Red Dwarf created and written by Grant Naylor

Red Dwarf: The first and most brilliant comedy science-fiction sitcom in the known universe. Rob Grant and Doug Naylor, authors of Red Dwarf. Actors of Red Dwarf. The series and episodes of Red Dwarf: Series 1. Series 2. Series 3. Series 4. Series 5. Series 6. Series 7. Series 8. DVD highlights and DVD gems of Red Dwarf: Series 1 gems. Series 2 gems. Series 3 gems. Series 4 gems. Series 5 gems. Series 6 gems. Series 7 gems. Series 8 gems.

Authors

Rob Grant and Doug Naylor (under the collective name Grant Naylor) created Red Dwarf, wrote and produced Series 1 to 6, and wrote two of the Red Dwarf novels.

After Rob Grant resigned from Red Dwarf, Doug Naylor wrote and produced Series 7 and 8.

After the separation, Rob Grant and Doug Naylor wrote (one each) two more the Red Dwarf novels.

Actors

Actors	Characters
Chloe Annett (Series 7-8)	Kristine Kochanski
Chris Barrie	Arnold Rimmer
Craig Charles	Dave Lister
Danny John-Jules	The Cat
Hattie Hayridge (Series 3-5)	Holly
Norman Lovett (Series 1, 2, [7 very briefly], 8)	Holly
Robert Llewellyn (Series 2-8)	Kryten

Episodes

Series number and first broadcast on BBC	Episode	Comments
Series 1: Feb-March 1988	Series 1 gems on DVD set.	Excellent series. Introduction to the slobby Dave Lister, the ambitious failure Arnold Rimmer, the natty Cat, and the japing Holly.
	1. The End	Brilliant introduction to the main characters and the story's premise: the crew of the mining ship (The Dwarf) was killed by a radiation leak; Dave was preserved in stasis for 3 million years, and now Holly's mission is to wake up Dave and keep him alive ... hence Rimmer.
	2. Future Echoes	Holly judders the Red Dwarf into faster-than-light speed, and while he cannot sustain it, the future reaches Dave in unexpected ways. The Toaster begins a lively performance, showing that he is either the second or perhaps the most intelligent of the remaining consciousnesses on Red Dwarf. In what eventually appears in difference guise in series 8: Rimmer: You can't whack Death on the head. Lister: If he comes near me, I'm gonna rip his nipples off.
	3. Balance of Power	Lister's obsession with Kochanski develops. Holly explains why Rimmer is the single sustained hologram: "I brought Rimmer back because he was the best person to keep you alive." Favorite Rimmer quote: "Holly, this is not my breast."
	4. Waiting For God	Cat's spiffiness turns out to be a religious rebellion to the cult of Slobbiness. Favorite Lister quote: "I am not God. I've just been misquoted."
	5. Confidence and Paranoia	To our astonishment, Rimmer does his best to save Lister.
	6. Me2	Rimmer annoys the smeg out of Rimmer.
Series 2: Sept-Oct 1988	Series 2 gems on DVD set.	Even funnier situations and behaviors than series 1. Kryten becomes a crew member in this series. Also science fiction FX quotient increases.
	7. Kryten	Full belly laughs for Kryten.
	8. Better Than Life	Naturally it's the hologram (Rimmer) instead of the last living man (Lister) that has success with a woman. Until Rimmer sabotages the game.
	9. Thanks for the Memory	Terrific celebration of Arnold Rimmer's death, and a could-have-been-terrific memorable deathday present.
	10. Stasis Leak	Hilarious. One of the funniest episodes of all. The science is clever. Hollister (in a chicken suit) and some of other original crew are LOL hilarious. Also, Holly explains Stasis Leak: "It's a leak, right? In stasis."
	11. Queeg	Includes one to the most spectacular stunts from Craig we-do-our-own-stunts Charles. Holly explains: "We are talking jape of the decade."
	12. Parallel Universe	Brilliant exploration of sexual role reversal. Suzanne Bertish plays Ms. Rimmer and Angela Bruce plays Ms. Lister to perfection. Hattie Hayridge plays Hilly, the counterpart to Holly. Cat's counterpart is the most bizarre of all. And a great special opening of a dream sequence with Danny John-Jules showing his grace, energy, and flexible body (including tongue) in "Tongue Tied" (shown as a complete dance number in Series 2 gems on DVD set) with ample support from Chris and Craig.
Series 3: Nov-Dec 1989	Series 3 gems on DVD set.	Flashier, but less exciting SF than Series 2. The extra Series 3 gems on DVD set are terrific, though. Change of cast for Holly, with Kryten taking on part of Holly's role of explaining the science.
	13. Backwards	Clever idea, including the "bar-room tidy" and the reverse eating of an éclair.
	14. Marooned	A Rimmer-Lister two-hander; the all-time second favorite episode of Chris Barrie (Rimmer) and a favorite of Craig Charles (Lister), in large part because they were the whole show, snow-bound. But the show has little science fiction. Highlight: Rimmer does Shakespeare: the Richard III "Now" speech. Minor smeg-up: If Rimmer can't touch or be touched, how come he can smell burning camphor wood. But to smeg with consistency.
	15. Polymorph	Kryten's removal of Lister's shrunken underpants get the most hysterical audience laughter todate. Another show in which psychological defenses play a part. The polymorph is tracked by Holly to where it is: "Sleeping off a four-course meal of fear, vanity, guilt, and anger".
	16. Bodyswap	Rimmer persuades Lister to exchange bodies and pigs out.
	17. Timeslides	Lister tries to alter the timeline so that he is not marooned on Red Dwarf. At the end he is alive as a non-hologram ... but only for an instant.
	18. The Last Day	Kryten gets recalled, but is saved by a paradox.
Series 4: Feb-Mar 1991	Series 4 gems on DVD set.	Almost as good as series 2.
	19. Camille	Lister explains to Kryten how it can be noble to lie and how it is an important part of psychological defense. This sets us up for a GELF, who lies to everyone. Particular audience enthusiasm when we see who is Cat's true love. Excellent Casablanca-style ending.
	20. D.N.A.	Kryten becomes human and decides that he'd rather not.
	21. Justice	Fascinating idea of a Justice Field where it's impossible to commit any act of injustice. Lister, who has delighted in performing such acts, complains that removes free will. When Rimmer's "accident" catches up with him, Kryten is remarkable effective as Rimmer's lawyer.
	22. White Hole	Return of Talkie, the Toaster, with the highest I.Q. on board Red Dwarf. Excellent snooker shot by a jubilant Lister, "the Prince of the Plannet Potters".
	23. Dimension Jump	Ace Rimmer's first appearance, with alternate-reality roles for the other 4 core characters also. Not only does Ace crash across realities and into the gang, he (with a broken arm) and Lister perform brutal external repairs, he stitches up his own arm, and he leaves out of disgust for Rimsey. Excellent Hammond organ version of the Red Dwarf theme for the closing credits.
	24. Meltdown	Wax wars, in which Rimmer assumes field control of the Good Guys and devises a cunning plan for victory. Highlight is an excellent Elvis Presley impersonator plus a brilliant Presley version of the Red Dwarf theme for the closing credits.
Series 5: Feb-March 1992	Series 5 gems on DVD set.	Visually and dramatically impressive; but humor quotient falls back to series 3. But check out the SFX documentary in the Series 5 gems.
	25. Holoship	A dramatic episode rather than a funny one. Centers on Rimmer and the conflict of ambition and love. Beautiful visually, but talky and not enough jokes.
	26. The Inquisitor	Anyone that the Inquisitor thinks has led a worthless life must be replaced. Hence his visit to Red Dwarf.
	27. Terrorform	Highlights include Kryten's whistling while he salvages part of his hand and an eye to make a messenger; Lister and Cat keyboarding about the Taranshula nesting in Lister's joy department, the Handmaidens oiling Rimmer (source of vast fan mail for Chris Barrie), the group hug of Dwarf affection for Rimmer, and Rimmer's sword fighting.
	28. Quarantine	[First episode that Grant Naylor directed, taking over from Juliet May.] Many highlights, including Dr. Fuitloop, the Good Luck Serum, quarantine of three of the crew (who quarrel immediately), Rimmer's appearance in fetching red gingham and blond braids (plaits) accompanied by Mr. Fibble, and the consequent table-turning on Rimmer.
	29. Demons and Angels	Though this is Chris Barrie's least favorite episode (according to him on the cast commentary) it is remarkable: a erroneous Reverse button on a mal-repaired Triplicator provides not two of each but three of each character (themselves, their higher angel, and their lower demon).
	30. Back To Reality	One of Robert Llewellyn favorite episode (according to him on the cast commentary), with layers and layers of popping out of group hallucinations. The New Generation of Dwarfers arrives (probably inspired by the concurrent possibility of an American Dwarf program).
Series 6: Oct-Nov 1993	Series 6 gems on DVD set.	Like series 5, visually dramatic, but humor quotient falls back to series 3.
	31. Psirens	The usual suspect forgets where he parked Red Dwarf; so Hilly is out of contact (as well as Holly). Their mission is now to find Red Dwarf and THEN get back to earth. As usual, trouble happens, particular when it seems that, just for a moment, Lister actually can play guitar.
	32. Legion	Their 32th meeting with someone terrible. At least he converts Rimmer's light drive to have a Hard Light option so Rimmer can touch, eat, and make plans for Rachel. Once again, Kryten saves the boys, mainly by knocking them out, sometimes with success.
	33. Gunmen of the Apocalypse [ Emmy Award Winner ]	Brilliant concept and implementation. Includes immersion computer gaming in an Artificial Reality Unit and a battle with the ultimate computer virus. The Bug crash on a molten planet is the most dramatic of any episode. Yeeeee-aaaaaah!
	34. Emohawk: Polymorph II	Ace is back! As is the beloved Dwayne Dibbley. Good Bug crash too.
	35. Rimmerworld	Gorgeous explosion and Rimmer saves himself in a plundered pod from a terraforming ship. The Boyz from the Dwarf catch up to him after 600 ball-grinding years have elapsed for Rimmer but only hours for them. And what a shock to see what Rimmer had created.
Weakest episode ever.	36. Out of Time	A glimpse of their future selves.
Series 7: Jan-Mar 1997	Series 7 gems on DVD set.	Kochanski joins the crew and Rimmer gets promoted, snogged, and his very own personal theme song. Craig has said that this series is more of a: "comedy drama" than a "sit com", that it contains "some of our best work", and that (particularly in "Tikka to Ride") the "cross-over between the story telling and the comedy worked really well".
	37. Tikka to Ride	The shooter of the Grassy Noll is explained, Lister retrieve a lifetime of vindaloos, and Rimmer enjoys a long-planned jape.
	38. Stoke Me A Clipper	Lister plans to seduce the Queen of Camelot. Ace returns! And Rimmer finds a new career.
	39. OUROBOROS	The origin of Lister is explained. And Kochanski is now on board.
	40. Duct Soup	Oddly, this is Chloe Annett (Kristine Kochanski)'s favorite episode.
	41. Blue	The best episode ever: Lister truly misses Rimmer. Lister gets the kiss of his life. And Rimmer gives song to his essence.
	42. Beyond a Joke	Kryten gets pissed off and blows up Jane Austen world: about time too!
	43. Epideme	Chris Barrie (Rimmer) is gone. SIGH! Good science fiction but low on jokes.
	44. Nanarchy	Frozen corpse comes to life and infects Lister (continuation of previous episode).
Series 8: Feb-April 1999	Series 8 gems on DVD set.	The nanos have re-created the Red Dwarf in an even better form than before, complete with original crew. Rimmer and Lister are in their rightful place: Red Dwarfprison.
	45. Back in the Red, Part 1	Rimmer is again alive (rather than a hologram) and finds and makes valiant use of the Sex Appeal Virus.
	46. Back in the Red, Part 2	One of the most outrageous Rimmer salutes. Kryten diagnosed as a woman. Rimmer promotes GROPE: Get Rimmer Officerhood, Power, and Eminence.
	47. Back in the Red, Part 3	We find out why Rimmer was do angry with Lister back at the start of Part 1.
	48. Cassandra	Geraldine McEwan is gloriously predeterministic and regal as 'Cassandra'. Good episode both from character revelations and from exploration of free-will versus determinism.
	49. Krytie TV	Basically tacky with Kryten classified as a woman and then high-jacked (though he appears as a tycoon not a slave) to provide views of the women's prison shower room, etc.
	50. Pete I	Interesting basket-ball match aided by spiked refreshments. Spud duty with programmable viruses lead to a naked Lister and Rimmer (which was okay but might have been cuter when they were younger).
	51. Pete II: Captain's Office	Kryten becomes a real man at last.
	52. Only the Good

DVD

You deserve it: treat yourself to the whole series! Written by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor; produced and directed by Ed Bye. Series 1 gems. Written by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor; produced and directed by Ed Bye. Series 2 gems. Written by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor; produced by Rob Grant, Doug Naylor, and Ed Bye; directed by Ed Bye. Series 3 gems. Written by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor; produced by Rob Grant, Doug Naylor, and Ed Bye; directed by Ed Bye. Series 4 gems. Written by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor; produced by Hilary Bevan Jones; directed by Juliet May and Grant Naylor. Series 5 gems. Written by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor; produced by Justin Judd; directed by Andy de Emmony. Series 6 gems. Series 7 gems. Written by Rob Grant (with Paul Alexander on two); produced and directed by Ed Bye. Series 8 gems.

DVD gems

Particular Gems: Wonderful additions of smeg-ups, unbroadcast scenes, cast commentaries, etc. for each series, plus these:

Series 1 gems:

• Discussion by Rob Grant, Doug Naylor, and Ed Bye of the whole history of bringing Red Dwarf to TV.
• Discussion by cast, Doug Naylor, and others of the adventure of making Series 1.

Series 2 gems:

• The full-length version of the dream sequence with Danny John-Jules showing his grace, energy, and flexible body (including tongue) in "Tongue Tied", with energetic support from Chris and Craig.
• Red Dwarf A-Z. Highlights include:
  • Terry Pratchett praised Red Dwarf, adding "for me the all-time classic episode is Back to Reality".
  • Patrick Stewart comments on how he quickly realized that Red Dwarf was not a rip-off of Star Trek: The Next Generation: "within a few moments I had got what it was and was laughing all the time".
  • James O'Brien (columnist) says his favorite character is Kryten.
  • Garry Bushell (critic) exults in the idea of the last man alive being "a scuzzy space bum powered by beer and curry".
  • Stephen Hawking praises Red Dwarf that it "does not allow itself to be taken too seriously and does not try to be politically correct. This allows it to do stories and touch situations that Star Trek would never dare touch."
  • Paul Johnson, head of BBC entertainment, points out the difficulty of selling science fiction, and especially a science-fiction comedy sitcom.
• Interview with Doug Naylor on the making of Series 2.

Series 3 gems:

• Documentary of interviews with the five cast regulars, Doug Naylor, Ed Bye, and others on the making of Series 3 and its enhanced visual appearance over Series 1 and 2.
• A reverse version of the "Backwards" episode, so you can see what was filmed and hear what was said before it was reversed.

Series 4 gems:

• "Built to Last" documentary interviews the cast regulars, Doug Naylor, Ed Bye, and others on the making of Series 4 and the benefit of moving to Shepperton Studios from Manchester.
• "Ace Rimmer -- A Life in Lamé". Highlights of the braver Rimmer over the eight series.
• "Can't Smeg, Won't Smeg": cooking special with Ainsley.
• "Lurve": musical video of love samples.

Series 5:

• "Heavy Science" documentary interviews the cast regulars, Doug Naylor, Juliet May, and others on the making of Series 5.
• "The SFX of Red Dwarf V". A documentary by Mike Tucker. One of the best Dwarf gems.
• "Dwarfing in the USA": Rob Naylor and the UK Dwarfers reflect on the process and outcome of the two failed US Dwarf pilots.
• "Bad Guys": retrospective low lights of the scum that the Dwarfers met over the eight series.

Series 6:

• "Star Buggers" documentary interviews the cast regulars, Doug Naylor, and others on the making of Series 6.
• "Howard Goodall: Settling the Score". A documentary on the music of Red Dwarf.
• Interview with director Andy de Emmony.

Series 7:

• "Back from the Dead" documentary interviews include Paul Alexander, Kim Fuller (on "Blue"), Robert Llewellyn (on "Beyond a Joke"), and James Hendrie.
• Winning fan films.
• Robert Llewellyn video diary.
• "Burning rubber" featurette (Ed Bye).
• "How do they do that?", a terrific documentary on the FX.

Series 8:

• "The Tank" documentary.
• "Comedy Connections" Red Dwarf special.
• "Fight" featurette.
• "Back in the Red Extended": the 82-minute version, "as originally intended to be seen".
• "Pete": the full version, "as originally intended to be seen".

Books

The Red Dwarf novels are based on and expand on some background of the TV shows:

Red Dwarf: Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers	by Grant Naylor
Red Dwarf: Better Than Life	by Grant Naylor
Red Dwarf: Last Human	by Doug Naylor
Red Dwarf: Backwards	by Robert Grant

Books on Buddhism. Poetry - Learn How to Write Your Own. Forests of California and Trees of the World.

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