Welcome to another blog post! Today I’m sharing 9 of my favourite Inside No. 9 episodes. Inside No 9 is one of my favourite television shows of all time. It is a black comedy anthology series created by Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton and I truly believe it is an absolute genius in its genre.
There’s not one episode of the show that I don’t like so narrowing this down to 9 (get it?) was extremely difficult. In the end, these are the ones that stuck with me the most for different reasons. I’ll share why I like them so much and offer a brief synopsis. I’ll also share a few honourable mentions at the end. Do also let me know if you’ve ever seen this show and what your favourite episodes are! Let’s get to it!
The Harrowing
In this episode, a teenage girl is hired to house sit, but it appears that there are scary things going on in this home. The reason why I like this episode so much is because it’s genuinely scary. It’s got a gothic horror vibe to it that I really appreciate.
The 12 Days of Christine
This episode tells the story of Christine, a young woman living in a small flat, over 12 years in her life, focusing on key days and life events in that time. This is an episode that never fails to make me ugly cry. It’s heartbreakingly good.
The Devil of Christmas
This episode is set in December 1977 and begins with an English family arriving at a chalet where their guide (played by Shearsmith) tells them the story of Krampus. I think this episode is genius. It’s funny, unsettling and there’s a wonderful and horrifying twist at the end.
Zanzibar
This episode is set in a hallway of Hotel Zanzibar and is written entirely in iambic pentameter. This is another episode that I think shows the genius of Pemberton and Shearsmith. It’s very different but I really like that.
Bernie Clifton’s Dressing Room
This episode is about a comedy duo who reunite after 30 years and get together in a church hall to practice their old skits. This episode is probably my favourite. Like ‘The 12 Days of Christine’, it is heartbreaking and the performances from Pemberton and Shearsmith are simply incredible.
Merrily, Merrily
This episode centres around 3 friends who met at university who are on a boating trip. One of the friends invites their new partner along and of course things go very wrong. The reason why I like this episode so much is the acting and simplicity of it. It’s also hilarious.
Wise Owl
Anyone remember the Wise Owl who kept the children safe in public information films from 1970? This episode is all to do with that, featuring a man called Ronnie who has spent his entire life trying to do the right thing. This episode was so unexpectedly bleak. I really really enjoyed it.
3 by 3
I don’t actually want to explain this episode because it will ruin it for you. Just know this was wonderfully different, wonderfully unexpected and wonderfully wonderful!
The Last Weekend
This episode is about Chas and Joe who have been together for nine years. It’s a long time to be truly in love with someone. However, not everything is at it seems. The twist at the end. It was honestly quite terrifying to watch in real time. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
And that’s it! Thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to read this post and I will see you soon for another one!
Beth
Beth Olivia 