The Most Disliked Episode 1

[Warbodog]

I saw this game on a Star Trek forum, and it’s a way to pass the time with diminishing praise or increasing bile, whatever’s your poison.

THE OBJECTIVE: A sudden-death elimination game in which we remove our personal favorite episodes from a themed list, until we arrive at the episode that is, if not the worst, at least the most disliked.

It’s a framework to say positive things about episodes from across the series.

THE RULES: Below is a list of [first episodes from every Red Dwarf series] so far. Eliminate/save the one you deem the ‘best’ of what currently remains.

Post something you enjoy about the episode you are saving, and copy-and-paste the list with your choice removed.

I don’t know whether at least 12 people will care to take part. If not, multiple turns are allowed after waiting patiently. If this goes the distance, I guess we’ll have organised the worst Red Dwarf series ever, which would have been totally impossible to predict in advance.

The End

Kryten

Backwards

Camille

Holoship

Psirens

Tikka to Ride

Back in the Red, Part 1

Back to Earth, Part 1

Trojan

Twentica

Cured

Topic

[Warbodog]

Just to clarify what’s going on, I’ll start by saving Kryten. One of the funniest and most quotable episodes that broke the format of the show for the best. It can take an initial watch to warm up to Original Kryten when you’re used to Proper Kryten, but that’s hardly the episode’s fault.

The End

Backwards

Camille

Holoship

Psirens

Tikka to Ride

Back in the Red, Part 1

Back to Earth, Part 1

Trojan

Twentica

Cured

[Ace Austin]

I think i’ll save (and I know it’s an odd one) Trojan. It just brought me so much joy to see a return to the classic Red Dwarf studio audience self contained format after so so so long. I was always a bit disappointed with Series VII, VIII and Back To Earth so this series premier was such a relief and a brilliant return to form AND we met one of Rimmer’s brothers. MOOSE

The End

Backwards

Camille

Holoship

Psirens

Tikka to Ride

Back in the Red, Part 1

Back to Earth, Part 1

Twentica

Cured

[Rushy]

I would save Holoship. It’s my favourite episode in the entire series. Both a satire of romantic melodramas and an earnest example of one. I love the hope that Nirvanah has for Rimmer’s future, and that she can see the good man in him trying to get out. The writing is more empathetic to Rimmer than at any other point in the series. 
Plus, there’s a lot of great moments, like the dialogue between Lister and Binks, and the crew auditioning for another hologram. 

The End

Backwards

Camille

Psirens

Tikka to Ride

Back in the Red, Part 1

Back to Earth, Part 1

Twentica

Cured

[Dave]

[Warbodog]

Aww, Rushy, I thought I could rely on you to snipe a controversial one, leaving a final list that wasn’t just VIII + Timewave.

[desbug]

Tikka to Ride… the conspiracy nuts still haven’t figured it out. Also series VII started with such promise, so ratio of how much I like this episode vs how much I like the rest of the series (which is a scientific ranking method I just invented) is highest here.

The End

Backwards

Camille

Holoship

Psirens

Back in the Red, Part 1

Back to Earth, Part 1

Twentica

Cured

[International Debris]

Are we allowed to put one back? I want Tikka back in there. Holoship’s been put back!

The End

Backwards

Psirens

Back in the Red, Part 1

Back to Earth, Part 1

Twentica

Cured

I’m saving Camille, because it’s the only episode there I highly rate.

[Quinn: Clochebusters World Champion]

I’ll save Cured as it’s my personal favourite episode

The End

Backwards

Psirens

Back in the Red, Part 1

Back to Earth, Part 1

Twentica

[Flap Jack]

I’ll save The End. Respect for the one that started it all! It’s not the best episode and it’s very different in structure and feel to what Red Dwarf would become, but the storytelling and character set up for Lister and Rimmer was close to immaculate.

(I also choose not to copy the background colour from the list of episodes, if that’s OK.)

Backwards

Psirens

Back in the Red, Part 1

Back to Earth, Part 1

Twentica

[Warbodog]

Are we allowed to put one back? I want Tikka back in there.

This is how January 6 happened.

[Quinn: Clochebusters World Champion]

I’m honestly offended anyone would remove Tikka over Back in the Red pt1, Back to Earth pt1 and maybe even Backwards 

[Dave]

I’m honestly offended anyone would remove Tikka over Back in the Red pt1, Back to Earth pt1 and maybe even Backwards 

Red Dwarf: Just The Backs

[Quinn: Clochebusters World Champion]

I’m honestly offended anyone would remove Tikka over Back in the Red pt1, Back to Earth pt1 and maybe even Backwards 

Red Dwarf: Just The Backs

Idea for a terrible box set.

[Dax101]

I demand cured and trojan be put back. What is this crazyness!

Think of the children. Please think of the children!

[Podey]

I’m having Psirens.

Backwards

BITR1

BTE1

Twentica

[Podey]

(also, to be honest, I have next to no concept of how good Twentica is. I remember enjoying it, but less so than some other Dave episodes, but more so than some other Dave episodes, but also that it might entirely be because The Actor Kevin Eldon is in it)

[Dax101]

I’l save backwards. Very ambitious episode and a good introduction for the new look of the show.

BITR1

BTE1

Twentica

[Dave]

I’ll save BTE1. It was good to have Red Dwarf back.

——–

BITR1

TWENTICA

[clem]

And I’ll save Twentica. Pretty strong series opener, a nice ensemble episode with a strong guest cast and good production values.

Surprise surprise, that leaves BITR1. What happens now? We do the same for the second episode of each series? 

[Dave]

[Podey]

Not to throw a spanner in the works but, as ‘The Promised Land’ was split into multiple parts On Demand might there not be a case to add ‘TPL1’….? I know people who missed the live broadcast who only saw it split up. 

[Rushy]

Nice one Dave… 

I’m saving Fathers and Suns. I love Rebecca Blackstone’s performance, and Lister talking to recordings of himself is one of my all-time favourite Red Dwarf sketches. Good character development, solid continuity with the show’s past, exciting all the way through. The Taiwan Tony subplot is a bit of a nothing, but has never bothered me. 

Future Echoes

Better than Life

Marooned

DNA

The Inquisitor

Legion

Stoke Me a Clipper

Back in the Red Part 2

Back to Earth Part 2

Samsara

Siliconia

[Dave]

Future Echoes is superb. I’m taking that out of the running immediately. 

—

Better than Life

Marooned

DNA

The Inquisitor

Legion

Stoke Me a Clipper

Back in the Red Part 2

Back to Earth Part 2

Samsara

Siliconia

[Quinn: Clochebusters World Champion]

Marooned is often sighted as Red Dwarf at some of its best writing, at least in terms of Lister and Rimmer dialogue, so we’ll save that 

• Better than Life

  DNA

  The Inquisitor

  Legion

  Stoke Me a Clipper

  Back in the Red Part 2

  Back to Earth Part 2

  Samsara

  Siliconia

Better than Life

DNA

The Inquisitor

Legion

Stoke Me a Clipper

Back in the Red Part 2

Back to Earth Part 2

Samsara

Siliconia

[Warbodog]

The Inquisi-tor. There are enough funny and light episodes, this is one of the best (or the best) dark action ones and still inspires plenty of discussion, even if it’s mainly about Rimmer being in the wrong costume.

Better than Life

DNA

Legion

Stoke Me a Clipper

Back in the Red Part 2

Back to Earth Part 2

Samsara

Siliconia

[clem]

Not to throw a spanner in the works but, as ‘The Promised Land’ was split into multiple parts On Demand might there not be a case to add ‘TPL1’….?

It’s always been ‘as originally broadcast’ for the big quinquennial episode polls, so I assume that’s what we’re going with for this as well.

[clem]

I’m saving Legion, one of the funniest episodes ever.

Better than Life 

DNA 

Stoke Me a Clipper 

Back in the Red Part 2 

Back to Earth Part 2

Samsara 

Siliconia 

[Warbodog]

I said “first episodes from every Red Dwarf series,” so didn’t plan on including TPL, but I’d forgotten it’s called Series XIII now.

It’d be hard for me to choose from the middle of that list, until I remember how rapey BITR 2 is.

[Podey]

True, but it is always at least *included* in the polls…. 

We could do every episode of every series, then face those off against each other, then the winner of those off against each other, then the winner of those, then the final episode goes against TPL? 

For a laugh, like. 

[Dave]

BITR3 versus Timewave is going to break people once we get to Episode 3.

[Dax101]

One of you will save Timewave. I’m watching you!

[Warbodog]

[Nick R]

I’m going to save Stoke Me A Clipper because I still remember how much I loved the opening Ace Rimmer action sequence the first time I saw it.

Better than Life 

DNA 

Back in the Red Part 2 

Back to Earth Part 2

Samsara 

Siliconia 

[Rushy]

if the next person doesn’t pick Better than Life, I will be truly appalled 

[Nick R]

Also, once we’ve gone though all the episode 6s, do we do Epideme vs Pete Part II, and then Nanarchy vs Only the Good…?

[Rushy]

And what about the books?

[International Debris]

I’m saving DNA, because it’s a very, very funny episode. Also because I want Rushy to be appalled.

Better than Life  

Back in the Red Part 2 

Back to Earth Part 2

Samsara 

Siliconia 

[Rushy]

I’m saving DNA, because it’s a very, very funny episode. Also because I want Rushy to be appalled. 

[Unrumble]

I mean, it’s obviously Better than Life, as appealing as appalling Rushy is. 

Back in the Red Part 2 

Back to Earth Part 2

Samsara 

Siliconia 

[Flap Jack]

I’ll save Samsara. It was a generally well executed Justice sequel concept with a unique flashback structure to it, and the formica scene isn’t quite as unbearable as everyone says.

Back in the Red, Part 2

Back to Earth, Part 2

Siliconia

[Warbodog]

Also, once we’ve gone though all the episode 6s, do we do Epideme vs Pete Part II, and then Nanarchy vs Only the Good…?

Different people should take on the responsibility for each, we can’t deny PP2 its chance to shite.

[Technopeasant]

 I know people who missed the live broadcast who only saw it split up. 

And those of us pirating it overseas… in my mind, its a two parter.

[Technopeasant]

I would take off “Siliconia” for managing to do an army of Krytens comparatively well given the budget, but I probably should let Moonlight do the honours for the fish speech.

Any bets that we will just keep beating up Series VIII?

[Dave]

Any bets that we will just keep beating up Series VIII?

BITR3 versus Timewave is going to break people once we get to Episode 3.

[Warbodog]

It was probably going to come down to Back in the Red Part 2 vs Back to Earth Part 2 anyway. Any sexual magnetism hi-jinks / Dibbley Family fans, or does the worst series get another orange segment?

[Dave]

I’ll take off BTE2 as the meta stuff on Earth is pretty funny in places, and the storyline isn’t weirdly rapey.

[Warbodog]

Hooray, Back in the Red wins again. Will the trilogy be complete?

—

Balance of Power

Thanks for the Memory

Polymorph

Justice

Terrorform

Gunmen of the Apocalypse

Ouroboros

Back in the Red, Part 3

Back to Earth, Part 3

Lemons

Give & Take

Timewave

[Unrumble]

Thanks For the Memory. Probably my fave episode overall. 

[Warbodog]

Gunmen of the Apocalypse is still one of the most fun episodes, I’ve never tired of it. Lots of good gags and love the lava moon too.

Balance of Power

Polymorph

Justice

Terrorform

Ouroboros

Back in the Red, Part 3

Back to Earth, Part 3

Lemons

Give & Take

Timewave

[Nick R]

I’ll save Balance of Power, because it’s always been one of my favourite series 1 episodes. The idea of the chef outranking Rimmer and Rimmer impersonating Kochanski are both good jokes.

Polymorph

Justice

Terrorform

Ouroboros

Back in the Red, Part 3

Back to Earth, Part 3

Lemons

Give & Take

Timewave

[Author]

Replies