Ep 8. The Cycling Tour

In Monty Python's Flying Circus season 3 episode 8 "The Cycling Tour," viewers are taken on a comedic journey through the English countryside. Beginning with a group of cyclists embarking on a tour, the episode quickly veers off course as the cyclists encounter a series of absurd and hilarious obstacles.

The first obstacle comes in the form of a police officer who barbecues anyone who breaks the law. Next, the cyclists come across a menacing gang of old ladies who challenge them to a street brawl. Unfazed, the cyclists continue on their way until they encounter a man who claims to have discovered the missing link between apes and humans, only to reveal that it is, in fact, a bicycle pump.

As the cyclists press on, they encounter a man who claims to be the Messiah and a group of Viking invaders who refuse to speak anything other than French. The group even has to contend with a giant hedgehog blocking their path. And, just when they think things couldn't get any stranger, they stumble upon a pub where a group of extremely rude and unhelpful patrons refuse to serve them anything but a dish called "spam, spam, spam, and spam."

Throughout the episode, the absurdity and randomness of the obstacles faced by the cyclists are punctuated by classic Monty Python skits and sketches, including a take on Hamlet where the famous soliloquy is delivered by a man in a suit eating candy, and a sketch where a man attempts to buy a book but is repeatedly thwarted by a condescending shopkeeper.

Despite the many challenges they face along the way, the cyclists finally make it to their destination, where they are greeted by a surreal and disorienting display of characters, ranging from a giant talking mailbox to a man wearing a suit of armor made entirely out of vegetables.

Overall, "The Cycling Tour" is a classic Monty Python episode that exemplifies the show's irreverent and absurdist humor. From the bizarre obstacles faced by the cyclists to the iconic sketches and skits woven seamlessly throughout the narrative, the episode is a testament to the show's enduring legacy as one of the most groundbreaking and influential comedies of all time.