@@TimSeraphiel I don't know, the seasons are pretty short. If my math is correct, there is a total of 69 single-episodes, sequential multi-parters and canon specials (i.e. not counting stuff like "Can't Smeg, Won't Smeg" and the US pilots). That's less than a lot of shows. I think one story a week on a consistent schedule would take 1⅓ years. But I could be wrong. I'm absolutely terrible at math, and if I forgot any multi-parters where the titles don't have "part" in them, I apologize.
This is the episode where the feelings towards A.J. Rimmer takes a heel-turn in my oppinion. One begins to see why he is that special kind of smeg-head that he is, given his f´ed-up childhood. (Faith, hop and charity anyone XD) I also feel that the scene with his only greatest wish (his father being proud of him) that was ruined by Cat, was not only extremely hilarious but also necessary, since it broke the so called spell. Rimmer might have been happy with the fantasy, but would it really have mattered in the long run? That´s the question.
This is such a great episode, I love how even early on it's clear, even from season 1 episode 6, that Rimmer is genuinely his own worst enemy. He can't get anything he wants, because he sabotages himself at every turn. He's such a miserable person because his life is pathetic, but his life is pathetic because he's so miserable.
The beach scenes were filmed in Rhyl, in Wales. Unfortunately the weather was complete pants, which is why the scenes look dull and cold. For a lot of the stuff where they're "sunbathing", it was so cold the the actors couldn't stop shivering. So they relocated to a golf course, and although it was warmer, it still ended up looking cold.
Two this week? what a treat. Chris Barrie (Rimmer) IS like a parallel universe of the Rimmer character, he has very similar weird hobbies and collections but it maybe the nicest person I have ever met. In the Red Dwarf novel of the same name Better Than Life is extremely dangerous, you do waste away and addiction to the game is a built in mechanic. It's designed to kill you
A few years back I had the pleasure of meeting Norman Lovett who plays Holly.. I asked him who won the chess game between him and Gordon... he told me to get a life.
For those who dont know Better than Life was also a book in the red dwarf series, its darker than this episode where as it becomes so addictive that people in real life because they're not eating or drinking, also the cat has Valkyries on flying horses and a castle... Lister gets his perfect life with the woman of his dreams. But in the real world their bodies are dying and on life support. It was seen as more addictive than droogs in the world and was banned for obvious reasons
Yeah, I was going to bring that up. They think they all made it back to Earth, Lister marries a distant descendent of Kochanski who looks just like her, and they live in the town from the movie 'It's a Wonderful Life'. Rimmer uses technologies they found in space to become CEO of the 4th most profitable company on the planet, and marries a Brazilian supermodel.. but she won't sleep with him, but she will sleep with literally ever other man she meets. Cat lives in a castle with a milk moat. When he goes hunting, he releases the dogs, then shoots the dogs. It took them months to figure out it wasn't reality.
The audiobook is next on my list after I finish listening to infinity welcomes careful drivers. They have mentioned the better than life game killing people in this book. I forgot the books existed. I read IWCD way back in the 90s but forgot how much was different to the show.
I think, in the book they mention that there are different versions of BTL. The version they explore in the book is the really dangerous final version, which edits your memories so you don't remember you're in it, and uses your subconscious drives to keep you addicted. The version here in this episode is like an early prototype which is much less addictive and works on a more superficial level, where e.g. things you wish for with your conscious mind just appear out of nowhere.
The "hi kitty NO DONT BE NAUGHTY" is something I felt in my soul. Eating candy is fine, but for the proper effect you need to make a chicken vindaloo to eat while you watch red dwarf. An acceptable alternative is a triple decker fried egg sandwich with chilli and mango chutney.
The psychological themed humour that you see here as well as in _Confidence and Paranoia_ continues to be a major motif throughout the history of the show. Also, the Better Than Life concept is massively expanded and improved upon in the books. It is the cliffhanger of the first book ("Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers") and the title of the second ("Better Than Life", obvs), published together as "The Red Dwarf Omnibus". Those are great reads, but seriously, don't bother with the third and fourth.
The Host in the game is a British comedian named Tony Hawks. He gets a surprising amount of messages to his website from people thinking he's Tony Hawk, the skateboarder. His responses to these posts are hilarious!
Also responsible for one of the funniest moments on "I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue" - singing "Girlfriend in a Coma" to the tune of "Tiptoe Through the Tulips".
Kryten is named after The Admirable Crichton, a character from British literature. Essentially, he's a faithful butler. Also, I'm glad you're sticking with ...Get Dwarfed as the alternative of ...Get Smegged might attract the wrong crowd.
Got to say this before I forget, after you watch the final episode of series 2, Parallel Universe, you have to react to the full version of Tongue Tied.
There was a lot of tension behind the scenes between Craig Charles(Lister) and Chris Barrie(Rimmer) I think it actually helped their on screen performances.This programme just gets better and better from season 2 onwards.
Good work you two. In the books written by the same writer, better than life is actually the most powerful drug ever because each time you try and leave, the game serves you up something that keeps you hooked. It’s the title of one of the books in fact.
OK I LOVE Red Dwarf ! I have since I first saw it and I'm one of the ones who love the first series as much as the second. But Series II does have two of my absolute favorite episodes and this is one. And the scene with Rimmer and Dave in the observation bubble was FREAKING BRILLIANT writing because of the topper : CAT: "AOWWWWW ! ! ! My stomach has been pumped and now I'm hungry. Hey, there you are! Hey man, I'm so hungry, I just have to eat !" LISTER: "Shhhhh. Not now, man. Rimmer's dad's died." CAT: "I'd prefer chicken. " Like PEAK Cat ! It was back then that they let simple natural dialogue define the characters. It was soooo perfect !
British comedy (at least back then) had no fear of going to darker places, and getting a laugh from the release of tension. This episode is another one (like Me2) that digs into what made Rimmer what he is, and takes another step on the path of taking him from a character to hate to one you can have sympathy for; there are more of those to come, and they're all pretty funny as well as thought-provoking, particularly as you see Rimmer start to work against his past, and become a better person. As you said, things were going fairly well, until the Cat brought Rimmer's dad into things, and set off the trauma response. But that's the Cat, totally self-centred.
We DO need more Gallifreygals reviewing more Red Dwarf. Your reviews, even at 20 minutes, pass in the blink of an eye. It would make all of our Christmases and birthdays to see more. Please, oh, please !
Kryten is just in a couple of episodes this season - but becomes one of the Red Dwarf Posse for every episode from Season 3 when Robert Llewellyn takes over the role (the "real" Kryten) ..
Interestingly, there are novels for the first three series of the show, Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers and Better Than Life. They're very different, less comedy and more sci-fi. Very good! And they are by the same writers as the show. Rimmer's head and and lots of other things are talked about far more, very cool. Glad you're enjoying the show!
I strongly recommend reading at least the first 2 books "Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers" and "Better Than Life" written by the writing duo who came up with the show. But don't read them until you have seen the episodes they are based on (series 1 and 2 for IWCD and 3 and 4 for BTL). This is because the writers restructured the stories into more of a complete narrative and reading it before you see the episode would spoil it. The book goes into far more detail and explores things like how Better Than Life was made illegal because once in people never wanted to leave and would die in the real world while their minds were in paradise.
The novels are genuine hard sci-fi with comedy definitely second. Their take on Better Than Life is fascinating but also really depressing, I prefer the more lighthearted version in the show.
Very much this. I actually read both books (as it was then) long before I ever saw the show, and to be honest I found at least the early series quite disappointing by comparison. Not that they are bad - at all! - just the the books are *so good*. Funnier, so much more cohesive, with a consistent storyline - and nowhere is this more true than Better Than Life. I can't recommend them highly enough. Sadly, the books written later, after Grant and Naylor parted ways, were pretty bad. One of those times where the whole is so much more than the sum of its parts.
Two Red Dwarf episodes in a week? Oh we are being spoiled! This was such a great episode, there's so many hysterical gags (including one of my favourites in the entire show with the lost page from the Bible, I'm disappointed it didn't make this reaction), as well as some more exploration of Rimmer and his neuroses and terrible backstory. That description of his father's treatment of him and his brothers is incredibly funny, but it's very clear to see how terribly that treatment has affected him in adulthood.
I worked at the BBC when they made this episode and the beach segments were shot were my parents lived. I wanted the crew to go for a cup of tea at their house but they’d been too busy. Just imagine my Mum’s face if they’d all turned up!
Kryten gets a new look and actor in the future. When we get to the penguin episode though, that may be the pinnacle. Such a good show 😉 I think you gals are lovely btw
This will not be the last time where Rimmer becomes his own worst enemy! If you thought that ending was a bit abrupt, Better Than Life was greatly expanded by the second Red Dwarf novel - where we discover that they actually didn't escape the game! It takes a LOT of effort to get them out.
Woohooo! A Second helping of The Dwarfers!!! Woohooo!! Love this Episode! Don't worry, Kryten will be back! He's off being a rebel! He's probably in the lower decks somewhere!!
He’s perusing the backlog of the vacuum cleaner catalog, he’ll be …indisposed… for a while ;) Have you both encountered a certain grilled-bread-product device with an obsession for wheat and wheat-by-products yet?
You have to wonder what sort of mind could a) think of the phrase, the b) come up with a valid reason to use the phrase, being ,"rubber nuclear warheads". The gestalt entity that was Grant Naylor (for the writers Rob Grant and Doug Naylor), must have been absolutely bonkers during the late 80's/early 90's.
"Poor Rimmer..." Yes, it doesn't take long to go from loathing Rimmer in the very first episode to sympathising with him. He may be a smeghead, but he's also a victim of his own life and nobody hates him as much as he hates himself. He's a tragic figure.
I liked how BTL was covered in the books, Listers humble dream and Rimmer's utter self loathing/ego maniac were brilliant coupled with the effects on the body which you came to on your comments
Great surprise to see you back again gals . Stick with the Dwarf and you won't forget Kryten again . This series was where they really started to branch out and it was another insight into Rimmers mindset , one where you actually felt sorry for him . The larger picture format is definitely better imho.
Kryten had left Red Dwarf on Listers space bike. He'll show back up in season 03. The creators wanted to introduce a robot character to the show as a regular. So the episode Kryten was to test the waters for bringing that character into the main cast.
Can you imagine series 1 Lister and Rimmer playing a game like this together? Or showing sympathy for each other? Or for that matter ever ending on an episode with the thought "poor Rimmer".... Character development
I LOVE THIS EPISODE!!! I think it was the basis for the first Red Dwarf novelization. The scene with the reverse mermaid and Cat's reaction is unforgettable! We also get more depth into why Rimmer is the way he is. Just so you know, no Kryten until season 3!! It might be that the next episode's start is my all-time favorite!
The writers made a decision early on not to have aliens in their show. So with limitations on what to explore externally, they focused internally on the psyches of the characters. I believe Rob Grant, who studied psychology, was the driving force behind this. And we’ve already started to see glimpses of how psychology can be heightened into humour through the lens of science fiction with episodes like Better Than Life, Me2 and Confidence and Paranoia. This trend gets better and better and better from here until Rob Grant leaves the show.
Great episode, always felt it was a shame they skipped a part of the story from the book. Involving the inland revenue, a lightbulb left on and listers bank account. this then leads to other charecters that come in later.
"Weirdness" and "normalcy" are just social constructs. The reason I follow you two is that your dynamic closely matches my own. I grew up thriving in this geeky vibe. So, yeah, please stay as weird as you like.
Glad you are loving RD. In the book Better than life they end up stuck and addicted to the game for a long time. Eventually Kryten goes into the game to get them all out and gets addicted by being stuck in an eternally dirty room that he keeps cleaning repeatedly.
You shunted this forward to exactly the right time for me, as I'm celebrating sorting out my back tax and getting a collection agency off my back! Cheers! (Though looking anxiously at the closet in case he pops out with a hammer.)
Chris Barrie (Rimmer) is an amazing actor. You will see this as the show progresses. We haven't quite hit Star Trek The Warth of Khan level sh/t yet in this season, Gals. The best is yet to come and when you think it cant get better, it does! I love your channel. You both have great personalities, Keep going and we'll be watching. 🇬🇧🇺🇸
Better Than Life gets an entire book in the series of books the show's writers Grant & Naylor wrote. The theme is so much extended to illustrate how difficult it is for people to escape from playing Better Than Life, and to go more into depth about each of the characters' ideal worlds they wish they could live in. Don't worry though, they are sensible, Terry Pratchett sized books, not GRR Martin sized ones.
Can I just say, and I'm sure it's been mentioned countless times but I haven't looked through all the comments, but, I love your musical intro. It's so happy and great!
the thing about are they dehydrating outside the game at about 11:00 is actually a plot point thats explored in the book of better than life (sequel to infinity welcomes careful drivers)
Trauma isn't the event, but the change in behaviour after the event has happened. You're absolutely right in that everyone has trauma, and about 70% it is complex trauma. People need to be able to recognise the changes in their behaviour because of the event and address it. Rather than let that change in character / or inner self, dictate their future relationships. On a more jovial note, glad you're doing the Red Dwarf series, as each episode starts to get better from here on in. You have a sweet friendship Paula and Kat, keep up the good work!
Oh my God this episode was the first to have me laughing nonstop on the floor, in stitches, especially when rimmer says, my brain has rebelled and doesn't accept nice things happening to me, LOLOLOLOL
You should totally check out the Red Dwarf Novels: ‘Infinity welcomes careful drivers’ ‘better than life’ and ‘The Last Human’. They really expand on some of these episodes, in fantastic ways. Especially the better than life segment, which is far more insidious…
what a treat! this is one of the best episodes early on in the series imo. There are many more episodes like this and i hope you do the whole thing because genuinely, it's such a better series in tv than people give it credit for
There was no Kryten, because at the end od S2E1 he rebelled, took Listers bike and left. When you start S3E1, there is a huge starwars type scroll, which goes at speed. If you pause and read it a bit at a time, all will become clear.
@@Call-Me-I fair enough. Just its very easy to post something that one doesn't think is spoilerish that you think is a small thing but actually can wreck the suprise of a moment in the future. I've done it a few times myself.
This episode is one of the first instances of the "perfectly cut" memes I can recall. The very end of the episode cuts to still-frame the very second the hammer falls on Rimmer's finger, complete with a crunchy 'splut' sound. True history!
This episode was later revisited as an entire novel. I haven't read it since the 90's, but from what I recall the game is highly addictive, much like the VR game in Star Trek: TNG.
So glad you enjoyed this episode. Realise from my original viewing of this, and rewatches since, that this is the turning point of Red Dwarf where it’s all gold from here on out for me. Enjoy!
Testament to how strong the writing was this series that you came in looking forward to Kryten and didn't notice his absence till the episode had finished
The Red Dwarf Audio Book, Better Than Life expands on the concept of this episode rather well, and shows what can happen if someone remains in that game for too long (and explains why the game was quickly outlawed after its release). In the RD universe, Better than Life was actually considered extremely dangerous because once you were in the game, you forgot you were in it, and couldn't be pulled out without getting killed, you had to leave under your own free will, and no-one ever wants to leave their perfect fantasy.
You are spoiling us with 2 Red Dwarf episodes in a week! This was such an interesting concept that when I read the novel by the same name it shocked me to find out just how addictive it was. The game probes your subconscious so that's what happened to Rimmer. It also conceals itself which makes it near impossible to even leave.
callback to Series 1 Future Echoes, as we see that Groovy Channel 27 does indeed have a hologram newsreader. glad you got a kick out of the first reveal that Rimmer's middle name is Judas. Anyway, as I've mentioned before, Red Dwarf starts out as "The Odd Couple in space" and slowly becomes more like a Ridiculous Star Trek and this episode is the beginning of that. You'll notice this and several other episodes have very close parallels to episodes of Star Trek TNG (which was on the air at the same time). Patrick Stewart noticed, too, and was about to call his lawyer until he started laughing at how funny Red Dwarf is. Better Than Life (a bit darker in the novels) isn't the first or last time sci-fi would take on the idea of a paradise trap, even in VR/Video Game form. But every game has it's bugs and exploits, and I've always adored Red Dwarf's solution of having Rimmer's self-loathing break the game and provide the escape. Glad you double-dipped this week because I was really looking forward to you two getting to this episode in particular.
Two Red Dwarf episodes in the same week? Score!
They probably realised that if they only released one episode per week it would take way too long to finish the show.
@@TimSeraphiel Nah, they've watched all of New Who, and are 5 episodes short of finishing TNG. Length of time doesn't bother them. :D
@@TimSeraphiel I don't know, the seasons are pretty short.
If my math is correct, there is a total of 69 single-episodes, sequential multi-parters and canon specials (i.e. not counting stuff like "Can't Smeg, Won't Smeg" and the US pilots). That's less than a lot of shows. I think one story a week on a consistent schedule would take 1⅓ years. But I could be wrong. I'm absolutely terrible at math, and if I forgot any multi-parters where the titles don't have "part" in them, I apologize.
Was going to say the same thing :D
@@DaveCrokaert but we're back for breakfast
"I prefer chicken."
One of the best comedy lines ever.
Kryten is named after The Admirable Chrighton, a super-resourceful butler character in an older book/movie.
This is the episode where the feelings towards A.J. Rimmer takes a heel-turn in my oppinion.
One begins to see why he is that special kind of smeg-head that he is, given his f´ed-up childhood. (Faith, hop and charity anyone XD)
I also feel that the scene with his only greatest wish (his father being proud of him) that was ruined by Cat, was not only extremely hilarious but also necessary, since it broke the so called spell. Rimmer might have been happy with the fantasy, but would it really have mattered in the long run? That´s the question.
This is such a great episode, I love how even early on it's clear, even from season 1 episode 6, that Rimmer is genuinely his own worst enemy. He can't get anything he wants, because he sabotages himself at every turn. He's such a miserable person because his life is pathetic, but his life is pathetic because he's so miserable.
A self-fulfilling prophecy.
Can relate.
in a way, i can sort of relate to rimmer
The beach scenes were filmed in Rhyl, in Wales. Unfortunately the weather was complete pants, which is why the scenes look dull and cold. For a lot of the stuff where they're "sunbathing", it was so cold the the actors couldn't stop shivering. So they relocated to a golf course, and although it was warmer, it still ended up looking cold.
Two this week? what a treat.
Chris Barrie (Rimmer) IS like a parallel universe of the Rimmer character, he has very similar weird hobbies and collections but it maybe the nicest person I have ever met.
In the Red Dwarf novel of the same name Better Than Life is extremely dangerous, you do waste away and addiction to the game is a built in mechanic. It's designed to kill you
In the books, Better Than Life is really grim.
You were on the right track about starving to death.
A few years back I had the pleasure of meeting Norman Lovett who plays Holly.. I asked him who won the chess game between him and Gordon... he told me to get a life.
Gordon must have won then.😂😂😂
Ok girls be careful you are heading down the road to be super fans of Red Dwarf like the rest of us.
I love how psychological this show is, it's honestly so fascinating and so much more than just a sitcom
In the books, they were in the game for years, this is an incredibly abridged version of the original concept.
Yeah, in the novelisation several following episodes turn out to have taken place while they were still trapped in the game.
11:04 love how Kat's comment here is exactly how Better than Life works in the books
For those who dont know Better than Life was also a book in the red dwarf series, its darker than this episode where as it becomes so addictive that people in real life because they're not eating or drinking, also the cat has Valkyries on flying horses and a castle... Lister gets his perfect life with the woman of his dreams. But in the real world their bodies are dying and on life support. It was seen as more addictive than droogs in the world and was banned for obvious reasons
Yeah, I was going to bring that up. They think they all made it back to Earth, Lister marries a distant descendent of Kochanski who looks just like her, and they live in the town from the movie 'It's a Wonderful Life'. Rimmer uses technologies they found in space to become CEO of the 4th most profitable company on the planet, and marries a Brazilian supermodel.. but she won't sleep with him, but she will sleep with literally ever other man she meets. Cat lives in a castle with a milk moat. When he goes hunting, he releases the dogs, then shoots the dogs. It took them months to figure out it wasn't reality.
It’s always Christmas in Bedford falls. . . Remember the book well. Such a different tone
U = BTL
The audiobook is next on my list after I finish listening to infinity welcomes careful drivers. They have mentioned the better than life game killing people in this book. I forgot the books existed. I read IWCD way back in the 90s but forgot how much was different to the show.
I think, in the book they mention that there are different versions of BTL. The version they explore in the book is the really dangerous final version, which edits your memories so you don't remember you're in it, and uses your subconscious drives to keep you addicted. The version here in this episode is like an early prototype which is much less addictive and works on a more superficial level, where e.g. things you wish for with your conscious mind just appear out of nowhere.
Red Dwarf is my therapy 😜🤪
Mine too
Bring me my vindaloo and beer milkshake
Arnold Judas Rimmer is one of the great, tragic characters in fiction.
Seconded
It is his crime... It is also his punishment
And a total total smeg head.
The "hi kitty NO DONT BE NAUGHTY" is something I felt in my soul.
Eating candy is fine, but for the proper effect you need to make a chicken vindaloo to eat while you watch red dwarf. An acceptable alternative is a triple decker fried egg sandwich with chilli and mango chutney.
The psychological themed humour that you see here as well as in _Confidence and Paranoia_ continues to be a major motif throughout the history of the show. Also, the Better Than Life concept is massively expanded and improved upon in the books. It is the cliffhanger of the first book ("Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers") and the title of the second ("Better Than Life", obvs), published together as "The Red Dwarf Omnibus". Those are great reads, but seriously, don't bother with the third and fourth.
It's like Pam Beasley made friends with some crazy punk rocker only to find they are each very similar to the other in a lot of ways.
When Kryten went off on Lister’s space bike, that was the last we were ever meant to see of him. But the character came back in the next series.
The Host in the game is a British comedian named Tony Hawks. He gets a surprising amount of messages to his website from people thinking he's Tony Hawk, the skateboarder. His responses to these posts are hilarious!
Also responsible for one of the funniest moments on "I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue" - singing "Girlfriend in a Coma" to the tune of "Tiptoe Through the Tulips".
Yeah, he went on Celebrity Mastermind and his specialist subject was Tony Hawk.
Kryten is named after The Admirable Crichton, a character from British literature. Essentially, he's a faithful butler.
Also, I'm glad you're sticking with ...Get Dwarfed as the alternative of ...Get Smegged might attract the wrong crowd.
There is also a movie, circa 1957... It's on TH-cam....
apparently when they filmed the beach scenes it was freezing cold and windy (British weather)
You will see Kryten in series 3 and yes it is worth the wait. Kryten will blow you away in series 3. Can't wait to see your reactions.
Got to say this before I forget, after you watch the final episode of series 2, Parallel Universe, you have to react to the full version of Tongue Tied.
Kryten was originally played by David Ross as a one-off character. He came back as a series regular in Series 3, played by Robert Llewellyn.
There was a lot of tension behind the scenes between Craig Charles(Lister) and Chris Barrie(Rimmer) I think it actually helped their on screen performances.This programme just gets better and better from season 2 onwards.
I'm getting multiple Red Dwarf reactions in one week! OMG! I'm in the Better Than Life video game, aren't I?😅.
Good work you two. In the books written by the same writer, better than life is actually the most powerful drug ever because each time you try and leave, the game serves you up something that keeps you hooked. It’s the title of one of the books in fact.
OK I LOVE Red Dwarf ! I have since I first saw it and I'm one of the ones who love the first series as much as the second. But Series II does have two of my absolute favorite episodes and this is one.
And the scene with Rimmer and Dave in the observation bubble was FREAKING BRILLIANT writing because of the topper :
CAT: "AOWWWWW ! ! ! My stomach has been pumped and now I'm hungry. Hey, there you are! Hey man, I'm so hungry, I just have to eat !"
LISTER: "Shhhhh. Not now, man. Rimmer's dad's died."
CAT: "I'd prefer chicken. "
Like PEAK Cat ! It was back then that they let simple natural dialogue define the characters. It was soooo perfect !
British comedy (at least back then) had no fear of going to darker places, and getting a laugh from the release of tension.
This episode is another one (like Me2) that digs into what made Rimmer what he is, and takes another step on the path of taking him from a character to hate to one you can have sympathy for; there are more of those to come, and they're all pretty funny as well as thought-provoking, particularly as you see Rimmer start to work against his past, and become a better person.
As you said, things were going fairly well, until the Cat brought Rimmer's dad into things, and set off the trauma response. But that's the Cat, totally self-centred.
Have you watched *anything* with Reese Sheersmith in it?
We DO need more Gallifreygals reviewing more Red Dwarf. Your reviews, even at 20 minutes, pass in the blink of an eye. It would make all of our Christmases and birthdays to see more. Please, oh, please !
I see it less as Rimmer "thinking he doesn't deserve good things", and more that deep down in his subconscious, he knows _exactly_ what he deserves.
I love that you are watching this! I can't wait for certain episodes to come up.
Kryten is just in a couple of episodes this season - but becomes one of the Red Dwarf Posse for every episode from Season 3 when Robert Llewellyn takes over the role (the "real" Kryten) ..
I like to think that Series 2 Kryten is one of the Spare Heads...
@@DanJMW Good way to think about it!
Interestingly, there are novels for the first three series of the show, Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers and Better Than Life. They're very different, less comedy and more sci-fi. Very good! And they are by the same writers as the show. Rimmer's head and and lots of other things are talked about far more, very cool. Glad you're enjoying the show!
I strongly recommend reading at least the first 2 books "Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers" and "Better Than Life" written by the writing duo who came up with the show. But don't read them until you have seen the episodes they are based on (series 1 and 2 for IWCD and 3 and 4 for BTL). This is because the writers restructured the stories into more of a complete narrative and reading it before you see the episode would spoil it. The book goes into far more detail and explores things like how Better Than Life was made illegal because once in people never wanted to leave and would die in the real world while their minds were in paradise.
Trixie LaBouche’s storyline was sad… ;)
Agreed.. the novels go so much deeper
The novels are genuine hard sci-fi with comedy definitely second. Their take on Better Than Life is fascinating but also really depressing, I prefer the more lighthearted version in the show.
@@BlameThande true, at least it wasn’t Bliss…
Very much this. I actually read both books (as it was then) long before I ever saw the show, and to be honest I found at least the early series quite disappointing by comparison. Not that they are bad - at all! - just the the books are *so good*. Funnier, so much more cohesive, with a consistent storyline - and nowhere is this more true than Better Than Life. I can't recommend them highly enough.
Sadly, the books written later, after Grant and Naylor parted ways, were pretty bad. One of those times where the whole is so much more than the sum of its parts.
Two Red Dwarf episodes in a week? Oh we are being spoiled!
This was such a great episode, there's so many hysterical gags (including one of my favourites in the entire show with the lost page from the Bible, I'm disappointed it didn't make this reaction), as well as some more exploration of Rimmer and his neuroses and terrible backstory. That description of his father's treatment of him and his brothers is incredibly funny, but it's very clear to see how terribly that treatment has affected him in adulthood.
I worked at the BBC when they made this episode and the beach segments were shot were my parents lived. I wanted the crew to go for a cup of tea at their house but they’d been too busy. Just imagine my Mum’s face if they’d all turned up!
Did they ever get in trouble for putting the Jag on the beach?
@@GamerWho Don’t think so but there was a lot of hassle with weather and the tracking rails for the camera
Boys from the Dwarf
Kryten gets a new look and actor in the future. When we get to the penguin episode though, that may be the pinnacle. Such a good show 😉 I think you gals are lovely btw
@@dannykent6190 yup 😊👍
You two are spoiling us at this point. ❤
Those scenes on the beach were filmed in the English winter, they were essentially cutting inbetweener trying to keep them at a liveable temperature
They were actually filmed in Rhyl, North Wales,, not in England but it's certainly true that the weather was bad.
@@edwinhiley6281 I love the idea of a fantasy paradise being Rhyl of all places 😂
This will not be the last time where Rimmer becomes his own worst enemy! If you thought that ending was a bit abrupt, Better Than Life was greatly expanded by the second Red Dwarf novel - where we discover that they actually didn't escape the game! It takes a LOT of effort to get them out.
Woohooo! A Second helping of The Dwarfers!!! Woohooo!!
Love this Episode!
Don't worry, Kryten will be back! He's off being a rebel! He's probably in the lower decks somewhere!!
He’s perusing the backlog of the vacuum cleaner catalog, he’ll be …indisposed… for a while ;)
Have you both encountered a certain grilled-bread-product device with an obsession for wheat and wheat-by-products yet?
Aaaaaaand now I really want to see the boys from the Dwarf rock up on the Cerritos.
You have to wonder what sort of mind could a) think of the phrase, the b) come up with a valid reason to use the phrase, being ,"rubber nuclear warheads". The gestalt entity that was Grant Naylor (for the writers Rob Grant and Doug Naylor), must have been absolutely bonkers during the late 80's/early 90's.
They were sketch writers for Radio (& TV) in the Early 80's- Red Dwarf is in itself an adaption of Son of Cliché. Occasions like this show that.
@@AlmightyCRJI herd some of that. They wrote Holly's joke about the sausage covering 7/8 of the planet and Lister owning all the money for that show.
"Poor Rimmer..." Yes, it doesn't take long to go from loathing Rimmer in the very first episode to sympathising with him. He may be a smeghead, but he's also a victim of his own life and nobody hates him as much as he hates himself. He's a tragic figure.
yh but he does turn into ace rimmer lol
Didn't expect such a quick turn around
I liked how BTL was covered in the books, Listers humble dream and Rimmer's utter self loathing/ego maniac were brilliant coupled with the effects on the body which you came to on your comments
Great surprise to see you back again gals . Stick with the Dwarf and you won't forget Kryten again . This series was where they really started to branch out and it was another insight into Rimmers mindset , one where you actually felt sorry for him . The larger picture format is definitely better imho.
Series 1 & 2 are really good but series 3 to 6 are maybe the best sci-fi comedy writing ever put to screen. You're in for a treat :)
even though I'm a huge doctor who fan... I found you BECAUSE of Red Dwarf because the reactions are so much harder to find. This is a gem!
Kryten had left Red Dwarf on Listers space bike. He'll show back up in season 03.
The creators wanted to introduce a robot character to the show as a regular. So the episode Kryten was to test the waters for bringing that character into the main cast.
Can you imagine series 1 Lister and Rimmer playing a game like this together? Or showing sympathy for each other? Or for that matter ever ending on an episode with the thought "poor Rimmer".... Character development
I LOVE THIS EPISODE!!! I think it was the basis for the first Red Dwarf novelization. The scene with the reverse mermaid and Cat's reaction is unforgettable! We also get more depth into why Rimmer is the way he is. Just so you know, no Kryten until season 3!! It might be that the next episode's start is my all-time favorite!
When I saw you for the first time (first time)...
...
...I'll stop there, because spoilers.
@@quasarsphere Don't get tongue tied!
@@Skeezer66 Noobidydoo!
The writers made a decision early on not to have aliens in their show. So with limitations on what to explore externally, they focused internally on the psyches of the characters. I believe Rob Grant, who studied psychology, was the driving force behind this. And we’ve already started to see glimpses of how psychology can be heightened into humour through the lens of science fiction with episodes like Better Than Life, Me2 and Confidence and Paranoia. This trend gets better and better and better from here until Rob Grant leaves the show.
Here is a little fun fact: Holly frequently says "Gordon Bennet", which is a polite way of saying God Blind me , which we also shorten to Blimey.
No way! Two RD episodes in a week, you ladies are spoiling us, thank you!!! 😃😃😃❤️
Great episode, always felt it was a shame they skipped a part of the story from the book. Involving the inland revenue, a lightbulb left on and listers bank account. this then leads to other charecters that come in later.
Wow! A double Red Dwarf treat for Friday! Thank you so much! 😆👍
"Weirdness" and "normalcy" are just social constructs. The reason I follow you two is that your dynamic closely matches my own. I grew up thriving in this geeky vibe. So, yeah, please stay as weird as you like.
Another Red Dwarf already?! Hell yeah! 😃
Loving these Red Dwarf watchalongs !
Remember that Kryten road off rebelling and Red Dwarf is basically the size of a city. Who knows when he'll be back ?
Glad you are loving RD. In the book Better than life they end up stuck and addicted to the game for a long time. Eventually Kryten goes into the game to get them all out and gets addicted by being stuck in an eternally dirty room that he keeps cleaning repeatedly.
You shunted this forward to exactly the right time for me, as I'm celebrating sorting out my back tax and getting a collection agency off my back! Cheers! (Though looking anxiously at the closet in case he pops out with a hammer.)
Always look forward to your Red Dwarf videos 🙂
Red Dwarf has officially begun! 😁
Loved your reaction to the mermaid! 😂😂😂
The writing and acting chops really step up this series.
Chris Barrie (Rimmer) is an amazing actor. You will see this as the show progresses. We haven't quite hit Star Trek The Warth of Khan level sh/t yet in this season, Gals. The best is yet to come and when you think it cant get better, it does! I love your channel. You both have great personalities, Keep going and we'll be watching. 🇬🇧🇺🇸
Not poor Rimmer, he poisoned the other guys game! So relatable now in 2023.
Better Than Life gets an entire book in the series of books the show's writers Grant & Naylor wrote. The theme is so much extended to illustrate how difficult it is for people to escape from playing Better Than Life, and to go more into depth about each of the characters' ideal worlds they wish they could live in. Don't worry though, they are sensible, Terry Pratchett sized books, not GRR Martin sized ones.
Can I just say, and I'm sure it's been mentioned countless times but I haven't looked through all the comments, but, I love your musical intro. It's so happy and great!
Ooh. Loving seeing Paula playing with the makeup. Kat is usually the one who does that.
the thing about are they dehydrating outside the game at about 11:00 is actually a plot point thats explored in the book of better than life (sequel to infinity welcomes careful drivers)
two episodes? Awesome. Always loved this episode and it's so true that a game that can read your mind could be the greatest nightmare ever
09:18 Actually no. The bike kept stalling all the time because Craig Charles didn't know how to drive it. And so the scene had to be edited.
I live for the mermaid joke.
OMG new episode so soon. Love it.
Trauma isn't the event, but the change in behaviour after the event has happened. You're absolutely right in that everyone has trauma, and about 70% it is complex trauma. People need to be able to recognise the changes in their behaviour because of the event and address it. Rather than let that change in character / or inner self, dictate their future relationships. On a more jovial note, glad you're doing the Red Dwarf series, as each episode starts to get better from here on in. You have a sweet friendship Paula and Kat, keep up the good work!
Oh my God this episode was the first to have me laughing nonstop on the floor, in stitches, especially when rimmer says, my brain has rebelled and doesn't accept nice things happening to me, LOLOLOLOL
You should totally check out the Red Dwarf Novels: ‘Infinity welcomes careful drivers’ ‘better than life’ and ‘The Last Human’. They really expand on some of these episodes, in fantastic ways. Especially the better than life segment, which is far more insidious…
what a treat! this is one of the best episodes early on in the series imo. There are many more episodes like this and i hope you do the whole thing because genuinely, it's such a better series in tv than people give it credit for
There was no Kryten, because at the end od S2E1 he rebelled, took Listers bike and left. When you start S3E1, there is a huge starwars type scroll, which goes at speed. If you pause and read it a bit at a time, all will become clear.
Why tell them stuff coming up mate, let them enjoy it for the first time
@@Call-Me-I fair enough. Just its very easy to post something that one doesn't think is spoilerish that you think is a small thing but actually can wreck the suprise of a moment in the future. I've done it a few times myself.
A lot of Red Dwarf episodes do just sort of _end_ without much catharsis. It's a very irreverent show, but you learn to roll with it
Red dwarf is brilliant and it gets better season on season
2 in a week…?! A welcome surprise!
This episode is one of the first instances of the "perfectly cut" memes I can recall.
The very end of the episode cuts to still-frame the very second the hammer falls on Rimmer's finger, complete with a crunchy 'splut' sound.
True history!
Hi Gallifrey Gals. Hope you keep the Red Dwarf reactions coming quickly.. lots of great moments to get through 😁
They got an entire novels worth of material out of the premise of Better than Life, and it's a real fun book
This episode was later revisited as an entire novel. I haven't read it since the 90's, but from what I recall the game is highly addictive, much like the VR game in Star Trek: TNG.
So glad you enjoyed this episode.
Realise from my original viewing of this, and rewatches since, that this is the turning point of Red Dwarf where it’s all gold from here on out for me. Enjoy!
Testament to how strong the writing was this series that you came in looking forward to Kryten and didn't notice his absence till the episode had finished
If there's one good thing to come out of this misadventure, it's that the Cat finally got his end away.
I want to see you guys dress as Red Dwarf characters for Halloween.
Ohhh I wasn't expecting a new Red Dwarf reaction, kick ass looks and an amazing mug!
The Red Dwarf Audio Book, Better Than Life expands on the concept of this episode rather well, and shows what can happen if someone remains in that game for too long (and explains why the game was quickly outlawed after its release). In the RD universe, Better than Life was actually considered extremely dangerous because once you were in the game, you forgot you were in it, and couldn't be pulled out without getting killed, you had to leave under your own free will, and no-one ever wants to leave their perfect fantasy.
Kryten comes back as a main character from season 3 onwards.
But with a different actor, I think.
@@Griexxt You are correct. Robert Llewellyn takes over the role, and makes it HIS role :)
You are spoiling us with 2 Red Dwarf episodes in a week! This was such an interesting concept that when I read the novel by the same name it shocked me to find out just how addictive it was. The game probes your subconscious so that's what happened to Rimmer. It also conceals itself which makes it near impossible to even leave.
callback to Series 1 Future Echoes, as we see that Groovy Channel 27 does indeed have a hologram newsreader.
glad you got a kick out of the first reveal that Rimmer's middle name is Judas.
Anyway, as I've mentioned before, Red Dwarf starts out as "The Odd Couple in space" and slowly becomes more like a Ridiculous Star Trek and this episode is the beginning of that. You'll notice this and several other episodes have very close parallels to episodes of Star Trek TNG (which was on the air at the same time). Patrick Stewart noticed, too, and was about to call his lawyer until he started laughing at how funny Red Dwarf is.
Better Than Life (a bit darker in the novels) isn't the first or last time sci-fi would take on the idea of a paradise trap, even in VR/Video Game form. But every game has it's bugs and exploits, and I've always adored Red Dwarf's solution of having Rimmer's self-loathing break the game and provide the escape.
Glad you double-dipped this week because I was really looking forward to you two getting to this episode in particular.
The episode that made an entire book. God I love S2