The final episode of season 8 of "Inside Number 9" was, for me, a bit of a return to form after a couple of episodes that underwhelmed me a little. I love a darker episode, and though this looked to be one of the occasional emotional ones, ultimately, it's reveals were a welcome surprise.
Having been together for nine years, Chas (Reece Shearsmith) and Joe (Steve Pemberton) head to their lakeside Scottish cabin for what might be the last time, as Joe is suffering with bowel cancer. Mollie (Sheila Reid) their caretaker hasn't been around as much as Chas would have liked and there are some insect infestations, but Joe is determined that it won't spoil their time. However, a phone call to Joe's mobile, with another man's name already saved in the contacts, sets Chas on edge.
I'll keep my reviews as spoiler free as I can with this one. For the longest time it looks like it's got the potential to be another deeper episode, such as "Merrily, Merrily" or even "The 12 Days of Christine". Joe's poor health feels like it should play into the climax, as does Chas' grudging resentment at the situation. Knowing though that there's usually a twist in the story though it feels like the phone call could be a flashpoint for them, but instead it's another plot point, one craftily (at first viewing) hidden in another scene that is the reason for what happens and, as it's revealed, the extra significance of a few other aspects of the story are brought to the surface too. It's nothing too revolutionary, but it's certainly the best written episode of this run.
Shearsmith's broad impression of a gay man remains just on the right side of offensive, I think, others may disagree, and the episode could have used Sheila Reid a little more. Ultimately though, I love the darker episodes and, whilst it's all in sound design and implication, this might the be darkest episode they've ever done.