I recently finished Inside No. 9 and loved it! It is easily one of the best shows ever created in my opinion. As I am a big fan, I wanted to rate some of my favorite episodes. I’ve chosen one from each series to make it easier to whittle down! (As I don’t want to rewrite Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton- I will be referring to them as The Duo).

Series 1/ Episode 6/ The Harrowing

This was a funny yet dark and macabre episode. I liked how it leaned heavily into Gothic horror while still including some comedy. For me, The Harrowing works so well because it combines a strong Gothic atmosphere with clever misdirection. All of this builds up to a brutal twist that completely re-frames the villains.

Series 2/ Episode 4/ Cold Comfort

Like most episodes written by The Duo, the ending contains a dark twist. What makes this one work so well is how the clues are hidden throughout the episode, where the webcam format distracts you from noticing them the first time around. This makes the reveal disturbing but logical. And it’s the kind of twist that makes me want to rewatch the episode to spot everything I missed!

Series 3/ episode 3/ Riddle of the Sphinx

For me, this episode is one of the best examples of The Duo’s writing. They manage to build a gripping mystery around something as ordinary as a crossword puzzle. Throughout the episode they layer in clues and wordplay that feel cunning. Personally, I think it shows how well they can combine intelligence with horror and dark comedy.

Series 4/ episode 2/ Bernie Clifton’s Dressing Room

For me personally, I actually thought this twist was done even better than 12 Days of Christine. Because you spend so much time seeing the friendship and the hurt between the characters after years apart, the emotional impact hits much harder. In short, this is a standout episode because it focuses on character and emotion rather than spectacle! This delivers a moving story about a broken comedy partnership with a beautifully sad twist.

Series 5/ episode 1/ The Referee is a Wanker

One reason I really enjoyed this episode is because it feels like one of the most “British” episodes of Inside No. 9. The humour comes from the ridiculous situations during the football match and the strange characters involved. The chaotic local match, the shouting from the sidelines, and the constant complaints about the referee all feel incredibly authentic. On top of that, the episode has a weird energy that makes it very memorable while still balancing comedy.

Series 6/ episode 2/ Simon Says

This episode almost feels like if Misery by Stephen King was written by The Duo. It focuses on the relationship between a writer and an obsessive fan, which creates a lot of tension throughout the episode. Watching the power dynamic between the two characters shift makes it gripping and very uncomfortable in the best way. From being chronically online I unfortunately do see this behavior a lot! I’m not sure if this is a bad thing or terrible thing… sweats.

Series 7/ episode 6/ Wise Owl

This episode is extremely dark but very memorable. I really liked the way it mixes old public service announcement style animation with the real-life story. The contrast between the cheerful PSA style and the disturbing subject matter makes the episode even more unsettling. As the story pans out I start to feel bad for the main character and hope for his recovery.

Series 8/ episode 4/ Love is a Stranger

This was the first episode where I actually guessed the twist before it happened! Even so, I still really enjoyed the concept because it felt very modern. The idea of dating apps and online connections worked well with the darker tone of the show. This is also one I can see happening in real life due to being chronically online! Once or twice I found the social media of someone I thought I knew well online that turned out to be different elsewhere. Take this episode as a warning!

Series 9/ episode 4/ CTRL, ALT, ESC

This is an episode I really enjoy re-watching. Once you know the ending, it becomes fun trying to spot all the clues hidden throughout the episode. It’s a very clever and smartly written story that rewards paying attention. I feel like this was my second favorite “12 Days of Christine” episode too! The dynamic of the family and seeing them really wanting to communicate made me feel a lot of emotions that Christine didn’t.

These aren’t necessarily the “best” episodes, but they’re the ones I personally enjoyed the most. With that in mind, what are your favorites? Do you agree with mine? Let me know in the comments!