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Red Dwarf: Series 2 [1988]

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The second series of Red Dwarf is, as Danny John-Jules says in the accompanying DVD commentary, "the one where it really went good". First broadcast in the autumn of 1988, these six episodes showcase Rob Grant and Doug Naylor's sardonic, sarcastic humour to perfection. The writing has matured, no longer focussing solely on SF in-jokes and gags about bodily functions, instead allowing the humour to develop from the characters and their sometimes surprisingly poignant interactions: Lister's timeless love for Kochanksi, for example, or Rimmer's brief memory-implanted love for one of Lister's ex-girlfriends. The cast had gelled, too, and there's even more colour this year as the drab sets are spiced up, a little more money has been assigned to models and special effects, and the crew even go on location once in a while.

"Kryten" introduces us to the eponymous house robot (here played by David Ross), although after this first episode he was not to reappear until Series 3, when Robert Llewellyn made the role his own. Then in "Better Than Life" the show produced one of its all-time classic episodes, as the boys from the Dwarf take part in a virtual reality game that's ruined by Rimmer's tortured psyche. Other highlights include "Queeg", in which Holly is replaced by a domineering computer personality, the baffling time travel paradox of "Stasis Leak", the puzzling conundrum of "Thanks for the Memory", and the astonishingly feminine "Parallel Universe".

On the DVD: Red Dwarf, Series 2 has another chaotic and undisciplined group commentary from the cast, all clearly enjoying the opportunity to reminisce. The second disc has a host of fun extras, including an "A-Z of Red Dwarf", outtakes, deleted scenes, a Doug Naylor interview, model shots, and the full, unexpurgated "Tongue Tied" music video. As with the first set, the animated menus are great fun and the "Play All" facility is the most useful little flashing button ever created. --Mark Walker

A truly excellent series.
Review date: 2008-01-20 Rating: 10 out of 10

Some situation comedies live or die by their inventiveness ... and Red Dwarf is certainly one such.

The problem with many is that the inventiveness "fails" as one series becomes two, then three, then five, etc. With Red Dwarf this simply doesn't happen. I have got eight series of this sitcom on DVD (and this review applies to, and will be submitted on, all eight) and the eigth is every bit as superb as the first.

I unhesitatingly recommend Red Dwarf to all.

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Reviews

Perfection in one small package
Review date: 2007-10-25 Rating: 10 out of 10

Series Two is certainly my second favourite series (after Five) as it hosts one classic episode after another with 'Stasis Leak' being the weakest in this series. This is still heads and shoulders above any other episodes from Series Seven though.

Kryten:

The first apperance by that mechanoid; but he is not as we know him from Series Three onwards. The first apperance of Blue Midget. Am I the only one who prefers this to Starbug? 4/5

Better Than Life:

A bizarre episode. One second it is a pathos episode with the death of Rimmer's father annocced (is that how you spell it?) and then it is the comforts of the Total Immersion Video Game. 4.2/5

Thanks for the Memory:

Perfection is one word that sums this episode up. In fact it is this episode and 'Queeg' which give Series Two a popular status among fans. Another pathos episode and Rimmer is seen as a 'little lamb lost in the wood' and Lister is seen as a really nice guy. It is ironic that this time last series (Balance of Power) Rimmer was detestable. My third favourite episode of Red Dwarf. 5/5

Stasis Leak:

A strange episode as Lister is prepared to die just for three weeks with Kochanski, in the nuclear holocaust. It is strange with the future Lister. As the timeline being radically changed between Two and Eight, it is unlikely Lister will end up as the Lister seen here who has married Kochanski. 3.5/10

Queeg:

A fan favourite and Holly is at his peak. I do not want to spoil it for people who have not seen this but the threat that is Queeg is a little closer to home. Not much more to say about the classic episode... 5/5

Parallel Universe:

The 'party' episode of the series and is still strong. The central characters' female selves are wonderfully portrayed yet the Dog seems superfluous. It is a shame the writers did not develop the cliff hanger seen at the end but it tie up 'Future Echoes.' 5/5 without mentioning the Tounge Tied song.

Overall, this series takes the stronger and weaker points of the first series and improves on them wildly creating a worth while three hours.

...And I love you, Lisa!
Review date: 2007-03-29 Rating: 10 out of 10

Series 2 of the terrific comedy that is 'Red Dwarf' improves and expands from the foundations neatly laid out in Series 1. 'Red Dwarf 1' is great but I reckon 2 is even better, as Grant/Naylor develop the characters further, providing insights of surprising poignancy. This particularly applies to Rimmer (the brilliant Chris Barrie) whose neuroses are detailed with an expert mix of comedy and pathos. Check out 'Thanks For The Memory' which best illustrates this and I think is one of the most underrated episodes of this show ever.

This all proves how 'Red Dwarf' is far more daring and complex than the average sit-com and the line-up of episodes in this series are a prime example of the show at the top of its game. 'Stasis Leak' is among my favourites (just think of the scenes where Rimmer is trying to convince his past self that he will be dead in 3 million years, unless he does something about it) and of course we all love 'Better Than Life'! We are even introduced to Kryten for the first time and David Ross is interesting in the role. But Rob Llewellyn made the character his own and, frankly, it doesn't feel right to see anyone else playing him.

This is not a grumble though- this series is a cracker and probably up there with 3 and 4 as my favourite overall. Innovative storylines, detailed characterisation and, naturally, great jokes make this a classic of the genre that will always garner a strong following.

The Second Series of Red Dwarf
Review date: 2006-07-17 Rating: 10 out of 10

The second series is better than the first. This series features more props and introduces Kryten. Kryten unfortunately appeared just the once, only intended as a one off character. However he proved popular with the audience and returned in series III as a full-time character. However in series III onwards he was played by Robert LLewelyn, but played by David Ross in this series.

Holly's face is an improvement in this series also, as his face is a lot clearer than it was in series I. Also the background has been changed from blue to black, and Holly is just as funny as ever in this series. Especially his way of forcing the Dwarfers to appreciate him in "Queeg". This series is also the first to introduce the space craft Blue Midget. The usual space craft Starbug doesn't appear in this series.

This stars the usual actors like Chris Barrie as the smeg head Rimmer (best character in my opinion), Craig Charles as the slob Lister, Danny John Jules as the self satisfied Cat and Norman Lovett as the stupid computer Holly. This series also features Tony Hawks ocassionally. He appears in "Better Than Life" for instance as the guide.

This also (temporarily) features the return of Captain Hollister played by Mac McDonald and Olaf Peterson played by Mark Williams and Kochanski played by Claire Grogan. One of the best things about this series is that it ends with the answer to the question that ended series 1's "Future Echoes", and the question was "how can Lister have 2 sons without a woman on board this ship?". The question is answered at the end of this series and believe me, Lister was right when he said "it's going to be a luagh finding out". How right he was, something Rimmer is quick enough to point out to him too. Here's what the episodes are (briefely) about...

Episode 1: Kryten - The crew recieve an SOS distress call from Kryten, and decide to rescue him, and the so called women survivours, they attempt to impress.

Episode 2: Better Than Life - The crew play an AR game programmed to make all players' desires and fantasies come true. This for some reason has the opposite effect on Rimmer.

Episode 3: Thanks for the Memory - The crew wake up one morning to find they have no recollection between then and 4 days ago. (I think it was 4 days, or it may have been 3 or 5. Ain't watched that episode in a while).

Episode 4: Stasis Leak - The crew find a way to travel 3,000,000 years back in time.

Episode 5: Queeg - Red Dwarf's back-up computer Queeg 500 takes over command on Red Dwarf, making everyone's lives much tougher than ever before.

Episode 6: Parallel Universe - Holly invents a device capable of transporting Red Dwarf to anywhere in the universe. When they attempt to do so, they wind up in a parallel universe, where they meet their female opposites (except for Cat, who's opposite is a dog).

Brilliant series well worth the buy and a must have for ALL Brittish comedy fans.

THIS IS THE BEST SERIES...BUT THE WORST DVD!!!
Review date: 2006-04-01 Rating: 10 out of 10

Without a doubt series two is the best series (although I prefer the re-mastered versions) this is CLASSIC Red Dwarf. When it was watched by people who, shock-horror wanted to watch a comedy and not moan about special effects/shooting in film/the shape of Red Dwarf (see series 6-8 reviews by "THE FANS")! The only let down with this amazing series is the DVD! Apart from the very interesting interview with writer Doug Naylor... er, that is about it! Could have done with some cast interviews! But, if you buy this, series three DVD will be better cos they will have a bigger budjet!

Product Details/Specifications

Actor(s):
Rob Grant
Chris Barrie
Doug Naylor
Craig Charles
Danny John-Jules

Director(s):

Recording label: 2 Entertain Video
Manufacturer: 2 Entertain Video
EAN: 5014503111823
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: Full Screen, PAL,
Release date: 2003-02-10
Number of discs: 2
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 180 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1989-03-29
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: Esperanto (Original Language)

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Red Dwarf: Series 2 [1988]

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