My Inevitable (and Final) Review of Inside No. 9

With life being the way it is, this blog has become something that I only do when I really desperately need to talk about a series that I love. As such, it was only ever inevitable that I would write a review of the ninth and final series of my favourite TV show, Inside No. 9. When I first watched the series, I was a sixth form student nursing a love of television that quickly became my passion, as after watching ‘Sardines’ (Series 1, Episode 1) I felt like I had seen how powerful television could be. As a writer and university student, the show became my obsession and the thing that inspired me; diligently watching every episode as it came out and making all the people I love most see as many episodes as possible. Without Inside No. 9, I can almost certainly say that I may not have begun to study television, or indeed have begun to take writing seriously. Consequently, I fear I owe Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, and all the people that made the show, some sort of debt I could not possibly repay.

Before my introduction gets even longer and more sentimental, I will forge on with my reviews of each episode of series nine of Inside No. 9. For the final time, there are spoilers ahead…

1. Boo to a Goose

What a way to kick off a series. This episode was such a good piece of social commentary, and blatant in a way not seen in the series before. It’s such a cleverly curated twist as well, I struggled to figure out the ending from the way the episode progressed and then it seemed so obvious when it was revealed. The guest cast is also magnificent as usual, with Mark Bonnar acting suitably cruel and Joel Fry playing ‘suspicious’ wonderfully to conceal the twist. The standout performance for me, though, has to go to Philippa Dunne’s inoffensive nurse – to play a character so timid you sometimes forget she is there and make such good use of the more limited dialogue and screen time requires both skill and humility, it was such a treat to witness. I also have to point out that if being a brilliant actor and writer does not work out for Steve Pemberton, he could have a lucrative career as a drag queen.

2. The Trolley Problem

Many people hoped for an episode that allowed Pemberton and Shearsmith to take full centre stage, something ‘Bernie Clifton’s Dressing Room’-esque. This is that episode. The characters they take on are both of their strengths: Reece Shearsmith’s Drew appears blatantly troubled and unhinged, but also quietly calculated. Meanwhile, Steve Pemberton plays Blake as unassuming and kindly, allowing the darkness to permeate later in the episode. It is a complete masterclass in acting from the pair, and the ending made me gasp out loud, on the whole an extremely well-constructed episode. 

3. Mulberry Close

I was extremely excited about this episode from a directing perspective. Filmed entirely through a doorbell camera, Al Campbell uses the space extremely well and the stationary camera allows the performances to shine. It plays on many tropes, such as nosy neighbours and the mysterious new couple, but takes them to create something rather unique. I must add that the episode uses silence well, it would be easy to become reliant on dialogue to drive the episode when the visuals are so minimal, but a common trait in Inside No. 9 scripts is allowing the audience to hear what is not being said. ‘Mulberry Close’ makes for a great example of that. 

4. Ctrl Alt Esc

Unfortunately for me, I was unable to watch a few of the episodes of this series as they aired, meaning I had to catch up on them at a later date. This involved avoiding spoilers like the plague, and for this episode in particular I thought I had failed, having seen some screen grabs on Twitter (or X, if you prefer, which I do not). Going into the episode, I expected straight horror, but I was misled by the internet and was extremely pleasantly surprised by the ending which shook me in a way for which I was not prepared. Furthermore, the set was extremely detailed and sold the illusion of the escape room very convincingly, especially in contrast to the pared back hospital room set. This provides a very clear piece of symbolism that is only obvious once the premise is fully understood. It’s a great episode with a strong emotional core.

5. The Curse of the Ninth

The fifth episode of the series is another one I had to catch up on after it aired, and I was provided with extremely mixed reports on its quality. However, I firmly disagree with anyone who believes this to be a weaker episode than the rest of the run because I consider it to be an intelligent foray into gothic horror, occasionally feeling reminiscent of M. R. James’ ghost stories. Potentially, I am biassed, as this episode is directed by the absolutely genius Guillem Morales — a frequent collaborator on Inside No. 9 and my all-time favourite director of the series. Morales once again demonstrates his eye for horror, curating this atmosphere of foreboding by allowing the viewer to find the fear themselves. By avoiding close shots, there is this ever-present sense of something in the background, something that is bigger than any of the acts of the characters on-screen, this threat of the personified curse. Morales uses the space artfully, while the script mingles human motivation with supernatural threat. That shot of the broken neck is pretty impactful, too.

6. Plodding On

As the final episode of Inside No. 9, I almost feel I should be writing an entire review of this alone. I have heard this episode described as a love letter and there are no more perfect words to describe this finale. It is cameo laden in a way that does not feel gratuitous, sentimental but not saccharine, and self-referential without ego. Finding a satisfying way to end an anthology series must have been no mean feat, and so I feel the meta option of actors returning as themselves at an Inside No. 9 wrap party was a clever way to go. It is difficult to surmise something like this in merely a few words, and if I discussed the episode as I have done with the others I fear I will begin repeating myself. So I will say this: I nearly cried three times while watching it, I have not stopped thinking (or talking) about it since, and I will almost certainly be watching it again after I finish this review.

If you made it to the end of this post, or even just read the first line and got bored, I am extremely grateful to you. I am also extremely grateful for this series and I would like to end this now so I can go back and rewatch it all over again.

~ Caelum

My previous Inside No. 9 reviews:

Short Reviews of Every Single Episode of Inside No. 9 [1/2] (Series 1-3)

Short Reviews of Every Single Episode of Inside No. 9 [2/2] (Series 4-6)

Another Series of Inside No. 9 Just Ended…So I’m Back (Series 7)

The Only Certain Things in Life are Death and my ‘Inside No. 9’ Reviews (Series 8)

The Only Certain Things in Life are Death and my ‘Inside No. 9’ Reviews

In my life, I can be guaranteed to be in one of two states: waiting for a new series of Inside No. 9, or watching a new series of Inside N.o 9. Before I return to my former state, as the penultimate series came to a close last night, I am here to explore my thoughts on this latest instalment of the BBC2 anthology series. This programme has, unlike me, never failed to impress. So, without any further preamble, let me get into my thoughts on all six episodes of Inside No. 9, series 8. 

Spoilers ahead, so please be warned.

1. The Bones of St. Nicholas

This series began many months ago with the Christmas special, because who doesn’t want a pinch of creepy with their Christmas festivities? Frequently, the art of misdirection is an important factor in building to an episode’s conclusion for Inside No. 9, and this is a pretty textbook example of that. We were led to believe that this will be a ghost story, and were shown down that path so masterfully by the wonderful Simon Callow delivering the tale of this supposedly haunted church. Then, so subtly, we are introduced to the idea of premonitions by Shobna Gulati’s Posy, foregrounding something that only becomes clear in those final scenes. Sometimes I feel when writing these reviews that I am repeating myself, emphasising the way in which the writing and the acting marry to create something that is completely wonderful to watch, however that is what makes Inside No. 9 great. This is so clear in ‘The Bones of St. Nicholas’, and that final shot remains imprinted on my mind. I believe the whole episode was an example of what was to come, and in hindsight I wish I could have predicted that sooner. 

2. Mother’s Ruin

First and foremost, Reece Shearsmith’s cockney accent as Edward  really made me laugh, not because it was bad but because it took me off guard for some reason. Regardless, I enjoyed the humour of this episode above all else. One of the things I considered so great about Psychoville was the way in which it combined the dark, the absurd, and the real. That is what we got from this episode, though with just a hint of the paranormal as well. I also have to draw attention to the practical effect used when Edward’s foot is cut off, I believe my exact words at the time were “bloody hell, that’s gnarly”. I would describe the episode on the whole as violent, but in a fun way, a bit like ‘A Quiet Night In’. It was definitely a nice reintroduction for series 8 after the long gap between this episode and the Christmas special.

3. Paraskevidekatriaphobia

It took me until the next week’s episode aired to be able to pronounce the title for this one. This episode felt like another return to form, written like a comedy of errors with a dark undertone. It was nice to have an episode that actually felt distinctly humorous, with Shearsmith perfectly encapsulating the panicky and particular Gareth as an increasingly absurd cast of characters arrived at the scene. On the whole, it had all of the ingredients that make an episode of Inside No. 9 good, and I truly did not see the twist coming. Or indeed Dermot O’Leary being there, but that was nice too.

4. Love Is a Stranger

“I saw the twist coming” announced every smart arse on Twitter after this episode aired. Well you know what, so did I, but that does not make this a bad episode by any means. I could write a paper on why I think that we as an audience being so trapped in the idea of the ‘twist’ takes away from the fact that the journey is almost always the most important part of the story. Yes, my initial instincts with this episode were correct, but the narrative structure which led me to that conclusion is what made this episode such a strong one in my eyes. Moreover, the directing was wonderful, and that panning shot to the jar with the finger in it particularly stood out as a simple but effective piece of visual storytelling. Claire Rushbrook had a great take on the character of Vicky, and I love seeing Asim Chaudhry in anything. Overall, a brilliant episode, leaving me with one question: was the line “are you a man or a mouse?” a Psychoville reference or am I reading too much into it?

5. 3 by 3

Clever gits. This was a spectacular bait-and-switch, I don’t even know where to begin. The fact that they put the effort in to advertise an entirely different episode and then made a game show hosted by Lee Mack is one hell of a risk to have taken, and it really paid off. The Pemberton and Shearsmith writing duo have never been great for my trust issues, and this episode encapsulated that. I wasn’t sure what to expect at all when watching this one, but it’s safe to say that I was on edge for most of it. Not in the least because apparently I’m even competitive over fake game shows. It was a lovely way to mess with the format of the show and completely shift expectations, and ‘3 by 3’ will likely be one of my favourite episodes, definitely of this series if not the whole show. And Lee Mack is a great game show host.

6. The Last Weekend

I think this episode is sending me through the five stages of grief, and I’m sure I’m at anger because why would they do that to me? Above all else, this exemplified what great actors and writers Pemberton and Shearsmith are, breaking my heart in 1000 different ways in one episode. This one had a ‘The Riddle of the Sphinx’ flavour to it, in that I don’t think I’ll ever watch it again but it was utterly mind-blowing. In fact, I think it might have ruined my life. All of that is absolutely complimentary, it did everything I want from an episode of Inside No. 9. The foreshadowing was perfect, the tone became unsettling at exactly the right moment, and I think the impact will stay with me for a very long time. 

When Inside No. 9 ends, I will miss it dearly. Assuming I’m still doing these reviews when the final series airs (which I almost certainly will be) that will be when I wax lyrical about the genuine impact it has made on my life in far greater detail. The show holds a special place in my heart, and this series has not changed that, once again exceeding my expectations for the amount of story that can fit into a half hour slot. Now I’m going to try and erase the final images of ‘The Last Weekend’ from my mind.

~ Caelum

My previous Inside No. 9 reviews:

Short Reviews of Every Single Episode of Inside No. 9 [1/2] (Series 1-3)

Short Reviews of Every Single Episode of Inside No. 9 [2/2] (Series 4-6)

Another Series of Inside No. 9 Just Ended…So I’m Back (Series 7)

Another Series of Inside No. 9 Just Ended…So I’m Back

Series 7 of Inside No. 9 aired its series finale on Wednesday of this week, which means I have an excuse to write more about my favourite show. I’ve noticed a lot of mixed opinions on some of the episodes, but as someone who is pretty content to just trust the writing I think that usually lets me be pretty satisfied by the end of each episode. I never try and build expectations ahead of time, so I have yet to be thoroughly disappointed by the BAFTA winning anthology series.

Without further ado, let’s get into this. Fair warning: there will be spoilers.

1. Merrily, Merrily

My favourite episode of series 7 is easily this one. It is quintessential Inside No. 9 with a wonderful emotional core so stunningly portrayed by Reece Shearsmith, Steve Pemberton and guest star/long-time friend Mark Gatiss. It’s a story about people who have gone their separate ways, reuniting on a pedalo. Not a sentence I expected to write. With both Pemberton and other guest Diane Morgan providing a lot of the comic relief, the whole episode has the comedy and the drama that is advertised. There is a beautiful exploration of grief and nostalgia that, by the end of the episode, made me feel completely at peace. That feeling will not last for the rest of the series.

2. Mr. King

It took a long time for me to understand what was happening in this episode. This is the masterful writing we come to expect from the Shearsmith and Pemberton team, as they do such a wonderful job of burying the lede. When I realised that this was a Wicker Man thing, I was delighted. I know that’s a favourite horror film of both of the writers, and it’s one of mine too. Admittedly, it’s also one of the most disturbing episode of the series, and it’s probably not one I’ll be rewatching any time soon, but I have a fondness for it in the same way I have a fondness of The Riddle of the Sphinx. It’s wild, I love it.

3. Nine Lives Kat

This is an episode for the writers in the room. The revisiting of drafts, the battling with clichés, and the genuine guilt some people have when they leave a character behind. With Pemberton as the omnipresent writer, whose place in the story is difficult to really figure out until about halfway through the episode, it’s a sort of trippy experience with a kind of horror/thriller vibe to it. One thing I noticed about the whole series was that there was a theme of playing around with the format of storytelling, layering of elements that are not always messed around with in a lot of TV shows. It makes me happy to see the risks taken in this series, which we will get further into in the series finale…

4. Kid/Nap

It’s time to talk about my passion: directing. I love the parallels made through split-screens across the course of the episode. There is, once again, the brilliant marrying of the manipulation of perspectives in both the writing and the directing of this episode, which I think is epitomised here. So many twists and turns appear in this one, giving the impression of your classic crime drama with the trademark silly humour that we saw in Wuthering Heist in series 6. Also Jason Isaacs is there, and if Lucius Malfoy can’t convince you this episode is excellent, then I don’t really know what can.

5. A Random Act of Kindness

This episode reminded me that I never trust Steve Pemberton’s characters. There’s almost always something going on in the background with them. Stylistically, I loved A Random Act of Kindness, there was this cheesiness to the way that the future and the present were set against each other. To me, it read as a love letter to all of the depictions of the future in other time-travel based media, with clean modernism and lasers being all over the place in the denouement. Jessica Hynes and Noah Valentine have wonderful on-screen chemistry too, as the mother and son central to the plot, and it’s clear from the writing that both Pemberton and Shearsmith are fathers of teenagers. Admittedly, this one took me a while to understand but when I worked it out, I really appreciated the construction of the narrative.

6. Wise Owl

Before I watched this episode, my friend (who caught it before me) offered me a content warning. I said no, but having watched it I can see why they offered. The mix of the childlike animation that can be seen in Public Service Announcements aimed at young audiences and the live action elements we usually see were so wonderfully unsettling. Also present were elements that made me think someone had recently watched Donnie Darko and a hell of a lot of taxidermy, making for an overall vibe that had me on the edge of my seat. Reece Shearsmith does most of the heavy lifting in the acting for this episode and is, as always, incredibly compelling to watch, as I found myself rooting for his character to stab his father once I understood the narrative. The ending was incredibly satisfying, and I was so pleased as the character of Ronnie walked away. It was haunting.

That is a wrap for me on this series. My top two episodes for series 7 are absolutely Merrily, Merrily and Wise Owl, both of which had new directors to the series at the helm with Al Campbell and Louise Hooper. While I would love to see Guillem Morales return to direct other episode in the two new series that have been commissioned(!!!) it’s nice to see some new faces. It really gives each episode that self-contained flavour. On the whole, I think Inside No. 9 is going from strength to strength and I will be eagerly anticipating series 8.

~Caelum

Short Reviews of Every Single Episode of Inside No. 9 [2/2]

Originally, I posted these to my Tumblr blog before I started this blog. I have split this into two parts so you don’t have to spend the rest of your life scrolling. The last post is here if you haven’t read it.

Disclaimer: my opinions are not definitive but they are bloody good. There may be spoilers so read at your own risk.

Series 4

1. Zanzibar

This is my mum’s favourite episode. I read about it being written in iambic pentameter and was initially worried that it would feel gimmicky, but it’s done so seamlessly it feels like you’re enjoying a modern Shakespeare play. It’s funny and lighthearted with some great references peppered around. The colour scheme of the set is so aesthetically pleasing and the directing was, in my opinion, impeccable. 

2. Bernie Clifton’s Dressing Room

I love seeing Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith acting opposite each other with such an intimate storyline. The ending is bittersweet and appears as another lovely examination of grief, but in a far less bleak way as it has been seen before. Among much more complex storytelling methods, this episode is more paired down and that is far from a criticism. 

3. Once Removed

Now this is a clever one. The reverse chronology is a fascinating setup that is initially quite confusing but truly genius. Shoutout to Reece for playing an assassin that probably could have quit while he was ahead at some point. It’s also one of the most creative locations of the “No. 9″ as the final ten minute segment shows.

4. To Have and to Hold

I am probably the best audience member for Inside No. 9 as I do not think, I just let Steve and Reece drag me around with the stories and I try not to predict the endings. As a result, this episode hit me like a freight train. Initially, I felt like it was an episode that was moving fairly slowly and was simply a look at an unhappy marriage; I did not expect a Josef Fritzl situation. The marriage vows are a creative way to separate the scenes that lull you into a sense of security to begin with. Honestly, I can’t look at Pot Noodles in the same way. 

5. And the Winner Is… 

Okay. This is my least favourite episode of Inside No. 9. While it’s not necessarily a bad episode, it’s one I often find to be rather unremarkable. However, on the far more positive side, there are some great funny moments and Zoë Wanamaker is a particularly delightful presence. 

6. Tempting Fate

And we are back on the comfortable praise train from the mild criticism carriage. My mum and I decided to actively look for the hare that is in the background of every episode during the first time watching Tempting Fate. Imagine how irritated we were. Mild bitterness at the hare placement aside, I think this episode is brilliant. It’s funny and clever and the setting of the flat truly feels like the home of a hoarder. There’s something genuinely sad about the setting: a council flat filled with miscellaneous crap (it must have been fun to dress that set). A final note is that the sound of the rat made my cat want to fight the TV.

Bonus: Dead Line

Watching this episode on BBC iPlayer does not make it hit as hard as seeing it live would have been, but it did not stop me falling for it hook, line and sinker. I am, to this day, completely furious with Steve and Reece for baffling the living shit out of me the first time I watched this episode. The whole thing is absolutely glorious and it’s always nice to see comedy veteran Stephanie Cole.

Series 5

1. The Referee’s a Wanker

I do not understand football and nor do I care to, but I do enjoy this episode. First, I have to give credit to the costume department for making Mitch’s mascot outfit look like all animals and none at the exact same time. Then I would like it to be noted that I live for gay shit and, as a result, love this episode. I think this episode is one of the funniest with a nod to genuine issues of being openly queer in sport. Though somehow Reece Shearsmith seems to be playing the gayest character in the room, but more on that later. 

2. Death Be Not Proud

There are two things I love: Psychoville and John Donne poetry. This episode has both of those things. It also has terrifying hoover placement, a dreadful pun about babies and bathwater and references to serial killers that I understood to a disturbing degree. Watching this episode with people who haven’t seen Psychoville is interesting: they understood it, but the sense of humour wasn’t to the taste of my dad who found it too dark at points. I, meanwhile, think the episode is fun and ridiculous. Extra points for the dance number. 

3. Love’s Great Adventure

A blink-and-you-miss-it twist. I blinked and I missed it the first time but happily I’ve watched it another two times since the first so I now fully understand the plot. The use of the advent calendar is another clever visual choice, and Guillem Morales’ (a director I expressed my admiration for in the last post) choices in this episode feel ever so slight Ken Loach-esque. There’s a familiarity among the cast that makes them incredibly believable as a family. Simple and deeply effective.

4. Misdirection

Reece, your magic nerdiness is showing. The setup of the flashbacks early on really settle you into the style of the episode as a viewer and I think that Misdirection holds the record for the earliest Steve’s character has been killed off (and in quite a brutal way as well). The entire concept of the episode is a real winner and I could rant about the directing choices for hours – which my friends and family can attest to. 

5. Thinking Out Loud

Do I have some dubious feelings on this episode due to the stereotypical portrayal of dissociative identity disorder? Yes. Do I feel that Maxine Peake’s character is completely justified in her crime? Absolutely. Steve directed this episode solo and an impressive job he made of it as well: making what is essentially a series of talking heads interesting is no mean feat. Shoutout to the character of Galen for making me jump so much; Inside No. 9 is not good for my blood pressure.

6. The Stakeout

At no point while watching this episode did I predict the twist. It felt so out of left field it took me a while to appreciate The Stakeout for what it was. Now, I appreciate the peppering of clues you get throughout and the dynamic between the characters. Bonus points if you caught what the name ‘Varney’ is a reference to before I did, which was about thirty seconds ago when I started writing this review. 

Series 6

1. Wuthering Heist

Right, when I first saw this episode I was right in the middle of studying Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights and when writing an essay kept spelling ‘Heist’ instead of ‘Heights’ so I’m annoyed about that. Otherwise, I love this episode. It’s funny and it’s clever and it’s stacked to the gills with dreadful puns.

2. Simon Says

Somebody watched Stephen King’s Misery recently and it shows. I am absolutely terrified about the fact that Steve and Reece clearly did a lot of research into fandoms for this one, mostly for their sake. The whole episode had an uneasy sort of edge to it that was incredibly compelling. There are also some brilliantly framed shots in this one, all the sort of things that I find dead exciting.

3. Lip Service

I think this episode might have actually given me whiplash. The twists in this one made me so happy and the atmosphere of the whole episode was so beautifully curated, it was the perfect sleazy hotel. I have to give Steve some serious credit for his performance which was both sympathetic and slightly unsettling at all the right moments; as well as a special mention to the moment with the phone call, in which Sian Clifford’s character gives voice to Felix’s wife.

4. Hurry Up and Wait

This one is interesting because I honestly thought I was going to be incredibly underwhelmed by the ending. Thankfully, I was not. This is the episode that made me the most uncomfortable of the whole series: it had a genuinely strange mood to the whole thing and that is not a criticism. By no means is this my favourite episode of the series, but I think it has it’s merit as a mystery perpetuates throughout that, as a viewer, you want to get to the bottom of. Bhavna Limbachia gave an excellent performance in what was really quite a small role but one that reminded us of the context of the situation. 

5. How Do You Plead?

In this episode the lighting gets darker as it progresses, something I didn’t notice until I had to shut the curtains because I couldn’t see. It’s a little detail from Morales that is so satisfying. Every single aspect of this episode is what I love about Inside No. 9: it has comedy, mystery, and intertextual references that I felt clever for understanding. It is also worth noting I was completely right not to trust Steve playing a seemingly minor role. 

6. Last Night of the Proms

I mean…I can’t work out what to say about this one. I don’t mind saying that I do not fully understand what was happening here. If I’m being honest, the few times I’ve watched this episode I’ve been distracted trying to repress memories of terrible family gatherings. I think the episode was an interesting exercise in interplaying music and narrative in a way that is slightly reminiscent of ‘Empty Orchestra’ and I enjoyed it for that. It’s also another episode with a fair sense of humour which I appreciated following how unsettling ‘How Do You Plead?’ was.

Now that I am all caught up with the existing series, it is a fair guess that I will be returning for the next few right up until the end. Hopefully with fewer episodes to cover in one go, I’ll be able to make my opinions more in-depth rather than the brief overviews here. My love of Inside No. 9 cannot really be limited to a few sentences, after all.

~ Caelum

Short Reviews of Every Single Episode of Inside No. 9 [1/2]

Originally, I posted these to my Tumblr blog before I started this blog. I have split this into two parts so you don’t have to spend the rest of your life scrolling.

Disclaimer: my opinions are not definitive but they are bloody good. There may be spoilers so read at your own risk.

Series 1

1. Sardines 

A killer way to kick off a series with an absolutely top notch cast. Sardines probably wins the award for the episode I’ve spent the most time thinking about after watching, putting all the little things that went over my head at first into place. It was the first of this series I watched and I spent about an hour after I saw it thinking about what happened…at 3am when I couldn’t sleep, which admittedly isn’t the smartest move I’ve ever played. I love the set design in this episode as well with everything seeming delightfully old fashioned. 

2. A Quiet Night In

This episode is something of a masterclass in farce and it is a bold move to have the second episode of a new series almost completely free of dialogue. It’s dirty, it’s full of silly slapstick and it’s a nice change of pace after the rather harrowing ending to the first episode. I will say that I found the reveal that the character of Sabrina being a trans woman in the way it was done did lack a certain level of taste. However, I have to give credit for the follow-up joke with the sex doll that genuinely tickled me. 

3. Tom and Gerri 

This is an episode I enjoyed more when I thought about it more. It beautifully shows the decline of Tom’s mental health (acted impeccably, lovely work from Reece). Also it was quite nice to see Reece and Steve acting opposite each other more, they have great chemistry together and Steve as Migg is perfectly unsettling, with it being almost unnoticeable at first that he and Gemma Arterton’s Gerri are never in the same room. The whole episode has a subtle sense of humour and could easily have been a one-act play (and actually started out as one). It felt like the most down-to-earth episode of the series so far.

4. Last Gasp

Now, I have to be honest with you: I do not exclusively have glowing praise for this episode. I enjoyed it far more after watching it more than once as I liked the humour of it. One of my favourite things was the video camera perspective at the start, as well as some lovely moments with the music. However, I’m not overly keen on the ending, I just found it slightly underwhelming, though I must admit that I wouldn’t be entirely sure what kind of ending would have been better. 

5. The Understudy

Back on the praise train kids! I am a big old Shakespeare nerd (as are Reece and Steve, apparently) and I studied Macbeth for my GCSEs so I was particularly excited when I watched it. I will also have to give a little nod to the directing of this episode, it was an absolute feast for the eyes. In addition the line “f*ck me, it’s a ghost!” lives rent-free in my head.

6. The Harrowing

Oh hell yes (no pun intended). I think this episode is a great one to cap off the first series, really demonstrating the versatility of Steve and Reece as writers. Also, I’m a big horror fan and the entire atmosphere of it really appealed to me and had a genuinely creepy haunted house vibe to it that I fell in love with slightly. Though I would say that the second I saw that house I would have run about fifteen miles in the opposite direction.

Series 2

1. La Couchette

This episode is very similar to Sardines in the sense that it feels rather claustrophobic, but this time it leans far more towards the comedy side of things rather than drama. Bonus points for Steve demonstrating his German skills. Though I must say that this isn’t one of my favourite episodes simply on the basis of the fact that the humour isn’t entirely my style, but I would by no means call it bad.

2. The 12 Days of Christine

Ah yes, the episode I’ve cried at every time I’ve watched it. This one is a strong demonstration of how to wrong foot an audience: you never quite know what’s going on until towards the end and all of the horror-esque moments just add to the confusion making the ending one hell of an emotional gut-punch. I wouldn’t watch it if you need something to cheer you up, though.

3. The Trial of Elizabeth Gadge

My second favourite episode of series two, The Trial of Elizabeth Gadge is packed to the brim with silly puns and smutty jokes. I personally predicted the twist but in this case I don’t think it really mattered as I was too busy enjoying the Horrible Histories for adults thing that was going on. Bonus points for another killer cast.

4. Cold Comfort

The first of two episodes directed by Steve and Reece and really quite a bold one at that. The whole thing is filmed in the style of a CCTV feed, which I’m pretty sure an experienced director would warn you off trying, but it really pays off in the narrative. Since the camera doesn’t switch focus at any point, it really relies on the acting performances to keep your focus which, in my opinion, the cast fucking nailed.

5. Nana’s Party

If I had to describe the episode in two words they would be ‘domestic drama’. It’s a fairly classic setup of a family with their fair share of secrets, namely adultery and alcoholism, but happily doesn’t give the game away too early and a layer of humour is added by the slightly irritating prankster character of Pat. It’s the second episode of the series directed by Steve and Reece and has a sort of understated quality to it, showing Claire Skinner’s character’s exacting nature above a layer of familial drama. 

6. Séance Time

My favourite episode of series two, at first you think you’re walking into another haunted house scenario until you find out it’s a prank show that went off the air due to a scandal. There’s a great sense of humour throughout, and I don’t know whether I’m easily freaked out or the final jumpscare was genuinely terrifying but I flew about fifteen feet into the air when I saw it. Once I’d peeled myself off the ceiling, I really appreciated that it felt like a slow burn horror despite still only being half an hour. 

Series 3

1. The Devil of Christmas

I live for schlocky horror films that are so cheesy they give you nightmares if you watch them before bed. So the 1970s film within the episode, accompanied by a director’s commentary-cum-police interview performed by Derek Jacobi, was an absolute treat. The story of Krampus is one that has been done a lot, but never as a snuff film (as far as I know) so it was a nice little twist.

2. The Bill

Every time I rewatch Inside No. 9 this is the episode I always have to watch no matter what. It is such a simple premise and it feels slightly reminiscent of the Geoff, Mike and Brian sketches from The League of Gentlemen. Now is probably the moment where I should sing the praises of director Guillem Morales who has, quite frankly, become my personal hero having seen the many, many episodes of this series he’s directed. The framing in this episode is absolutely genius, but it’s only really obvious after you’ve watched it a few times and I have to give kudos for making a dialogue-heavy episode visually interesting. There are jokes that I think about at least twice a week and I am obsessed with Jason Watkins’ acting…I think this will be my longest review of this whole post. 

3. The Riddle of the Sphinx

This is the best episode I will never watch again. I love horror, and I’ve watched some bone-chilling films but something about this episode made me feel so uncomfortable. It is also a real testament to Steve Pemberton, who I’m led to believe is the cryptic crossword fan who took the lead writing this episode, that he wrote something involving cryptic crosswords that didn’t give me a migraine. 

4. Empty Orchestra

Ah, what a nice change of pace after the last episode with something far lighter. The karaoke booth concept is so fun and I’ve never understood the criticism of the episode. That being said, of every single antagonist in every single episode of Inside No. 9, Connie is the character I love to hate the most. All of the characters feel more like people you’ve met before and the vibe of a group of work colleagues in a karaoke booth going through the usual petty drama feels familiar. I think series three is one that has some of the darkest concepts and this is a great exception to that. 

5. Diddle Diddle Dumpling

When I looked in the background more while rewatching this episode, I noticed a lot of things were in twos. I can only assume that was a deliberate choice made somewhere along the line, and one that pays off when you notice it. Both Mat Baynton and Keeley Hawes played their parts to perfection, with Mat really doing quite a lot with a fairly small part. The whole episode reads as an interesting analysis of grief, in a similar sense to Tom and Gerri. Also, Reece’s character did not murder the remaining twin and apparently I’m the weirdo for thinking that was what was being implied. In my defence, there was cannibalism earlier in the series; filicide did not seem like that big of a leap.

6. Private View 

Agatha Christie eat your heart out (that wasn’t meant to be a reference to the ending, it’s just a happy accident). Murder mysteries are my absolute jam so I am obsessed with this episode. The modern art show is such a great setting for a whodunnit as demonstrated by the reaction to the discovery of Peter Kay’s character’s body. All the characters have their brilliant little quirks, and the killer is revealed at the perfect time and it was a good idea to not make that reveal the twist. 

That’s all I have for you at the moment, I hope you enjoyed my ramblings. So, do you disagree with any of my opinions? If so, let me know!

~ Caelum

Next Up: Red Dwarf: The BBC’s Outsider Sitcom