Inside No. 9 (TV Series) The Bill (2017) User Reviews

Quality throughout this one.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 17 October 2018]

Every single thing about this episode is on point, it's funny, clever, imaginative and naturally delivers the unexpected. Just when you think the episode is strictly focused on the pride of the four guys, and the need to be top dog, something much more clever, and more devious is going on. The story is spot on, but the characters are just terrific, I loved them all. Watkins is terrific as the miserly Kevin, and Glenister as alwasy is spot on as the cocky cockney Craig. Plenty of tension, very realistic, which of us haven't felt the need to pay for a meal, or felt bad when someone generous does.

Sheer class, 9/10

The Bill

[bobcobb301 · 8/10 · 22 March 2017]

Wow, this episode was an absolute wild ride. While it did get way too over the top at times, and they had maybe 1 or 2 too many twists, this was still compelling TV.

This was Twilight Zone-quality. They managed to make an argument over a bill into a half hour thrill ride.

The league is still here.

[lancer165 · 8/10 · 11 March 2017]

Have looked forward to the continuance of the work of Shearsmith and Pemberton. Getting hold of so many fairly well known extra actors to fill the parts shows that the work has some respect. While it is obvious that the characters laid down in the League days cannot be forgotten this did play out like some of the double acts we know from that series.

The twists that happened during the episode kept me thinking and guessing but the final act was way beyond thinking outside the box and quite a delicious plot.

Comedy is not always about obvious jokes. There may well be no way that any episode will better 'A Quiet Night In' but surely it must be seen that in general this team from the League has given us much viewing pleasure. Not forgetting Mark Gatiss and his contributions.

Loved this but we never found out the purpose of the elaborate scam.

Stunning and sensational.

[blondbearnl · 10/10 · 22 February 2017]

My all-time favorite (oh my, i was not allowed the correct British spelling) comedy writers and actors in a new episode of inside No.9. It was so well scripted, funny that I was on the edge of my seat from the very first till the very last second. A masterpiece of comedy. One never gets bored with these geniuses. Have to watch this again ob Bluray or DVD.

Northern Camaraderie

[eppingdrwho · 30 January 2020]

I love how the dialogue flows between the key actors in this episode. You can tell they are all enjoying this and it has a quick tempo to it. Very engaging.

Very impressive.

[GiraffeDoor · 9/10 · 27 March 2020]

One of the best episodes. Here the tension is intimately linked with the personalities of the characters and how they play of each other.

What starts out as harmless masculine banter escalates most convincingly into a tale of how one must exercise caution with their conscientiousness. The dialogue is sparking and its a smorgasbord of male British acting talent.

It's one of those tales where, if it happened to you you'd be like "Wow! that spiralled out of control so quickly" but they thought it through, it really goes to a dark place, it makes you think and there are some good surprises and tension along the way.

Who's paying the bill?

[safenoe · 8/10 · 17 December 2020]

This episode was filmed in a Hendon restaurant, and it certainly has the Roald Dahl forboding to it, with an elaborate sting the payoff. The script was electric, and all credit to the cinematographers for the filming techniques. The ending wasn't as gruesome as the Devil of Christmas that's for sure.

Badminton Trials

[southdavid · 8/10 · 26 July 2021]

After a couple of horror themed episodes, "Inside Number 9" comes back with an episode that is almost a one act play, with only its final scene breaking the run.

Four friends enjoy a meal at a Tapas bar, following a game of Badminton at their local club. Around the table sit club treasurer Malcolm (Steve Pemberton), penny pinching Kevin (Jason Watkins), Archie (Reece Shearsmith) and Archie's new friend Craig (Phillip Glenister) up from London for a course. It's been a fun evening, that is until the bill arrives, at which point bitter jealousies escalate to the point of tragedy.

I really liked this one, for the most part, I have some issues with the ending, which I'll come back too but I really enjoyed the one continuous scene aspect of it. It felt a little like some of the scenes they did back in the "L. O. G" days, even before the show started on BBC, they used to do an escalating sketch about a group of friends playing cards, that they redid with the Geoff Tips character. The feels like a spiritual successor to that.

The three guest players are all excellent, Watkins excels as the timid man until the last few scenes. Glenister too as the blowhard the goes as soon as he realises what's really going on. Their interplay is great and really very funny. The final scene is the only slightly underwhelming bit to me. It's a nice reveal, but it doesn't really make any sense.

Tremendously funny episode though, the show's really hitting it's stride now.

The Bill

[Prismark10 · 5/10 · 22 February 2017]

Three friends join rich Southerner Craig who they met at a function and go out for a meal at a restaurant.

The European waitress serving them, it is her first day at work. Although they enjoyed the meal when it comes to paying the bill they all compete to pay it. This competition leads to desperation as one of them even mentions he has a tumour and wants to pay for their final meal together.

Their desperation leads to a tragic incident which could get very costly for Craig as he has stepped into something he should not had.

As always Inside No 9 always has a bizarre twist but this was not a strong episode. The comedy was not strong or black enough and it when to the territory of people just shouting at each other.