How Do You Plead?

There are some actors that can carry material to greatness even if it isn't the best. The British icon that is Sir Derek Jacobi is one such acting heavyweight who can be described as "a safe pair of hands". Pairing this safe pair of hands with a killer script, excellent direction and a genius concept and what you're left with is an outstanding episode of Inside No 9 that is truly one to remember.

The performances from the whole cast was amazing. So happy to see Sir Derek Jacobi back Inside Number 9. The twist was amazing.

Derek Jacobi returns to Inside No.9. This time it's an actual appearance than a voiceover.

Jacobi plays cantankerous retired barrister Webster who is severely ill and it's birthday today.

Webster never lost a case in over 40 years. Gosh he must have made a deal with the devil for that type of record.

Urban Bedford (Shearsmith) is the genial carer who patiently puts up with Webster's moods. This time he helps Webster uncover a secret of how he won one particular case.

Another clever and darkly comic episode with a double twist. Urban does give a few clues about him away. However it seems he is no match for Webster's cunning.

At one point I thought this was an episode where Pemberton takes it easy but he comes to his own a little later on.

This episode is okay and is made well, but the set-up is revealed early rather than hinted at and the payoff overbaked. Another that in the moment is okay, if underwhelming but feels a bit daft afterwards.

I cannot decide whether this or Lip Service has been the best episode of this series, this is another masterpiece in The Inside no.9 series.

I got vibes of The Harrowing, but for my money this is a much better episode, despite the similar tone.

Sir Derek Jacobi was awesome, but then when isn't he? As great as his voice was on The Devil of Christmas, he always seemed somewhat underutilised, this redresses the balance.

A wonderfully dark and twisted story, or further proves how this show has the ability to defy all efforts to categorise exactly what it is, other than a first class show.

Acting, first rate, I can say no more than that, but what I loved most of all, was the tone. I don't know how they keep on coming up with the goods, but once again, they did!

Fantastic, 9/10.