Estate Agent Norman Shenley receives a visit from a man called Rayburn, who's inherited a property known as Lower Moat Manor, when Shenley visits he enters into a nightmarish sequence, he wakes the following morning, but the lines between Reality and dreams are blurred.
This is exactly what happens when the balance of comedy and horror fusses together perfectly. Rude Awakening is one of the best, most memorable episodes of the series. Nightmarish, fun and very atmospheric, this one's a real winner.
You are made to question reality itself, you never feel settled into believing that the events before your eyes are real, you never know whether Norman is awake or sleeping, until the end that is, where he really does get a rude awakening.
There are some genuinely great horror sequences, I loved the scene where Norman visited Lady Studwick, that was so surreal, as was the survey of the block of flats.
Lolly's costume changes were attention grabbing, and helped to drive the story, her flair was such a contrast to Norman's dry demeanour.
A great performance from Denholm Elliott, he put in a memorable performance, James Laurenson and Lucy Gutteridge were both impressive.
9/10.
