Inside No. 9

I don't think a thread has been made of this show yet so, given that we'll be getting it's final season this year, I though it made sense to make one.

If you don't know, Inside No. 9 is a fantastic anthology series (in a similar, though distinct, vane to Black Mirror). Most episodes have a twist, often of a dark sort. The episodes range from comedies, to thrillers, to dramas, to horrors, to, most frequently, a mix of (at least some) of those. Every episode is entirely standalone, except for them all occurring 'Inside no. 9' (though some episodes get creative with what exactly 'no. 9' is). Most episodes are also set within a single location.

The show was created, written by and usually starts Steven Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith (of The League of Gentlemen fame).

The new (and final) season is coming out in May. This article goes a bit into what we can expect: https://www.gamesradar.com/inside-no-9-creators-tease-final-season-sfx-interview-exclusive/#comment-jump.

I'm honestly shocked they haven't done an escape room one, it feels like the perfect fit for the show (plots with twists and turns set in a single location). Glad we're finally getting one.

Trailer for the final season:

Holy shit, is that Natalie Dormer? A brief Google search suggests that it is! As if I needed more reasons to be excited.

Edited by king15 on Apr 26th 2024 at 10:47:07 AM

Just saw the new episode (Boo for a Goose) and thought it was brilliant. I imagine it will be somewhat divisive because of its social commentary, but I think it uses its social commentary to create an interesting and tense storyline.

The acting was superb from everyone, building tension and creating these rounded characters. I can understand the portrayal of the character who's a drag queen might be controversial, he is portrayed very stereotypically. But (bearing in mind I'm not someone who does drag so obviously take what I say with a grain of salt) I think the character was saved by his brief speech about all the hate he's received for being who he is and how he shouldn't be judged for spending his free time lip-syncing to Lady Gaga, even if it is his way of ignoring the problems in the world. It's showing a stereotype, and then adding depth and context. It doesn't change the fact he's an awful, selfish, rude person, but does make him a well-rounded and sympathetic character that, at least to me, saves him from being offensive.

The general theme of paranoia and prejudice is used brilliantly to create the story, aided by the claustrophobic interior of train number 9. The twist at the end, in my view, was superb, I like how it was foreshadowed through the husband's change in character from rebellious youth to a man scared of confrontation, and I love how brutal it was. I thought at first the people who didn't stand up for the man with the bag were going to die, which would have been brutal on its own (given all of those characters are given depth and least a degree of sympathy, especially the nurse, and none deserved to die) but at least would have been a form of 'karma', but the opposite occurring is so dystopian and brutal that it hits a lot harder.

A strong start to the final season.

The next episode (coming next Wednesday) is called Trolley Problem. Oh dear. Looks like we'll have quite a dark one coming up (but they might well subvert our expectations, or double-subvert them). Looking forward to it.

Edited by king15 on May 8th 2024 at 9:57:25 AM

A brilliant Youtuber called Wee Lin (who has reviewed most of the episodes of the show and always provides an interesting percpetcive) has given her review of the episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io4d7wpOm2c&t=1s (sorry I can't seem to embed it). If you haven't watched the episode yet, don't worry, she always gives a brief overview before starting with the spoilers (and warns you for when the spoilers will begin).