I know what people like you get up to, and I think it's disgusting.
— Basil Fawlty
Basil gets annoyed when a young, flirtatious couple start "hanky-pankying" under his nose and tries to avoid the advances of a flirtatious middle-aged French antique dealer. Misfortune conspires to put him in compromising situations whenever the couple are around.
Tropes appearing in this episode:
- Accidental Pervert: Basil is caught once with a female guest and twice with Manuel; Manuel was drunk the first time and had accidentally knocked him over, and Basil mistakes him for a burglar the second time. Meanwhile, Basil accidentally walks in on two of the wedding guests embracing (they're related) and discovers Polly hurrying out of the lovers' room after hearing some weird noises (Polly was trying on one of the girl's dresses; the girl was giving her boyfriend a massage).
- Ambiguous Syntax: When Basil wants to fire Polly:Basil: Polly, I want to see you at reception in one minute in your hat and coat.Polly: I'm sorry?Basil: I want to see you at reception in one minute in your hat and coat!Polly: Will they fit you?
- And Another Thing...: Basil berates Polly for wearing skimpy clothes around the hotel; and just as she is leaving, he then he calls her back to make a further request.Basil: I know these drawings may be considered decent at art school, but would you please not leave them lying around on display at reception?
- Aside Glance: The series is been fairly good at avoiding this, but it does occur once when a drunk Manuel knocks Basil over and exclaims "I love you" - a guest who stumbles across them at just this moment looks at the screen in horror before running off.
- Copycat Mockery: Basil imitates Sybil's annoying laugh, which startles the old ladies, who think he's unwell, because he's getting taller.
- Freudian Slip: Basil is annoyed by seeing Polly making out with her boyfriend and wearing a low-cut top. When he picks up the phone, he says "Hello, Fawlty Titties." He doesn't seem to notice it.
- Holding the Floor: Basil goes to absurd lengths to protect Mrs Lloyd from knowing about what he believes is adultery from her husband. He distracts her by telling her about the kitchen door being installed, cracks on the wall, Manuel being in the laundry basket, and finally that another room is much nicer than hers (it is in fact identical to hers), and that they could have a discussion about moving rooms.
- Hollywood Darkness: The studio lights take time to fade down when Sybil switches off the lights.
- Hypocritical Humour: While Basil is reading, Sybil disturbs his concentration with her repeated drawl of "Oooh, I know!" on the phone to Audrey. Later, when Basil is grappling in the corridor with Manuel, she complains that she is trying to read, while Manuel loudly proclaims his love for Basil.
- Incoming Ham: A drunken Manuel, wielding an umbrella and shouting at the top of his voice.
- Malicious Misnaming: Basil interrupts Polly kissing a young man, whom she introduces as Richard Turner. Basil then says casually "Please don't leave on my account, Mr Turnip". He also forgets Jean's name, calling her "er".
- Mistaken for Gay: Three times in one episode.
- My God, What Have I Done?: Basil has this reaction when he discovers to his horror he ordered the Lloyd family to leave without realising that Mrs Lloyd is the mother of Jean, Mr Lloyd is the stepfather and Polly is an old friend from school. Sybil orders Basil to tell the family they can stay. Of course...
- Never My Fault: ... Basil predictably has this reaction upon confronting the Lloyds. Basil blames Sybil for making the mistake.
- Not What It Looks Like: Basil is caught once with a female guest and twice with Manuel; Manuel was drunk the first time and had accidentally knocked him over, and Basil mistakes him for a burglar the second time. Meanwhile, Basil accidentally walks in on two of the wedding guests embracing (they're related), and discovers Polly hurrying out of the lovers' room buttoning up her dress after hearing some weird noises (Polly was trying on one of the girl's dresses; the girl was giving her boyfriend a massage).
- Weather Report Opening: The episode begins with the Major commenting on how warm the weather is that evening, setting the scene for Polly and some of the guests being scantily clad.
