I've spent much of the last week reading different theories about last week's sensational Inside No 9, 3By3, which replaced the advertised edition set on a bus, Hold On Tight!. Was the daughter psychic? AI? Reece Shearsmith in a mask? When will Hold On Tight! be on? Was it ever made? Were they inspired to do this excellent piece of rug-pulling by their fans who have been asking for a bus-based episode for years?
So it's nice to get to get back to a bit of normality for this week's final episode in the current series, The Last Weekend. Well, normality insofar as Inside No 9 can ever be normal. Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton play a couple celebrating their ninth anniversary in a cosy countryside cottage. But, hey, guess what, all is not as it seems...
This one is very much a showcase for Shearsmith and Pemberton's acting talents as Chas and Joe, a twosome who have been in a long relationship and appear to understand perfectly each other's quirks and foibles. Respect too to Shearsmith's wigmaker, who has given him a very convincing blond highlighted number which makes him look like a well-preserved boy band veteran. It's very much a two-hander. The only other cast member is Sheila Reid who played Madge Harvey in the ITV sitcom Benidorm, which Pemberton also appeared in.
It is directed by Ian Bevitt, the producer is Kim Crowther and the executive producer is Aam Tandy. Why am I telling you this production information? Because I have a word count to reach and I don't want to give away any more of the plot. Lovely furniture too.
What I will say is that it is a return to a more conventional Inside No 9 style, if there is such a thing. When I was a kid I used to read those Herbert Van Thal Pan horror anthologies and it reminds me of some of those short stories. There's an echo of Tales of the Unexpected here too. But let's not make comparisons. Above all else, The Last Weekend, along with the rest of this latest series, cements Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton's reputation as masters of the art of making people's skin crawl. It also reinforces their reputation as being bloody weird.
TV: Inside No 9, The Last Weekend, Thursday, May 24, 10pm, BBC Two
Credit: BBC/James Stack
