Ep 10. Pain & Punishment

In this episode of QI, host Sandi Toksvig is joined by regular panelist Alan Davies, as well as comedians Joe Lycett, Sarah Millican, and Jason Manford to discuss the topic of Pain & Punishment.

The episode starts off with a discussion about the history of medical treatments for pain, with some surprising and cringe-worthy facts about how people used to treat a toothache. The panel also marvels at the creativity of medieval punishment methods, and highlights the strange parallels between some of these torture techniques and modern-day weight loss trends.

As always, the episode is filled with plenty of hilarious banter and witty one-liners from the panelists, as they compete to share the most interesting and obscure facts about pain and punishment throughout history. Some of the standout moments include Sarah Millican's outrage over the idea of putting a leech on someone's eyeball to cure a headache, and Alan Davies' incredulity at the notion of being tortured with a "pear of anguish" (you'll have to watch to find out what that is).

Throughout the episode, there are also a number of interesting QI facts presented, such as the connection between left-handedness and a higher tolerance for pain, and the discovery that some species of fish actually do feel pain (despite what scientific consensus used to believe).

One of the more sobering moments of the episode comes towards the end, as the panel discusses some of the more barbaric forms of punishment still used in some countries today. From caning to stoning, the group reflects on the disturbing realities of the world we live in and the role that we all have to play in standing up against injustice and cruelty.

Overall, Pain & Punishment is another entertaining and informative episode of QI, filled with fascinating tidbits of information and plenty of laughs. Whether you're a long-time fan of the show or tuning in for the first time, this episode is sure to leave you with a newfound appreciation for the bizarre history of pain and punishment.