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The Curse Of The Ninth is the fifth episode of Inside No.9 Series 9.
The episode opens with troubled musical composer Nathaniel (Eddie Marsan) working on his latest opus, thinking he can hear someone else in his room, but is he right, and can he continue with his work?
Well, no spoilers from me, obviously, but some time later, Jonah (Reece Shearsmith) comes to tune the piano, to which Nathan’s wife, Lillian (Natalie Dormer) refers to the instrument, “She hasn’t been fingered in a number of years” (f’nar, f’nar!), and if you like double entendres, they’ll happily – and regularly – give you one!
However, one of the keys is a bit off…
The title comes from the superstition that, like some composers, their 9th Symphony can sometimes be their last, and this episode feels more well-structured than previous entries in this series. Reece is at his best when he’s looking forever nervy, and it’s amusing that Jonah keeps mistaking maid Devonshire’s (Hayley Squires) name for other counties.
Obviously, there’s plenty I can’t talk about, but it’s safe to say that this is a brilliant thriller and, for me, the best of this series. Just the finale to go. Can it match up?
Inside No.9 is on tomorrow night at 10pm on BBC2.
Inside No.9 Series 9 is available to pre-order on DVD, and Complete Collection on DVD, ahead of their release on June 24th.
You can also buy the Inside No. 9: Collector’s Edition: The Scripts: Series 1-3 in Hardcover and Inside No. 9: Collector’s Edition: The Scripts: Series 4-6 in Hardcover.
After broadcast, each episode will be on the BBC iPlayer.
Check out reviews of more Inside No.9 episodes.
Also available to buy:
- Series 8 on DVD
- Series 7 on DVD
- Series 6 on DVD
- Series 5 on DVD
- Series 4 on Blu-ray
- Series 4 on DVD
- 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
The end is nigh for Inside No. 9 🐇@ReeceShearsmith and @SP1nightonly spill all about why the final series is so special to them.#InsideNo9 | 10pm 8 May | BBC Two @BBCiPlayer | #MadeByBBCStudios pic.twitter.com/wv1SPwCU7Y
— BBC Studios (@bbcstudios) May 8, 2024
Episode Score: 10/10
Director: Guillem Morales
Producer: Steve Ryde
Writers: Steve Pemberton, Reece Shearsmith
Composer: Christian Henson
Cast:
Nathaniel: Eddie Marsan
Jonah: Reece Shearsmith
Devonshire: Hayley Squires
Lillian: Natalie Dormer
Dickie: Steve Pemberton
The Curse: James Swanton
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.