Inside No 9 S8 E6 The Last Weekend

[@cfytcf]

That moment right at the beginning when Chazz is hoovering the ants, and Joe looks at the ants on the table, with a little reaction. He's probably thrilled the house has an ant problem.

[@WeeLin]

Quite creepy that look he gives the ants the second time you watch it.

[@CrowLady0_0]

this (along with a comment about the twist being unpredictable) had me convinced that Joe was gonna be like. a lizard person or something haha

[@maldonisthelynx513]

I genuinely think it was impossible to have guessed the twist in this episode on first viewing. That was such a fantastic ending.

[@brobs0463]

I love the part where Steve’s character says ‘This really is The Last Weekend’ Gets me emotional everytime

[@comicbookguy591]

I like the bit where reeces character says "time to Reece shearsmith this bitch" and Reece shearsmiths all over the place

[@Willllow]

"Well Chas, looks like we're finally Inside Number 9"

[@simonsimon325]

Definitely a case of best for last in my opinion. Everything I love about No. 9 is in this episode: great characterisation, witty dialogue, Reece and Steve being brilliant, and a gut punch at the end. It was a perfect 9. I've noticed they often finish strong... with the exception of the proms episode in series 6. On reflection, the chocolate cake thing was probably him trolling Chazz. Now we know he has hated the guy all this time, he was probably constantly finding small ways to wind him up like that while he counted down the 9 years. Probably lots of other little acts of sadism along the way too. God what a thought. The other thing this made me appreciate was how fast a series goes by. It's going to be quite a sad day when the last ep of series 9 ends.

[@WeeLin]

It will be a sad day indeed when the next series ends. I think you might be right about the chocolate cake - I haven't heard anyone else say they heard it that way before, and Joe was looking for a way to wind him up, probably. Just like trivial pursuits. And yeah, I agree with the last episode point, and maybe that's why Last Night of the Proms felt so weak to me - I expected better from an episode 6!

[@paulflint6254]

Need more episodes than just six......

[@Evanz111]

This episode reminded me so much of Sleuth, with all the twists and turns and tale of revenge, hate and manipulation. Amazing writing.

[@amazingpurplegirl0903]

Bloody fantastic episode, one of their best to date. We should have known something was up when Chas was relating what he's done online, but it just never twigged which direction this was going to take. Amazing

[@catbhoy]

Yeah I thought it played out so well.

[@gavvo-7640]

"Blue Jeans baby" for Eurovision!!! Yes!! Ooh, I SPOTTED THE HARE on the first viewing! It's used as a doorstop quite early in the episode. I was well chuffed with myself! Absolutely brilliant episode and the perfect end to a really good season. I received the DVD from Amazon this week and was really hoping there might be a surprise episode of "Hold On Tight" as a bonus... can't help a guy from wishing! Great review WeeLin and looking forward to the season round-up video. Right, I'm off for some cheese 😸

[@GINGERPHILIP]

This is one of my favourites of the whole show

[@WeeLin]

Could be one of mine too - I love a right nasty twist ending!

[@GINGERPHILIP]

@@WeeLin I was hoping it would just be a heart warming, yet sad love story but then a horrific twist popped up! I love the dark twists so Riddle and diddle diddle are right at the top for me.

[@SANCHA.]

This is my favorite of this season.

[@GINGERPHILIP]

@@SANCHA. Same. It was so good!

[@brobrochanel]

I've just watched it again and it cannot be overstated how good Steve is in this one. You just get completely different things from him the first & second time you watch it. Definitely some of the best acting chops from him we've seen imho!

[@cScottD]

I did not see that twist coming at all. I was expecting there to be some kind of dark ending, but my theory through the first half was that Joe was going to die and Chas was going to be left alone. After 9 years caring for Joe, Chas would be lost and have no idea what to do now that Joe was gone. I thought it would end with Chas dead too, having killed himself, because he couldn’t bear what seemed to him like an empty, meaningless future. I was very wrong… and their twist was vastly superior to my theory.

[@haitchbee3320]

This episode is probably going on my "i have to be in the right head space to rewatch" list. That ending combined 2 of my biggest fears, insects plus eyeballs and being trapped. I didnt read the full breakdown of the style of death because I know Ill never unsee. Steve is untouchable when it comes to playing a sweet character one moment and then a gut churningly terrifying one in the blink of an eye. I thought this was a brilliant episode though. Subtle on first watch and "how did I miss that its so obvious" on the second. Well done lads. On another note I am looking forward to your awards video and keepig my fingers crossed that you dont disapear till the next series. Your videos are so entertaining and relaxing, Id listen to your reviews and explantions of...well anything! Love the ones you did on Ghostwatch and Darkplace. Hope to see more of whatever you decide to make.

[@haysleigh1190]

I can't believe these madlads had us watching a live rerun of Mr King in case we got pranked again.

[@WeeLin]

You can't be too careful! I watched it too, thinking there might be an in-joke with the continuity announcer, and also because I love Mr King!

[@Spamfish]

Loved it. One of the best episodes of last few seasons.

[@WeeLin]

Me too! What a way to go!

[@DirkD13]

A gorgeously savage capper to my favourite series yet. Wow. There has been at least one ep per series so far that I’ve enjoyed but has not been a ‘classic’. This series is just banger after banger. Could not be more excited for series 9.

[@Sam-ym1sq]

Went to an rts screening of this episode with a q and a with reece and steve and director ian bevitt, it was a great night, on the subject of the "milk, milk, lemonade..." rhyme its based off of actual disagreements reece and steve have had although (unlike their characters) reece believes its "chocolate cake" and steve believes its "chocolates made" the q and a host asked (by way of a show of hands) what the audience believed it was and all but 1 agrees with steve causing reece to tell us all to f off.

[@WeeLin]

Thanks so much for sharring that! I can absolute picture Reece's reaction in my mind - gotta love Angry Reece! 🤣

[@simonorourke4465]

Wheni was growing up here in the UK in the 90s it was always "fudge is made" that we used to say. Until watching this fantastic episode I had gever heard anyone use anything other than that.

[@WeeLin]

@@simonorourke4465 The fudge is real! Thanks for that info. Getting valuable research done on this channel, as always!

[@TheDrugOfTheNation]

The cake is a lie!

[@WeeLin]

@@TheDrugOfTheNation Now there's a reference I've not heard in a long time!

[@JAProductions494]

This was easily my favourite of the show I love a good episode mostly focussed on the dynamic between Steve and Reece and this episode had it in spades with an engaging story to go alongside it Also Blue Jeans Baby is my new favourite song 😂

[@daverage4729]

"YOU'RE MAH BLU JEANS BAYYY-BAY!!!" What a stomper! Loved this episode. I was completely expecting a tragic yet touching 'Merrily Merrily' style story so the twist really caught me unawares. Love these character driven stories and this was a belter. And yes Chazz (with two Z's), don''t fret because as Mr McQueen says, "It is a shit business!"

[@loserino_2104]

Currently in an Inside No.9 hyperfixation and I can't stop watching these analysis videos

[@catbhoy]

Yeah I have to Agree, I love Weelin’s reviews.

[@siremonger8092]

One of my favourite inside no 9 episodes. I already knew about scaphism before the episode and when he mentioned that I winced so hard. I loved that episode so much. Loved the fact it kept going to a misty Lake to create an element of foreboding. Was so good. Also what if the bottles of pills are pills for constipation to make him.... you know.

[@neilatherton4489]

You are the best commentator on IN9 in the world!

[@WeeLin]

Aww, thanks! I just can't stop talking about it!

[@soulfoodie1]

Great review as usual. Still disturbed by that ending a week on. Spoilers below This was interesting look at love and what it leads people to do. Chas may have behaved appallingly a couple of decades ago but genuinely loved thr person he thought Joe was and was willing to devote his life to him even though he knew their time together would be short. In the end the loss of Joe would have been even more painful than that death Joe was willing to spend years of his life on an elaborate revenge scheme. However he reminds me of the character of Jean in Private View - particularly your analysis of her. Joe could have done something positive like campaign around online trolling or doing something with Olivia's songs but chose to take revenge. Two phenomenal performances

[@WeeLin]

I'd thought of Jean in Private View, but somehow never made that connection - Joe absolutely could have turned his loss into something positive (like you said, against online bullying or with her music) but instead he's spent nine years living a lie and plotting revenge. Both Steve and Fiona Shaw did great work with their big reveal monologues, coming across as the kind of person who would do something this demented in the name of love.

[@mrdoctorgilmore]

This is an episode where I enjoying the main story so much that twist let it down, even though I predicted it would be out of kilter. In hindsight it was decently foreshadowed, however on intial viewing I thought it was a dream when it started playing out, plus Steve's plan had a bit too many holes to take seriously. I suppose it doesn't help that it's a combination of two twists done before and better executed elsewhere. Revenge for inadvertently causing someone to take their own life (Seance Time and Cold Comfort) with leaving the lead in a state living death (Harrowing and Riddle of the Sphinx). Had a sense of Deja vu when Steve showed his daughter's picture.

[@WeeLin]

I wondered if it was a dream/memory too, and I was really rooting for this couple! Still, that was one creative way of getting revenge, even if they've done some cracking revenge plots already.

[@mrdoctorgilmore]

@@WeeLin To quote Hot Fuzz: "Nasty way to go"

[@nxgan1088]

@@mrdoctorgilmore Enjoyed the episode but there’s also a similarity to How Do You Plead with the idea of a kindly and selfless seeming caretaker character turning out to have a dark past where they did a horrible thing

[@michaelreffold3170]

Completely agree with this. They kind of need to stop using that as a motivation for a descent into dark villainous behaviour, it's a bit worrying how often they return to this well.

[@Jntjntjntjntjntjntj]

I’d love to see a remake of the most disturbing episodes list now we have so many more episodes

[@WeeLin]

Well, I only ever covered series 1-4, and there's been a lot more messed up shit since! Probably merits another video or two, I think.

[@catbhoy]

Good call but makes sense to update after season 9.

[@ssai90]

Definitely felt like a throwback to the Riddle of the Sphinx-type episodes. Maybe if they ever did do an episode sequel it could be about an elaborate revenge plot as payback for someone else’s elaborate revenge plot. Might be nice to see someone like Tyler get some comeuppance! Anyway the tonal shift felt really interesting, a bit like they were going for the reverse of something like 12 Days where it looks like it might be going down the horror route at first but ends up as a poignant drama. I know quite a few people were expecting something more Bernie Clifton-ish going by the promo material. I’m assuming the playground rhyme variations are just something Joe threw out to spike an argument. There’s something sort of grimly fascinating about how you could successfully waste so much of someone’s life with a fake relationship - you’d have to find a strict balance between keeping them invested and making sure that they’re not enjoying themself. Of course, the fake terminal illness would have helped a lot with that…

[@WeeLin]

I was thinking of Riddle of the Sphinx - scaphism vs cannibalism is the kind of weird argument you could only get with No 9! And there was me thinking this would be a weepy one - fooled me again!

[@ssai90]

You could certainly have an interesting - if very gruesome - debate over whether Chas or Nina/Charlotte had it worse in the end. (Hey and the names are similar- is that anything?)

[@altradecull9149]

The Hare is a doorstop!

[@WeeLin]

Thank you! 🐇

[@austinsmith1524]

Great series ending and one of the best episodes they’ve ever made

[@penguinproductions8829]

This episode actually freaked me out slightly, my dad used to be in a band and his nickname is Chaz.

[@WeeLin]

Best check on him if he's in the bath too long!

[@elliotttalksf1825]

The twist in this episode let it down I thought. It’s been done a few times in no 9 already and I don’t know it just felt generic after the twist.

[@WeeLin]

That death by scaphism could feel generic to anyone just tells you how out there this show can get!

[@elliotttalksf1825]

@@WeeLin I don’t mean the horrendous death I mean more the fact a character is left to suffer by a seemingly friendly person has been done several times.

[@shawbag11]

Man the ending of this one was grim. loved the episode but man the immage it leaves in your head is horrific. Spose that proves why its actuly more scary to leave some things to the imagination rather than actuly show them. got to say as well loved the line "i think ill have mine cold" Great episode to end on. kinda sad that apparantly next season is gonna be the last one atleast for a while i really dont want it to end but i spose ending at season 9 dose make sense

[@MarcoMakesMovies]

christ - when this episode first came out, I honestly held back from watching it as I assumed it would make me sad more than anything due to the presumed subject matter. I more recently got around to watching it for the first time and I was utterly gobsmacked. Somehow I'd managed to avoid any spoilers for THAT ending. Serves me right for assuming I knew what I was going to get from this show. And obviously this is where I come to calm my shock as I figure out how to get the flies out of my house.

[@Roisin3107]

Loved this episode, probably my favorite from this series. The gut punch twist was brilliant and re watching it was just as fun!

[@livviebrundle]

I watched this one about a week or so ago- and I'm still thinking about it. Probably my favourite one since Cold Comfort... *****SPOILERS***** ...both, in large part, due to the endings, and how severely they U-turn. This one, what got me was: it starts off a very sweet story about a gay couple, one's not well and the other's there for help and support, which is why *I* thought it was called The Last Weekend, then... oh, no, sorry. Turns out (considering what Steve's- who's acting in this one was incredible- character reveals) one of em's been a colossal c-word in his past, and the other wants to see him suffer. I'll never be able to hear the sentence 'revenge is a dish best served cold' again, without thinking about Steve Pemberton and that evil but satisfied little smile of his ;)

[@cisrot]

This was honestly the most disturbing episode I’ve seen so far from this show tbh. On rewatch when you know what the major twist is.. it’s horrible lmao it gives me shudders. Maybe it’s also because I’m a gay man and the idea of getting into a relationship with someone who doesn’t actually love me back (I’m trans so there’s always the risk of being seen as a girl) is a biiiiiig fear of mine. Obviously I’ve never sent death threats to anyone but yeah 😭 This episode had the best acting too. The ending scene with Reece in the tub was heartbreaking.

[@JackMatthews1998]

I'd literally watched through all of The League Of Gentlemen the past couple of days and then you made the Charlie & Stella comparison and was about to say that myself. At least they didn't start crying for help to Sheila Reid's character as if she was Luigi. Anyway, with the end of the series, here are my personal rankings: 1. 3 By 3 2. The Last Weekend 3. Paraskevidekatriaphobia 4. Love Is A Stranger 5. Mother's Ruin 6. The Bones Of St. Nicholas 7. Hold On Tight (the part when Papa Lazarou made a cameo made absolutely no sense at all)

[@CatBlackGuitars]

I hope you're right about no. 7!!

[@catbhoy]

Totally agree about 3x3 being top it’s was an event more than an episode.

[@JackMatthews1998]

@@CatBlackGuitars You'll have to see for yourself, won't you?

[@WeeLin]

I wasn't expecting a Papa Laz cameo, or the Mr Jelly scene for that matter. And was that Luigi driving the bus? What does it all mean?!?!

[@nxgan1088]

Or the part where the Harvey Denton popped up and said “it’s toadin time” and toaded all over the place

[@CatBlackGuitars]

I absolutely loved this episode. Can't believe another brilliant series has come to an end. Will there be just one more series? I hope not!

[@WeeLin]

Well, it's the perfect number! But I'm sure they'll end up doing something else and I'll love that to death as well.

[@Neil_TheShiningMile]

Supposedly they’re taking it to the theatre. A live Inside No 9 on stage, but revisiting older stories, not new ones. However, I reckon it’ll return to TV at some point.

[@BeezusFafoon1971]

Lin, why did I laugh like a drain when you said 'Its a shit business'. 😂😂😂 Thank you for that memory!! Great video as always.

[@WeeLin]

Thanks - maybe Chazz should have started a band with Les McQueen!

[@BeezusFafoon1971]

​@@WeeLinI'm in. When are the tickets on sale!! 😂

[@dariogeorge8680]

Best one from series 8.

[@WeeLin]

Maybe... I'll have to watch them all again and decide!

[@josemaria8177]

Absolutely adored this episode. The twist reminded me of one of my all time favourite crime novels, "The Beast Must Die" by Nicholas Blake (the pen name of famous poet Cecil Day Lewis) which follows a crime novelist who decides to exort revenge on the man who killed his son in a hit and run. To do so he ingratiates himself with the mistress of his son's killer (becoming her lover in the process) while planning the perfect murder. I will say that Pembertan and Shearsmith managed to top this novel in the shear brutality of the final death

[@quinnost5974]

It might be a little of a stretch, but I read that the gift of Copper on a 9th anniversary is supposed to be gifted alongside pottery… and concrete, or even porcelain bathtubs, have a similar vibe.

[@WeeLin]

I think they may have bent the anniversary gifts theme to suit their story (much like that malleable copper bracelet!), but the years 7-9 seem to be a bit mixed up when I looked them up. Funnily enough, it was my own nine year anniversary earlier this year, and now I'm grateful that I didn't get packed in concrete! 🤣

[@transmissionqueer6910]

I'm so glad i wasn't the only one with my jaw on the floor for the entire ending 😂 about 5 minutes before the twist, i said to my partner "oh god this episode is going to make me cry"... How wrong i was. I was rooting for an emotional ending because we've missed out on a purely emotional episode this series and previous ones, like Loves Great Adventure, have been some of my top episodes. Really thought it would go the way of Joe taking his own life and then Chas dealing with the grief but wow. The ending was such a gut punch. Slowly putting the pieces together from hints throughout while Joe does his monologue was ridiculously fun. It was such a good finale and it's been a brilliant series again. Loved your point about the Bargaining stage, i hadn't noticed that! Sad it's over but can't wait to see more Inside No 9 content from you! You're my favourite source of it! Excited for what they do next

[@Sarang555]

This was defo one of my top 5 episodes! It was seriously so good and the twist was so unexpected that I had my jaw opened when it was revealed 😮😮 the 9 years correlation is like wow

[@zandernewson9933]

This is was my favourite of the series ! That ending

[@WeeLin]

Had to pick my jaw up off the floor after that!

[@zandernewson9933]

@@WeeLin I know - I rewatched could believe I didn’t see the references to bugs and insects

[@jedisalsohere]

Probably the darkest episode of the show, ever. Child suicide and one of the most horrific execution methods imaginable? Yep, that'll do it.

[@WeeLin]

That's pretty dark! I'd say the darkest since Wise Owl (also an episode six) which had child abuse, child death, creepy cartoons and horrific taxidermy, though it did have a more uplifting ending. Hard to tell - I'll need to make a new list after series 9.

[@DCSMedia]

Unfortunately, I felt Series 8 was their weakest outing (not bad, but didn't hit No.9''s super high standards). Fortunately, The Last Weekend was a real high point of this series. Unfortunately, it does mean this season has to come to an end. Fortunately, IT MEANS I GET KZbin TRAFFIC 😂. Anyway, this was amazing, and I really have an incentive to Rewatch it. Even though the twist was fantastic and bloody nasty, I still enjoyed the dynamic between Joe and Chazz in the first 2 Acts of the episode. The way it tackled grief in different ways felt very universal which is why I feel most fans have gelled with this episode. Also the Blue Jeans Baby musical number lives rent free in my head 😂. As Steve said on twitter, they should enter it for Eurovision.

[@WeeLin]

Unfortunately, the series is over. Fortunately, this was a belter of an ending! Glad to see someone else is still playing that game from The Stakeout :)

[@DCSMedia]

@@WeeLin we all should do that more often I think. Also I’m gonna give my episode rankings for Series 8: 1. Hold On Tight (the part where Pierce Brosnan reprised his role as James Bond at the end to shoot up the bus was amazing. But unironically, 3x3 was better than Die Another Day) 2. The Bones Of St Nicholas 3. The Last Weekend 4. Paraskevidekatriaphobia 5. Mothers Ruin 6. Love Is A Stranger 7. 3x3

[@mrslinkydragon9910]

Reese does play alot of camp gay characters. Hes clearly a guy comfortable with his sexuality

[@WeeLin]

Clearly - he's great at playing camp, as it Steve. In fact, I can remember them playing way more camp characters than Mark Gatiss, which is quite funny when you think about it!

[@mrslinkydragon9910]

One of the moments that made me think was when joe didnt say "love you" back to chazz

[@-b_i_b_b_y-]

Aha, I was thinking that recently- these two love a dance routine! I had a bit of a crisis when I realised that there is a MAX of 7 episodes left. What are we going to do?!

[@livviebrundle]

The hare is in the old lady's house, as a doorstop ;)

[@WeeLin]

Thank you!

[@smuldohuntermuldo9312]

Great analysis of a great show. Revenge, like quiche , is best savoured cold. This was cold. Dr Phibes used concentrated sprout juice and locusts, the boys use milk and honey, definitely looked up scaphism after the show. Going to watch "Face off" anyone? Looking forward to the season review. I'm off for some quiche and vimto.

[@WeeLin]

Thanks! I might try my hand at a mousakka next.

[@bailey.mckinlay]

cant wait till next week when you review hold on tight after it airs tonight !!

[@WeeLin]

If it's on, I'll review it!

[@cScottD]

It won’t happen, but wouldn’t that be a great double-bluff? Having the ‘fake’ episode actually be a 7th episode.

[@rabbait1308]

SPOLIERS: While I enjoyed the setup of the episode and the exaction of the coming to terms with loss of a love one was great but I felt that the twist was really out of nowhere, like I know that the show is known for its twists but this felt like a twist for a twists sake. Also I felt like the pop star plot point and the mean myspace comments talk should of come earlier in the episode as it feels like it was forced in to make it seem like it was foreshadowed. But I did enjoy the ending which was particularly gruesome and since Reece and Steve are very good writers it still is very watchable and enjoyable.

[@SamiDC]

Oh man, this episode. I pulled out the tissues early thinking I was gonna need them. Turns out, I didn't need them after all. I don't know what this says about me but I didn't have to look up scapism. I'm a morbidly curious person by nature so was very familiar and when Joe said it I felt my stomach drop! I sure as hell hope Chas enjoyed being spoiled while it lasted! I'm sure they'll be some that'll say it's unrealistic to think someone would go this far for revenge, but I've been around long enough to know to never underestimate what love and loss can drive people to do. Emotions are very powerful and it's astounding how people can justify them.

[@soulfoodie1]

This comment is going to contain a lot of Spoilers.OK I am just going to look at the accusation that 'Inside No.9 is homophobic that some comments are saying (I wrote this up as a Tumblr post) ..... I will be discussing characters who are openly LGBT or who are shown to be LGBT. I will not be discussing characters whose sexual orientation is not indicated or discussed. It is actually interesting to note how many characters sexual orientation or marital status is not indicated. This shows how these play little part in the characters motivations and actions. We should ask 1. are the characters made ridcuilous because of their sexual orientation 2. punished because of their orientation. 3.Motivated to do bad things because of their orientation. Please note many spoilers below Stevie (Tom and Gerri), Bobby (12 days of Christine), and Robert (Zanzibar) may be somewhat camp but they are all deeply caring and considerate characters - and they all survive And lets not forget Mark Gatiss got to play Callum, a happily married, professionally successful openly gay man, just as he is himself.(and yes Callum does survive the events of 'Merrily Merrily'). Callum is or was part of the gang just like Laurence and Darren and his sexual orientation is by the by. And the friendship between Callum, Darren and Laurence reflects the even greater frienship and brotherhood between Mark, Steve and Reece. There is a gay character who does not die or who kills who does something questionable. Martin in 'The referee's a wxxxer' sets up his lover Calvin to ensure the success of his true love- the football team he supports. But the episode asks questions of the ongoing homopobia in UK league football and the alligiance fans at all levels have to their teams. Inside No.9 does not kill off LGBT characters more than heterosexual characters In 'Sardines' it is implied Stu and Carl may die but this is alongside THREE heterosexual couples In 'Wuthering Heist' Mario (Dino Kelly) dies in the final shootout but so do several other heterosexual characters. In 'A Quiet night in' Sabrina is killed by Gerald- and the killing is shown in all its horror. But Gerald is also killed as are Ray and Eddie. In 'Private view' Patricia (Felicity Kendall) is killed- as are several other characters. Inside No.9 includes many many killers - but only two are (possibly) LGBT. In 'How do you plead?' Urban is revealed to have killed a classmate as a young teenager. But it is clear he is deeply haunted by this and he actually owns up to it and accepts that he will face serious punishment eventually for this. He is trying to make amends by being a patient and caring person and it could be said that his outwardly camp persona is a way for him to defuse the darker side of his character and turn it into something better (see how he drops this persona when he goes to sort the fuse). Brian in 'The Last Night of the Proms 'joins in the killing of Yusef. But this is shown to be part of his latent xenophobia and of his failure to accept and be open about his true sexual orientation and desires. If he had been more self accepting he probably would not have participated. And part of the point of Brian's story is that Reece and Steve show that remainers are capable of being as racist and intolerant as Brexit supporters. In 'Simon Says' Spencer kills Simon during what appear to be an attempt by Simon to seduce him. But this is after Spencer has seen Simon apparently kill Gavin. He could well believe he is about to get violated and possibly killed. (Also worth noting there was a cut scene from earlier in the episode when Spencer considers smothering Simon as he has had enough of his blackmail). What Simon's actual intentions are in this particular scene are debated by fans. There are signs he may have a romantic/sexual obsession with Spencer but he was performing a script (I may come back to this). But the point is that Spencer doesn't kill him because he may be gay but because he is afraid in that moment for his life. Personally I could also discuss the portrayal of lesbian characters such as Felicity (The Understudy), June (And the winner is) and Patricia (Private View) - it seems no one cares very much about the L part of LGBT (I say this as someone with many Lesbian friends). But I don't hold this against Reece and Steve. And arguably why can't LGBT character be as flawed and complicated as a heterosexual character The vast majority of killers and indeed victims in the show are heterosexuals or do not have their sexual orientation indicated (like Maxwell, Dennis Fulcher, Viktor). Perhaps we need to examine our own feelings about what we expected from this episode and why we want the episode to play out a particular way. Reece and Steve have many close friendships with members of the LGBT community (not just Mark Gatiss but people like Matt Lucas, Derren Brown and many others). Russell T. Davies has praised the show. Inside no.9 explores the human condition and human frailities often in quite a profound manner. I am proud to be a fan.

[@koala5405]

i was looking at the wikipedia article for scaphism a while ago and accidentally spoiled the twist, since it listed this episode as media containing scaphism, however when i watched it a few days ago for the first time, i was so confused not able to tell when or how it would become relevant XD the ending still got me

[@Kate-xd9bq]

As to the rhyme, we used to (UK, maybe late 2000s?) sing Round the Corner fudge is made - But it wasn't a big thing and nobody really did it a lot. I never really found it funny either, but it's interesting that there are different versions - Very much like the Jingle Bells alternative Batman Smells!

[@juliannaking4473]

milk milk lemonade , round the corner , fudge is made

[@WeeLin]

I'm hearing more support for "fudge is made" - curious to see how this would break down by region!

[@juliannaking4473]

@@WeeLin I grew up in the Midwest of America ...aka Farm land

[@Neil_TheShiningMile]

It was an excellent episode. Beautifully written, filmed and performed. Apparently, tonight an old episode - Mr King - is supposed to be repeated. Which is odd. Could this actually be a surprise additional episode? Do I hear a bus approaching?

[@gavvo-7640]

I was hoping for that too!! Looked in the TV guide and thought it odd they would just show a random episode from season 7 as a 1 off.

[@Neil_TheShiningMile]

@@gavvo-7640 Yeah it’s a shame it came to nothing. I can only guess that the reason they showed the repeat was that the series covered 5 weeks (first episode being at Christmas), and another 30 min programme at 10:30 was 6 episodes. Because they’ll both be replaced by a 60 min programme next week, they needed the buffer for one week.

[@Misteryowl]

Don't know if anyone has already posted this, but the hare is on the floor in the hallway when Chazz bets that the blinds haven't been dusted.

[@TFTN_Official12]

That ending honestly had me shook. Holy poop on popsicle

[@richardlbowles]

I didn't really welcome the fact that the episode spelled out the seven stages of grief in words, such as the word "Bargain" appearing on the box of the board game. I thought it was unnecessarily "in your face". Pemberton and Shearsmith are normally more subtle than this. Still, it was, however, an excellent episode.

[@WeeLin]

I can't talk, because I somehow missed the first one on the shopping bag!

[@richardlbowles]

@@WeeLin Yes, they're blended in, but once you see them they jump out at you, and you find yourself looking for the next one. It's not very subtle. I expected more from the lads. Still a good episode, though.

[@palomarodrigues2483]

Not sure if this was already answered, but the hare is around 13 - 14 minutes, on the floor between Steve's feet and the door.

[@spiceupyourafterlife]

I've heard "Milk, milk, lemonade, 'round the corner chocolate's made," but it's always fudge instead of chocolate where I come from.

[@TheSuperQuail]

I really, really hoped that the christmas special wouldn't have counted towards this series so we could have 1 more episode

[@juliannaking4473]

thanks !

[@wizardpower7009]

I got right about death by ants but I’m still sad about the relationship wasn’t real

[@WeeLin]

Me too, even though I love how horrible the ending was.

[@CrazyBuffyFan1]

I had to look up the hare, but there's a quick shot in a hallway where you can see it by a door, like a door stop.

[@Roadent1241]

I thought this was a great episode. Hit me hard in the face too. SPOILERS. LADIDAH. BLAH. OK. I thought Steve in this one was just cruel. Giving Chaz a way out of his anger and giving him happiness just to stew in his own anger which isn't good for your physical/mental health especially if you're hanging out with the one who's caused it, I get he's angry, but it doesn't make sense to torture the both of them like that for that long if Chaz proved he's not permanently angry and has healed from his jealousy. Maybe I just haven't had a family member technically deaded by someone else, just nearly through the big C. Am I missing something? I did get the last line a few hours later though XD I was just sat on the bog myself and went "OH COLD! REVENGE!"

[@WeeLin]

Ha! Glad I'm not the only one who had a delayed reaction! I agree, it's a completely OTT revenge plot, but I can't even imagine the pain of losing a child through someone else's actions and what that could do to a person's mind. There was a similarly demented plot in Private View with Fiona Shaw's character that a few people have been talking about, which also focused on a bereaved parent whose mind had snapped. Plus there was the insane revenge plot of Riddle of the Sphinx, which also began with a young person taking their own life. None of it is healthy, but if characters were always concerned with their mental wellbeing then we wouldn't get many horror stories! Maybe they start by thinking of this most insane, twisted thing a person could do and then worked backwards to see what would drive them to it - losing a child would probably be one of those things. Plus, Steve and Reece are both parents, so that's probably the worst thing they can think of that could happen to a person.

[@duxwontobey4887]

Spoilers below this episode disappointed me personally, like a lot of this series actually. with relatively predictable plots as compared to previous series, the past 3 plots all being ones I predicted the endings to. The main gripe with this one is the concept of a gay couple coping with one of them dying of a long term disease, it's not "problematic" but it felt a bit grim that the whole thing turned so sinister when it felt like it might have been going for a rare bitter sweet inside no9 which are often my favourites like 12 days of christie. I do think that a better ending for this does exist however, with Reece's character shouting out to the Alexa "CALL THE POLICE" to save himself once his 'partner' had left. Overall not a fan of this season as much but it was still enjoyable! I really hope they're not going to stop at 9.

[@MrShowbiz48]

Loved this episode, I can confirm 'Milk,Milk, Lemonade...' is an actual rhyme. Also I finally spotted the hare, first time ever. It is in the painting on the wall.

[@paulflint6254]

not seen it, I'll try and find the hare on rewatch.

[@Sam-ym1sq]

The hare statue is also used as a doorstop in the episode.

[@WeeLin]

But what's round the corner? Chocolate's made or Chocolate cake? I saw someone else saying that "chocolate cake" was probably just Joe trolling Chazz, which makes a lot of sense.

[@MrShowbiz48]

@@WeeLin I've always known it as Chocolate's made. Never heard of it as Chocolate cake, but that's because cake doesn't rhyme with lemonade. I'd go with the theory of Joe trolling Chazz as that'd make sense.

[@MrShowbiz48]

@@WeeLin Here's a new wrinkle on it. The original version says fudge is made however in a song by Katy Perry it is changed to chocolate.

[@paulflint6254]

There's a theory out that tonights episode is actually Hold on Tight, so this could be an extra episode for us all. Praying it's true. Loved this episode but I love every episode of this series. Well I got that wrong 😢

[@CatBlackGuitars]

Now that's twist I'd love to see.

[@lucywillis4174]

The dvd is already in hmv.... So. I'm saying... No.

[@paulflint6254]

@@lucywillis4174 Unless it's for an early series 9 episode

[@CatBlackGuitars]

I know I'm grasping at straws but could Hold On Tight be a hidden Easter egg on the DVD?

[@paulflint6254]

@@CatBlackGuitars Yeah that would be awesome

[@UDKeyes]

Questions about the old lady. Did she really just go back to Glasgow, or would Joe have had to kill her too? Is she the only person who can link Joe to Chazz? I'm thinking that even though Chazz was a Z-list celebrity, his disappearance might make the news. Or at least someone might search for him. Although it's very likely that Joe cut Chazz off from contact with friends and family as much as possible in those 9 years.

[@ssai90]

I think it’s also possible that Chas has sent a few too many snotty emails in his time and doesn’t really have many friends/connections as a result of that abrasiveness. Then again, he does seem to get along with Molly in person and has his kinder moments, so who knows

[@UDKeyes]

@Seffie Poulter That's a good theory. It's possible Chazz is just a nasty person to everyone but Joe. He seems unpleasant when we first see him in the episode.

[@ssai90]

I suppose anyone who’s comfortable suicide-baiting teenagers on the internet would be unpleasant to be around. Was a long time ago, but still.

[@drewcampbell8555]

I loved everything about the episode... except for one annoying detail. It really, really wasn't necessary to have them together for nine years. That's an extraordinary - or unbelievable - length of time to pretend to be in love with someone you detest with a burning hatred. Too many opportunities to kill before that, and/or inflict a living hell more painful and long-lasting - particularly for a shallow narcissist like Chazz. To me it felt like Steve & Reece chose to go for nine years because it was a nice nod to the title and longevity of the show but, for me, this conceit detracted slightly from an otherwise beautifully crafted piece of their finest macabre. Nine months would have worked as well and been utterly believable, and could still have been nine years on from the child's death. All that said, it was still one of their best, and delivering maybe their best ever acting performances as a pair - eclipsing even "Bernie Clifton". So - with apologies for being such a nitpicker - looking forward to your series 8 round-up!

[@Comic3247]

What do you think of the Mr King rerun that’s happening tonight?

[@moonkeele]

I very much doubt it will be a re-run. Hopefully it'll be the On The Buses parody we were expecting when they aired 3 by 3

[@WeeLin]

I'm guessing it's there to fill a six episode slot, seeing as episode one aired at Christmas instead of with the rest. I can't say I'm personally convinced by the bus theory, but I don't mind being proven wrong - it wouldn't even be the weirdest stunt they ever pulled. Either way, I'll be watching - big fan of Mr King!

[@Comic3247]

@@WeeLin I guess it makes sense to fill the slot, but it was season 7 episode 2. 7+2 equaling 9. So clearly something up

[@ChubbyChecker182]

I was getting Schofield vibes for the first half of this episode...

[@jakekraweckyj2801]

Truth be told, I was really underwhelmed by Mother's Ruin and Triskadesska...trissa.... the phobia one. The first feeling a bit hammy imo and the 2nd feeling like it belonged on CBBC with its style of comedy. But The Bones of St Nicholas, 3 by 3, Love is a Stranger and this one have absolutely redeemed it for me. Another great series and a real gut-punch, horror-like ending for the 6th.

[@johncoffin9354]

Chazz vacuuming ants, the mishandled ice-box? I was expecting that Molly was lying dead in some back room. NINE Years of splitting between weekday family and weekend side bit? It stretches credulity. How were they going to go to Iceland as a weekend gad? How did Chazz, or Mike not notice?

[@circle2867]

as much as i loved the epsisode, cant help but think HE has gave up 9 years too. would it be really worth it?

[@WeeLin]

I think the idea is that his life was so consumed by revenge that he hardly had time for anything else, and that's never a good thing. Another commenter mentioned that he could have spent that time campaigning against cyberbullying or using his daughter's music to inspire others, but decided on this instead.

[@jartism]

I have very mixed feelings on this one, I was so absorbed in the tragedy of this relationship, and as a gay man I found the performances incredibly convincing. So much so, that the twist just felt..wrong? Or maybe just too jarring? I don't know it just felt a bit over the top to me, but maybe on a rewatch I might reconcile my whiplash with that ending.

[@lucyhurst2534]

Over the top was the best way to describe it. Plus Steve pembertons character either pretended to be gay for nine years or just so happened to be bisexual and came up with his revenge plan? 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@WeeLin]

I did also feel a bit cheated when it was first revealed, as I'd really come to really care about these characters and their relationship, only to be told it was all a lie. Maybe they were trying to make us feel a bit like Chazz did in that scene when he was discovering the same thing? Kind of an immersive betrayal experience, or something like that. It's interesting to hear you say that as a gay man, as I've heard some mixed opinions on the acting in this episode. It's worth a rewatch once you know the ending, as it gives a whole new context to so many scenes.

[@WeeLin]

I wondered that myself - mind you, because of Joe's condition it sounded like there wasn't much "coupling" happening within the relationship, and if you're willing to pack someone in concrete and feed them to the bugs, chances are you'll do anything for revenge!

[@jdixon390]

This definitely felt like an episode from an early series, not the best series so far but still great nonetheless.

[@WeeLin]

Still the best thing on telly regardless of the episode quality, in my opinion at least!

[@jdixon390]

@@WeeLin hands down, I'll always watch Inside No9 over anything else being shown

[@leejones8582]

Very dark at the end

[@catbhoy]

So dark … you needed a torch. 👌

[@carlolombardi1998]

14:05 You have a lovely contralto voice, by the way.

[@LovelyRuthie]

I found this episode painful - my husband is currently being treated for cancer & we are definitely not out of the woods yet. As such, the subject matter was so close to home that I was too emotionally overwrought to follow the episode well enough. And then, when the twist came, I was so angry & felt cheated. This is purely down to my circumstances, but the shift was so sudden for me that the episode was like a cut & shut job. There again, I'm sure plenty of viewers thought that of "3 by 3," & I adored that from start to finish. So, at some point, I will rewatch, but it has at least pushed me towards the five stages of grief, which I am currently working through in real-time. Looking forward to tonight's rerun, which I expect will not be as it seems. I have to say, until "The Last Weekend," this series was serving as a brilliant distraction for me in a difficult time - I will rewatch & give it a second chance. Just...not yet.

[@catbhoy]

Fingers crossed for your husband’s recovery. Here’s hoping in the years to come you can rewatch this and watch it with a smile.

[@LovelyRuthie]

@@catbhoy thank you

[@WeeLin]

I'm so, so sorry to hear about your husband, and I really hope the treatment goes well. This must have felt quite horrible to watch at such a difficult time. I'm sorry, and I hope he makes a full recovery x

[@LovelyRuthie]

@@WeeLin Thank you, lovely. He's in ICU & making slow progress, but it's progress. I stayed up to watch "Mr King" yesterday, hoping perhaps it was more than just a rerun due to scheduling having a spare slot. The fandom trolled itself ;) Good episode to rewatch, though.

[@danieladams9950]

Great performances but resolution felt implausible and too contrived.

[@kieronmoore2737]

Omg😱

[@WeeLin]

Yep, that was my face too by the end!

[@aliceisasupremebeing]

I would love to see a breakdown of how many times reece and steve have killed each other, glad steve is catching up haha. I guess im in the minority this time but i wasnt a fan of this ep. my brother, partner and I all laughed out loud at the reveal, but we thought the motive was chaz not signing an autograph for the daughter or something along those lines at first, which would have been ridiculous.

[@Nayland007]

Found the Hare 🙂

[@catbhoy]

Very surprised at the criticism this episode is taking along with this season. I Just don’t understand it. I think it’s becoming cool to hate on the show. No wonder Reece goes on rants about people thinking it’s all about twists.

[@WeeLin]

Me too, I thought this one was great! Mind you, Reece is hilarious when he's angry, so it's not all bad.

[@haysleigh1190]

You can count me as one of the few people who didn't like it. It's like if That One Episode of The Last of Us turned into Saw. My perfect twist is one where I'm kicking myself that I didn't guess it - not one where I couldn't have guessed the ending in a million years. It wasn't well foreshadowed, so it didn't feel earned to me. P.S. I know it as 'fudge'.

[@flowerfield3468]

Honestly this was their weakest season yet, but the finale (and the game show ep) were the highlights. Every series of no.9 has at least 2 of my favourite episodes ever, so if there’s a formula it’s working for me! 😂

[@framebadger]

Why are you talking about this as if it was the last episode of the series? What about the secret bus episode they showed instead of the Mr King repeat? Seriously mental and so much guts from them to show it unannounced.

[@rixx46]

still looking forward to your series ranking video. I, too lament the loss of the BBC podcast supporting each episode. But here's an interview re series 8 kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2XKZKWIi791jsk&ab_channel=FunnyParts

[@rixx46]

Reece ALWAYS seems like he’s playing gay even when he isn’t. This character is a clone of every gay character he’s played. Great performances, but T a concept of it is hard to believe including the murder. He spent nine years in a fake gay relationship? Doing exactly? And the actual gay character didn’t work out his partner was Street in nine years? I love the idea of the murder, and how it’s executed, but not exactly the perfect crime. This place is a rental. Is he going to do with the body encased in a tub full cement after he’s dead?

[@robinbaxter3055]

Looking back on season 8, I think it's been the weakest season since the first. I had mixed feelings on both Love is a Stranger and 3 x 3 (though I really need to rewatch the latter) and Belles of St Nicholas and Mother's Ruin were both very good but also felt a bit like they were retreading old ground. I thought the 13 one was excellent but I had reservations about all the others, so I'm so glad this season ended on such a masterpiece!

[@WeeLin]

I would seriously give 3 by 3 another watch - once you know where the real story is, it's a lot more impactful!

[@robinbaxter3055]

@@WeeLin Yeah, I really need to, I think the first time I was just waiting for a bit more clarity as to what was going on

[@KyleRDent]

Obviously I'm in the minority because I hated this episode 😅 I'd rank it the worst of this series, and one of the lowest overall. I'm not exactly sure why it left a sour note. It felt lacking somehow in its "twist".

[@WeeLin]

Really? I thought it was one of their better twists. Maybe I'm just a horrible person who can't resist a gruesome execution method!

[@jtownblues7237]

This episode didn't do much for me - I found the twist a bit too horrific if that makes sense, felt like it was there for shock value rather than a genuine act of grief-stricken revenge. Also in general their treatment of gay characters feels a little like it's stuck in the 90s with the camp voice and fashion or the groping scene from last night of the proms, which is a pet peeve of mine. Aside from that, it wasn't a bad episode, and I thought the acting was brilliant. Anyway, great review! It's always nice to hear people talk about things they like, and I actually found myself coming round to bits of the episode I'd previously disliked after hearing you talk about it.

[@michaelreffold3170]

Yes to all of this. I can appreciate the writing and acting in general but some of their ideas and characterisations are very much throwbacks to a bygone era, in my opinion.

[@WeeLin]

It's definitely more of a shocking twist than a narratively meaningful one, so I can appreciate why it might not land well with everyone. I really wasn't a fan of that scene in Last Night of the Proms either ("why is he groping Jesus?" I think were my actual words), but I think Chazz works here as someone who had his glory days in the 90s and has maybe never fully let that go. Kind of like Les McQueen in The League of Gentlemen still wearing his 70s outfits and handing out tapes to anyone he thinks might listen. Thanks so much for saying that - I love it when I can find a new appreciation for things based on other people's enthusiasm, so it's nice to know I can do the same! Everyone's entitled to their own opinions, of course, and I like to hear different takes. Thanks for sharing yours!

[@michaelreffold3170]

@@WeeLin Last Night of the Proms is my least favourite Inside No. 9 episode - only watched it once when it aired and never want to revisit it. Just seemed grubby and too surreal for me. I know that was the point but it's not my thing at all.

[@fletcheragenda6014]

This episode is such an eye-opener on how reece and steve absolutely fail at queer representation. Every gay character they write falls into the exact same stereotype. This one was also classic queerbaiting in terms of marketing and the literal 9 year long baiting. This felt so, so gross as a queer person. So many great seeds planted that lead to absolutely nothing. The stages of grief, the angelic imagery, the older woman. This was a major disappointment to me. I’m glad others enjoyed it. I’m happy for you. I just wish other fans would pick up on this.

[@WeeLin]

I hadn't thought of it that way, but you're right - this was an opportunity to present a poignant picture of a beautiful queer relationship (and it absolutely looked like that's where they were going with this episode) but it's completely undone by the ending. And I'll admit that, while I still love a dark twist, I did initially feel cheated (much as Chazz did, I image) when it was revealed that the entire relationship and backstory of these characters turned out to be a lie. Thank you for expressing this, and I'm sorry for not picking up on it myself.

[@soulfoodie1]

Just to say many Gay men and Lesbians reject the term Queer because it has been used against them. And there have been a variety in the gay male characters in thia show like Callum in Merrily Merrily and Bobby in 12 Days of Christine. I want to hear what gay men , particularly gay men who ha e been involved with the LGBT community for years think of this episode and this issue . The one review I found by a gay man of this episode was positive

[@kieronmoore2737]

🍼🍼🍋🍫

[@WeeLin]

Or is it 🍫🍰?

[@kieronmoore2737]

Thank you bay the way im gay 🌈🐇

[@hastekulvaati9681]

I didn’t like it. All that amazing acting in in the first half was in service of a such a ludicrous premise. The second half walloped a punch, not doubt. Probably because of the extraordinary sadism. But it jarred with the realism of the first sections.

[@stevkyt2374]

For me this was the worst of all eight series. It was about unreasonable sadistic revenge to a character that didn't deserve it. The twist was not clever but rather corney. 'I never loved you and now I'm going to kill you in the most grisly way possible.' It was rather implausible. Compared to most of the lads' scripts this had no depth to it and was just lazy writing. It wasn't horror, just horrible.

[@kieronmoore2737]

Is reyl