Simon Says

Relief to see to this fantastic series back on track after last week's mediocre opener to series 6. Darkly multi layered in its exploration of fan obsession with a TV series and how the most ardent are far more invested than the the writers themselves.

Better than episode 1 but just okay. Obvious twists and highly implausible scenario. Also lacked anyone at all to empathise with by the end, so hard to care. Could do with the new contemporary references calming down.

Inside No. 9 - S6E2 - Simon Says

An extreme fan of the popular series, disappointed with the finale of the last season, blackmails the author to make an alternative ending, which would satisfy the fans.

After venturing into uncharted waters in the previous episode, Pemberton and Shearsmith return to their comfort zone and deliver exactly what made them famous. "Simon Says" is a black-humored, dark and suspenseful satire with many twists and surprises. Impeccably written and realized story, which meets all the standards that they raised quite high during the previous seasons. Then again, it's somewhat disappointing in its typicality, because we've all seen by now that this type of episode is something they've already perfected and secretly wished we'd seen something new and different.

8/10.

Following last week's pyrotechnic, thrilling (if chaotic) comic outburst, this is a retreat into the safe zone for Inside no.9, a straight-down-the-middle effort. It works, for sure: this plot is from a formula which they have perfected over the years. But for me, playing it safe is not the show's main selling point.

This was such a clever episode, I wasn't exactly blown away by the series opener, but in my eyes the guys were well and truly back on form with Simon says, this felt like vintage Inside no.9.

Ninth Circle is clearly code for Game of Thrones, they reference the abysmal conclusion.

The show is at its best when it has you scratching your head, and feeling a little uncomfortable about the events unfolding on screen.

Mocks the fan fiction element, I can't help thinking there may have been a reference or two about Dr Who as well, it felt like they were taking the Mick perhaps ...

Lindsay Duncan is definitely one of the best of all, she's someone I've hoped for years would pop up in the show, I'm so glad she did here, and as always she doesn't disappoint, one of the very best.