Inside Number 9: Episode 11: Nana's Party

An 
uncomfortable

and deeply moving

episode. An 
emotional

high point for the series.

This is episode of the show is not for the faint hearted. Nana's Party is the ultimate culmination of he efforts made by episodes such as The 12 Days of Christine and Last Gasp, to create a fully satisfying and complex family drama in only thirty minutes. I honestly cannot say that I have ever seen such a potent and complex range of emotions in such a short space of time, this episode is simply triumphant over it's restrictive format.

The primary reason for this episodes success is the wealth of excellent performances on display here. Aside from our familiar duo, who are both equally phenomenal here and provide some of the most powerful moments of the entire show, Claire Skinner is our standout talent for this episode. The actress' greatest talent is without a doubt her relatablity, which makes watching such horrible scenarios happen around her quite uncomfortable from the beginning. It is worth noting that this is the second episode of the show to be directed by Pemberton and Shearsmith, and I am only growing to love them for the quality of performance they are able to get from their actors. Not a single line falls flat here, and I cared deeply for every single one of the main cast.

Before I ramble for too long about the acting, I must deliver some kind of praise at the script for this episode. If it isn't the strongest script of the entire series then it is certainly close, and I believe this episode sands as a primary testament to the duo's immense collective writing ability. The script here is absolutely wonderful in it's plotting, without a doubt the strongest of the series thus far and it is filled with a host of stunningly funny and heart-achingly potent moments. This episode's climax is a true marvel, perfectly built up and incorporating every character and plot point of the episode up to that point in one incredibly powerful (and surprisingly hilarious) conclusion.

Overall, this episode is a masterwork and stands a one of the show's newest highpoints. Although season two of the show is certainly less consistent than the first, I can say that it has certainly offered up some incredible television.

By Jack D. Phillips

A Zoom Film Review

Inside Number 9: Episode 11