Inside No 9 S7 E6 Wise Owl 

No, YOU'RE the best! Fantastic job on those animations - keep up the amazing work, and thanks for helping to create one of the greatest No 9s ever!

Sam, this is top notch public information and advice. You should be very proud.

It was a beautiful moment to watch, and a hopeful thought that Ronnie would finally get to heal and grow. He still has a mother who loves him (I really should have mentioned her performance too - brief as it was, I loved it), and I think they would be even closer once she learned what really happened to her family. They can finally get past that awful scene from the hospital where she asks why Ronnie lit the match when he knew it was wrong and Ronnie was bullied into staying silent. What an awful secret he had to keep. Maybe I'm overthinking, but this episode really made me feel for those characters.

I loved the ending. A dark ending would have worked too, but those last moments were pure perfection.

Yes yes and yes!

Thanks for sharing - I'm so sorry for what you've been through, but I'm so glad this episode resonated so strongly with you. I'm always so glad to hear whenever the positive messages of this show ring true with the people they're representing. It's been quite a series for neurodivergence too, hasn't it, with Steve's characters being dyslexic in Merrily Merrily and having OCD in A Random Act of Kindness. I've never seen Petscop, but I will look that up. Thanks once again, and I hope you have a nice day too 💜

I can't believe how well they nailed this whole episode, and I can't wait for the next two series. I'm so sorry for what happened to you, and you must have been really brave to speak out about it. I hope the episode didn't bring up too many bad memories, but at least the ending is positive, maybe even empowering? I can't speak for SA victims, but from what I've heard, I think the topic was handled well.

​@@WeeLin Well the good news is that that specific experience is far behind me. So, no, that didn't trigger anything for me. However, I can't say that for everything I went through in my childhood. My mother was an emotionally abusive alcoholic with narcissistic tendencies and a "marvelous talent" for gaslighting; which has left me with C-PTSD. And the good news about that is I'm in a much better place than I was 10 or hell even 5 years ago. So it wasn't the SA that hit home for me, but Reece's performance as a mentally and emotionally stunted man, on every rewatch, it hits a little closer because I've been there. Hell, that scared, angry and hurt little girl is still inside me but she's much calmer these days. But when he says 'I trusted you?' Oh that made me clench my jaw. These are the people who are supposed to help nurture and guide you into adulthood. And when a parent is negligent or abusive in any manner, it's a betrayal on a primal level that leaves you grieving for the relationship you wanted but will likely never get. By the end, I just felt so proud of Ronnie for finding his strength and the bravery to wield it. I was in that same spot years ago and it started me on my journey to a healthier and happier mind. So, when I see a character take those pivitol steps, I can't help but feel a sense of pride because now the real healing can begin. IDK if this is making any sense lol! But I hope it does. Thank you for your kind words, my dear. 🤗

@@SamiDC And thank you for having the courage to move on and share your story. Narcissists can mess you up for years afterwards, but it must be so much worse when it's come from a parent, someone you were meant to trust and depend on. That moment really does cut deep in the episode. I'm so glad you've managed to get to a better place in spite of it all, and I hope things continue to get better for you x

Nice observation. I didn't realise that until about my third or fourth watch (though I'd just thought about how he'd promised not to kill himself and hadn't thought much about the dad). The way his mum speaks makes me wonder if he'd attempted to harm himself in the past too. Watching it again, I find the conversation with Ronnie and his mum very sweet, especially considering everything behind their relationship - at this point, she still thinks Ronnie started the fire that killed her daughter, but she still loves him regardless and wants his company on Joanne's anniversary. I feel like their relationship will be much closer once Ronnie tells her the truth.

Agreed the best episode of the best season. They guys are on fire at the moment oops no pun intended.

It was peak No 9 and so much more besides. I can't believe we're getting still getting this level of quality 7 series in!

It's okay, they used safety matches!

The twist wasn’t that special, I just enjoyed the episode.

I'd thought that if they had to end it at seven series, that would have been an amazing note to go out on. Then I saw there were two new series announced right after, and I can't wait!

Given the themes involved it sort of felt… almost reminiscent of Sardines, in some ways? Very different tonally and ending on a wholly different note, obviously, but if it had been the end of the series overall there would have been some nice parallels there. Of course, Pip Harrison favoured a wholly different approach…

@@ssai90 That’s a great perspective, I didn’t think about it that way

That was horrible, even down to the way the voice got distorted like it was being run through an old tape. I was so glad it didn't work - loved the "get stuffed" line too!

@@WeeLin They did a great job with the voice work during the animated segments, even in the trailer it sounded like something that would've been made in the 70s. Also Ron Cook has a great voice for pulling off the effect and really suits the period they are recreating.

Me too - what a note to end it on!

I love Hereditary - the naked owl man gave off some serious Ari Aster vibes. And that bit with the cat's eyeball in the sandwich was deliciously grim.

Very lucky indeed, and Lousie Hooper, Sam O'Leary and Christian Henson too. When such thoughtful and talented people put their efforts together, you can get some truly incredible works of art. That's how I'd describe this episode - every part is exceptional, and yet it's also greater and more meaningful than the sum of those parts. I just can't stop praising it.

It was most definitely earned. They got the themes of abuse and negligence across without being overly crass and through showing things from Ronnie's point of view. I'm very happy with the message they chose to leave us with.

Thanks! I think it'd be nice to include more 80s-2000s content in a PIF video, as some of those definitely made an impression on me! I've looked up those blogs you mentioned to look at later - cheers!

Reece has done some amazing performances in his career, no doubt about that. But the way he plays Ronnie is something I think few actors could achieve without coming across as over the top or silly. You just feel for him right away and you keep wondering what happened to him to make him act this way. He'll have a hard time topping that performance in series 8, but I've no doubt both him and Steve will be fantastic!

It really is the perfect episode for PIF fans, horror fans and those with an interest in taxidermy. And I've just realised, that's one hell of a Venn diagramme!

Aww, thank you! I loved that they gave such a positive ending to such a dark episode, and I was also feeling nostalgic for Charley Says (I watched some of those right after). And I'm glad I'm not the only one who's started saying "twit-you!"

Nothing like a fun bit of taxidermy humour!

Yep wise owl slumped drunk in a seat was chilling stuff, great animation

Sorry for the wait - it was thanks to a combination of life stuff and also having a hell of a lot to say about Wise Owl, hence why the "short" review is almost twenty minutes long! The drunk owl scene was grim, although I did chuckle when the little girl said "He said BALLS!" Interesting ranking, I'm still deciding on mine - so many great episodes!

9ul11

You're very welcome - I love having a place to share my thoughts on No 9.

That's so horrible. Reminds me of hearing about children's TV presenters who turned out to be abusers after decades of being around kids at filming and other events. This really is one of the darkest episodes they've done, and it only gets more chilling the more you think about it.

Thanks for that message, and for sharing your own story. That sounds awful, and I'm sorry for what you went through. I think the ending shares your sentiment, that there's always hope. All the best 💜

Thank you.

I loved it too - I'm still haunted by Charley Says and all those other creepy old PSAs, even though I still get compelled to watch them again!

The fact that I just heard "DON'T BE A DUMMY, DON'T THROW FIREWORKS" being screamed out loud in a child's voice should give you some idea of the impact that one had on me too! It's also quite mad that "have a drink, have a drive" are actually some of the lyrics to that song - maybe it was only a matter of time before it was adapted into some twisted British drink driving PIF!

I may or may not have been the one to show him the Cartoon PSA 😏

Oh, I know that one - the bit where the camera pans down to the boy's body at the foot of the stairs. I might include that if I make a video on public information films - thanks for reminding me of it! And yes, I agree that the ending is truly profound because it shows bravery without resorting to violence or sensationalism. Brilliant ending, and a wonderful message about victims having the chance to speak out.

Of course you did!

Ah, someone's not a twit-you! That's no coincidence at all - Louise Hooper, the director on Mr King, also directed Wise Owl. Well spotted!

@@WeeLin fair enough that’s a good little bit of trivia I hope future no 9 reference eachother tbh because all the stories being linked would be really cool but I guess that could already be true because of the Hare statue

@@kianhd9056 I've thought about that hare... I might do a whole video about it when the last series wraps 🐰

@@WeeLin fair enough then would love to see that!

Ha! I swear, I keep seeing creepy owls everywhere now since this episode. There was a weird, misshapen little owl ornament in a charity shop I went into yesterday - I was slightly tempted to buy it, but then I don't know if I'd want it staring at me every day!

@@WeeLin but it could be friends with your hare statue!! Haha

@@Katielovegood44 It could, haha! Or maybe I should just stop collecting cursed objects.

I knew I'd like it from the public information films angle, only I never expected they'd create something so unique and perfect with that concept. They could have just made some creepy animations and left it at that, but there's just so much more going on.

Press F to pay respect to Cold Comfort (I do still prefer Wise Owl)

Update: I rewatched Cold Comfort recently Wise Owl has still beaten it despite the rewatch

I've seen "Video Scaries" and love it! I also enjoy his series of ident reviews, and I'm not even sure why. That's high praise indeed there for Wise Owl!

I've got so many favourite episodes already, and then they go and hit me with a new one.

Great news, isn't it? I was so excited for this one as soon as I saw the animations - they're perfect.

@@WeeLin I thought it was all outstanding!

It was terrifying, and somehow even worse when you watch it again and know what's happening. I think I actually screamed as the head started poking around the door - I'm sure I've had nightmares that started like that. And that scene with the burning house cuts me to the core, especially thinking about that poor girl trapped inside while the owl/her dad just sits there staring. A horrifying episode on so many levels.

Wait, he was in Hot Fuzz? There's my terrible facial recognition at it again! Which character was he? I love that film!

He was George Merchant! (Bit of a connection there with houses burning down I suppose) Yeah I’m doing a late rewatch of these and had a look through the comments. Thought I might as well answer this!

I've been getting quite a few recommendations for analogue horror lately, and it's really working for me. I hadn't thought of Ronnie being "a man in his/the seventies", nice spot!

I don't get it. What's the double bluff Adam?

@@abisu5273 the neighbour mentions that he was a man in his 70s, and the house that we as an audience presume is his seems stuck in the 70s

I think it's going to be one of my favourite series twit-too!

An absolute classic, and one of Reece's most impressive roles to date (and that's saying something!)

I think more people agree with you than you think, reading the comments here looks like the majority thought the ending had much more impact than a stabby stabby ending.

I completely agree - there's a time and a place for the stabby stabby endings, or the odd ritual human sacrifice, but this episode was already as dark as it could have gotten, so the ending was very welcome.

@@catbhoy I'm not saying it's an unpopular opinion. Just saying what I like about the series

@@yourfriendlycynic654 yeah yeah I realised that 😀

That'd be some triple bill - some of my own favourites right there!

so did I!!!

You weren't the only one.

It wouldn't have come right out of the blue to have that ending (and that would have been quite something, visually!) but I think the ending they went with was perfect. And at least, Ronnie did tell his father to "get stuffed".

@@WeeLin actually yelled "get in" when he said it haha

It might just be one of mine too!

"BLOODEH FRANKENRABBIT!" Yeah, Steve was great - we needed a laugh, grim as it was.

Yep I agree weelin handled the various subject matter so well and carefully, she should be so proud of this review one of her best.

Thank you - I always try my best to take care when discussing such topics. And I believe deserve to be talked about, especially when they're portrayed in such a thought-provoking way through programmes like this. For a show that goes so dark with its humour it times, it also gives us these moments of greatness beyond the sum of its parts. Ranking some of this series is going to be difficult, only because it was so good!

Thanks - that means a lot!

Sneaky pedalo, hiding in plain sight! Fantastic series - one of their finest, I think!

In that case, happy binge-watching! Hope you enjoy them.

Huh, that's such an interesting detail I hadn't made a connection with. Maybe there was some thought behind it, or maybe Wilf was just bad at doing taxidermy ears? Back on my first watch, I wondered if Ronnie's burnt ear was emphasising the fact that he didn't listen when he was told not to play with matches, but in the end it wasn't his fault. I'm going to go think about that for a bit!

@@WeeLin :)!

Everyone's entitled to their own opinion, of course. I love their gut-punchy twists, but I also just love it when they tell a good story and don't try to shoe-horn a big twist in towards the end. Glad you enjoyed some of it at least, including Ronnie's franken-rabbit!

@@WeeLin Aye, you're 100% right that some off the wall bizzaro twist wouldn't really work for this story and would probably undermine the rest of it. My favourite episode is Bernie Clifton's Dressing Room and that's probably the most grounded episode of the show's whole run, so I don't really know what I'm complainin about.

Good to know, because now I want to make one!

@@WeeLin Yay! Maybe it can be our in-between series while we wait for IN9?

I thought the LOG drawing might have just been a bit of dark humour for the book and maybe they'd only taken the name "Wise Owl" from it... turns out I was horribly wrong. Once I saw the owl in his room, I had this sickening feeling about what his father had done. That last time he uses the Wise Owl voice is chilling to the core.

Oops, sorry! But at least now you know not to go near pylons!

I agree - I've actually seen people saying the series wasn't that good, and I have no idea where they're coming from!

@@WeeLin Yep, there are some real specimens online. Super excited for your award video, keep up the great work!

Thanks (and it looks like quite a few people are saying the same thing!)

I rewatched this one more times than usual before I made my review, as it's one where you keep spotting small details that add to the bigger picture. That, and I just couldn't stop watching it!

Keeping This All In One Paragraph Not possible, right?

Thanks Joe for sharing your thoughts on series 7. I think I share a lot of your opinions (I'm also a big fan of Geoff Tipps - I even have a coffee mug that says "I won the mums!")

Well, I think 9 would be the magic number here! Plus I know Steve and Reece have said they'd ideally want to make nine series. It'll be sad to see it end, but you know those two - they'll no doubt start some other brilliant project when it wraps. I mean, we got Psychoville after the League, then Inside No 9 after that. I can't wait to see what they do after.

It's great, isn't it? We should be getting another two series of No 9 in the future, which would be the perfect number!

@@WeeLin it is! Love your videos too! I can not stop looking for analysis and Reddit threads haha

I've seen a few people saying this now... looks like I should make it happen!