daisy, Daisy's husband Onslow, and their children Elizabeth and Stephanie.

Hyacinth wants to make the party a lavish affair, with plenty of food and drink, exquisite decorations, and elegant music. She instructs her husband Richard to coordinate with the caterer and decorators, and also tells him that she is planning to wear her "Daddy's yacht" dress, which she considers most befitting for such occasions. However, Richard is more interested in watching the cricket match on television and insists that Hyacinth rely on his judgment for the arrangements.

As the preparations get underway, Hyacinth's neighbor Elizabeth and her brother Emmet drop in to offer their assistance. More interested in impressing them than in actually working, Hyacinth assigns frivolous tasks to them, such as polishing cutlery, arranging napkins, and placing flowers. She also insists that Emmet, an aspiring writer, recite some of his works during the party, convinced that his literary talent will add to the class and culture of the gathering.

On the day of the party, Hyacinth puts on her dress and inspects the arrangements around the garden, tables, and the buffet. She also checks on Richard, who is struggling to fix the music system and has just spilled food on his shirt. Meanwhile, Elizabeth and Emmet arrive and are horrified at the level of overindulgence and Haute Bourgeoisie displays that they witness at the party. Elizabeth, who is more down-to-earth and sensible than Hyacinth, finds it difficult to stomach the extravagance, while Emmet is bemused by the guests, whom he sees as caricatures of the middle-class values he seeks to lampoon in his work.

As the party reaches its peak, Onslow appears, dressed in his usual casual clothes and smoking a cigarette. Hyacinth is appalled at his lack of decorum, and tries to coax him into putting on a tie and jacket. However, Onslow resists, and instead charms everyone with his friendly guilelessness and humor. Elizabeth, who has grown fond of him over the years, admires his honesty and sincerity, while Emmet finds that Onslow's speech and mannerisms lend themselves well to his writing.

Eventually, the party winds down, and as everyone leaves, Hyacinth is left with the realization that her attempts to impose her tastes and standards on her family are futile and misguided. She accepts that she cannot change people's personalities or their social status and decides to appreciate them for who they are, and not what they aspire to be.

Onslow's Birthday is a satirical and poignant exploration of class, manners, and identity. It showcases the conflicts and contradictions that arise when different social classes interact, and exposes the gap between appearance and reality in the British society of the 1990s. The episode also highlights the dynamic between Hyacinth and Onslow, two polar opposites who represent different values and attitudes towards life, and emphasizes the importance of tolerance and respect for diversity. Overall, Onslow's Birthday is a relatable and thought-provoking episode that captures the essence of the timeless themes that Keeping Up Appearances explores.