Inside No 9 review – nothing short of miraculous
Each episode of Inside No 9 is completely unique, but also has a common thread. Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton often begin each of their amazing horror-comedy anthology shows with a scene of a typical UK setting. It's ordinary, humdrum, uncomfortable, and quirkily hilarious. Although, that scene of normality is filled with apprehension from the start, and eventually, the programme digs out a couple of suspenseful moments. We all know it's coming; we just don't know when or how. Shearsmith and Pemberton have made use of this method nearly 50 times already. The fact that it still produces such captivating, heart-pounding, and uniquely ingenious TV shows is nothing short of miraculous.
Shearsmith and Pemberton may be taking a cautious approach by bringing the No 9 series to a close with its ninth season. The duo has stated that it is more of a "pause" in production rather than a permanent end. Unfortunately, this means that fans may not get the mind-bending twist ending that they are used to from the series. No 9 is well-known for its unexpected conclusions that leave audiences reeling. It would have been exciting to see how they would have topped themselves this time around.
Now, we have the first episode of a new series to watch. The opening scene takes place on a London underground train with few people. However, it's a unique experience as many famous actors are part of the show, including Siobhan Finneran, Charlie Cooper, Philippa Dunne, Joel Fry, Mark Bonnar, Susan Wokoma, and Matthew Kelly who looks different from his usual appearance. It feels like a combination of popular recent TV shows. If you found yourself in that train carriage, you wouldn't believe it!
Being part of Inside No 9 would be an amazing opportunity for any actor, with famous faces like Eddie Marsan, Natalie Dormer, and Adrian Scarborough appearing in later episodes. However, despite the star power, it's Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith who are the heart and soul of the show. Their talent for creating fully-formed characters with rich histories in just a few short moments is what makes the series work so well. In one episode, Shearsmith plays a retired man who's settled for a dull, humdrum existence that his wife (played by Finneran) isn't too happy about. Meanwhile, Pemberton is a bold and unapologetic drag queen who's always ready to challenge the status quo. But when Cooper's homeless character begs for money on their train ride, things take a turn. The train comes to a grinding halt, the lights go out, and a nurse (Dunne) discovers her purse is missing. Bonnar, a seething teacher, decides to search everyone for the thief, but Fry's paranoid character won't let him check his bag.
In contrast to previous episodes that often use sudden and dramatic plot twists, this episode builds up suspense and leaves the audience guessing until the final reveal. The twist is unexpected and well-executed, showcasing a dramatic shift in perspective. However, despite the rest of the episode being engaging, the twist is not as successful as it could be. The best endings usually connect various clues scattered throughout the story, but this one seems to come out of nowhere and feels far-fetched. Rather than resolving questions, it leaves the audience with even more. While this episode has a powerful political message, an effective twist requires plausibility on both a literal and symbolic level.
Shearsmith and Pemberton still have five chances to get it right, just like they have in the past. The upcoming episodes will feature an escape room, an Edwardian piano-tuner, and new neighbors. Even if an episode of Inside No 9 leaves you feeling confused, it's still much better than most shows out there. Other series drag out their one big twist too long, but this show impresses us with its creativity.
Shearsmith and Pemberton stated that they will be producing a West End performance inspired by their TV series. Although the theater will enhance their spine-chilling narratives, it's the television's eerie closeness that suits their style more. It's expected that these two exceptional creators won't stay away from TV for too long.
