#Wise Owl

[bluvlet]

get stuffed.

[in9-character-tournament]

[local-blog-for-local-people]

🎂🎈 🔥🦉

These made me think of the precious boy Ronnie from Wise Owl

Send me an emoji (or a set of emojis) and I'll make a gifset of the character that reminds me the most of that emoji 

[what-the-bally-hell]

I was listening to the wise owl ep of the inside no9 podcast and they mentioned that wise owl was in the league of gentlemen and I remembered seeing it in the local book, so enjoy!

[dabiconcordia]

A Wise Old Owl

A wise old owl lived once in an oak The more he saw the less he spoke The less he spoke the more he heard. Why can't we all be like that wise old bird? by Anonymous

[stealerofthe2ndbraincell]

what are your top 5 in9 episode endings?

Oooh I loved thinking about this, thank you! It was great re-examining these episodes specifically through that lens.

Honourable mentions to The Last Weekend and Bernie Clifton's Dressing Room. With the former I'd feel like I was repeating myself a bit.

5. The Bones of St. Nicholas

When making this list, this was tied with BCDR but I feel like TBOSN is incredibly underrated so I thought I might as well.

With the frequent flashes back to different "Warning's" Jasper was given in regards to his fate, this episode could have easily felt like it was spoon feeding details to you. Imo it avoids that completely.

I really like the decision to not make whatever supernatural force is involved explicit in nature or even that malevolent. Granted the motorbike accident with Posy and Jasper's hanging still happens, but the narrative doesn't seem to paint them as a result of evil intent.

We as the audience get to see exactly how Jasper ended up in that situation and, although his actions to reach St. Nicholas' jawbone were quite extreme, it still feels understandable how Jasper never picked up on those clues even when they're in your face - similar to the audience. He's realising what's going on at the same time as the audience.

I think this ending does an excellent job at using those flashbacks to give the audience just the right amount of information without forcing it down your throat and removing the mystery entirely.

Finally, the last bit of Jasper hanging from the tower as the other shoe drops (>:) ) was superb.

4. To Have And To Hold

The concluding shot of Adrian in chains reaching for the pot noodle is fully seared into my mind.

This isn't an ending I would call that positive, considering the surrounding circumstances and context. For example, Agnes telling Harriet that she should have left Adrian to die and reminding her of how long her torture went on for at the hands of him really reflects how not happy of an ending it is. Things are definitely better, but Adrian is still present. That uncomfortable air never vanishes.

However, it is an ending that is incredibly satisfying regardless. I think a lot of it has to do with Nicola Walker's excellent performance and that chilling recollection of the marriage vows she does before the final revelation of what has become of Adrian.

3. Mr. King

Describing it as the "ending" is pushing it a bit as the whole reveal actually takes up the last 7 minutes of a 29 minute episode, but I do really love how this one ends so I'm taking some liberty with that. lol

I love the Wickerman-esque ritual so much.

This ending makes sure to take what it's doing seriously, because otherwise it would be at risk of not matching the menacing atmosphere it contains. For example, the reveal that the criteria Alan had matched for this was having good dick and being "uncut and still sheathed" would be easy to take as ridiculous if the scene did not take it as seriously as it did - with that doll being stuffed down his trousers really driving that home.

The costume design for this ending twist is absolutely incredible. The children's masks still manage to remain intimidating within the context of the ritual sacrifice even though they are clearly made from arts and crafts materials children that age would realistically use. Winnie's entire "Mother Womb" outfit is genuinely horrifying and I'm mildly surprised they were able to get away with that in front of the child actors cause that would give me nightmares at that age. Finally, Alan's "Mr. King" mask used in the ending is so excellently made with tons of little details that I love: the little eye slits where all you get to see of his face is truly how terrified Alan is in that moment, the crown and facial hair being made seemingly from wheat to tie his sacrifice even closer to the incoming harvest etc etc.

This whole ending blends the two concepts of childish and intimidating really well where it doesn't feel suddenly dissimilar to how children talk and behave but remains so chilling and distressing throughout. Poor Alan wow.

2. The Stakeout

I love myself some vampires, what can I say more than that?

This ending contains probably my favourite twist of the whole series and reveals it in a kind of similar manner to TBOSN and achieves it's goal in a similar way - Varney's reveal of him listing down different vampire tropes that apply to him that have been scattered through the episode feels both in line with how the episode discusses tropes and never feels like it's spoon-feeding information to the audience. It also doesn't give up all the tropes seen within the episode. Just 5 that most people, and Thommo, would recognise.

The sudden shift in characterisation of Varney doesn't feel too far gone personality wise to what we've seen so far and yet he's suddenly so much intimidating.

This is even before he goes absolutely HAM on Thompson's neck. That entire feeding bit is so good. Varney feeding on Thompson is a little too long and a little too detailed for it not to discomfort the audience a bit and I love that.

(Btw it's described as very "homoerotic" in the official Inside Inside No 9 podcast, so take that as you will. I have an entire thing in my head that I could write up about how queer this entire episode is but that's unrelated and a bit rambly lmao)

That final bit with Dobson is also superb. For as little screentime as he has, Malik Ibheis as Dobson is such a great physical actor. There is that immediate impression of Dobson's absolute feral nature at this point which is done very well.

And it all feeds back to the beginning little monologue again! Love that.

1. Wise Owl

God I adore this episode.

And I especially love this ending. It's an instant tear jerker, I love it, I love Ronnie. 5 stars no notes. <333

That final sequence in the whole 70's PSA format as Ronnie grows, whilst Wise Owl is yelling the same insults desperately and pathetically is so impactful and also so different to the rest of the series in my opinion.

(Also with it keeping that style on the "Get Stuffed" final line makes it seem like Ronnie isn't even looking at his father/Wise Owl when he says it, which is perfect to me.)

In9 isn't exactly a stranger to more positive endings or an ending where a hateable individual is punished by the narrative, but Wise Owl feels a step apart, it truly feels hopeful in a way I can't say the other endings have.

I still think this episode would be really good if it had gone with a more messed up ending as I think the episode forebodes a bit, however I believe that final confrontation and the final animated sequence really makes Wise Owl as incredible as it is.

[workingonit-currently]

Inside No. 9 memes:

[huitunkuutti]

" Wise Owl knows Best "

Fanart of the TV-Show Inside No. 9's episode 6 of series 7, "Wise Owl". Definitely one of my favorite episodes of the whole show, while also being one of the heaviest. Old animated PSAs have always been an interest of mine, and to see them used to their full creepy effect, while also telling this heartbreaking story about trauma was just really amazing.

[innervoiceartblog]

Richard Bowler Wildlife Photography

[ratprophetistfordism]

This episode is a fucking achievement of the arts, holy shit, it's too bloody good.

[lemonwisp]

I edited the Wise Owl episode of Inside No. 9

[bluvlet]

safety matches.

[in9-character-tournament]

[local-blog-for-local-people]

🔥🐇🙍🏻‍♂️(🦉)

Again these are clearly for sweet little Ronnie

Send me an emoji (or a set of emojis) and I'll make a gifset of the character that reminds me the most of that emoji 

[what-the-bally-hell]

my poor boy :( he deserves so much better

[9leaguesofmirrors]

Ranking Inside No. 9's Horror-esque Episodes

I love Halloween, and I love Inside No. 9, so it's only right that I put together a ranking in celebration of both! Plus it's Friday 13th, which makes it even more appropriate. Let me know what your favourites are too, just remember to be respectful of others and their opinions

This ranking goes from lowest to highest

NOTE: This list will only include purely horror, so neither of the Christmas-centred episodes (Devil of Christmas and Bones of St Nicholas) will appear. Also, after some deliberation, episodes which switch genre halfway through won't be counted either

Tempting Fate

Oh boy, this is gonna be controversial...

The quality of the episode is high and the acting is remarkable, it just didn't click with me. I don't know why, it just wasn't the one for me. I should probably rewatch it, maybe then I'll like it more

The Trial of Elizabeth Gadge

While it did have some very funny moments, a great cast, and fantastic replication of a historical setting, the ending is the weakest in the series and lets it down significantly. Nonetheless, it's still a good episode that's worth the watch if you like horror comedies

Seance Time

I enjoyed the build-up of this one, and the acting is brilliant. The ended jumpscare felt a little cheap but, as someone that's a massive wuss when it comes to them, it got me. An overall good episode

The Harrowing

A severely underrated episode with, once again, a kickass cast! While there are elements of comedy, the ending is bone-chilling and uncomfortable. I also love that it's female-led, a rarity in Inside No. 9, which often features Reece/Steve as the main character or opts for none at all

Wise Owl

An incredible episode that deserves every bit of hype it gets, Wise Owl perfectly combines animation and live action to create an uneasy, unsettling atmosphere. On top of that, the overarching story is emotive and the ending is one of the most powerful in the whole series

How Do You Plead

This one HAD to take the top spot! Derek Jacobi and Reece Shearsmith work wonderfully together, plus Steve Pemberton's performance is fantastic. Not to mention the excellent twists and camerawork, this one is perfect for any horror fan