Last Night of the Proms

Inside No. 9 - S6E6 - Last Night of the Proms

Two sisters organize an anual family gathering for the last night of the Proms, which is the final evening of the televised summer concert season in Britain (I had to google it, because the whole time I didn't understand what it was actually about).

Family relationships and disagreements, patriotism, nationalism, tradition, religious and sexual tension and frustration, politics, a multi-layered jumble that I didn't quite understand, and I didn't like at all. Subjectively, this episode is by far the worst so far, but I think that objectively things are different and that this actually may be a good episode, but aimed at a different target group. I suppose that to really experience this episode it is necessary to be British or at least to be very well-versed in their mentality, traditions, and politics.

The lowest rated episode at this time, which makes some sense (but not much). What I can understand is that 1. As an American some uniquely British references don't translate and 2. While some of the episodes are much weaker, I'm sure some people felt strongly about them while there isn't much here to be enthusiastic about. Has a contemplative nostalgia. Introspective and peppered with references to culture and religion, it is surprisingly memorable nonetheless. I hope it gets some love before the next series debut and if you're watching the old episodes in a predetermined order you have been warned that while there are a few swings and misses, this was more along the lines of light contact.

The sixth season of "Inside Number 9" comes to a close, unfortunately not with the customary horror episode that I've come to look forward too, but with a strange tale, mixed with some political satire.

A family come together to watch the Last Night of the Proms on the BBC. Family patriarch, Ralph (Julian Glover) is in his dotage, only capable of the occasionally rude outburst. His daughter Dawn (Sarah Parish) and her husband Mick (Steve Pemberton), leave voters and proud patriots live in the house and look after him. Dawn's sister Penny (Debra Gillett), unfulfilled with her marriage to smug, closeted Brian (Reece Shearsmith) is also present, along with their son Oliver (Jack Wolfe). Then an unexpected visitor appears in the garden.

I'm not sure about this one, if I'm honest. I think I get the point (thought I haven't listened to any of the accompanying podcasts for the series). I assume that it was that Brexit and the post Brexit squabbling is so destructive that any good, or even the ultimate good, would be lost to a wave of nationalistic nonsense and petty racism. (That would be a sentiment I would agree with). However, the episode, particularly after the midpoint, was a bit too busy with the family infighting not meshing with the visitor storyline particularly well and not funny enough for my taste. There were some good lines in the first half though, almost all from Reece's character snidely but accurately describing the theatrics of the Last night of the proms as being "Rocky Horror for retired schoolteachers".

I mean, probably the weakest episode of this run but as I've said in other reviews, their weakest episodes are better than most peoples strongest. This season as a whole was pretty strong, with (and I know that many don't agree with me) "Wurthering Heist" as the standout. It's a long wait now to see if we get another Halloween special.

This episode was amazing, it had so many layers, maybe I'm a bit thick but it took me a couple watches to fully get everything. Once I did the episode became even more enjoyable. Acting was phenomenal, there was a good message and a very very original storyline.

This episode rounds the series off nicely, not the funniest, but pretty poignant, one I enjoyed.

Very much a political statement, we have it all here, the conflicts felt in every household around the country are on display here, remainers and leavers, proud Brits, and those ashamed by this great Country's past (Yes, it wasn't all bad.)

It seemed to address one or two things that seem to be happening in Britain right now. It's almost frowned upon these days to be a proud Brit, so many try to scupper that thinking, lots of messages here that you can interpret in different ways.

Great to see Sarah Parish appear on the show, she was excellent as always.

Stacked full of Britishness, Union Jacks, Old Charm Furniture, Royal Doulton figurines. They went to town here.

It's not going to be one that will have a mass appeal, I think it's one that will appeal more so to those with an interest in politics and the state of the nation, for what it's worth I quite liked it.

Surreal fun, 7/10.