Whilst I'd say that my favourite episode of "Inside Number 9" are usually the ones with strong horror elements, I would say that second on the list is the farces, and this episode is another one in that category, albeit one with a grim sting in the tail.
Gareth (Reece Shearsmith) has a crippling fear of Friday the 13th and so takes the day off work to hide at home. His fearful peace is interrupted by the arrival of the postwoman, Sue (Samantha Spiro) who needs him to sign for a package. Desperate for her to leave, he's beyond frustrated when she gets locked in his toilet and a second person, locksmith Johnny (Steve Pemberton) arrives to let her out.
As a simple farce it worked for me, but it did step up a gear when it was revealed what was actually going on, a reveal that for once I didn't see coming. Again, as with last week, it's not entirely new ground we're covering here. Shearsmith has played obsessive nutcases several times in the run and it was the episode "Diddle Diddle Dumpling" that I thought we were veering close to again here, particularly with Amanda Abbington playing Gareth's obviously frustrated wife, but again, the revelations took us away from that. Samantha Spiro and Pemberton are good, with the opportunity to play two sets of fairly broad characters. Moyo Akande's arrival dressed as a Las Vegas showgirl further pushed me towards the idea that this was all taking place in Gareth's mind, or towards an idea that show actually flirts with at the end.
Funnier than last week, and ending on a late sting. Good Stuff.
Gareth (Reece Shearsmith) has a crippling fear of Friday the 13th and so takes the day off work to hide at home. His fearful peace is interrupted by the arrival of the postwoman, Sue (Samantha Spiro) who needs him to sign for a package. Desperate for her to leave, he's beyond frustrated when she gets locked in his toilet and a second person, locksmith Johnny (Steve Pemberton) arrives to let her out.
As a simple farce it worked for me, but it did step up a gear when it was revealed what was actually going on, a reveal that for once I didn't see coming. Again, as with last week, it's not entirely new ground we're covering here. Shearsmith has played obsessive nutcases several times in the run and it was the episode "Diddle Diddle Dumpling" that I thought we were veering close to again here, particularly with Amanda Abbington playing Gareth's obviously frustrated wife, but again, the revelations took us away from that. Samantha Spiro and Pemberton are good, with the opportunity to play two sets of fairly broad characters. Moyo Akande's arrival dressed as a Las Vegas showgirl further pushed me towards the idea that this was all taking place in Gareth's mind, or towards an idea that show actually flirts with at the end.
Funnier than last week, and ending on a late sting. Good Stuff.