Series VIII amazon editorial review

[Phil]

I was going to just make a joke about this:

Red Dwarf – Series 8 (1989)

But oh, there’s so much more. My favorites are bolded.

What’s in store for the crew of the Red Dwarf in their final adventures? Well, for one, they’ve all been re-created–even Arnold Rimmer (unfortunately)–by the Nanobots, but Lister, Kochanski, Cat, and Kryten are almost immediately in hot water for allegedly stealing the Starbug. From there, things get stranger (or back to normal by Red Dwarf standards): it seems that everything the crew is experiencing is an artificial-reality creation programmed by the Red Dwarf’s captain, Hollister (“Back in the Red, Part 2”) [Why single out this one of the three?–me]; Rimmer discovers that despite his recent revival, he’s doomed to die soon (“Cassandra”), which puts a serious crimp in his plan to finally make officer [being as he’s in prison I’d say his plan isn’t immediately in effect–me]; the rewired Kryten turns a pet sparrow into a rampaging dinosaur (“Pete, Part 1”) and turns a tidy profit by secretly filming women in the shower (“Krytie TV); and finally, the Grim Reaper comes to call in the series finale, “Only the Good Die Young,” which reveals the fate of the entire crew. More bizarre than bittersweet, series 8 is classic Red Dwarf lunacy and an inspired sendoff for this unique and clever U.K. cult TV series. As with previous DVD sets, series 8 is loaded with extras, including commentary by the cast on “Cassandra” [the commentary ran so long, however, that they must have had to spread it over 7 other episodes as well–me]; “The Tank,” which offers interviews with the cast and crew; and featurettes on the show’s origins and special model effects designer Bill Pearson. Rounding out the extras are deleted scenes, raw effects footage, a gallery of stills, a frothy “Fight!” music featurette comprised of brawl scenes from the series, a battery of promotional spots filmed for BBC and American PBS stations (as well as the amusing Star Wars, Episode I: The Phantom Menace parody that heralded the beginning of series 8), a 1984 “Dave Hollings: Space Cadet” radio sketch, and as always, a collection of “smeg-ups” (bloopers). –Paul Gaita

Not that some of these aren’t easily excusable, but the cumulative impact is almost too much to bear.

Topic

[Pete Part Three]

I hereby represent Mr Gaita.

>it seems that everything the crew is experiencing is an artificial-reality creation programmed by the Red Dwarf?s captain, Hollister (?Back in the Red, Part 2?) [Why single out this one of the three??me]

Because there’s no such episode as “Back in the Red” (sadly). Although, doesn’t the whole AR thing come to light in part three, anyway?

Um, moving on…

>he?s doomed to die soon (?Cassandra?), which puts a serious crimp in his plan to finally make officer ([being as he?s in prison I?d say his plan isn?t immediately in effect?me]

I think this is excusable as it’s a little jokey comment. It’s a bit like the blurb for Last Human where Rimmer has “made a minute error in the sub light-speed calculations – forgetting to carry a two”. It’s completely irrelevant, has no grounding in the author’s text, but is a nice bit of Dwarfian humour.

>including commentary by the cast on ?Cassandra? [the commentary ran so long, however, that they must have had to spread it over 7 other episodes as well?me]

Cassandra is probably the only episode he could bear to watch more than once and, as a result, didn’t realise the others had commentaries.

[Phil]

>Although, doesn?t the whole AR thing come to light in part three, anyway?

If I remember correctly, yeah, which is why it’s strange he singles out part two. Yes, a good deal of part two takes place in the AR sim, but so does three. Seems like an odd choice.

>Cassandra is probably the only episode he could bear to watch more than once

Good point. Well made.

[Jonathan Capps]

> U.K. cult TV series

I wouldn’t say Red Dwarf is a cult. It’s too popular to be a cult. But if it… long live cults!

[Dave]

Long live Celts.

[Tarka Dal]

I’m surrounded by Celts. Cappsy you’re a celt.

[Author]

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