I don’t think a TV series that tells a different story in each episode can connect the audience to it too much. The continuity and consistency of the characters and the story being told are important factors that bind the audience to the series. The series, which manages to create elements of curiosity, manages to establish a connection between the audience and themselves. Viewers are forced to take sides between the characters of the series, whether they want to or not. The audience hates some of the characters in the series, while others like them very much. The TV series that succeeded in doing this are already being watched a lot. The series that broke world watch records, especially Game of Thrones and Lost, are always long-running and immersive productions.
The British-made series Inside No: 9, which I am thinking of talking about in this article, seems to make an exception to the situation I mentioned above. Personally, I am someone who has never been able to warm up to TV series that tell a different subject in each episode. When the episode ends, the series is over. There’s no connection between me and the show that needs me to reopen it. For example, the TV series Room 107, which I reviewed on the 25th Square Youtube channel… I haven’t watched even one episode except for the 5-6 episodes I watched to understand the series. I forgot the show already, but anyone who watches 5-6 episodes from the Lost TV series or Game of Thrones can be addicted to these series. This is the difference.
However, Inside No 9 stands in a slightly different category. Each episode of the series tells a different story again. The fictions are really brilliantly designed. The visuals are also very successful… The stories of the series are connected in several ways. Each episode of the series takes place in a number 9 location. According to the contents of this section, the number nine can sometimes be the outer door number of the house, sometimes the door number of the preparatory room located in the theater, and sometimes the compartment number of the boarding train. By doing this, the screenwriters tried to establish a connection between the episodes. These 9 numbers contribute to the continuity of the series. In this way, it can be given the impression that sections with unrelated topics are part of a larger whole.
Number nine is not the only common element that screenwriters add to the series to establish a bridge or link between episodes. All departments have two more things in common. Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton appear in each episode with a different character. It’s a fact that they are really talented players, and they take their job very seriously. Another factor connecting the sections is a tiny rabbit statue hidden somewhere in each episode… I personally am looking for a rabbit statue that can only be seen if you look carefully. That’s a great detail.
Each episode of the series is successful enough to deserve to be talked about in detail. I watched the whole first and second season. A total of 5 seasons have aired, and I can’t wait to watch other episodes. I didn’t like only one of the episodes I watched and found it very artificial (Season 1 Episode 4: Last Breath). Apart from that, all of the other episodes are above average successful. Of course, some parts can inevitably be better than others. Of course, this situation is shaped according to the taste of the audience. Each viewer may enjoy different episodes more.
The drama is very successful… If you like scenarios that are extraordinary and mind-fuck and also cleverly constructed, I think to give this series a chance. I cannot guarantee that you will enjoy all of its parts because it may change to your liking, but I guarantee you will like the drama.