Inside No. 9 - "Paraskevidekatriaphobia"

by Mark Murton

Original Air Date: May 4, 2023

Directed by: George Kane

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains spoilers for this episode!

Synopsis: Gareth (Reece Shearsmith) decides to stay home from work because it is Friday the 13th and he suffers from the titular phobia. But will he end up regretting this decision?

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): At the start of the episode a black cat is sitting on a gate post.

Inside No. 9 - Paraskevidekatriaphobia - black cat on fence post

Gareth’s day starts to go wrong when a delivery driver invites herself in to use the loo while Gareth is busy looking for a pen to sign for his package. Worse, she has left the door open and Gareth is horrified to see the black cat from outside standing in the doorway.

Inside No. 9 - Paraskevidekatriaphobia - black cat in doorway

Gareth backs away as the cat ventures into the house and quickly darts up the stairs.

Inside No. 9 - Paraskevidekatriaphobia - Gareth Reece Shearsmith watching black cat head toward stairs

Inside No. 9 - Paraskevidekatriaphobia - Gareth Reece Shearsmith surprised by black cat entering house and running up stairs animated gif

Gareth follows and finds the cat hiding under the bed. He tries to reach for the kitty but the animal lashes out, scratching his hand and shoulder, not to mention tearing his shirt.

Inside No. 9 - Paraskevidekatriaphobia - Gareth Reece Shearsmith looking at black cat under bed

Next he deploys a ball of wool to try and entice the cat out. The plan works although his attempt to then capture the cat with a bean bag chair is less than successful.

Inside No. 9 - Paraskevidekatriaphobia - black cat approaching ball of yarn under bed

Inside No. 9 - Paraskevidekatriaphobia - Gareth Reece Shearsmith luring black cat from under bed with ball of yarn animated gif

The cat makes its way into the bathroom where he or she makes themselves at home by settling on the bathtub tray.

Inside No. 9 - Paraskevidekatriaphobia - black cat lying on bathtub tray

Gareth enacts a plan to drive the cat out by turning the shower on it but this merely results in Gareth getting a soaking, unlike the cat which nonchalantly jumps down and exits the room.

Inside No. 9 - Paraskevidekatriaphobia - Gareth Reece Shearsmith getting wet as black cat leaves bathroom

The cat isn’t seen again, however, at the end of the episode TV and radio personality Dermot O’Leary arrives to deliver a cheque to Gareth as the one millionth caller to his show and is accompanied by someone dressed in a black cat costume.