{"id":53207,"date":"2024-06-13T18:10:15","date_gmt":"2024-06-13T16:10:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=2055964"},"modified":"2024-06-13T20:31:52","modified_gmt":"2024-06-13T18:31:52","slug":"inside-no-9-finale-plodding-on-is-a-cameo-fest-that-marvel-could-learn-from","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/inside-no-9-finale-plodding-on-is-a-cameo-fest-that-marvel-could-learn-from\/","title":{"rendered":"Inside No. 9 finale Plodding On is a cameo fest that Marvel could learn from"},"content":{"rendered":"

The episode isn’t at all cheapened by its fan service \u2013 which is more than some blockbusters can say. <\/p>

By David Craig\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 13 June 2024 at 16:10 PM<\/p>

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In a world of script leaks, set photos and anonymous sources (both real and made-up), it feels like nothing short of a miracle that the final episode of Inside No. 9<\/a> managed to remain top secret right up until the last moment.<\/p>\n

I can\u2019t remember the last time I eagerly awaited a series finale, having literally no idea what it could contain \u2013 that\u2019s partly a gift of the ever-changing anthology format, but also a testament to the tight-lipped cast assembled<\/a> for this emotional send-off.<\/p>\n

By far the biggest and starriest ensemble that the show has ever seen, creators Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton used their swan song Plodding On as a reunion special, bringing together an array of talent from across the past nine seasons.<\/p>\n

Fittingly, the roll call kicks off with an entrance from Katherine Parkinson that echoes the show\u2019s first ever scene, complete with a discovery of Tim Key awkwardly standing in a confined space.<\/p>\n

This time, instead of a wardrobe, it\u2019s a toilet cubicle; and instead of a game of sardines, they plan to snort some cocaine to make the Inside No. 9 farewell party somewhat more bearable.<\/p>

Parkinson hails Shearsmith and Pemberton for the rare achievement of getting their show to nine seasons, but back-handedly adds that it was time to call it quits \u2013 after all, it had got a bit \u201cself-indulgent\u201d recently.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s an understandable lampshade to hang given the premise of this episode, but actually, the writing duo have managed to pen a meta story filled with cameos and fan service that is nowhere near as obnoxious as that description would suggest.<\/p>\n

Sure, there are moments in Plodding On that can be seen as the creators blowing their own trumpet \u2013 arguably, they\u2019ve earned the right to \u2013 but the focus remains primarily on a compelling narrative about friendship and moving on.<\/p>\n

Shearsmith and Pemberton play themselves as they consider what their next move will be after Inside No. 9, with the former keen to stick together for a BBC detective drama, and the latter eyeing a solo move to Hollywood for an epic Prime Video<\/a> original.<\/p>\n