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Once Removed is the third episode of Inside No.9 Series 4, and kicks off with an opening-and-a-half which leads to a situation which has to be seen to be believed, before the action heads back to ten minutes earlier.
Viktor’s (Reece Shearsmith) attending to the elderly Percy (David Calder – brilliant as a senile old man), who believes he’s Andrew Lloyd Webber, and that he’s secured Roger Moore for his musical, Cats. He’s a bit ill, and “hasn’t felt so bad since the opening night of Love Never Dies” (ALW’s flop musical).
The episode also bring in Emilia Fox as houseowner and Percy’s daughter, Natasha – preparing to move out, Monica Dolan (W1A) as her neighbour, May, plus Nick Moran as removal man Spike.
With some great dark humour, once each situation plays out, the story winds back ten minutes, and builds brilliantly that way, since as you’ll see, it can only be told in this style in order to maintain the suspense. If you’ve seen Christopher Nolan’s brilliant Memento, you’ll get the idea.
Without giving any spoilers, the final segment stretched credibility a little too much, but overall, it’s a fantastic watch, and never have the words “I can explain…” had so much resonance.
Once Removed is available to watch on BBC iPlayer for 30 days after broadcast.
Inside No.9 Series 4 is available to pre-order on Blu-ray and DVD, ahead of the release date of February 12th.
Also available to buy:
- Series 3 on Blu-ray
- Series 3 on DVD
- Series 1 on Blu-ray
- Series 2 on Blu-ray
- Series 1 and 2 on DVD together
Score: 8/10
Director: Jim O’Hanlon
Producer: Adam Tandy
Writers: Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith
Music: Christian Henson
Cast:
May: Monica Dolan
Spike: Nick Moran
Viktor: Reece Shearsmith
Percy: David Calder
Hugo: Steve Pemberton
Natasha: Emilia Fox
Charles: Rufus Jones
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.