Ep 6. Basil The Rat

In Fawlty Towers season 2 episode 6 titled "Basil The Rat," Basil Fawlty, the hapless owner of the titular hotel, finds himself in a race against time to keep the establishment afloat after it is discovered that there is a rat loose on the premises. When health inspector Mr. Carnegie shows up to investigate, Basil and his staff must go to great lengths to cover up the presence of the rodent in order to avoid being shut down.

The source of the trouble is Manuel, the Spanish waiter, who has kept a pet rat in his room without Basil's knowledge. The rat escapes and is seen by a number of guests, including an American woman who is unnerved and threatens to leave. In typical Fawlty Towers fashion, chaos ensues as Basil and his staff try to contain the situation, with disastrous results.

As the pressure mounts and the threat of closure looms, Basil becomes increasingly desperate to get rid of the rat. He enlists the help of Terry the chef, who devises a plan to trap the rat in the kitchen. But things quickly go awry when Sybil, Basil's wife, mistakenly switches the trap with one meant for a fox. The ensuing chaos, complete with a gun-wielding Basil, is one of the most memorable and hilarious moments of the entire series.

As with all episodes of Fawlty Towers, "Basil The Rat" is a masterclass in slapstick comedy and brilliant writing. John Cleese, who co-created the series and plays Basil, delivers one of his most memorable performances as the harried hotel owner. With its constant twists and turns, the episode keeps viewers on their toes and, despite its outlandish premise, feels surprisingly real.

The humor of "Basil The Rat" is derived from its relatable characters and situations, as well as its clever use of misdirection and wordplay. Whether it's the way Basil tries to hide the presence of the rat from Mr. Carnegie, or the comedic misunderstandings between the various characters, the episode is consistently hilarious from beginning to end.

Perhaps most impressively, "Basil The Rat" manages to take a seemingly simple premise and turn it into a complex story full of surprises and unexpected developments. While many sitcoms would struggle to sustain a single gag for an entire episode, Fawlty Towers manages to keep audiences engaged and entertained throughout.

In the end, "Basil The Rat" is a testament to the brilliance of Fawlty Towers and its talented creators. With its quick-witted humor, memorable characters, and clever writing, the episode stands as one of the highlights of the second season and the series as a whole.