inside no 9 the understudy explained

Read more about them in our appreciation of Psychoville here. Theres a great cameo from Julia Davis in what is almost literally a thankless role shes Felicity, the company manager. 9s Death Be Not Proud. 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. Shy Jim is the understudy to arrogant actor Tony Warner, whose Macbeth is a West End success. @Louisa_Mellor, Louisa Mellor is the Den of Geek UK TV Editor. [5] This meant that the script-writing took longer for "The Understudy" than for any other episode of the first series of Inside No. 9. "[2] As an anthology series with horror themes, Inside No. Jim broke up with Laura and has not seen her since his run in 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. Transcript for Tv Show Inside No. He also has another visitor, a devoted admirer who, unbeknown to him, went to great lengths to give him his taste of fame. 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. . She leaves, and Jim sees blood everywhere and visions of Laura's death. [5] The plot is essentially based on Macbeth, leading Pemberton to suggest that the episode might be used "on an O Level syllabus" in the future. The Understudy. When he looks again, it has gone. [20] "The Understudy" was immediately preceded in most listings by Line of Duty, which was watched by a series high of 2.3 million viewers (9.9% of the audience).[19]. 9: interview with Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton", "Preview: Inside No 9: The Understudy, BBC2", "Inside No 9, First Dates and Suspects dip to lows", Shakespeare's Macbeth A Tragedy in Steel, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Understudy_(Inside_No._9)&oldid=1094132388, Pages containing links to subscription-only content, Short description is different from Wikidata, Television episode articles with short description for single episodes, Television episode articles with short description and disambiguated page names, Pages using infobox television episode with unnecessary list markup, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0, This page was last edited on 20 June 2022, at 23:14. 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. Your reaction to who was revealed on the other side will likely have fallen into one of two categories: an electric jolt of delighted surprise, or a furrowed brow and the thought that BBC Two really needs to up its wig budget. "The Understudy" is the fifth episode of British dark comedy anthology series Inside No. The Big Bang Theory Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Penny? The Understudy is one of Inside No. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Shy Jim is the understudy to arrogant actor Tony Warner, whose Macbeth is a West End success. 9 is the latest effort from the BBC in this category, carving itself a slice of the pie and serving up a mix of dark comedy and surprise twists. Definitely. TV comedy drama BBC Two 2014 - 2023 49 episodes (8 series) Dark comedy anthology series from Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton. (music composed by) Cinematography by Stephan Pehrsson . After Tony leaves, Kirstie arrives to see Jim. The Understudy is the fifth episode of British dark comedy anthology series Inside No. In addition, Bruce Mackinnon provided the voice of an actor playing Malcolm in Macbeth, and Jo Stone-Fewings provided the voice of an actor playing Macduff. He hears whispering over the speaker system and sees a horrific vision of blood pouring from his eyes and the mirror; which stops when he takes the crown off again. 9. (She couldnt find one, so threw in a capful of Radox to help their victim relax.). Or did Kirstie kill Laura and loot her body? Tony, now using a wheelchair, stops by to visit. kill herself, and Kirstie take the engagement ring from her corpse? 2. 13) Superman is a recurring theme, with Laurie Andersons O Superman played by Maureens ghost in a 2011 YouTube clip, and in Death Be Not Proud (visible on her keyboard sheet music). 9 series finale is a troubling tale soaked in the worst kind of nostalgia: the horror of 1970s public information. It was first broadcast on 5 March 2014 on BBC Two. 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. That's appealing, because as a viewer you might not like this story, but you've got a different one next week. 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. 9 series 4 episode 4 review: To Have And To Hold, Inside No. I did occasionally think that Pemberton had a touch of Matt Berry's Steven Toast about him, but that's just because Pemberton is playing an archetypal luvvie, as was Berry. 9. Felicity has been sacked after she was accused of sexual harassment. Tony comes out of the shower and wants to finish the performance, so Jim allows him to go. Tony Warner's performance as Macbeth is the toast of London's West End. Laura comes in and pressures Jim to take Tony's place, but he's not sure he can do it - he would have to perform Macbeth's big fight scene with Macduff, which the understudies have not rehearsed properly. It is presented in five separate acts, mirroring theatrical norms. Jim has taken over the role of Macbeth. 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. 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. 9 requires new characters each week, the writers were able to attract actors who may have been unwilling to commit to an entire series. 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. Two thieves steal a painting from a victim. It can be a risky business, actors making up plays about actors. 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. Warning: contains major spoilers for Inside No. Writers Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, who had previously worked together on The League of Gentlemen and Psychoville, took inspiration for Inside No. 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. I'll be watching." although it's much more likely Kirstie killed her. I wish I could give you a prize. She also got Felicity sacked because Felicity would not let Jim perform as Macbeth. The plot of "The Understudy" partially mirrors the story of Macbeth, exploring the theme of power and the lives of actors. Jim broke up with Laura and has not seen her since his run in Macbeth. It was written by Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, and first aired on 14 March 2017, on BBC Two. 5th episode of the 1st series of Inside No. His understudy Jim invites him to attend the understudy rehearsal, but Tony lies about having another job at that time. Laura berates Jim for his lack of ambition. The Den of Geek quarterly magazine is packed with exclusive features, interviews, previews and deep dives into geek culture. Inside No. 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. 05 March 2014 3 minutes This clip is from Inside No. Much like Room 104, Inside No. "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 . Nineteen months later Jim, now a name actor, gets a visit from the wheelchair-bound Tony Warner. He looks . We don't see which person makes it to Lawrence first. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Act III - During a performance, Kirstie tries to help a drunken Tony get ready for Act V of the play. "Knowing the text", suggested Jack Seale of Radio Times, "will take you only halfway and, in any case, the clever plot is really just a vehicle for characters sketched fully in only a few lines, and a torrent of fruity luvvie gags about jealousy, superstition and stage-hogging hams. [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. This episode, in turn, was inspired by Alfred Hitchcock's Rope. He also has another visitor, a devoted admirer who, unbeknown to him, went to great lengths to give him his taste of fame. Felicity was recently fired for sexual harassment, and Jim says he doesn't think her behaviour went that far. Diddle Diddle Dumpling. 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. She is determined for Jim to appear as Macbeth, which would allow them to save for their wedding. "David and Maureen" took place entirely in a single room, and was filmed in only two shots. 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". 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). The ending, like many of the worst plot twists out there, also negates what we've previously seen. Let us know below Tags: BBC Two, , Inside No 9, Psychoville, Reece Shearsmith, Steve Pemberton 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. 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. As ever, it would spoil the fun to say too much. 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. Quiet Night In. Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is Copyright 2009-2022, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. 9 Episode 5: The Understudy review. Dark comedy. 9, and was redrafted several times owing to the writers' uncertainty as to whether the characters should be amateurs or professionals. It aired on 12 March 2014 on BBC Two.The episode was written by Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, and stars Shearsmith, Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Helen McCrory, Poppy Rush and Sean Buckley. While comedic in places, "The Harrowing" makes extensive use of gothic horror elements . [7] Critic Jane Simon, writing in the Daily Mirror, suggested that "even a hazy knowledge of the Scottish play will tip you the wink what might lie ahead". 37. 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. He is distant, eventually asking her to leave him to prepare alone. As she hands him a prop dagger, he sees blood all over the dagger and her hands. It is mentioned that Tony fell off the battlements on stage, and is in hospital. 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. Inside No.9: The Bones of St . Major episode spoilers as we explore the Easter Eggs tucked away in Inside No. Pity then, that there arent more people watching it. Jim puts on his crown and prepares to go onstage. "The Understudy" is the fifth episode of British dark comedy anthology series Inside No. He believes that Laura pushed Tony off the battlements and could not live with her guilt. It was first broadcast on 5 March 2014 on BBC Two. 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. 9. 9 this week. What did you think of the episode? [1] At the same time, the concept of Inside No. 11) Cut for time in the episode was a scene in which David found a note from his dead mother under his mat in exactly the way he found the blackmailers note in Psychoville which said Shes a whore. This and what needful else that calls upon us. Inside No. Kirstie shows Jim that she's wearing Laura's engagement ring, and says "I'm waiting in the wings, like an understudy. 9) heightens and celebrates the theatricality of the piece. Coming back to his dressing room after a performance, he is visited by his understudy Jim. Critics responded very positively to "The Understudy", with several drawing attention to the improvement over "Last Gasp", the previous week's episode. [6] The script eventually settled on actors at a West End theatre. But these are not complaints. Kirstie is wearing the engagement ring that she took from Laura's corpse. Writers Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, who had previously worked together on The League of Gentlemen and Psychoville, took inspiration for Inside No. 9 - Season 1 Episode 5 - The Understudy . He is distant, eventually asking her to leave him to prepare alone. 1 Episode Number 6 Airdate 12 March 2014 Next Episode La Couchette Writer Steve Pemberton, Reece Shearsmith Director David Kerr Produced By Adam Tandy Katy Hepworth, a school girl in her full uniform including dark tights, has been hired to take care of Hector and Tabitha's mansion while the two go out for the evening. It was first broadcast on 5 March 2014 on BBC Two. This episode, in turn, was inspired by Alfred Hitchcock 's Rope. Needless to say much is made of Shakespearean lines that take on a greater resonance than intended and there are some very creepy moments. 19)Next to Maureens decomposing corpse in that bathtub was none other than a bottle of Matey, Davids favourite, and the very bubble bath Maureen fussed about finding while the pair planned to do a bad murder by drowning. Five minutes in to Inside No. The Understudy. 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 puts pressure on Jim to push for Tony's job. Laura asks Tony's dresser, Kirstie, what he earns, before opening Tony's payslip to see for herself. Aside from the sadcom (a sub-genre that combines sitcom grammar with gut-punch emotion), most programmes . 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. 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. However all episodes are amazing and definitely worth a watch. View Details. He identified the themes of the episode by calling it "a spooky and highly satirical take on actors, Shakespeare and power". Shy Jim is the understudy to arrogant actor Tony Warner, whose Macbeth is a West End success. 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. The episode, he suggested, reflected happenings in a real theatre, rather than a television version. 9. JavaScript seems to be disabled. She tells him that Laura committed suicide by slitting her wrists in the dressing room's shower. She leaves, and as Jim prepares to go onstage, he sees bloody visions of Laura's death. 9. This deeply illogical and un-earned twist is easily the show's worst and it's not even close. Company manager Felicity arrives and scolds them for using the room. TVTropes is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. Steve and Reece explain why they decided to set The Understudy in a professional theatre. 3) As spotted by Twitter user Tia Raine, theres a clue to the crossover in the episodes official poster (see above). Tony Warner is starring in the lead role of Macbeth at the Duke of Cambridge Theatre. Everything comes together to provide a pleasing riff on Shakespeares tragedy, while providing enough twists and upsets before the curtain falls. Admit it, you didn't see the twist coming, and it made . Steve Pemberton and Julia Davis in The Understudy. At an engagement party, a bedroom with old baggage in it has. 9 A backstage Macbeth Steve and Reece explain why they decided to set The Understudy in a professional theatre. While Jim is absent, Felicity flirts with Laura. [5], Critics responded very positively to "The Understudy", with several drawing attention to the improvement over "Last Gasp", the previous week's episode. The episode took longer to write than any other in the first series of Inside No. Just as they're about to go onstage Jim is distracted by a drop of blood on the floor; which grows into a spreading pool. . It is mentioned that he is a recovering alcoholic but has been "dry" for several years. Inside No 9 S 1 E 5 The Understudy. An acting understudy eventually assumes center stage, but at a price. Its a grotesque, but like all of Pembertons grotesques, theres a vital strand of humanity running through him. Friends: The Progressively Easier Who Said It Quiz. 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. Hector and Tabitha need a carer to look after their disabled. 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. 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. 1. Pemberton said that the West End setting allowed for the "agonising" scene of a post-performance visit from audience members. Directed by David Kerr . [16][17][18] Dessau felt that the complex plot meant that the guest stars did "not get quite as much screen time as they deserve", but that this was no complaint, as it was "very much Pemberton and Shearsmith's instalment and they are both brilliant". Thankfully, that doesnt happen in tonights episode, although it could have been a very close call: this weeks episode of Inside No. 9 Series 7 Episode 6 Review: Wise Owl Inside No. He asks after Laura, and Jim explains they broke up and haven't seen each other in forever. Another hint. 9 series 5 episode 2 review: Death Be Not Proud, Inside No. Jan and Graham ask WishmakerUK to brighten up their daughter's birthday. Be the first to contribute. She is left alone in the dressing room and hears noises coming from the shower; but when she goes to look, it is empty. Kirstie reveals that she herself is the one who pushed Tony, and spiked his juice with alcohol backstage. It was the subject of much discussion and decided that David had probably moved her body for some reason best kept to himself (perhaps another chorus of Oops Upside Your Head). Tony tries the same excuse with them but is unsuccessful. [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 guest-starred Lyndsey Marshal, Julia Davis, Rosie Cavaliero, Roger Sloman, Di Botcher, Richard Cordery, Bruce Mackinnon and Jo Stone-Fewings. So, is this a positive? 9 from "David and Maureen", episode 4 of the first series of Psychoville. 9 Series 1. 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." Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. 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. Tony denies being drunk and says he's only been drinking the smoothies Kirstie makes for him. She angrily takes off her engagement ring, but then hears noises from inside the shower; when she looks, it is empty. Empty Orchestra. Please enable JavaScript to take full advantage of iPlayer. Tony leaves with them, and Jim puts on Tony's prop crown, imagining himself in the leading role. 9, Louisa Mellor | For Shearsmith, it mattered that the actors had a "real chance" and that there were high stakes. When Laura tries to hand him a prop dagger, he sees blood all over the blade and her hands. As he puts on his crown in front of the mirror, he hears the sound of whispering, and sees blood pouring from both his eyes and the mirror. I recently discovered this series and binged it over about two days. This gallery is from. She tells Jim that she is waiting for him "in the wings like an understudy". It was decided to be too soon to bring back the old characters, but, says Pemberton, by the time you get to series five, I think youre allowed.. Laura berates Jim for his lack of ambition. Cookie policy. 9 requires new characters each week, the writers were able to attract actors who may have been unwilling to commit to an entire series. Before the understudy rehearsal, Jim's fiance Laura (the understudy for Lady Macbeth) helps him learn lines in Tony's dressing room. 9, and was redrafted several times owing to the writers' uncertainty as to whether the characters should be amateurs or professionals. Inside No. Gerald's house contents might just become the target of an audacious criminal enterprise. 9. Jim did not know about this, because he was overseas filming a role in Game of Thrones at the time. 8) Look very closely and the establishing shot of the block of flats in Death Be Not Proud shows the very same exterior as used for David and Maureens Psychoville flat. 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. [1] At the same time, the concept of Inside No. That's appealing, because as a viewer you might not like this story, but you've got a different one next week. Jan and Graham ask WishmakerUK to brighten up their. There is suddenly the sound of Tony screaming, and someone calls over the speakers for a medic. She tells him that Laura committed suicide by slitting her wrists in the dressing room's shower. Tony tries the same excuse with them but is unsuccessful. 9 series 5 episode 3 review: Loves Great Adventure, Inside No. "The Harrowing" is the sixth and final episode of the first series of British dark comedy anthology series Inside No. Secret Invasion Episode 2 Review - 7 Ups & 3 Downs. While Jim is absent, Felicity flirts with Laura. Hell, were already looking forward to the next series. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! 9; s1e5 - The Understudy - script; Search. Tony leaves and Kirstie, who now takes care of him full time, comes to see Jim. Act IV - Jim prepares to take over the role of Macbeth for the first time; Tony is in hospital with spinal injuries. Adam Tandy Plot Spoiler alert: The following contains plot details about the entire episode. 9)". director of photography Editing by Joe Randall-Cutler Casting By Tracey Gillham Production Design by Brian Sykes Art Direction by Rebecca Chidgey This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. He identified the themes of the episode by calling it "a spooky and highly satirical take on actors, Shakespeare and power". 37. They stressed the links between "The Understudy" and Macbeth, but said that viewers would not need to be familiar with Shakespeare's work in order to enjoy the episode. Zircon - This is a contributing Drupal Theme. http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Recap/InsideNo9S1E5TheUnderstudy. 9: the nerdy details in Death Be Not Proud Major episode spoilers as we explore the Easter Eggs tucked away in Inside No. The episode, he suggested, reflected happenings in a real theatre, rather than a television version.

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