Girls from the Dwarf

[loadoftottnumb]

With Red Dwarf hopefully flying out of Buttski’s all over the shop, I wanted to get peoples feelings on the girls from the Dwarf, specifically the ones we’ve already met in one way or another. 

For me I’d like to see Chloe and Hattie in an upcoming special, I like both of them and consider both a key part of The Dwarf Universe. 

Clare Grogan would be cool too though things could start to get a little bit confusing (especially if Donna Wotsit pops up in a hat) 

Any more for anymore? A Jim and Bexley story could include Arlene and Deb, what about Professor Mahmet? Irene E? Yvonne McGruder? Nirvana Crane? Camille? 

Who, if anyone, would you like to see again? Feel free to add context. 

Topic

[RunawayTrain]

Ooh, Nirvana Crane could be part of an interesting story.

No thank you to Irene E, although I would not be surprised to see her again, plenty of comedic potential (but PLEASE not as a love interest for Rimmer *vomit*).  Just … ugh, she was not a character I want to see again, the comedy was cheesy and she was very one-note.  No shade on the actress, the part itself was just not good.

Professor Mamet could be VERY interesting.  Though the reveal in Beyond a Joke didn’t reflect well on her (if I’m remembering rightly).  I wonder if they could retcon that as a corrupted file – Abe through the whatever drug it was, and Kryten through Lister’s rebuilding of him, or the fire axe in his spinal column, or Lister’s repairs in … oh, I want to say Terrorform but my brain’s ground to a halt.  Or retcon it as a file maliciously planted by a mystery foe.

Kochanski in any/both forms, yes please, Hattie, yes please.  Obviously.

Yvonne MacGruder?  Eh, no objections.

[Warbodog]

Chloe Kochanski felt like part of “current” RD all through the long hiatus, haunting it even as far as X with the references, but she’s faded to guest character status since, since I don’t watch any of her era recreationally. Bringing back C.P. (…unfortunate initials) would just feel strange though, she’s been replaced.

A Hattie return would be more appreciated and justified, requiring no more explanation than they already give for Holly’s returns every time anyway, but it seems increasingly unlikely when it keeps not happening.

[Flap Jack]

Hattie returning would be a definite yes from me. It still bothers me hugely that Norman is always the one to be asked back, and never Hattie.

A Kochanski return could be good too, to resolve unfinished plot business at least, but she definitely has the potential to be a good regular character – Doug just needs to evolve beyond the Series VII and VIII pitfall of having her just be a foil most of the time (and also the other pitfall of objectifying her and having other characters sexually harass her, would be nice to avoid that eh). Maybe even get a female co-writer? I know he did try that the first time, but this time he knows that Kim Fuller is actually a man, so hopefully he won’t make that mistake again.

Unfortunately it does seem practically very unlikely given Chloë has retired from acting. Maybe Clare could reprise the role instead, but I don’t know. It would feel very weird at this stage… then again, if Norman can keep coming back, why not?

[Dave]

The obvious solution to all of this is to have Hattie come back, but to play Kochanski.

[Rudolph]

Maybe they could do a Becky from Roseanne thing and have Chloe and Clare play Kochanski interchangeably?

I wouldn’t mind seeing Suzanne Bertish back, but think it’d be an interesting twist to have her as Ace Rimmer.

[Smeg4Brains]

(especially if Donna Wotsit pops up in a hat)

[Unrumble]

[Rudolph]

[Stephen Abootman]

Time to check back in with this character:

I am up for Nirvanah Crane and her holo children coming back and meeting daddy though.

[International Debris]

I do feel like the Kochanski plot seeded throughout BtE and X would be one worthwhile exploring. If it’s the – increasingly likely – case that we’ve probably got too more specials to go, having Lister and Kochanski reconcile at the end of the last one would be a great way to bow out. We know they’re never going to get back to Earth*, so having that as the ‘happy ending’ while leaving it so they just continue on their travels would be a lovely send off. 

As for the others, much as some of them have potential, I’m much more interested in new ideas rather than revisiting old stuff. The Dave era has been too nostalgic and fanservicey in general, so if there’s any scope for another ‘definitely not the last episode ever’ episode, I’d like it to be entirely new stuff. Harmony de Gauthier shows that Doug is capable of writing strong, funny and memorable female characters, let’s have another like that.

*I almost wrote “we know they’re never going to Series IX,” but felt it might just be too confusing.

[Future Producer of Series IX – aaaaany day now]

*I almost wrote “we know they’re never going to Series IX,” but felt it might just be too confusing.

Ahem.

C.P. (…unfortunate initials)

Eh?

Kochanski in any/both forms

I think a recount is in order bud.

[Warbodog]

[Flap Jack]

C.P. (…unfortunate initials)

Eh?

[Stabbim]

I am happy to consider the lack of a McGruder cameo one of Series VIII’s many missed opportunities to capitalize on the “resurrected crew” conceit.  [As I’ve argued before, in practice the only real “resurrection” is Capt. Hollister.] 

Hayridge has been such a consistent part of the convention panel circuit it seems only fair she get one more turn in the Holly role if she wants one.

Repurposing the end of the Better Than Life novel — i.e. dropping off Old Lister and Old Kochanski in the backwards universe so they can grow young together — is my pet idea for Red Dwarf’s screen finale, and if Grogan is willing to un-retire for it all the better. 

[Future Producer of Series IX – aaaaany day now]

I think Harmony deserves a spinoff.

[RunawayTrain]

Bringing back C.P. (…unfortunate initials)

I’ve *just* understood what you meant.  My mind automatically just thinks Cerebral Palsy.

But who is C.P.?

[The Data Doctor]

Bringing back C.P. (…unfortunate initials)
I’ve *just* understood what you meant.  My mind automatically just thinks Cerebral Palsy.
But who is C.P.?

C.P. is Claire Patricia. Clare Grogan used to go by C.P. Grogan years ago. I think it was something to do with there being another Claire Grogan registered with Equity. 

[RunawayTrain]

C.P. is Claire Patricia. Clare Grogan used to go by C.P. Grogan years ago. I think it was something to do with there being another Claire Grogan registered with Equity. 

Ahhhh yes, didn’t make that connection, thank you!

[Author]

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