Refresh For The Memory: Series 2 Byte 1

[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 KRYTEN, BETTER THAN LIFE and THANKS FOR THE MEMORY. Have at it!

Previous threads:

Series 1 Byte 1
Series 1 Byte 2

Topic

[Formica]

Also, why?! 

genetics

[Rushy]

I mainly associate the first episode with comfort. Lister casually knitting, Rimmer learning Esperanto, the spitfire gags and banter, Kryten trying to redecorate the bunkroom. I like how Cat has evolved to acting like a semi-annoying little brother to Lister and Rimmer. It all feels very settled in and cozy. The sort of episode you’d put on if you had a fever and just wanted something to watch through the night. 

[Rushy]

 Why are there weird alien diners? Is that standard Better Than Life frills or are they for Rimmer? I don’t know the creative thinking behind it either.

I think it’s just an attempt to be futuristic on a low budget. 

Although when I first saw it, I for some reason assumed that the other people in the diners were fellow players. Like maybe their bodies died IRL and their minds were stuck there playing Runescape for all eternity. 

[Technopeasant]

Like maybe their bodies died IRL and their minds were stuck there playing Runescape for all eternity. 

The fantasy of most Runescape players.

[Rushy]

Smeg, you caught me

[Moonlight]

I want to be trapped in the non-terrifying levels in Ecco the Dolphin for the Dreamcast. All one of them.

[Rushy]

Is that unfinished greenscreen in the porthole back there?

[Rushy]

 The sort of episode you’d put on if you had a fever and just wanted something to watch through the night. 

Ironically, it’s late, I have a fever and I’m watching Kryten to distract myself 

[Moonlight]

Is that unfinished greenscreen in the porthole back there?

I have always wondered about that, but I would imagine they would be using blue if it was meant to be keyed out. I don’t think green came into prominence until digital compositing workflows and we know they used a bluescreen for the hologram stuff in The End.

[International Debris]

I don’t know if they’d use blue screen if it’s a hole in something that’s blue, would they? 

[Dave]

I don’t know if they’d use blue screen if it’s a hole in something that’s blue, would they? 

[Ben Saunders]

They often used yellow backgrounds for CSO on things like Dr Who and Z Cars so as to not clash with the TARDIS or police uniforms. Google AI claims they also used green sometimes but I can’t find any examples. Many sources say that switch to green started “in the late 80s” but again I can’t find any examples. So really I’ve added nothing.

[Rushy]

Now that I think about it, it wouldn’t make much sense to have a porthole there so maybe it was just an attempt to add a splash of colour. 

[Technopeasant]

Maybe you just need the option to step outside and breathe vaccum.

[Author]

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