Ep 7. Live: Dead Line

Inside No. 9 is a British anthology television series that explores various genres of storytelling, including horror, comedy, and drama. Each episode takes place in a different setting with a different cast of characters, but all take place within the confines of a single enclosed space designated as "No. 9". The show's fourth season presents "Live: Dead Line," its seventh episode.

"Live: Dead Line" begins with a 20-year reunion of the staff of a local radio station. They gather in the old studio for a live broadcast, reminiscing about the old days and sharing their memories from the heyday of radio. However, things quickly take a dark turn when they receive a phone call from a listener who claims to have witnessed a murder. In a panicked state, the caller reports that the murderer is in the same room as them.

The hosts of the broadcast, played by Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton, are both seasoned performers who know how to handle the surprises that can come along with live radio, but they quickly realize that this is no ordinary situation. The caller gives them specific instructions for how to proceed, demanding that they hand over all of their phones, lock the door, and not make any noise. Inside the studio, the reunited staff members begin to turn on each other, as tensions rise and suspicion mounts.

As they try to make sense of the situation, the group discovers that the station's equipment is now dead, with no signal strength and no electricity. The studio's sound technician, still in the studio, finds himself trapped inside the booth, as the door lock won't budge and a voice over the loudspeakers taunts the group: "You're all live on air now, with Dead Line."

The action then shifts to the outside of the radio station, where things are not what they seem. The tension in the studio escalates as the team attempts to solve the murder, the identity of the caller, and the underlying motives of the individual who has taken them all hostage.

As the plot develops, the audience is taken on a psychological journey, with twists and turns that keep them guessing until the very end. The themes of paranoia, self-doubt, and deception are explored throughout the episode, as the characters face off against each other and try to survive the deadly game of cat and mouse that unfolds.

As with other episodes of Inside No. 9, "Live: Dead Line" is masterfully crafted, with impeccable attention to detail, clever writing, and exceptional performances from the cast. The episode offers a suspenseful, edge-of-your-seat experience that will keep viewers captivated until the final moments, and sticks to the show's trademark of clever and often surprising endings. "Live: Dead Line" is a must-see installment of the series, and a true homage to the power of live radio.