Series 3 of the brilliant Inside No. 9 may be finished, but every episode deserves a re-watch to pick up on the details missed the first time through.
What viewers might not be aware of is that there is actually a game you can play whilst re-watching the show. Creators Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton have placed a common prop in all the episodes. They explain: "It's a nice little game we play. It's just fun."
A statue was added to every episode of the show, because - aside from the number 9 and the two actors - there was nothing else connecting the wildly different stories. Pemberton said: "We just thought it would be nice to have an object that you could hide... Just have it there on every set."
This silver hare ornament was selected to be that common object:
The hare - that appears in all our No 9's: pic.twitter.com/V5fxkYyg8u-- Reece Shearsmith (@ReeceShearsmith) March 19, 2014
Some readers may remember the famous 1970s treasure finding puzzle book Masquerade which gave clues to the location of a golden hare. However, producer Adam Tandy says that Pemberton & Shearsmith picking the same animal for their show is just a coincidence. "We had a cardboard box of about a dozen things and [Pemberton] just picked up that."
If you want to play along, you'll have to pay very close attention, as in some of the episodes the hare is very hard to spot. In a couple of instances where it wouldn't make sense for a statue to be in the room in question (for example, the karaoke booth), it's hidden in an even more devious way!
So, whilst we wait for Series 4 to be made, why not have a go at spotting the hare? If you don't have the episodes to hand, you can buy them on DVD, or you can stream/download via BBC Store (at the time of writing BBC Store has an offer on a Series 1 & 2 bundle).
If you've got stuck or want to 'cheat', we've put the answers below.
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Series 1, Episode 1: Sardines
A hard one to start! It's on the bedside table near the wardrobe.
Series 1, Episode 2: A Quiet Night In
On the cabinet in the bedroom. About 21 minutes in, when Ray is about to hide under the bed.
Series 1, Episode 3: Tom & Gerri
On the mantelpiece opposite the sofa.
Series 1, Episode 4: Last Gasp
On the bookshelves.
Series 1, Episode 5: The Understudy
On the dressing room table.
Series 1, Episode 6: The Harrowing
Next to the lamp in the bedroom, about 17 minutes into the episode.
Series 2, Episode 1: La Couchette
A tricky one! It's hidden in the family picture that is found in the dead man's wallet (15 minutes into the episode).
Series 2, Episode 2: The 12 Days Of Christine
Under the mirror.
Series 2, Episode 3: The Trial Of Elizabeth Gadge
The hare is on the middle table, but due to the position of the camera can only be momentarily glimpsed.
Series 2, Episode 4: Cold Comfort
On the desk in the CCTV picture in the top right of the screen.
Series 2, Episode 5: Nana's Party
On the bookshelf.
Series 2, Episode 6: Séance Time
The hare is located near the mirror that conceals the TV camera.
Series 3, Episode 1: The Devil Of Christmas
The hare is on the table in the opening scene, as the camera pans.
Series 3, Episode 2: The Bill
Again, it can be spotted very early in this episode. This time it's in the display in the pillar.
Series 3, Episode 3: The Riddle Of The Sphinx
The hare can be briefly glimpsed on the table in the fireplace...
There is actually a second hare in this episode too. Shearsmith gave a tip off on Twitter that hare hunters should look very closely at the crossword. It's not fully filled in by the characters during the episode, but the version in The Guardian allows the grid to be completed. We can't take credit for spotting this, but when you fill it all in you can see in one of the columns the nina (hidden word pattern) "ONE LEPUS" ... Lepus being Hare in Latin. Genius!
Series 3, Episode 4: Empty Orchestra
The hare hides in a picture again... this time it's in the photo Roger pulls out of his wallet.
Series 3, Episode 5: Diddle Diddle Dumpling
The statue is quite easy to locate in this episode - it's sitting with the photos. Shearsmith points out: "In Diddle there are actually two hares - either side of the sideboard - in keeping with the 'pairs' motif of the episode."
Series 3, Episode 6: Private View
Did you spot it in the latest episode? It was hiding behind a mannequin.
Want to know what's coming up in the next series of Inside No. 9? Our Series 3 interview with Reece and Steve includes some clues about their ideas for the next series.
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