Idk if it was intentional or not as I haven't been able to find any references to it online at all, but there's an awesome detail that I noticed during my inevitable "spot-the-hare" rewatch- if you pause the scene during the half-second where the puzzle can be seen before the maid breaks it up (I initially thought the hare might be hiding in the puzzle), some of the pieces are actually not in the correct place, which I assume was a very subtle foreshadowing to the final twist of the last sheet of music not being in the right order with the others. Like I said, no idea if it was actually intentional or not, but S & P rarely make mistakes and love subtle foreshadowing, so I have to assume it was...
Hey I’m not usually a commenter but just wanted to say that when I first started watching inside no 9 I tried so hard to find a good RU-vid series that discussed the show but none really talked about it with the passion I shared. Then I stumbled on your channel. I am frankly staggered that this channel doesn’t have more subscribers (as well as the show itself not having more viewers) and I religiously tune in whenever you post so I can hear your takes. You seem just lovely and are a prime example why I wish you could be friends with people online in real life more often. ❤❤❤
Thank you so much for watching and commenting! I felt the same after watching the first four series - I wanted to hear people talk about Inside No 9 in detail but there were almost no RU-vidrs making videos about the show (I remember Black Mirror was massively popular on here at the time and you'd get the odd video comparing the two shows, but that was about it). So I wrote a No 9 video (which ended up being two parts, because I had a LOT to say!), put it up on the channel and didn't think more than a handful of people would ever watch it. How wrong I was! I always say, if you really love something, then talk about it. Put your thoughts and your passions out there. Because, guaranteed, there are others out there somewhere who love the same thing and feel just as deeply as you do, and that one video or blog post might make someone's day. And thanks again for your comment, because you just made mine!😁
@@WeeLin Even more encouraged to start that blog I’ve been planning now!! Thank you, just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your videos and was so relieved to hear the channel won’t stop just because inside no 9 is!! ❤️
I didn’t even think the curse is a real superstition when watching it. I can imagine Steve and Reese’s giddy excitement when finding out there is a curse to do with the number 9 😂
I mean, how could they NOT use it? I do wonder how long they were holding onto it for! And yep, it's already a real superstition - I've even linked a few articles on it in the description.
As a composer and classically trained string instrumentalist, I'm honoured that _Inside_ _No._ _9_ would do an episode around the topic of classical music.
I'm glad you appreciated it! I love knowing that they did their research and gave the subject the respect it deserves. That's why they're a first class writing duo.
Its said a lot that Inside Number 9 would be great on the stage. (I know its becoming a thing.) This would be THE perfect episode to see on the stage i feel.
Ooh, those would be some fancy set pieces! I do like to see those. Plus all the lovely brooding candlelit scenes. Yes, I can definitely see this playing out on stage!
New episode and a new favourite for me. Loved the M.R.JAMES homage generally, especially in the manuscript switcheroo, pure Casting the Runes. Top cast really delivered. Best twist belonged to Natalie Dormer's neck. Felt the boys were trying to out Gatiss the Gatiss. Can/can't wait for the next one, cheers.
Enjoyed the atmospherics and style of this one, but completely agree on showing the manifestation of "The Curse". Didn't spoil it, but it did diminish the piece. Like others I have very mixed feelings about the final no.9; they've given us so much for so long I hope they haven't felt overburdened by the expectation. Steve & Reece have repaid our support many times over. Likewise you, Lin. Your reviews have been a lovely complement to this fantastic series, so thank you too!
That's very good to be considering Steve and Reece's feelings on this, and while I can't help but be hyped I wouldn't want them to be overburdened by expectations either. Like you said, they've given us so much already. Thanks for considering me also, but fortunately I'm not under the same pressure as the No 9 lads. If they were the composers, I'd merely be the piano tuner! But it's a real pleasure to be part of the experience and the No 9 fandom, and I've got plenty more left to say about the show when it finishes.
I think the flaw of the premise was that even though 1 of them would complete it, it was not the 9th symphony of either Jonas or Lillian, and so they shouldn't have been cursed at all. I'm glad to hear you're going back to the beginning with these reviews. Looking forward to future videos
Thanks! I'm happy to give curses a bit of a poetic licence, especially if someone is trying to cheat them for their own gain. It's like the work is cursed, and that curse can affect those who get too close, especially if it's going against the creator's wishes.
I loved this one, I really enjoyed that it was truly supernatural, there were moments that could lead to the deadly boring and overdone "actually not supernatural" twist but they didn't and I loved that. It really showed that sometimes that having no twist is more impactful than having one. Also Idk if it was intended, but the maid saying that she and Reece's character are like little people in the lives of more important people (Nath, Lil, the lawyer) and that Reece's character is underestimated which allows him to trick Lilian in the end.
I did get a bit of an upstairs/downstairs class division going on here, and I like stories where a character wins because someone underestimated them. And yeah, it was less of a twist and more of a reveal, but it's not all about the twist for me! Great episode, lovely bit of gothic horror.
Across the road from my flat is a Premier Store and the guy who's always behind the till looks just like Reece with his hair dyed similar to how it was in the Last Weekend, it is quite freaky when I go in because I feel like I've stepped into an Inside No 9. epsiode. The address is No.8, so very close as well
I loved this one. For me, it was one of those perfect episodes, production values out of this world, acting as brilliant as ever, pacing and plot literate, rude, funny and genuinely scary. Will be hard to top. And so gutting to think next week is the last. Thank you WeeLin for your brilliant reviews.
According to the credits, the score in this episode was live recorded by BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and London Recording Orchestra. I also remember Christian Henson posting a little video of him finishing up recording sessions with them on his Instagram. In terms of the final episode, I have a theory that they are going to pull a similar stunt to deadline, where it starts as a bus episode, and then freaky stuff starts to go down. I'm excited for it but sad that it's ending.
Ah, so if I'd paid just a tiny bit more attention then I could have answered my own question! Story of my life. But yeah, I can't wait to see what kind of stunt they'll be pulling on Wednesday - bet it'll be something awesome!
Possible Spoilers Ahead, Be Warned! First of all, thanks for another great video! I loved this episode, and I think it’s a shame that there weren’t more period episodes, they’re so atmospheric and the League Gents clearly love doing them! There was an effective mix of dark comedy and horror; I loved the bit when Reece’s character is prizing the book from the skeleton’s hands, the sound effects were brilliant. Christian Henson’s music was phenomenal, the cinematography was gorgeous, the direction was accomplished. No notes, really. Some people have complained that Reece’s character got away Scot-free. To be fair, there is not one sympathetic character in this episode; they’re all greedy and out for their own ends so I felt that Natalie Dormer paying the price (as she instigated the whole thing) was poetic justice. It was terrific. The ending was gloriously Hitchcockian, with a bit of the Hammer film ‘The Curse of Frankenstein’ thrown in. I bet Mark Gatiss adored this episode! I will miss this series. And yes, I am fascinated by what they’ve got planned for the final episode… 🧐
This is an episode which I think had really great themes and ideas but the story wasn’t really anything too memorable in my opinion. The basic plot kind of boiled down to Reece making a piece of music and tricking someone into getting Final Destination’d… and that’s kind of it. I know No. 9 isn’t ALL about the twists but I don’t think there was enough to help this episode stand out by comparison as the characters weren’t all that special. BUT, the episode makes up for its shortcomings with some brilliant themes in relation to art and the difference between artistic vision and profit (which felt very relevant for me as a Pixar fan who had to watch them give an interview basically saying that they’re aiming for higher profits in future rather than personal artistry). And I also found the stuff about writer’s block interesting. I loved the ties to the alleged curse of the ninth as that’s a really cool, niche reference which was interesting to learn about and the period was cool. Not a bad episode by any means but I just wanted something a bit more interesting from its ideas That’s just me though
That's absolutely fair (and I feel you with the Pixar comment - how utterly depressing!). And I can't believe I didn't think of Final Destination when I saw this. Been seeing some very mixed opinions about this episode so far. But of course, the REAL twist was what happened to Lilian's neck in the final moments! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, really appreciate it.
i saw the poster made by elizamaru on tumblr before this came out 9 (that shade of red by the way was specially chosen), and it really interested me, but i had no idea it was the penultimate ep until recently 😭 i loved this one, i love all the themes and the period and the concept fits so well with the series. this one was quite ambitious id say, but thats a good thing, i was giggling so loudly by the end
Very ambitious indeed, and I love that they were still being so bold and experimental even into the final episodes. The poster is gorgeous as well, love that style!
Glad I'm not the only one who's been having No 9 dreams! My guess is they didn't do many period pieces because they tend to be more expensive to produce, but I love the ones they did make.
I do find it mildly worrying that the penultimate episode of the ninth series is all about how, essentially, the ninth series of anything should never be finished. Are we definitely getting a final episode on Wednesday?
@@WeeLin Oh, and while I've got you, I'd just like to say thanks for doing this series. Especially for season 9 - so many of these episodes have left me a little disappointed on the first viewing (I think I expect too much from our boys) but listening to you talk about them has always brought out something new in them that I can love. You've inspired me to go back and watch a couple again, and I'm very glad I did. I've enjoyed this series more directly because of your reviews (Reviews? Analyses? Excuses to talk to random people about IN9?), and I'm sure I'm not the only one. So, thank you!
I feel like I should be wishing you condolences this week, hun. It's been a great ride and I hope you enjoy the show finale! I'm certainly not going anywhere -- I'm excited to see what you review next!
I think it'll be condolences all round the No 9 fandom, but I must say I'm looking forward to the finale. Thanks for sticking around - I have plenty of ideas in store!
I'm pleased to say that the final season now has an episode that is unambiguously in the running for my absolute favorite! No other episode has made me feel more like I'm watching a condensed horror comedy film. I also feel there were some references that might support my theory that Nine (the hare) is more involved than we know, Dickie describing a 9th symphony as "challenging fate" and there's every chance the curse ghoul and even the "ghost" of Nathaniel are just manifestations of Nine, much like my theory about the "devil" in How Do You Plead?. On a more lighthearted note, I love that we got another period piece and one loaded with double meanings in both plot and humor and characters with just enough quirkiness to feel humorous yet believable. Not to mention that you can't go wrong with an embittered and frustrated Reece. Every part of this episode was a knockout and it'll be a tall order for the finale to live up to it, but I'm sure Steve and Reece have something special up their sleeves :D See you for one last review next week, everybody.
I feel like this one could have been a movie, but somehow they've condensed it into a neat half hour. Reece was saying there was a scene cut for time, which will be detailed in the next script book, and I'm dying to see what it is! Also thinking that, in this scenario, you've got the curse of the hare combined with the curse of the ninth - double cursed! I've often wondered if a wish made near the hare could be the catalyst for every No 9 plot - might be a stretch, or could make for an interesting video?
@@WeeLin I wouldn't be surprised if the curse we see in the episode was manifested by the hare to torment anyone who uses a wish to find success in composing, it would explain why it's the 9th symphony to be cursed, since it seems the hare is drawn to that number. Both the descriptions for this episode and for Tempting Fate use similar phrasing for their respective curses, perhaps one is just a extension of the other.
WeeLin!!! I found the Hare for the VERY FIRST TIME!! I'm so chuffed! This episode was fantastic and my fave so far of this last series! Felt like one of the BBC's Ghost Stories For Christmas episodes. Just LOVED IT"!!!!
Thanks for another great discussion around No. 9! I'm with you on feeling torn between the excitement of the completely unknown final episode and the dread of it finishing. It takes me back 20 years to the anticipation of the final Harry Potter book coming out. Now that you've likened The Curse to Richmond I won't see anything else! I really liked this episode, especially the set, costumes and music. It wa clearly a labour of love for the members of the crew who work in these areas. I did feel that the ending was a bit abrupt, but Reece did say on Twitter (X) that there was a final scene that they had to cut for time, so that'll be fun to read when the script books come out. Thank you, as always, for making this content. I'm in Australia and Inside No. 9 doesn't air here, and so few people I know watch it (and they can't watch it when it goes to air anyway), so it feels lovely to have an online space where people are discussing my favourite show!
He is on screen, but only very briefly. But I guess the other characters didn't see the curse, so it's still kept a mystery to some extent. I stand corrected!
@@WeeLin not intending to correct at all, my memory might be muzzy and we did see more of it. But it was a very MR James curse even down to papers being passed to transfer on the curse.
I’ve seen quite a bit of disappointment for this episode online but I absolutely loved it. The atmosphere, period it felt like a hammer film! Completely agree that it’s a weird feeling heading into the last episode I’m excited to see what it is but I don’t want it to end 😭
i thought the first half of this series wasnt the best but the second half so far has been amazing!! i loved the potentially ambiguous ending where we dont truly know if she just scared herself to death rather than got pushed i always enjoy basically getting to pick my own ending as long as it makes sense. the mix of downton abbey and carry on was a bit jarring at first but i loved how it masked everyone's intention and got kind of dropped later on without me even noticing, just no notes about this episode everything worked and i cant wait for what plodding on is going to end up being! my bet is still on reece and steve trying to write the final number 9 before atomising the fourth wall by realising they're in it. also that times article is straight up wrong about this breaking the rules, episodes like diddle diddle dumpling focused on an item based 9 and explored more outdoorsy areas thanks to it
I know, right? No 9 has very few "rules", and it's always fun to see how they break them (Derek Jacobi being cast twice, the Ninth Circle being a work of fiction, Diddle Dumpling and the "black man's shoe", the list goes on). I can't wait to see what they're "plodding on" with on Wednesday!
I came to Inside No 9 late. Binged watched the first 7 series on iplayer. Have really enjoyed your reviews and will rewatch the series when you review seasons 1-4. Fingers crossed season 9 goes out with a belter
If nothing else, it made me realise how little I remember from my music degree! I think there will probably be some elements of the score and Jonah's conversation with the deceased composer that marry up - kinda want to see the "false recapitulation" as Jonah's decision to fake co-operation, but that might be a bit of a stretch. But that was a wonderfully dense claustrophobic soundtrack towards the end. Definitely not timid. Also appreciate them throwing in Dicky Van Arse and some 'poo and then just never really going back there tonally again. Smut for smut's sake is always welcome.
I may have to revisit this episode at some point using the combined powers of writer and composer to dissect that particular scene in more detail. Don't know how many No 9 fans would be nerdy enough to sit through it, but I reckon that's a non-zero sum. And yes, smut for smut's sake will never not make me laugh, especially with those two behind it!
I find it interesting that this episode has weirdly correlated with the release of the new episodes of Doctor Who for me, with one of them being about The Devil's Chord, a superstion of music and the other being set in a similar time period piece, although that last one is a bit more of a stretch as they are two different time eras but they both aired the same week so it was still an active thought in my mind lol 😂
@@WeeLin Tbh its essentialy undergoing a soft reboot currently and theres only 8 episodes so now is a good time to start watching i suppose, but no worries 😂
The score was magnificent. I hope Christian Henson might do one of his excellent vlogs but he said on Instagram it was the hardest challenge of his career! And wonderful to have one final.episode directed by Gulliem Morales who always does a wonderful job with details like lightning (thinking back to the Stakeout). Only found out today Natalie Dormer is in his film The Wasp which should hopefully come out later this year. Joshua Williams in his terrific vlog on the episode also discussed the way the issue of class is treated in the episode Do continue with your excellent inside no.9 vlogs
Ooh, I've not seen Joshua's video yet, but I'll definitely be doing that! I always enjoy his takes, plus we've had a few good chats in the comments sections. Glad I'm not the only one who picked up on the class implications! I've realised now that I failed to namecheck both Gulliem Morales (a pronunciation I often butcher, but I do try) and Christian Henson, but at least most veteran No 9 fans know who they are by now. Yep, I will absolutely be continuing with the No 9 vlogs, and I've got a few ideas in store for when the show ends.
I really loved this episode & that the nine they were all trapped in was the thrall of the curse...I wonder if there will be another curse of sorts in the last episode? I have a feeling none of us will have trouble spotting the hare this week.
Somebody took a hilarious screenshot of the curse at the end of the episode while it's midair and had a contorted grimace on its face, and posted in our No.9 chat group. This kinda ruined the episode for me forever, and if the curse never come to him for that, I would assume it to be either fake or dead.
Personally I've seen other people point out this but there was one thing that could have been changed in the ending. That being when she fell off the staircase instead directly landing on the floor there was something well someone else who she should have landed on. (Also someone's got to pick up those pages that's just hope they can't figure out of the correct order)
My partner was convinced The Curse was played by Noel Fielding lol. This was a fairly mid tier episode for me, but The Curse was really well done. 6-7/10 for me
I've got a knot in my stomach every time I think about the finale on Wednesday :-( like sure the show is ending, but Stage/Fright is happening next year as like a transition away from annual seasons and that's great for everyone who will be attending! I understand that there are like mere dozens of fans outside of the UK, but it'd be nice to have one little tour leg in the US 🙏 I'd probably fly anywhere within the country to see them, but it's a much bigger deal to plan a trip overseas (and I know that goes both ways, which is why I don't blame them for staying local 😉 to the UK)
Please consider pulling in your partner for a video essay on the music in Inside No9, so many episodes use songs in such significant ways (Tears of Laughter and Time to Say Goodbye alone!)
Keen to hear your take on this. Really lovely concept, but honestly probably the worst plot execution of all of them. I'm hoping they go sufficiently meta in the last episode and hopefully fix the ridiculous holes in this one. The only one that I thought I could do better (and I have actually rewritten it). Here's hoping for a banger for episode 6.
I have a feeling they might go meta with the last episode, or there'll be something special about it - otherwise, they'd just advertise as normal, wouldn't they? That's cool that you did your own rewrite - is there anywhere online where I can read it?
I actually did like this episode. I can understand a lot of the reasonably common complaints, I thought a lot of the same things as some of the more scathing write-ups, but like you said, they didn't diminish my enjoyment as much as they did for some reviewers - there was definitely potential to indulge more in the horror factor, for one. There's probably a certain mood that automatically comes with most period ghost (or ghost adjacent) stories but as well as M.R James, It felt a bit like an Edgar Allan Poe story in a way, and I do really really like Poe...definitely my favourite of the Teletubbies (the Teletubby name is spelt differently, and it wouldn't have even been funny if they were spelt the same but any time Poe's mentioned I have to say it...especially when I'm the one mentioning him with the hopes of saying it). No. 9 won't be over for me until I see Stage Fright in January- it's not long after my birthday; the one thing that can ease the existensial dread of aging is the actual dread of being in a place I'm not used to, witnessing terrifying and unprecedented events that I've paid a lot to see. Knowing I'm going has honestly eclipsed my excitement for other things I'm going to sooner, because I didn't think I'd get tickets...and the idea of something unexpected happening is very Inside No. 9 in itself.
I really liked it too, but I always like to acknowledge criticisms whenever I can. Honestly, with regards to the pacing "issues", I don't think that's something that would bother people who are already fans of this type of horror. Bones of St Nicholas was the same, with that slow, steadily creeping gothic dread. I love that, but I know it's not to everyone's taste. How's that part two of your series rundown video coming along? Looking forward to it!
Hear me out... I have a theory... I believe the final episode will be hold on tight. The reason for this as you mentioned only 5 episodes were shown in the trailer leaving a secret 6th. Also I think the plot of Curse of the ninth is particularly to do with it also. Steve and reece will think us (the fans) that they havnt made a finale episode as the pair of them might receive the curse themselves so there reason for NOT getting the cure is that they never made the last episode of the series (Hold on tight) we did, the fans... If you get what i mean 🤣🤣🤣
I'm really hoping that's the last ep after all the misdirection last series and all the trouble they went to, to get Robin Askwith over from Malta, where I think hes living now. Makes sooo much sense to have an ep with a no.9 bus!
The thought crossed my mind about the hints that they'll be "cursed" if they make a final episode, but they can NOT cheat us out of the last No 9! We'd RIOT! (online, probably, but there would be some VERY angry comments!)
Honestly im kind of with u there idk if i want to watch the last episode or not. like im sure it will be amazing but i just don't want it to end. its been a bit of a yearly tradition for me over the last 5 years since i found the show of watching the episode every week and then watching your reviews of them and discussing them. its kind of sad that its all gonna be over next week. i kinda hope it dose end with the bus episode but i doubt it though i can see them doing a fake out like making out we are about to watch the bus episode but its something else.
I wouldn't put that past them! Yeah, it does feel like the end of an era, and I've been so happy to be even a small part of that for fellow No 9 fans. I'll still be making No 9 videos though, even when the show's finished!
How funny would it be if for the last episode they did a 'this episode of inside no 9 has been canceled' and instead of tricking us they actually just put a different show there and everyone just intensely watches it waiting for it to become an inside no 9 episode 😂
I'm waiting for the full season to be out so I can binge it over the weekend - haven't watched your reviews just yet to avoid spoilers - how do you find the new season so far?
@@WeeLin Really? It's the last season? God damn it, it's one of the best series I've ever seen. On a side note: there is this youtube channel on here that posts really rare thriller/mystery/horror series that are hard to find anywhere else - it's called thehauntedmanor. You know, once "inside no 9" is finished and you need something to bite into :).
I enjoyed the atmosphere (big MR James fan), but the main thing that annoyed me was that the twist was not only underwhelming, but also nonsensical. Jigsaw foreshadowing or not, "finishing" a composition doesn't just mean putting the pages in order, otherwise bookbinders would be credited with having co-written the novel. No matter who put the last page in, Shearsmith's character was the one who wrote it, and as such the curse should still be on him. Also, what was the point in going through the whole charade in the first place? Why not just dig up the score herself and sell it uncompleted? It'd still be worth a lot of money- imagine if, say, a lost play by Shakespeare suddenly turned up, completed or not it would still be priceless. I think had this been a Ghost Story For Christmas (which it very much felt like, right down to Shearsmith even being made to look like MR James) I would have gone a lot easier on it because those often rely on atmosphere rather than narrative and I've come to expect that, but IN9 usually delivers such top-quality, watertight twists that I felt this was kind of beneath them, really. 10/10 for atmosphere, effects, production design and performances, 6/10 for story, 3/10 for the twist. Shame, because so far the final series has been top notch (I especially loved The Trolley Problem, which felt like a companion piece to one of my all-time favourite episodes The Last Weekend, and Mulberry Close, which may be the best of all of the "gimmick" episodes imo). Still haven't seen the final one yet- something keeps stopping me, because I can't face it being the last ever time I'll go into an IN9 episode fresh, trying to guess the twist, but I'm sure I'll get around to it soon.
This episode felt like it might originally have had much more of a Carry On vibe, but maybe a lot of it was deemed not good enough and cut, leaving just the few out-of-place remainders. I mean, if those were the keepers, I wouldn't like to hear the ones that ended up on the floor... if that's what happened. It's the only thing I can come up with to explain those jarring, corny jokes. No.9 has been so great over the years that being negative always feels like a betrayal in some weird way, but I have to be honest, I'm not feeling it much with this series.
Maybe there was a major rewrite and some bawdy comedy elements were left in to throw us off track? See, this is why we need the Inside Inside No 9 podcast back!
I do play video games, but I'm not familiar with those ones I'm afraid! Speaking of which, the piano, jigsaw puzzles and (sort of) haunted mansion did give me vibes of The Seventh Guest, and the previous episode reminded me of Persona. Unfortunately, I don't think the No 9 guys are gamers at all, but I'd love to see them write a horror game!
I have felt this season was slightly weaker and the "twist" was obvious in The Trolley Problem, the Escape room one etc, but Curse of the Ninth was a good return to form. I'll miss watching your analysis 😢
Please do the first 4 seasons Also its slightly eeriy that they havent said anything about the the final episode considering the final one of other seasons have been horrors if im not mistaken
Have to admit I really enjoyed this one. Just a fun gothic tale. And what a start with Eddie going out like that. I was wondering how many place names Reece would accidentally call Devonshire. Lol! And yes, I just couldn't shake the feel of 'The Curse' looking just like Richmond from the IT Crowd.... ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-tW-18xT9-Gk.html
I love a good gothic tale, and I'm guessing Richmond would too! I will still periodically look into the distance and say "An ill wind is blowing..." in a Richmond voice when the mood takes me!
ok this is my pitch for a revised ending, because this one wasn't my favourite (so I guess spoilers) Jonah hands Lillian the final page of the symphony, and there's a tense moment when she realises his trick. They both walk out of the room together but the camera stays in place, angled so that the viewer can see just outside of the door but not Jonah or Lillian. As they're walking underneath that incredibly ominus chandelier, the curse causes it to fall, they both scream at the same time and it crushes one of them, but the credits roll before we see who it was.
I’ve seen quite a bit of disappointment for this episode online but I absolutely loved it. The atmosphere, period it felt like a hammer film! Completely agree that it’s a weird feeling heading into the last episode I’m excited to see what it is but I don’t want it to end 😭
