Red Dwarf: The Revival. Was it worth the wait?

10 years ago I watched along with another 8 million people what turned out to be the last proper series of Red Dwarf. Some saw it as going beyond its best, while others liked the new direction the show took. A lot of diehard fans disliked Series 7 and 8. I generally enjoyed them and although I know that these later episodes were not the best, they still had their value and I enjoyed them without any real hatred towards them. For many fans, news that Red Dwarf would be returning to our screens this Easter might have been a double edged sword. Should they have been concerned?

Now that the three part special is over, I ask myself was it worth the wait? You are safe to read this without worry of spoilers, as the new three part special works one story across all three episodes any knowledge would spoil the entire plot. Overall I enjoyed the new episodes, with the second episode being my personal favourite. The second episode in particular managed to work classic Red Dwarf moments into a slightly modernised and fresh take, with a story line you can safely say hasn’t been touched upon previously. The specials do manage to tie up a few loose ends and although a complete story in itself, does leave us with a hint that more episodes may follow in the future.

From what I have seen over the last three days, I would welcome the show back with open arms. In the last ten years there hasn’t been a single comedy that I can truly say holds lasting or warm memories in my heart like Red Dwarf did or continues to do so to this day. There isn’t any other show that I can quote so many varied lines from that people will recognise instantly. So I feel a bit bemused by the article that The Times Online published suggesting that anyone who followed Red Dwarf in its heyday was treated like some kind of social leper. Maybe in your circles Mr Times Online man, but certainly not in any circles I have ever been within.

I am satisfied that the Red Dwarf specials were a successful venture and for anyone who managed to miss them you can catch them tomorrow from 9pm on Dave back to back. I leave you with an observation. If Rimmer was human at the end of Series 8, while considering that Series 8 didn't really have an ending to it, that this starts by suggesting it is 9 years later, why the hell is Rimmer a hologram again? I presume he died again over the last 9 years. That said continuity has never really been a strong point of Red Dwarf. Just a thought, maybe you'll have an answer.