Ep 2. The Spanish Inquisition

In Monty Python's Flying Circus season 2 episode 2, The Spanish Inquisition is introduced as a recurring sketch and a running gag throughout the episode. The sketch is initiated with a song introducing the Spanish Inquisition and its infamous reputation for surprise appearances and torture. Three Inquisition members, Cardinal Ximénez (played by Michael Palin), Cardinal Biggles (played by Terry Jones), and Cardinal Fang (played by Terry Gilliam), are shown preparing to "NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition!" invade an unsuspecting household. From there, the scenes frequently cut to a regular family engaging in banal activities such as dinner, where the Inquisition troops appear with their infamous phrase: "Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!" and engage in absurd accusations of heresy against them.

The absurdity of the Inquisition sketches is further heightened by their ridiculous costumes and props, such as the comfy chair, the rack, and the soft cushions used for torture. The Inquisition members are portrayed as bumbling and incompetent, and their attempts at extracting confessions are met with deadpan resistance from the accused. The sketches culminate in an exasperated Cardinal Fang declaring that the Inquisition will have to go back to the beginning and start all over again.

Other sketches in this episode include a parody of a dreary British spy television show, in which an agent named "Brown" (played by Eric Idle) attempts to foil the plans of a villain named "Dr. Hackenshite" (played by John Cleese). The humor in this sketch derives from the absurdity of the spy clichés, as well as the absurd names and mannerisms of the characters. The sketch also features a hilarious chase sequence, complete with cartoon sound effects and slapstick physical comedy.

In another sketch, a man played by Graham Chapman attempts to buy a license for his pet fish, Eric, who he claims is in fact a "Norwegian Blue Parrot." The hapless pet shop owner, played by John Cleese, attempts to explain to the man that fish cannot be parrots, and the discussion devolves into increasingly absurd arguments about the nature of birds and fish. The sketch also features some of the trademark Pythonesque wordplay, with the man insisting that the fish is "pining for the fjords" and the shop owner asking if it is "stunned."

The episode also includes a segment in which a group of men dressed as women discuss their favorite designers and shopping experiences, undercut by the fact that they are all football hooligans who are about to start a riot. This sketch is notable for its commentary on gender and societal expectations, as well as its irreverent humor and shocking violence.

Overall, Monty Python's Flying Circus season 2 episode 2 is a masterclass in absurdist humor, featuring a variety of sketches that push the boundaries of what is considered funny and appropriate. While some of the humor may be too offbeat or even offensive for some viewers, there is no denying the impact and influence that Monty Python has had on comedy and popular culture as a whole.