We are two episodes in on the latest series of Inside No.9 and they have both been superb. Surely this has to be one of the best and most original comedies out there with the ideas and writing of Messrs Pemberton and Shearsmith continuing to amaze.
Last weeks episode “The Referees A W***er” was a brilliant start with all the classic Inside No.9 trademarks – a single room setting, superb dialogue, multiple plot twists and a surprise ending. Last nights second episode was an even bigger treat – especially for fans of their previous work (I won’t go into details just in case there are folks that haven’t watched).
I would put both of these high up in the all time greatest episodes ranking – my all time favourites being ‘A Quiet Night In” (the silent comedy one), ‘The Riddle Of The Sphinx” (the cryptic crosswords one) and “Zanzibar” (the farce done in iambic pentameters)
So, your further thoughts on Inside No 9 – this current season, the best episodes, previous work, etc etc.
When it’s good it’s great (though tbh I wouldn’t put the referee episode in that category). Episodes I have particularly loved include your three, and, above all The Twelve Days of Christine. It doesn’t really matter that not every episode hits the spot when the ambition, variety and attention to detail or so great. It’s a brilliant series and should be applauded as such.
Agreed! Love this show, and it took me until the third series to catch on to it. (Which is strange as I was a massive League of Gentlemen fan).
I find even the weaker episodes are at the very least watchable. And the stronger ones are some of the best TV I have ever seen. Great guest stars as well.
Haven’t watched the new episode of this series yet -looking forward to it!
Good job that I didn’t mention any details on episode 2 then……
Yes, and thank you for that!
I assume it’s a comic tale with sinister undertones and a twist in the tale…. a safe assumption, that….
I didn’t watch League of Gentlemen and only know Pemberton and Shearsmith through other things they pop up in. Last night I watched “The Referees A W***er” out of curiousity and was taken aback. Several laugh out loud moments, a great plot and seemingly over in a flash. Best thing I’ve seen in ages.
I think the previous 4 seasons are all on iPlayer – you are in for a treat.
Inside No 9 is the best thing on telly.
The 12 Days Of Christine is one of the best 30 minutes of TV ever. I was in absolute pieces at the end.
I hope it comes to Netflix in the US soon. I’d like to have something lined up when I’ve watched The Stranger.
It’s on BBC iPlayer, so if you have a VPN you should be able to watch.
I tried a VPN a few years ago but I could never get it to work. I am useless with computers, though, so it was probably user error. OK, it was definitely user error.
Give Express VPN a go, dead simple to install, robust and reliable and you can pretend to be in UK – or Nicaragua, if the mood takes you. Costs, can’t remember how much, but worth it.
I saw The Referee… a month or so ago at the NFT as well as another episode yet to be aired. That one was pure genius in that everything slotted into place at the end and we spent the train journey home saying ‘ oh and of course that meant….’
Can’t wait to watch it again with the knowledge of what is coming.
The 12 Days of Christine and Bernie Clifton’s Dressing Room are my favourites. The ideas that they have turned out over the 20 odd episodes they’ve done have been astonishing.
Bernie Clifton’s Dressing Room! Of course! If that’s the one I’m thinking of – where they are a retired comedy double act? – it’s my favourite one I think. They both show real slapstick comedy chops in that as well.
I really enjoyed Monday’s episode, but I’m not sure what someone unfamiliar with their earlier work would have made of it.
It was simply the best
Better than all the rest ?
Very good by the way.
I was never a fan of League Of Gentlemen but No.9 is wonderful.
My favourite episode is Cold Comfort, the one about the Samaritans call and CCTV.
Oh my goodness, I keep forgetting how many great episodes there have been. The Samaritans one was properly chilling.
I also liked Tom And Gerri, the one where he brings home a homeless man. Its convoluted plot ties itself into a Gordian knot. Sardines still makes me laugh even though I know it inside out (of the wardrobe).
It seems there is an Inside Number 9 podcast from Shearsmith and Pemberton. I only found out from a plug on another BBC podcast and haven’t heard it yet, but it should be worth investigation.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p08264rv
Just had chance to watch this weeks episode – Love’s Great Adventure, which was different to the normal twists and more twists that we get used to and look out for.
This was a brilliant “kitchen sink” drama played out as 24 mini vignettes that, put together, painted a picture of a struggling family in the run up to Christmas (the 24 being the doors on an advent calendar – you can guess where this weeks no. 9 came in…). Brilliantly written with seemingly throwaway scenes / comments all making sense at the end. It’s one you have to watch carefully.
I would put this one up there with “12 Days of Christine”. This program gets better and better……
I liked it, and it was a leap in terms of the depth of the drama and realism (it felt like a MIke Leigh movie at times).
But I think the “twist” was maybe too subtle for me… (No spoilers) I KIND OF got what had happened, but just wasn’t sure of the details and I wasn’t sure if it was meant to be ambiguous or not… I might need to watch it again and work out the sequence of events.
The BBC still seem to be insistent on touting the show as a comedy, but the dramatic aspects often overwhelm the comedic elements. Where there are laughs to be had, they are fleeting smirks rather than the belly laughs we came to expect from the League of Gentlemen series, which itself became darker and less outright funny as it progressed. But it’s a grown-up, intelligent and challenging show with consistently good quality writing.
Nothing much to add, but to say that a couple of my favourite episodes are the one in the train sleeper carriage and the one where they’re all arguing about paying the restaurant bill.
I haven’t seen any of the new series, but looking forward to it.