Ep 2. Doing the Honours

In the second episode of the second season of the beloved British sitcom Yes, Minister, entitled "Doing the Honours," the new Secretary of State for Administrative Affairs, James Hacker, is faced with the daunting task of appointing a new chairman to the Honours Committee. The committee is responsible for deciding who will receive prestigious awards such as knighthoods and peerages, and its members are known for being notoriously secretive and resistant to change.

As always, Hacker's efforts to shake up the entrenched bureaucracy are met with resistance from his permanent secretary, Sir Humphrey Appleby, who is eager to maintain the status quo. Appleby believes that the only suitable candidate for the job is a stuffy aristocrat with impeccable credentials, but Hacker has other ideas. He wants to appoint a businessman who he believes will bring a fresh perspective to the committee.

With Sir Humphrey trying to undermine his every move, Hacker sets about convincing the Prime Minister that his choice is the right one. But when the businessman starts asking too many questions about the committee's inner workings, Sir Humphrey becomes worried that he might reveal some embarrassing secrets.

As the episode unfolds, we see the usual mix of witty dialogue, political scheming, and bureaucratic manoeuvring that have made Yes, Minister such a beloved and enduring classic. There are plenty of memorable one-liners and clever wordplays, as well as some hilarious physical comedy as Hacker and Sir Humphrey engage in their perennial power struggle.

One of the highlights of "Doing the Honours" is the way it satirises the British honours system. The Honours Committee is shown to be a secretive and somewhat arbitrary body, whose decisions are often influenced by petty jealousies and social hierarchies. We see the committee members engaging in absurd debates over whether certain candidates are "worthy" of receiving honours, with their decisions often seeming more like a political calculus than a genuine measure of an individual's achievements.

Throughout the episode, we also get a sense of how difficult it can be for a politician like Hacker to bring about meaningful change in a deeply entrenched bureaucracy. Sir Humphrey is determined to maintain his power and influence, and is constantly scheming to undermine his boss's authority. But despite the odds against him, Hacker remains resolute in his determination to make a difference.

In the end, "Doing the Honours" is a satisfying and entertaining episode of Yes, Minister that showcases the show's razor-sharp wit, clever plotting, and incisive political satire. Whether you're a fan of the show or a newcomer to its world of Whitehall shenanigans, you're sure to enjoy this hilarious and thought-provoking story.