I sort of dipped into this, but wasn't the plot very similar to the League of Gents film?
Red Dwarf - Back To Earth Page 7
It was in parts, yes.
Quote: Maurice Minor @ April 12 2009, 10:35 PM BSTI sort of dipped into this, but wasn't the plot very similar to the League of Gents film?
With a twist, albeit one which it was difficult not to see coming. And in fairness to Doug Naylor he probably wrote the script years ago.
It wasn't great but it was a hell of a lot better than Red Dwarf VII.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ April 12 2009, 10:00 PM BSTYay, it wasn't real! Really glad they did have that twist, as I'd hoped, as otherwise it would have been a terrible idea. I really enjoyed that last episode, in fact it's slightly coloured my recollection of the first two, making the whole thing seem really good. It definitely, definitely would have worked better as one long episode, but I suppose Dave wants as much as it can get for its money.
I can't wait to watch the whole thing as one intact piece. Yes, it wasn't really funny enough as a whole, but I can't help but feel really happy with it. It was good to see Kochanski too. I'm sure if they got in another writer or two to help out, a new run could be a good idea.It's left me feeling a little elated watching that actually, I think that third episode really paid off and lifted the piece.
What he said.
Quote: Timbo @ April 12 2009, 10:41 PM BSTWith a twist, albeit one which it was difficult not to see coming. And in fairness to Doug Naylor he probably wrote the script years ago.
I doubt Doug did write it years ago. The reason it ran to 3 parts is because Doug was still writing bits after it was commissioned.
Quote: Nick @ April 12 2009, 10:54 PM BSTI doubt Doug did write it years ago. The reason it ran to 3 parts is because Doug was still writing bits after it was commissioned.
First name terms, hey?
Quote: LIME5000 @ April 12 2009, 10:08 PM BSTThe only joke was that there were no jokes.
Well be fair, there were some jokes, but obviously none of them tickled you. A lot of them were decidedly ropey, sure.
In fact, I think the whole thing could probably have been cut back to one normal episodes length and have actually worked really well.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ April 12 2009, 11:05 PM BSTIn fact, I think the whole thing could probably have been cut back to one normal episodes length and have actually worked really well.
I agree. It could have been a great 30 min ep. What's one of the things 'they' say about writing? Kill your babies.
Maybe Doug baby (nick name terms) possibly had a bit too much control on these eps. If he'd handed over director duties to someone else it may have worked better. Just a thought. And a crazy one at that!
The Blade Runner references were great to watch but could have been ruthlessly cut. The whole bit with them running through the glass really didn't add much to the plot and wasn't all that funny.
The ratings have been pretty good though so we could be in for some more Dwarfs, which would be great.
At the start of ep 2 I thought: Oh this is like the league of gents film...
Which later turned into... actually, now I think about it, the league of gents ripped off Blade Runner.
which resolved as... I love Red Dwarf.... this could run for ever..
IMHO:
I was a bit freaked out by the lack of laughter track at first, but got used to it. Ep 1 felt like classic Red Dwarf, Ep 2 was easily the funniest, but Ep 3 left me wanting more.
In summary: near perfect television.
What were the viewing figures?
The viewing figures for the first ep were 2.2m or there abouts. For the second ep they'd dropped to 970k or something like that though. Obviously we will have to see for this ep.
I found the entire trilogy deeply disappointing. This ep had no decent jokes whatsoever and several had me cringing. The plot was just a mixture of Back to Reality and Blade Runner (pointlessly) and there were so many old jokes used it was untrue. Nearly all were much funnier in other shows.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ April 12 2009, 11:05 PM BSTWell be fair, there were some jokes, but obviously none of them tickled you. A lot of them were decidedly ropey, sure.
When you say "jokes" are you talking about things which make people laugh??
Certainly entertaining, but somewhat light on the humour. However, it was nice to see it all finishing up nicely - even though they still did not reveal the truth about Series IX.
Quote: LIME5000 @ April 13 2009, 12:43 AM BSTWhen you say "jokes" are you talking about things which make people laugh??
Doesn't have to make people laugh though to be classed as a joke! 
Maybe there were a lot of bad jokes, but they were still jokes!
Not many laugh out loud moments, but a few smiles. I particularly liked Lister and Kryten crashing through the reality jump as the Cat lands elegantly on his feet, Rimmer disposing of the hologirl and Lister's disdain for Craig Charles. Some of the dramatic stuff was also handled well, such as Lister's self-revelation. Lots of laugh free longeurs though - WTF was the shoot out about?
Quote: Timbo @ April 13 2009, 11:06 AM BSTLots of laugh free longeurs though - WTF was the shoot out about?
There was basically pages and pages of padding; it would have made a great and tight standard length episode. Though perhaps Dave wanted as much as they could get, but couldn't actually afford three different episodes, so allowed Doug Naylor to stretch as much as he wanted.