[8] [9] Writers in The Sunday Times called the episode "[a]nother exquisite short story",[10] Ben Lawrence, writing in the Daily Telegraph, called it a "gloriously OTT tale",[11] [12] and John Robinson, writing for The Guardian, described it as an "excellent instalment" of the series. 9. http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Recap/InsideNo9S1E5TheUnderstudy. This is very much Pemberton and Shearsmith's instalment and they are both brilliant, with one playing an actor on their way up, the other one on their way down. [1] At the same time, the concept of Inside No. 9 was a "reaction" to Psychoville, with Shearsmith saying that "We'd been so involved with labyrinthine over-arcing, we thought it would be nice to do six different stories with a complete new house of people each week. Air date: Feb 12, 2014. She has written about TV, film and books for Den of Geek since 2010, and for. Kirstie shows Jim that she's wearing Laura's engagement ring, and says "I'm waiting in the wings, like an understudy. Laura asks after Tony and tries to make conversation, but Jim is distant towards her. Tony comes out of the shower and wants to finish the performance, so Jim allows him to go. 9's worst episodes and this twist plays a big part in that. "[2] As an anthology series with horror themes, Inside No. 9. Jim, supported by girlfriend - and fellow understudy Laura - would love the chance to take the part himself and when Warner has an accident, apparently caused by being drunk, on . On its first showing, "The Understudy" was watched by 720,000 viewers (4.1% of the market); this was the lowest viewership of the series so far. Continuing the theme, the song Crank That by Soulja Boy was chosen for its dance moves and its mention of the word superman. Be the first to contribute. Thankfully, that doesnt happen in tonights episode, although it could have been a very close call: this weeks episode of Inside No. The Den of Geek quarterly magazine is packed with exclusive features, interviews, previews and deep dives into geek culture. Since Kirstie is such a minor character who barely appeared during the episode and didn't even interact with Jim much, this reveal feels totally unearned. TV comedy drama BBC Two 2014 - 2023 49 episodes (8 series) Dark comedy anthology series from Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton. It was the favourite song of serial killer Dennis Nilsen. Thinking Out Loud (series five) A cast of characters speak straight to camera as a dark mystery unfolds. Read more about them in our appreciation of Psychoville here. Plot: In a loose retelling of Macbeth, an understudy (Shearsmith) is encouraged by his fiancee (Lyndsey Marshal) to get the main role in a production of Macbeth. [1] In addition to Pemberton and Shearsmith, who played lead actor Tony and understudy Jim respectively, the episode starred Lyndsey Marshal as Laura, Julia Davis as Felicity, Rosie Cavaliero as Kirstie, Roger Sloman as Bill, Di Botcher as Jean, and Richard Cordery as Nick. Tony Warner is starring in the lead role of Macbeth at the Duke of Cambridge Theatre. 9. "The Understudy" is the fifth episode of British dark comedy anthology series Inside No. 1. 9 requires new characters each week, the writers were able to attract actors who may have been unwilling to commit to an entire series. 4) The haunted blender was intended as a deliberate reference to Davids favourite drink: the mango smoothie. 16. 9 (2014-): Season 1, Episode 5 - The Understudy - full transcript. Inside No 9 practises a kind of genre-fusion that is still a rarity in the TV schedules. 9 episode Death Be Not Proud, a door was opened. Laura arrives to congratulate Jim, and he thanks her for encouraging him. 5th episode of the 1st series of Inside No. Jan and Graham ask WishmakerUK to brighten up their daughter's birthday. Laura berates Jim for his lack of ambition. Reece Shearsmith continues to be quite the chameleon, each new character nuanced with texture and tone, which is a neat trick when youre playing whats essentially the normal person. Kirstie is wearing the engagement ring that she took from Laura's corpse. It was written by Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, and first aired on 14 March 2017, on BBC Two. Laura repeats Lady Macbeth's Act I, Scene V "Make thick my blood " speech, reiterating that she's serious about wanting Jim to replace Tony. Tony comes out of the shower and wants to finish the performance, so Jim allows him to go. She says that she watches every one of Jim's performances and always knew he would be a star - he just needed "a little push." This thread is archived. 9 from "David and Maureen", episode 4 of the first series of Psychoville. When he looks again, it has gone. She tells Jim that she is waiting for him "in the wings like an understudy". Critics responded very positively to "The Understudy", with several drawing attention to the improvement over "Last Gasp", the previous week's episode. The Understudy. She leaves, and as Jim prepares to go onstage, he sees bloody visions of Laura's death. Writers Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, who had previously worked together on The League of Gentlemen and Psychoville, took inspiration for Inside No. Jim broke up with Laura and has not seen her since his run in Macbeth. Act I - Tony Warner is playing the titular role in Macbeth on London's West End. Tony leaves with them, and Jim puts on Tony's prop crown, imagining himself in the leading role. The episode, he suggested, reflected happenings in a real theatre, rather than a television version. 9 podcast, are some of the Easter Eggs and nerdy references to be spotted in Death Be Not Proud. She is left alone in the dressing room and hears noises coming from the shower; but when she goes to look, it is empty. Inside No 9, TV review: A top-drawer cast puts these twisted tales in a league of their own, Inside No 9: How Shearsmith and Pemberton have revived a lost genre, Inside No. While Jim is absent, Felicity flirts with Laura. Felicity puts Tony in the shower and tells Jim he'll have to go onstage if Tony doesn't sober up quickly. Hello! Dark comedy. The Understudy - Kirstie Engineered Jim's Rise To Fame BBC Plot: In a loose retelling of Macbeth, an understudy (Shearsmith) is encouraged by his fiancee (Lyndsey Marshal) to get the main. Were referring to this episode as a play, and the fact that its all set in a single location backstage (dressing room no. Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is Copyright 2009-2022, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Laura puts the ring back on and smiles. [13], Critics stressed that a knowledge of Macbeth was not necessary to enjoy the episode. Air date: Feb 5, 2014. Felicity has been sacked after she was accused of sexual harassment. 18) Continuity pedants may notice that Maureens corpse was left facing in the other direction in Psychoville to how it was seen in Death Be Not Proud. The plot of "The Understudy" partially mirrors the story of Macbeth, exploring the theme of power and the lives of actors. One of the things I loved were the twist endings, and although I love a good twist, there were some that confused me and I would love explaining. For Shearsmith, it mattered that the actors had a "real chance" and that there were high stakes. Felicity was recently fired for sexual harassment, and Jim says he doesn't think her behaviour went that far. Much like Room 104, Inside No. Tony tries the same excuse with them but is unsuccessful. Last Gasp. 37. "The Understudy" was set behind the doors of dressing room number 9, belonging to boorish West End actor Tony Warner (Steve Pemberton), currently the lead in . Before the understudy rehearsal, Jim's fiance Laura (the understudy for Lady Macbeth) helps him learn lines in Tony's dressing room. This episode, in turn, was inspired by Alfred Hitchcock 's Rope. Laura cuts herself on a pin that Kirstie left in the Lady Macbeth dress, and after she and Kirstie leave the room, Jim sees a drop of blood on the floor grow into a large puddle. Inside No. Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton's brilliant anthology masterpiece Inside No. 20) Pemberton and Shearsmith will reveal where to find the hidden-every-episode silver hare statue from Death Be Not Proud in next weeks podcast. 15) The poster of Rita Hayworth in The Trinidad Affair was originally intended to be a poster of The Shawshank Redemption (as a joke referencing the secret hiding behind the poster in that film), but they werent granted the rights to use it and so chose Hayworth as the title of Stephen Kings original story on which the film is based is Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption. Incidentally, if youve not had the pleasure, heresDavid Sowerbutts personal YouTube channelfrom back in 2009. Directed by David Kerr . When invited to attend the understudy rehearsal, Tony makes an excuse about having a voiceover job at that time; and the pair are joined by Tony's neighbours Jean and Bill, who have just watched Tony's performance and invites him to dinner. Essentially, its another episode of Psychoville., 7) In Inside No. 9: the nerdy details in Death Be Not Proud. 9. The Understudy is one of Inside No. Inside No 9 S 1 E 5 The Understudy. The penultimate episode of Inside No9 felt like a companion piece to "Tom & Gerri" (only with Reece Shearsmith's character suffering a cruel ascendancy, instead of a miserable descent). This week, Pemberton plays Tony Warner, an egotistical, bombastic, and presumably brilliant actor tackling one of Shakespeares greatest roles. He is unsure whether he knows the lines well enough to go onstage in Tony's place, but Laura encourages him to take the chance. From here, each of the six tales showcased spin a mix of dark comedy with a . A Quiet Night In. At an engagement party, a bedroom with old baggage in it has been left unlocked Gerald's house contents might just become the target of an. It was first broadcast on 5 March 2014 on BBC Two. Admit it, you didn't see the twist coming, and it made . [15] David Chater in The Times and an anonymous reviewer in the Sunday Herald both praised the plot's divergence from Shakespeare, with the latter saying that "the script cleverly offers parallels with The Scottish Play, just to whip them away again". Coming back to his dressing room after a performance, he is visited by his understudy Jim. Aired at 10pm on Wednesday 5 March 2014 on BBC Two. He asks after Laura, and Jim explains they broke up and haven't seen each other in forever. He identified the themes of the episode by calling it "a spooky and highly satirical take on actors, Shakespeare and power". Much like the episodes themselves, these twist endings are very varied in terms of content and themes but you'll always get one with this show, even in an episode that seems very quiet at first. [5] After the initial idea of a group of characters backstage at a production of Macbeth,[6] the writers re-scripted several times, unsure of whether the characters should be amateurs, members of a touring company or professionals. Below, as heard on this weeks instalment of the BBC Sounds Inside Inside No. 9. The idea of David being haunted by the ghost of his dead mother through her Bontempi organ is given a trial run in this 2011 YouTube clip. It is mentioned that Tony fell off the battlements on stage, and is in hospital. All rights reserved. 9 series 5 episode 2 review: Death Be Not Proud, Inside No. I recently discovered this series and binged it over about two days. It is mentioned that he is a recovering alcoholic but has been "dry" for several years. 9 was a "reaction" to Psychoville, with Shearsmith saying that "We'd been so involved with labyrinthine over-arcing, we thought it would be nice to do six different stories with a complete new house of people each week. She leaves, and Jim sees blood everywhere and visions of Laura's death. This is horror which cleverly twists the knife and then just as you can't take any more twists it again. [3], As the format of Inside No. Photo via BBC. 9 series 4 episode 4 review: To Have And To Hold, Inside No. Jim declines Laura's invitation to go out to dinner, and eventually asks her to leave, feeling that he needs to concentrate on his performance. Hector and Tabitha need a carer to look after their disabled. 9 endings.please can someone explain some of these?! The episode was written by and starred Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, and guest-starred Lyndsey Marshal, Julia Davis, Rosie Cavaliero, Roger Sloman, Di Botcher, Richard Cordery, Bruce Mackinnon and Jo Stone-Fewings. (She couldnt find one, so threw in a capful of Radox to help their victim relax.). Coming back to his dressing room after a performance, he is visited by his understudy Jim. 9 takes place in a single room or, in this case, a house or room numbered 9. @Louisa_Mellor, Louisa Mellor is the Den of Geek UK TV Editor. 3, Inside No. 2. Recap /. It can be a risky business, actors making up plays about actors. Be the first to contribute. David Sowerbutts personal YouTube channel, Inside No. 9. Tony, now using a wheelchair, stops by to visit. [13], Critics stressed that a knowledge of Macbeth was not necessary to enjoy the episode. "[2] As an anthology series with horror themes, Inside No. 12) The choice of Black Laces Superman as David and Maureens dance in Psychoville was apparently inspired by the Leopold and Loeb Chicago murder case referenced in Alfred Hitchcocks Rope (which had inspired Psychovilles two-shot David and Maureen special inseries one). Inside No. 9 has managed to be very consistent with its plot twists and has delivered some of the most brilliant TV rug-pulls you'll ever see. " The Understudy " is the fifth episode of British dark comedy anthology series Inside No. 17) Among many others disposed of at the end of Psychoville, the original prop for Davids Hannibal Lecter lamp had to be re-drawn for this episode, alongside his bedroom gallery of serial killer photos and drawings, all of which were in fact photos of the Psychovilleproduction crew. The episode took longer to write than any other in the first series of Inside No. 9: the nerdy details in Death Be Not Proud Major episode spoilers as we explore the Easter Eggs tucked away in Inside No. Quiet Night In. She has watched Jim's performance every day of the week, and says she knew that he just needed "a little push" to achieve greatness. Tony tries the same excuse with them but is unsuccessful. The reveal that backstage worker Kirstie (Rosie Cavaliero) engineered understudy Jim's rise to fame - by doing things like causing the original actor to have a horrible accident and getting the company director fired - is uncharacteristically awful for this show. 9. Backstage in his dressing room after a performance, Tony complains about his career taking a downturn and yells at dresser Kirstie. Act I Tony Warner is starring in the lead role of Macbeth at the Duke of Cambridge Theatre. He seems to suspect Laura of reporting her, although Laura denies it. Jim, supported by girlfriend - and fellow understudy Laura - would love the chance to take the part himself and when Warner has an accident, apparently caused by being drunk, on stage, Jim gets his opportunity, becoming a star. That's appealing, because as a viewer you might not like this story, but you've got a different one next week. The Understudy. When people complain that telly isnt like it used to be, that theres no longer anything like Play for Today on our screens, they should be directed to this episode: this is exactly the type of thing theyre yearning for. Inside No. 9) heightens and celebrates the theatricality of the piece. Company manager Felicity arrives and scolds them for using the room. He is unsure whether he knows the lines well enough to go onstage in Tony's place, but Laura encourages him to take the chance. Laura asks Tony's dresser, Kirstie, what he earns, before opening Tony's payslip to see for herself. "The Understudy" is the fifth episode of British dark comedy anthology series Inside No. Five minutes in to Inside No. It was first broadcast on 5 March 2014 on BBC Two. Pemberton plays actor Tony, who is starring as Macbeth in a West End production of Shakespeare's Macbeth, and Shearsmith plays Jim, Tony's understudy. She cuts herself on a pin left in her costume, and yells at Kirstie for leaving it there. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Shy Jim is the understudy to arrogant actor Tony Warner, whose Macbeth is a West End success. Friends Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Monicas Apartment? Writers Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, who had previously worked together on The League of Gentlemen and Psychoville, took inspiration for Inside No. She tells Jim that she is waiting for him "in the wings like an understudy". A scream is then heard from the stage, and the stage manager calls for a medic. 16) David keeping his mothers head in a hat box bricked up inside the flat wall is a nod to serial killer Edmund Kemper, who did the same (and almost certainly worse). We don't see which person makes it to Lawrence first. Writers Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, who had previously worked together on The League of Gentlemen and Psychoville, took inspiration for Inside No. 9, Louisa Mellor | kill herself, and Kirstie take the engagement ring from her corpse? It is mentioned that Tony fell off the battlements on stage, and is in hospital. It was first broadcast on 5 March 2014 on BBC Two.The episode was written by and starred Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, and guest-starred Lyndsey Marshal, Julia Davis, Rosie Cavaliero, Roger Sloman, Di Botcher, Richard Cordery, Bruce Mackinnon and Jo Stone-Fewings. Release date: 05 March 2014. . Laura arrives to congratulate Jim, and he thanks her for encouraging him. Act III - During a performance, Kirstie tries to help a drunken Tony get ready for Act V of the play. Fans of Frederick Nietzsche, Leopold and Loeb considered themselves as supermen and thus outside the law. If youve already spotted it, let us know below. At an engagement party, a bedroom with old baggage in it has. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Theres a great cameo from Julia Davis in what is almost literally a thankless role shes Felicity, the company manager. It is presented in five separate acts, mirroring theatrical norms. Felicity, the company manager, makes an excuse for Jim to leave so that she can hit on Laura. Inside No. [7], On its first showing, "The Understudy" was watched by 720,000 viewers (4.1% of the market). Thanks for reading all the way down. Tony Warner's performance as Macbeth is the toast of London's West End. [4], The episode was written and is presented in a five-act structure to mirror theatrical norms. The episode was written by and starred Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, and gueststarred Lyndsey Marshal, Julia Davis, Rosie Cavaliero, Roger Sloman, D When Tom tries to repay a late-night caller, he becomes the. Its a grotesque, but like all of Pembertons grotesques, theres a vital strand of humanity running through him. 10) In the opening moments of the episode, the number two the original number of Maureen and Davids flat in Psychoville is taken off the door and replaced with a number nine, before being repainted from red to purple. Definitely. although it's much more likely Kirstie killed her. 9s Death Be Not Proud. She is left alone in the dressing room and hears noises coming from the shower; but when she goes to look, it is empty. But these are not complaints. Lyndsey Marshall delivers a version of Lady Macbeth thats better than a lot of actual Lady Macbeths that weve seen her delivery of You just dont want it enough is coloured with rage, passion, contempt, despair and genuine love, all within seven syllables. Were already looking forward to the next episode. Bruce Dessau called it a "striking return to form" on his website,[7] and Gerard Gilbert, writing in The Independent, called it "a return to form" after the previous week's "misfire". 6) Death Be Not Proud was directed by Matt Lipsey, who directed every episode of Psychoville (and last weeks The Referees A W***er). Laura also kills herself at the end of the story but it isn't explained why she did this, so this was just a thoroughly poor ending all around. She is determined for Jim to appear as Macbeth, which would allow them to save for their wedding. Nineteen months later, Jim is a famous actor playing the title role in Richard III at the theatre, using the same, now redecorated, dressing room. During a Friday night performance, Tony is drunk as he comes backstage during the interim between his part in Acts IV and V. Felicity is angry that Tony, a recovering alcoholic, got drunk again; she has had to issue several refunds because of his drunken behaviour on stage. What did you think of the episode? I thought they might be slightly influenced by the movieTheatre of Blood, in which an embittered thespian played by Vincent Price kills off critics who have given him bad reviews in various gory Bard-inspired ways, but this is very different. By the grace of grace we will perform in measure, time and place. And poor old Roger Sloman of Nuts In May fame barely has a walk-on role to get his comedic teeth into. 2) The title Death Be Not Proud is a clue to the Psychoville connection, as its the name of the John Donne poem quoted by David when his mother dies in series two episode five, and repeated in the scene recreation here, reshot from the same angle almost a decade later. 9 this week. 9, and was redrafted several times owing to the writers' uncertainty as to whether the characters should be amateurs or professionals. Each episode focuses on the goings-on around something to do with the number 9. Zircon - This is a contributing Drupal Theme. A paralysed Tony comes backstage to visit him and talks about how far Jim's career has come. [19] This was lower than "Last Gasp", the previous episode, which in turn had had the lowest viewership of the series on its first airing, with 872,000 viewers (4.9% of the audience). 9 also pays homage to Tales of the Unexpected, The Twilight Zone, and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. A scream is then heard from the stage, and the stage manager calls for a medic. Get the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox! Let us know below Tags: BBC Two, , Inside No 9, Psychoville, Reece Shearsmith, Steve Pemberton Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! She sends him into the shower to sober up, and summons Jim. The episode, he suggested, reflected happenings in a real theatre, rather than a television version. Kirstie is wearing the engagement ring that she took from Laura's corpse. 14) Baby John is named after his father, David John Sowerbutts, who was named after his own father John (but David doesnt want to talk about that). After Tony leaves, Kirstie arrives to see Jim. 9, and was redrafted several times owing to the writers' uncertainty as to whether the characters should be amateurs or professionals. This episode, in turn, was inspired by Alfred Hitchcock's Rope. 9, "Inside No 9, TV review: A top-drawer cast puts these twisted tales in a league of their own", "Inside No 9: How Shearsmith and Pemberton have revived a lost genre", "Inside No. 9 series 5 episode 3 review: Loves Great Adventure, Inside No. 9: Mother's Ruin ending explained. 9. Steve and Reece explain why they decided to set The Understudy in a professional theatre. That's appealing, because as a viewer you might not like this story, but you've got a different one next week. [4], The episode was written and is presented in a five-act structure to mirror theatrical norms. Aside from the writers, each episode has a new . It hasn't always been smooth sailing and there are a few bad plot twists as well; some episodes have struggled to fit in a twist that really benefits the story. Rebecca's engagement party becomes a disaster. [7], On its first showing, "The Understudy" was watched by 720,000 viewers (4.1% of the market). [6] The script eventually settled on actors at a West End theatre. While comedic in places, "The Harrowing" makes extensive use of gothic horror elements . Jim, supported by girlfriend - and fellow understudy Laura - would love the chance to take the part himself and when Warner has an accident, apparently caused by being drunk, on stage, Jim gets his opportunity, becoming a star. Homepage. The episode hinted at Laura being the story's Lady Macbeth and at supernatural happenings, but both these plot-lines went nowhere. Jim has taken over the role of Macbeth. Coming back to his dressing room after a performance, he is visited by his understudy Jim. Jim puts on his crown and prepares to go onstage.
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inside no 9 the understudy explained
