Inside No.9: Black Mirror's Biggest Rival

In this video, I analyse and review Black Mirror and Inside No.9 and explain why I believe Inside No.9 is Black Mirror's biggest rival. I discuss the writing, the narratives, the performances and the success of both shows. This is a video essay on both Black Mirror and Inside No.9
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#BlackMirror #InsideNo.9

[@BrainPilot]

I hope you enjoy this different style of video! Do you know which Black Mirror cast members have appeared in Inside No.9? I'll give you the first one: Fionn Whitehead from Bandersnatch! Comment the others down below!

[@soulfoodie1]

Alexandra Roach (Riddle of the Sphnix/black museum), Monica Dolan (Once removed/Smithereens), Oona Chaplin (Quiet night in/White Christmas), Rory Kinnear (Zanzibar/National Anthem), Maxine Peake (Thinking out loud/Metalhead) As an aside - Inside no9 deserves to be respected and discussed in its own right.

[@BrainPilot]

Seems as though you're a fan of both shows! Yes, Inside No 9 is great in its own right

[@dragonsalty]

@@soulfoodie1 Also Julia Davis who stars in 15 Million Merits as the female judge & as Felicity in The Understudy!

[@happinesstan]

Inside No.9 wipes the floor with Black Mirror.

[@RyanKeane9]

Worth pointing out that the episode “Zanzibar” was written in iambic pentameter. This is the level of genius displayed by Pemberton and Shearsmith. Their attention to detail is second to none. They produce actual masterpieces of television.

[@octaviussludberry9016]

As does Brooker.

[@Sisterspike1]

God I love No 9. So inventive and so willing to experiment.

[@BrainPilot]

Too right! It's such a great show!

[@virginiaplain72]

Honestly, I love Inside No. 9 better than Black Mirror. Don't get me wrong, both are amazingly written, but I feel like there are more bad episodes of Black Mirror than there are Inside No. 9. All Inside No. 9 episodes are enjoyable to watch in their own right, while some episodes of Black Mirror are too disturbing (Black Museum & National Anthem) or too weak (Rachel, Jack, and Ashley, Too) to watch again. I love your video, very true. I feel like Inside No. 9 shouldn't be as underrated as it is today. But luckily, we have HBO Max to get it to the US. Favorite episode is Once Removed.

[@mantha8583]

I too love Inside No.9 more than Black Mirror. In Black Mirror there are a few episodes that I struggle to understand or are too weird for me but I love all episodes of No.9 I also Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton.

[@curiositypiqued6573]

I actually enjoyed rachel Jack & Ashley too

[@happinesstan]

I really don't think BM is that well written. It's a collection of great ideas, that sometimes work.

[@lindsayantwine1097]

Inside No. 9 is vastly superior to Black Mirror. Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton aren't creating this show to rival anything. They're creating a massive work of art for the inherent value of entertainment and story telling it brings. Both of these men are genius writers and actors. Grossly underrated by the world at large.

[@no-oneman.4140]

Spot on.

[@soulfoodie1]

Inside no 9 is successful artistically and critically because Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith have been allowed to write the show they want by the BBC. They also have a supportive team behind them such as Adam Tandy and Jon Plowman. I am really glad they are making at least two more series of this show for the BBC. Steve and Reece have created probably the best and one of the most inventive shows of recent years which is growing both in popularity and critical acclaim without the need to go to a streaming service. I feel that a company like Netflix would not understand or dilute the show

[@pablobratcat]

The worst thing that Inside No 9 would be is to become Americanised

[@lordwaffle4614]

Black mirror = Shakespeare’s tragedies Inside no.9 = Shakespeare’s comedies Both shows are brilliant, and Inside no.9 is severely underrated and needs more attention. It could be argued that Inside no.9 is a lighter version of Black mirror, however that shouldn’t draw you away from it. If you haven’t seen Inside no.9, please give it a watch.

[@BrainPilot]

Great way of putting it!

[@marks6928]

There’s some very dark episodes of Inside No. 9. Wise Owl, The Last Weekend, The Trolley Problem, The Devil of Christmas. It’s able to do comedy, drama and horror. As great as Black Mirror is, it doesn’t have the range of Inside No. 9.

[@bookhorselover]

Because of this video, I went and watched Inside No. 9. It's a great discovery and wish more people would talk about the show because a lot of the episodes are amazing given the set runtime for each episode and the fact it only takes place in one room or area.

[@BrainPilot]

I'm glad you went and watched the show!

[@johnnyboydevonshire4650]

The first episode i saw of inside no9 was 12 days of Christine and i have watched them all since. Great show with 2 very talented writers.

[@BrainPilot]

Very good way of putting it!

[@paulquinn7980]

I love inside number nine I keep watching it even though I’ve seen it before one of the best TV programmes ever

[@stingersplash]

I've been watching it since it first aired. Black Mirror too (c4 episodes) but I prefer Inside No 9. The other is very Americanised. To me Inside No 9 was an event each week. I prefer that to binging.

[@phantomkitten73]

Black Mirror is a warning about people and technology, and is dark, darker, yet darker. At times it can be one step away from misery porn. Inside No. 9 is more like the film version of magic trick, no matter how dark the concepts get, there's always a sense of whimsey and showmanship in the misdirection. The twist ending isn't there to hurt your very soul, but simply to be a fun moment where it all comes together. If Black Mirror is 28 Days Later, then Inside No. 9 is more One Cut of the Dead, incredible in it's own right, but too experimental to get the mainstream attention it deserves.

[@cleddau]

The Inside No 9 podcast released during the last series, illustrated the the small dedicated team the writers have gathered around them. It is a quirky British series on a shoestring. Loved the brief return of the Psychoville characters. Black Mirror is in need of a re-think before it becomes a parody of itself.

[@josef596]

Never seen black mirror, but inside number 9 is my favourite show.

[@Picnicl]

Whilst there are similarities, the differences make them almost entirely different experiences. Inside No 9 is like mini plays dependent on details. Black Mirror is like a condensed movie dependent on broader strokes. Inside No 9 isn't (usually) satirical (except to add humour and character), Black Mirror more often is. Inside No 9 is often very British. Black Mirror is more Americanised. Inside No 9 is sometimes gothic, Black Mirror tends to firmly stick to mundane or over-automated modernity. Black Mirror often has a message about the dangers of being in thrall to technology rather than to people. Inside No 9 has a puzzle instead of who, if any, is the villain, why, and what other twist there'll be. Inside No 9 is more like Tales of the Unexpected - it's a 'safe', small, vignette. Black Mirror often has wider implications that this could or has 'easily happen to you/society'

[@lucasheap]

Inside no. 9 is my second favourite show (just after doctor who), it's so much better than black mirror imo and doesn't get the recognition it deserves.

[@BrainPilot]

Yes it definitely deserves more recognition than what it deserves. I don't think I'd personally put it above Black Mirror but I'd love Netflix to start creating episodes and see how far they could push it!

[@stan8479]

@@BrainPilot Netflix would destroy it. Inside No. 9 manages to be so brilliant because Pembersmith aren’t held back by people’s need for localisation.

[@mutiarapasha8630]

Inside No. 9 is so underrated because in some country not everyone knows it, some episode make me asking abouth myself

[@ambers4075]

I love inside no. 9, it's probably my favourite TV show. I seriously hope it gets more attention in the years to come!!

[@BrainPilot]

I hope so! They've created 5 really good seasons and can't wait to see where the show goes!

[@mattdouglas8445]

I hope inside number nine becomes just as popular as Black mirror

[@BrainPilot]

I don't think it ever will but I think that's the beauty of it - it's a more undiscovered gem

[@happinesstan]

Now that it's complete I agree. The best thing about No.9 is that thy haven't had to pander to anybody in order to become more popular. Thank fuck the Yanks never got hold of it.

[@trevorwilliams6404]

Bernard Clifton dressing room is a really good episode.

[@BrainPilot]

Such a great episode!

[@lindsayantwine1097]

One of my favorites out of the entire run of the show. It can make me cry every time. 😭

[@Boschini666]

I love both shows. What I love most is about "Inside Number 9" is, you never know what you're gonna show once the show starts. May be horrifying, may be funny, can be sad and depressing....great twists...and it is always is surprising. It's absolutely a worth watching show. And never let me down, what happens in the last season -at least, to me- of "Black Mirror".

[@no-oneman.4140]

You won't see a better 30 minutes of television than The 12 Days of Christine. Be warned though it will stay with you.

[@mightycaine8254]

Great video, I think also almost every episode of number 9 feel like plays in both writing and setting, where as mirror feels like a tb show. You could watch number 9 on any stage with next to no sets and props and they would mostly still work to the same extent.

[@briggs5569]

12 days of Christine. Best episode imo by far

[@iamstu33]

I am an American and I have never heard of the show until I saw your video. You got me so interested into it that I bought a subscription to Brit box and I've never looked back. I love it so much.

[@mantha8583]

I love Reese Shearsmith and Steve Penmberton, I 1st come across Steve Pemberton in the TV series Bendidorm and I 1st come across Reese Shearsmith in Max and Paddy Road to nowhere in the episode where Max go to an old school friend’s birthday party.

[@tmgarcia2002]

i love Inside no.9, it's short and most episodes are really good. this reminded me of tales of the unexpected, not black mirror.

[@TFTNGaming2001]

I learned about inside no. 9 through the Halloween special Deadline

[@eggman37]

Can we all stop calling inside no.9 "new black mirror" cause its so insanely different. Black mirror is about how technology is affecting humanity while inside no.9 is about the horrors of everyday life. Ranging from death to the horrible things people will do to other people.

[@paulquinn7980]

Very well said I couldn’t put it better myself

[@fabianapassalacqua9792]

Love this show... Awesome

[@jacobfarrell1120]

Definitely should rank all the episodes for a video

[@BrainPilot]

It would be a beefy video but one I will definitely consider!

[@tonedcos]

Defo mate, always drew the comparison ;)

[@wannawatchcanofworms]

while it would be fantastic to see inside number nine gain the appreciation and popularity it deserves on a streaming service, i feel that the show would lose something, as it is one of very few shows that makes use of the live tv format (see episodes such as 'hold on tight' and their live halloween episode 'dead line'). they make use of their medium so effectively and i fear that would be lost if the show was primarily viewed on a streaming service.

[@fno2009]

Love both, Inside no 9 probably a bit better but Black Mirror has higher highs

[@jonash226]

One Black Mirror episode that has always stuck in my mind is Loch Henry . The mention of it makes me shudder .

[@Dee31282]

Thank uuu

[@paulflint6254]

Black mirror got the robot dog right. It exists now. I prefer Inside no 9 now, watched it very often. Great video 😃👍

[@1995benthompson]

Room 104 is kind of an American version of Inside No 9. It's a comedy anthology series set in one Motel room. I haven't seen much of it and it's not as good as Inside No 9, but it may be worth checking out

[@BrainPilot]

I'll need to check that out. I've not seen that show before!

[@1995benthompson]

@@BrainPilot To be honest, I need to try it out again too. I only caught the first 2 episodes on Now TV back in 2017 and I didn't find it as good as Inside No 9 but apparently it's run to a natural end now with 48 anthology episodes so I'm sure there are some gems in there

[@horrorfan1415]

Is this a re-upload? I remember learning about Inside No. 9 through one of your videos unless I’m sorely mistaken

[@BrainPilot]

You must be mistaken, this is my first ever video on Inside No.9!

[@horrorfan1415]

@@BrainPilot then I am very mistaken! My bad!

[@BrainPilot]

No worries!

[@t.e.m.g2906]

When is it on tv ? I dont live in the UK but i have BBC two and im looking for a new serie to watch

[@BrainPilot]

You may be able to watch it on iPlayer!

[@t.e.m.g2906]

@@BrainPilot ok thx for the info

[@ibmerlin2]

I love Inside number!

[@curiositypiqued6573]

I no 9 doesn't need the same level of exposure or success as black mirror because the content quality is on par with if not superior to the latter

[@dohlecarnett1866]

Nice analysis but I think you should've explained too why the show has this title :D I personally think that Inside No 9 is better than Black Mirror. It has more heart and more characters. Both shows are great but Inside No 9 albeit having less budget does something more out of it. As for the comedy, I'm a bit on the fence here. I see your point why sometimes a bit less could be good. But the again the show is often explicitly marked as comedy. The humor actually helps with the absurdity of many of the scenarios (like Korean cinema for example). It is genuinely dark.

[@fla2hbastard]

i tried watching a few series of black mirror, but it never stuck with me. it doesn’t have the same thrill of waiting for the twist like in inside no. 9, and you can see how it will all end as soon as everyone is introduced. black mirror is very over the top when focusing on the dangers of technology, while inside no. 9 mostly focuses on the horror of day to day life. inside no. 9 is one of my favourite shows, and i have to say black mirror comes nowhere near it.

[@octavianblackthorn5106]

I got it right!!

[@BrainPilot]

You did - well done! Good guess!

[@Harmonical1]

Here's an idea for the upcoming series of "Inside No 9". British Government decides to get a Russian company to oversee the refurbishment of the main Downing Street communications room in No 9 Downing Street?

[@blank6026]

Why did you not review and rank season 4 of f is for family?

[@BrainPilot]

I didn't get round to doing that season but I will do season 5 when it gets released!

[@sandraweilbrenner67]

Inside no 9 is also on Brit box

[@RatchetFanGirl27]

Love both but i prefer inside no.9. Especially after the newest black mirror. No.9 imo has much more creative stories and better story telling.

[@sandraweilbrenner67]

I believe they are pretty much equal.

[@BrainPilot]

That's fair!

[@singIeservingfriend]

If Netflix buy it it’ll go down hill. I tend to prefer British films anyway

[@intensemk1381]

are there more showa like this?

[@BrainPilot]

Love Death and Robots, Black Mirror, The Twilight Zone! They're probably the best

[@intensemk1381]

@@BrainPilot watched all of em. LOL. Anyother?

[@paulquinn7980]

Look up British TV series murder in MindThey were very good all of the twist to the end I can’t seem to see it anymore but worth watching

[@marks6928]

Black Mirror is good. Inside No. 9 is great.

[@curiositypiqued6573]

I think I'm the only IN9 fan who wasn't into 12 days of christine

[@BrainPilot]

Wow, that's fair!

[@curiositypiqued6573]

@@BrainPilot what dyou mean lol

[@happinesstan]

I wasn't particularly into it as i watched it, but it can't be denied that it is quality writing.

[@GINGERPHILIP]

This video felt like a black mirror fan boy coping that there is a better show out there. Inside No. 9 is a million times better imo

[@circle2867]

the thing about this is that its very hit and and miss. black mirror was consistently good till they moved to netflix. inside no 9 was good for a few series then went down hill. steve and reece probably had other stuff to focus on.

[@happinesstan]

EH? Black Mirror had 7 episodes before it switched to Netflix.

[@circle2867]

@@happinesstan ? yeah and i said it was good before netflix

[@happinesstan]

@@circle2867 Sorry. You said it was consistent, before saying that IN9 went downhill after a few seasons, which kind of sounded like you were saying the two were comparable, consistency wise. The two shows are similar in that you can't really depend upon any consistency, but that has always been consistent with IN9. with BM I feel like the earlier format 3 episode series reflected a tighter reign on Brooker's ideas which was sacrificed when it went to "quantity not quality" Netflix. IN9 casts a wide net and therefore doesn't please all of the people all of the time, but the quality and, more importantly, finished product, is always there. With BM it seems a lot of times they've just gone with a half-baked idea, which was not the case in the early seasons.

[@circle2867]

@@happinesstan yeah i'd agree with that

[@Noidonteatbabiesstopasking]

It’s not a rival

[@lithograhp]

Inside No.9 is much better than Black Mirror

[@mr.jtophat]

Inside No.9 > Black Mirror

[@BrainPilot]

Bold statement!

[@mr.jtophat]

@@BrainPilot I've watched both shows, and Inside No.9 is just a superior show to me. I still really like Black Mirror, but I like No.9 more

[@amyclarke41]

ok