Refresh For The Memory: Series 1 Byte 2

[Ian Symes]

You asked for it. Ahead of the forthcoming 35th anniversary poll, the G&T community is embarking on a big old rewatch, tackling half a series (or one feature length special) per week. This is your designated thread to make notes, share observations and start pondering your rankings.

This week, we’re watching WAITING FOR GOD, CONFIDENCE & PARANOIA and ME². Have at it!

Previous threads:

Series 1 Byte 1

Topic

[Rushy]

Waiting for God: I appreciate the criticism of religious misinterpretation (unlike Lemons, which bizarrely seems to be a mockery of Christianity as a concept rather than the abuse of the concept). I like the running gag with Rimmer and the Quagarrrrrs. Funnily enough though, the best part of the episode is Talkie Toaster. It’s the one story that makes me wish that Talkie was around more often. Oh, and there’s something about cats. 

Confidence and Paranoia: The first great episode of Red Dwarf, this one is really interesting for me to rewatch and notice how the Confidence and Paranoia characters relate to Lister (Paranoia in particular seems to imply that Lister does admire aspects of Rimmer, which is later affirmed in Fathers & Suns). Great guest performances. Just overall a fun watch. 

Me2: From this point to Thanks for the Memory, every episode is so good I want to have its babies. 

[Rushy]

It ties in with a neat little observation about Rimmer, that he’s the only crew member who seems to adhere to uniform standards. Even senior officers like Hollister, Todhunter and Kochanski dress a lot more relaxed – no tie, open collar, sleeves rolled up etc. – and nobody seems to care that Lister’s only concession to a uniform is wearing his technician’s shirt over a London Jets t-shirt.

I just noticed that VIII Hollister has his uniform loose in his first scene in Back in the Red Part 1, but for the rest of the season, both he and every other officer adhere to uniform standards just like Rimmer. 

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