Here’s every episode of Inside No. 9 season 4 ranked. While anthology shows were once out of fashion, they’ve now come back in a major way. This could be down to the continued success of Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story, with each season delivering a new creepy scenario for his cast to navigate, alongside copious amounts of sex and gore. Iconic anthology The Twilight Zone was also revived once again in 2019 too, though its critical reception was somewhat mixed.
Inside No. 9 is a British anthology that debuted on the BBC in 2014. The show was created by and stars Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith (Good Omens), with each episode following a new storyline and characters. The genre of the show can vary too, with one episode like “The Harrowing” being Hammer Horror-inspired, while the fantastic “The 12 Days Of Christine” is a very moving drama with a supernatural twist. The only real link between episodes is the number 9, with the story taking place in a location like a house, dressing room or even a karaoke booth with 9 on the outside.
The series has attracted consistently strong reviews and the creators of Inside No. 9 always seem to find creative things to do with the concept. Here’s a ranking of Inside No. 9’s season 4 episodes, from worst to best.
“And The Winner Is…”
An enjoyable but lightweight episode of Inside No. 9, “And The Winner Is…” revolves around a television awards jury debating who will win a Best Actress award. The acidic tone and interplay between the cast - including guests Zoë Wanamaker and Noel Clarke (Doctor Who) - is fun, but a key flaw is the final twist is glaringly obvious from an early point.
“Once Removed”
Inside No. 9 likes to experiment with odd narrative choices, like the near-wordless “A Quiet Night In.” “Once Removed” involves a removal man (Nick Moran, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1) coming to the isolated home of a couple, and getting sucked into an increasingly violent series of events that unfold with periodic jumps back in time. Again, it’s a fun episode with lashings of dark comedy, but the execution isn’t flawless.
“Bernie Clifton’s Dressing Room”
A very bittersweet installment, “Bernie Clifton’s Dressing Room” sees the reunion of estranged comedy double act Cheese And Crackers. The pair struggle to reconcile their old issues despite still clearly wanting to reconnect. The acting of both Pemberton and Shearsmith is superb and the ending is a tearjerker.
“Tempting Fate”
Inside No. 9 is especially good at delivering old-fashioned horror morality tales, with “Tempting Fate” finding a removal crew clearing out the flat of a deceased hoarder and coming across a cursed object. This episode slowly builds the tension as the trio bicker over whether to use the item or resist temptation, leading to a darkly comic ending.
“Zanzibar”
One of the most experimental and just sheer entertaining episodes of Inside No. 9 season 4 is opening episode “Zanzibar.” Set within the titular hotel, it’s a farce that involves attempted murder, twin brothers played by Rory Kinnear (Black Mirror) and unusual sex that’s all spoken in verse. It’s a big swing in terms of tone but it somehow works.
“To Have and to Hold”
While Inside No. 9 has had some dark episodes, “To Have And To Hold” might be the most quietly disturbing. The plot involves a failing marriage between a photographer (Pemberton) and his wife Nicola Walker (Luther), and her attempts to reconnect. While it plays out like a domestic drama for the first half, a shocking secret leads the episode into real-life horror territory.
Next: Inside No. 9 Season 5 Updates: Release Date & Story Details
