Red Dwarf XI: episode 2 - Samsara review

The latest episode of the sci-fi sitcom is a treat for fans of the original series, as well as dealing with what appears to be a major development in Series XI - the increasing prominence of The Cat (Danny John-Jules) as a major character.

This week in an autumn full of reunions and remakes we have another returning sitcom which has been running on and off for almost thirty years. I'm talking of course about Red Dwarf which returned to Dave after four years away for its eleventh series. Whilst I can't claim to be the biggest fan of Red Dwarf I did enjoy it in its early years on the BBC and also found the last series on Dave to be a real return to form. Therefore I was rather anticipating the start of series eleven however I have to say I was pretty disappointed by the results. It does appear that this time round the cast and creator Doug Naylor have a lot more money to play with which resulted in plenty of elaborate costumes, sets and special effects. However I found that these elements were exaggerated in favour of any of the wit or simple storytelling that provided the charm in series ten. The basic plot saw the crew of Starbug follow a gang of Simulants to Planet Earth of the 1950s in which all technology had been outlawed. The style of the world in which the quartet found themselves was similar to that of 1920s prohibition America with science and technology being outlawed to underground speakeasy-style clubs. A lot of the humour came with a visit to one of these clubs and a meeting with scientist/hooker Harmony de Gautier whose list of what she'll do for money was a gag-filled piece which didn't raise a chuckle from me at all. In fact I found myself sitting stony-faced throughout the piece which I found to be predictable, rushed and quite anticlimactic as the end came very suddenly. On the plus side I found the chemistry between Craig Charles, Chris Barrie, Robert Llewellyn and Danny John-Jules to be as spot on as ever. In fact I did appreciate the fact that they were on screen together for the majority of the episode and the early scene which reintroduced us to the characters was probably one of this instalment's best. However the opener of Red Dwarf XI couldn't help feeling like a cast reunion party where the actors looked to be having more fun than I did watching it. This is a shame as Red Dwarf can be a tremendously funny programme when it wants to be however judging by this first episode it looks like this new show will be one just for the fans who'll stick with the show regardless. But for casual viewers like myself there was nothing really to grab on to and I'm in two minds whether I'll stick with the rest of series eleven of a show which has lost a lot of what made the 2012 series on Dave so fun to watch.

Red Dwarf XI episode 2 review: Samsara

Samsara simultaneously harks back to classic Red Dwarf while trying something new, resulting in some outstanding comedy moments...

Everything to know about the six ages of Red Dwarf

It's been four years since the last new episode of sci-fi sitcom Red Dwarf graced our screens. Now it's back, with the first of two new series premiering on Dave on 22nd September. But those of you unfamiliar with this comedy gem (and there must be at least a couple of you) may wonder what all the fuss is about, and who are those strange middle-aged men hanging round in space? Well, now we can enlighten you...

The cult comedy returns for a new series, its 11th eleventh, but I do wish they'd just let it drift around in the nostalgic, starry ether where it belongs. Give us repeats, by all means, but an 11th series? It just seems like they're tampering with a good thing and might do it some damage. Nonetheless, the very existence of Red Dwarf raises questions about the BBC's comedy judgement. They revived so many old sitcoms recently, like Goodnight Sweetheart and Are You Being Served? but they didn't touch Red Dwarf. It doesn't deserve to be ignored and exiled to Dave.

Red Dwarf review

Red Dwarf was such a big part of my teenage years and influenced my taste in comedy (alongside Blackadder), so I'll watch every new series that comes along out of brand loyalty and nostalgia. But I've now made peace with the fact Red Dwarf will never be as good it once was, when its two creators worked in unison and the younger cast looked the part.

Red Dwarf XI, episode 1: Twentica - review

It has been a strong start to the series and hopefully the rest of Series XI will continue in the same vein.

Red Dwarf behind the scenes

A trip to outer space - or Pinewood Studios, whichever's closer.

Red Dwarf XI Episode 1 review

The boys from the Dwarf are back in this ambitious, enjoyable opener to the long-running sci-fi comedy's eleventh season.

Red Dwarf XI, episode one review

As always with Dwarf, the jokes are a mix of the smart and the dumb, with quips about quantum mechanics tempered with daft jokes about Kryten's nipple attachments of banter aimed at the uptight Rimmer. Odds are, you already know if you like the Dwarf brand of humour or not, and this is unlikely to change minds either way, but the pace of the narrative keeps things interested.