Red Dwarf: Back to Earth - Part One

Probably a mistake to watch part one of the new Red Dwarf at the arse end of a night out drinking. I sleepily plodded through it not properly concentrating, weirded out by how I didn't seem to get what was going on, and the fact that Rimmer now actually looks like the waxwork version of himself in the famous Rimmer Experience from RD7.

Once i'd sobered up and slept, a second viewing revealed that it wasn't as bad as I thought. It suffers from a lack of audience in ways that other shows such as the Office (pick either version) don't. Dialogue that is typically Rimmeresque comes across more laboured when it doesn't provoke a reaction.

The point of studio audiences and canned laughter are hard to fathom for some, but can undeniably can make a positive difference. It works far better when genuine and live, as RD's always was barring RD7 which was a recorded reaction, and weaker for it. Timing is affected. Last night it felt a little like the cast were leaving in reaction pauses for a non-existent audience.

This is not only the second time they've done a three part story, but the second time they had intended to do a two part story that was later extended to three parts. The first time many fans suggested the story would have been more enjoyable condensed to two episodes - I wonder if this will be the case here too.

Very little happened in part one. The most asked question seems to be where the other Hologram came from, asked as if it's an oversight. Surely her shooting down Rimmers question about two holograms being sustained indicates this will be answered before the end of part three? I think so.

One last thing... It's been stated before by those involved with the show that in the RD universe everything originated from earth. This dimension jumping squid (aka not so quick plot device) seems a little out of whack with that idea. Lifeforms have tended to utilise technology to jump around time and space in the show. Suddenly we're looking at a squid that somehow has this ability in it's DNA.

That's the end of geek corner. You can forgive one such post like this after ten years I hope.