What the SMEG do YOU want?

[Asclepius]

So, Norman says next year there ‘may be’ new Red Dwarf.

“In 2021 there was no Red Dwarf, in 2022 there was no Red Dwarf…” etc.

If it does happen, it’ll be amazing to have more Dwarf. But it seems unlikely for so many reasons. If it *does* go ahead, I imagine it will be the last visual Dwarf that we’ll see.

So what do you want from it?

1. Series of six episodes

2. Two 90 minute specials in a ‘Promised Land’ style?

3. Series of six episodes that ends on what is clearly a final episode.

4. Two 90 minute specials in a ‘Promised Land’ style, the second of which is clearly intended to be a final episode.

Choose.

Topic

[Dave]

I want a realistic down-to-earth show that’s completely off-the-wall and swarming with magic robots.

[Rushy]

I think nr 4 is the best option.

With both Back to Earth and Promised Land, it seems that having to make a special kicks Doug into another gear. Between Lister’s depression and Rimmer’s existentialism, they’re both more dramatic and impactful than any of his regular output. 

They also give him more time to flesh the story out, and not having to build as many sets helps the production (which will doubtlessly be strapped for cash). 

Plus, having a nice trilogy of specials to round things off feels rather satisfying. 

[Warbodog]

Even two specials seems too optimistic, I’d go with one. I think there’s more chance of a special being special, I haven’t really cared about getting more half-hour episodes since the end of X, most of them feel disposable.

I don’t want a finale that closes off the story, prefer to leave the future echoes and other incompatible possibilities open.

[Nick R]

I want something that is funny, features interesting sci-fi ideas, and has good characterisation.

[Rushy]

most of them feel disposable

[Rushy]

As someone who started watching the show after 2020, I am desperate to at least once experience the thrill and excitement of watching brand-new episodes. And I want them ripped and pipped!

[Flap Jack]

Definitely a series of 6 episodes. The Promised Land was great, but a half hour show is what Red Dwarf is meant to be. I would be happy for the final, final episode to be a special though.

[Paul Muller]

The reality is that each passing year raises the hurdles that the cast will naturally face due to advancing age. Nobody with any heart could force Robert to spend hours at a time being torturously encased in latex to perform under hot studio lights for hours at a time. Which is why I’m proposing that he undergo intensive and invasive cosmetic surgery to give him those rubbery, angular features that we know and love on a permanent basis. 

They can also glue that wig into Chris’s head. 

[Warbodog]

A.I. loves drawing Krytens, can’t Bobby just have special dots on his face and sort it out in the dub?

[Unrumble]

[Rudolph]

My ideal is always a six episode series, but will settle for a feature-length special.

I’m also a bit against the idea of a definitive ending. I’m happiest with them just riding off into the sunset, on to new adventures that we just won’t be privy too. Something like the end of The Beginning basically.

[International Debris]

A special which brings Kochanski back at the end, which is as close to an ‘ending’ as I can imagine Doug wanting to do.

[Rushy]

A special which brings Kochanski back at the end, which is as close to an ‘ending’ as I can imagine Doug wanting to do.

I second that

Ideally, I’d like a final scene similar to the one from the alternate ending of Only the Good

With Lister, Kryten, Kochanski, Rimmer, the Cat and Holly all together celebrating. 

[loadoftottnumb]

Yeah for me the ideal would be a 6 episode series, 30 minutes each. I wouldn’t ’advertise’ it as the finale but I’d make the end of episode 6 as definitive as they’ve ever had, something like they have the opportunity to get back to earth, around the time Red Dwarf left, but they decide to stay together and carry on their adventures. 

[Ben Saunders]

One special, please. And another. And another. Make it a double.

[Dave]

[Nick R]

[Rushy]

Data Doctor aside, I’ve always found that Robert (who is obviously already a very funny man) is much funnier when you can see his facial expressions. 

[clem]

It’s such a shame TPL didn’t turn out to be the beginning of a new direction for the show, and I’d definitely prefer even one more 90 minute special to another 6 episode series. And realistically I think one more is all we’re going to get, if we get anything at all (Rob Grant’s buttski notwithstanding of course.) As for “clearly intended as a final episode”, I’m going to say yes but that doesn’t have to mean all that much, just something like loadoftottnumb’s idea where they’re all basically content with their lot and consider Red Dwarf home. Skipper but with a bit of heart. And yeah why not bring back Kochanski, and find a way to include Hattie as well, like give Holly a happy ending where he’s reunited with a version of Hilly.

[RunawayTrain]

My ideal is always a six episode series, but will settle for a feature-length special.
I’m also a bit against the idea of a definitive ending. I’m happiest with them just riding off into the sunset, on to new adventures that we just won’t be privy too. Something like the end of The Beginning basically.

These are my exact thoughts and articulated better than I could.

A satisfying conclusion to a show, for me, is always one that ties up loose ends and is then essentially just us parting ways with the characters as they go off to adventures anew.

I think I’d quite like, for Lister, them to find Kochanski and they all continue their adventures in space together.  I feel like that’s the main loose end, and a development big enough to be worthy of a finale.  I don’t think I’d want them to return to Earth, because although I’m sure Doug could write them returning then deciding to leave, what then would be their goal?  Exploration for the sake of it?  Too Star Trek.  Finding a habitable planet/moon/asteroid to be their home?  Maybe.  I guess they could always go, then leave because they still want to find Kochanski, but I’d rather end it knowing Lister can live happily ever after and he can more likely do that by at least getting closure about Kochanski, than by returning to a ‘home’ to where he no longer belongs.

(And now my brain’s run out.)

[Moonlight]

You know, a decade ago XI / XII had already been announced. Is it too late to hold everybody hostage and get a XIII / XIV out of them?

[Dave]

Data Doctor aside, I’ve always found that Robert (who is obviously already a very funny man) is much funnier when you can see his facial expressions. 

[Moonlight]

The One Where Everyone’s Robert

[Cardinal_Hordriss]

I’d quite like a spinoff. A prequel showing life on ship before the accident. Maybe show how Rimmer ended up in the Corps despite his incompetence and how Lister woke up on Titan after a night out and signed up to get back to Earth. I’d like to get some more info on the JMC, how Red Dwarf was viewed by others as one of the oldest and largest ships in service etc.

[Asclepius]

I’d quite like a spinoff. A prequel showing life on ship before the accident. Maybe show how Rimmer ended up in the Corps despite his incompetence and how Lister woke up on Titan after a night out and signed up to get back to Earth. I’d like to get some more info on the JMC, how Red Dwarf was viewed by others as one of the oldest and largest ships in service etc.

Rob Grant’s buttski starts grumbling ominously, and the money’s paw closes one finger.

[Warbodog]

Is that a preview of Rob’s autobiography?

[Cardinal_Hordriss]

I’d just like to see a sci-fi about normal people on a scabby old ship instead of the slick ships of Star Trek or the heroic characters of Star Wars. Pre-accident Red Dwarf would be ideal. There’s so much more I’d like to see of the ship and how life worked on board. Even stupid details like how with a crew of only 1169 on a ship that big you could go weeks without seeing anyone. Depending on where you live you might need to take a day off to travel to and from the disco. If you worked on the bottom deck and the captain asked to see you you’d need to take a change of clothes.

Lower Decks came close but they still benefited from all the usual Star Fleet bits and bobs. Farscape was another one that wasn’t far off but in the end the character were all quite special and heroic who do galaxy altering things.

I’m probably not explaining myself very well. Sorry.

[Warbodog]

Farscape was another one that wasn’t far off but in the end the character were all quite special and heroic who do galaxy altering things.

Other shows also start out with low-key day-to-day and world-building (Babylon 5, The Expanse) before inevitably turning epic. Then you get fans recommending newcomers skip those “boring” parts. (I only thought B5 was boring in the final season).

[Cardinal_Hordriss]

Farscape was another one that wasn’t far off but in the end the character were all quite special and heroic who do galaxy altering things.
Other shows also start out with low-key day-to-day and world-building (Babylon 5, The Expanse) before inevitably turning epic. Then you get fans recommending newcomers skip those “boring” parts. (I only thought B5 was boring in the final season).

I know what you mean. And yes, B5 was definitely running out of steam by then. I have my criticisms of the series as a whole but the story wouldn’t be one of them. By the end of season 4 though, all the big plot arcs were over and resolved in perfectly satisfying ways. 

[Podey]

Realistically the only non-negotiable wish I’d have for a new and possibly last iteration of the show is that I am finally able to be in the live audience for one.

[Jenuall]

In a genuine “you can have anything you want” scenario I would love for a final Grant Naylor combined something to exist. Whether that’s a book or a special or a new series of six, I’m not too fussed. I would just love to have something else created out of that combined entity.

In reality the most we’ll probably get is Can’t Smeg Won’t Smeg 2

[Technopeasant]

By the end of season 4 though, all the big plot arcs were over and resolved in perfectly satisfying ways. 

Not thinking you will get a season renewal does that to you.

But yeah, it was kind of a shame the more day to day aspect of the station died off once the Shadows arrived.

[Author]

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