Inside No. 9 Season 3 Episode 1
Inside No. 9
Season 3

Ep 1. The Devil of Christmas

  • December 27, 2016
  • 29 min
  • 7.6  (1,942)

The Devil of Christmas is the first episode of the third season of the British dark comedy anthology series, Inside No. 9. Created by Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton, the series explores the lives of different characters who are tied together by a common theme or location. Each episode is a self-contained story with a unique narrative structure and genre.

The Devil of Christmas is set in the Austrian Alps during the 1970s. The episode is framed as a mockumentary about a fictional British television show called 'Ghost of Christmas Present'. The show's premise is that the hosts take their guests to a haunted location during Christmas Eve, where they spend the night telling ghost stories. However, things take a turn for the worse when members of the television crew start disappearing, and an unexpected twist throws the entire production into chaos.

The episode opens with a vintage-style opening sequence complete with cheesy graphics, wobbly lines and fake cigarette burns overlaying a pleasant winter scene of an Alpine village. We are then introduced to the crew of Ghost of Christmas Present, including the genial presenter (Shearsmith) and his regular guests, who appear on cue with the same scripted reaction every year. This includes a slightly ditzy actress (Jessica Raine), an older thespian (David Warner) and a TV academic (Pemberton) whose job it is to pick apart the paranormal.

As the group travels to their destination, they're accompanied by the son of the owner of the hotel they will be staying at. The boy (played excellently by newcomer Jason Watkins) tells them the story of Krampus, a creature of Alpine folklore who kidnaps naughty children at Christmas time - in contrast to the benevolent St. Nicholas or Father Christmas.

As the night draws in, the story's framing device - a spoof BBC2 documentary that keeps intruding with an irritating continuity announcement catchphrase - starts to bend towards a much darker, more twisted place. The guests switch off their regular scripted banter, and instead embroiled in an unsettling drama of their own making, confronting their own demons and airing all sorts of nasty accusations against one another.

In this episode, the cast is brilliant in bringing to life the spooky atmosphere of the story. A key part of this is the use of old video footage that was shot on analogue cameras to create an authentic retro look. The script is full of dark humor, with the horror and the comedy complementing each other perfectly.

The Devil of Christmas is a unique episode that blends comedy, horror, and drama perfectly. The way the story is told is clever, with the mockumentary framing device allowing the show's creators to play with the audience's expectations and subvert them. The episode's twists and turns will keep audiences hooked until the end, where a surprising conclusion is reached.

Overall, The Devil of Christmas is an excellent episode of Inside No. 9 that showcases the show's ability to deliver complex and engrossing stories that constantly surprise and delight audiences. It is a must-watch for fans of the series and anyone who enjoys dark comedy and horror.

Description
Watch Inside No. 9 - The Devil of Christmas (s3 e1) Online - Watch online anytime: Buy, Rent
Inside No. 9, Season 3 Episode 1, is available to watch and stream on BBC TWO. You can also buy, rent Inside No. 9 on demand at Apple TV Channels, Amazon Prime, Apple TV online.
  • First Aired
    December 27, 2016
  • Runtime
    29 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.6  (1,942)