# Let's talk about Red Dwarf **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 6, 2005, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-red-dwarf/297983 "2005-04-06T03:13:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Silentgoldfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@Silentgoldfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silentgoldfish)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-red-dwarf/297983/21 "2005-04-06T11:48:56Z")
> [@C K Dexter Haven](#): > > I have to say that I thought the first two seasons were the best. Me too! I think that makes two of us. ---
**Author:** ![Meeko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Meeko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meeko)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-red-dwarf/297983/22 "2005-04-06T11:49:04Z")
I got the first season. I’ve seen the first two (of 6 eps) only from it. Gotta treat it like fine wine. I’ve seen a few later eps on PBS as well. I LOVED the scene where Lister is looking for food aboard the ship. He searches and searches and finally finds a can of dog food. He opens it up and enjoys the contents. “Now I know why dogs lick their testicles!!” But of course, its said with his accent, in a way only Lister can say it. ---
**Author:** ![Meeko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Meeko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meeko)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-red-dwarf/297983/23 "2005-04-06T11:55:35Z")
Also “Future Echoes” Was GREAT. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-red-dwarf/297983/24 "2005-04-06T12:12:43Z")
Favourite character: Kryten - easily the most interesting and diverse character - in the screenplay, that is. Lister comes across as best/most interesting in the books, I think. Favourite episode: probably something from the first series - Future Echoes maybe. Favourite joke/dialogue: - too many to choose from - probably one of Kryten’s comeback lines, like: **Cat:** What are we waiting for, why don’t we raise the defensive shields? **Kryten:** An excellent plan, sir, with only two minor drawbacks: One, we don’t have any defensive shields and two, we don’t have any defensive shields. Now I know technically speaking that’s only one drawback, but I thought it was such a big one, it was worth mentioning twice. or **Rimmer:** Step up to red alert! **Kryten:** Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-red-dwarf/297983/25 "2005-04-06T12:37:38Z")
Favorite character is Dave Lister. The funniest. Favorite episode: Parallel Universe Favorite line: “Gazpacho soup.” Favorite in-joke: Kryten’s name. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone commenting on it. It comes from the J.M. Barrie play “The Admirable Crighton” (Crighton pronounced “kryten”). Crichton is the perfect butler who turns out to be more competent than the upper class people he works for when they are all stranded on a desert island. IIRC, Kryten was first found stranded on a planet. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-red-dwarf/297983/26 "2005-04-06T12:41:07Z")
> [@lee](#): > > My favorite character is Talkie Toaster. > > Talkie Toaster: It just strikes me that there might be something more, something greater, something unimaginably more splendid than heating bread. > > This thought helped me to get my college degrees. If you liked Talkie, make sure to read Red Dwarf: Better Than Life. Talkie plays a much bigger part and is quite hilarious. And heroic. -Joe ---
**Author:** ![Walker\_in\_Eternity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/46a35a/32.png) [@Walker\_in\_Eternity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walker_in_Eternity)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-red-dwarf/297983/27 "2005-04-06T13:29:52Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Favourite joke/dialogue: - too many to choose from - probably one of Kryten’s comeback lines, like: > **Cat:** What are we waiting for, why don’t we raise the defensive shields? > **Kryten:** An excellent plan, sir, with only two minor drawbacks: One, we don’t have any defensive shields and two, we don’t have any defensive shields. Now I know technically speaking that’s only one drawback, but I thought it was such a big one, it was worth mentioning twice. > > or > > **Rimmer:** Step up to red alert! > **Kryten:** Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb. You beat me to it, that’s my favourite quote too. Favourite character probably Lister for keeping his trainers in the fridge and a steady diet of curry and lager. ---
**Author:** ![the\_Lady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bb73d2/32.png) [@the\_Lady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_Lady)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-red-dwarf/297983/28 "2005-04-06T13:32:00Z")
Oh how I love Red Dwarf. I too encountered it when I was young and impressionable. I managed to tape every episode, although not in the correct order, and have been thrilled to be able to get them on DVD. My very favorite episode is Quarantine. Favorite quote? Hmmm - that’s a tough one. “Drop dead Rimmer” “Already have done” “Encore” is worth mentioning simply because of the timing… I didn’t like the later seasons as much, and I really don’t like the new Kochanski. ---
**Author:** ![Trion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Trion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trion)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-red-dwarf/297983/29 "2005-04-06T13:42:23Z")
Guys! Stop reminding me! Seasons 5 and 6 came out last month and I don’t have the money! In my opinion quality remains high through season 5. That’s when I think it has the best box of comedy and actual science fiction. I can’t fault those who like the early seasons better. At that point the focus is heavier on comedy and characterization. Different strokes. Things begin to suffer in season 6. Excuse me whil I go count my pennies. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-red-dwarf/297983/30 "2005-04-06T13:50:39Z")
> [@Trion](#): > > Excuse me whil I go count my pennies. You want to know what that line looks like, pre-caffeine? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Trion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Trion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trion)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-red-dwarf/297983/31 "2005-04-06T13:56:13Z")
**Johnny** , I’m going to assume that you put the missing “e” on “while” and that you did not, in fact, see the word “penis.” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/838e76/32.png) [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_And_Only_Wanderers)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-red-dwarf/297983/32 "2005-04-06T15:34:18Z")
And of course there were numerous occasions where Rimmer would quote some space corp directive number to back whatever cowardly position he was taking at the time, and Kryten would respond with gems such as One-seven-four-two? ‘No member of the Corps should ever report for active duty in a ginger toupee’? or One-Nine-Six-One-Five-Six? Any officer caught sniffing the saddle of the excercise bicycle in the women’s gym will be discharged without trial. ---
**Author:** ![Weaver\_of\_Nightmares](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/73ab20/32.png) [@Weaver\_of\_Nightmares](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weaver_of_Nightmares)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-red-dwarf/297983/33 "2005-04-06T15:48:46Z")
Lister, hands down. And later Ace Rimmer. ‘Smoke me a kipper, Skipper, I’ll be back for breakfast.’ Favourite episode: the one where Ace first shows up, along with one of my favourite quotes (not spoken, but on-screen at the end of this episode): ‘In all the worlds he went to, he never met a Rimmer as pathetic as this one.’ [Heavily paraphrased, it’s been a while since I last saw it.] ---
**Author:** ![JSexton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@JSexton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JSexton)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-red-dwarf/297983/34 "2005-04-06T15:52:11Z")
Mangetout referenced the line I was going to mention, so I’ll go with: Lister: “These aren’t my shorts! These…bend.” Although I think Kryten gets the best lines overall. Or possibly Norman Lovett’s Holly. I like my humor dry enough to suck the very moisture out of the air. ---
**Author:** ![Legolamb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4491bb/32.png) [@Legolamb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Legolamb)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-red-dwarf/297983/35 "2005-04-06T16:15:56Z")
> [@the Lady](#): > > I didn’t like the later seasons as much, and I really don’t like the new Kochanski. I’m with you there. Not only was Clare Grogan (the original KK) a better actor, she was absolutely gorgeous too. Chloe Annette is just… meh. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-red-dwarf/297983/36 "2005-04-06T17:12:53Z")
One of the funniest gags in the series – Cat walking through the ship with a spray can, spritzing objects and saying “This is mine”, “This is mine”, “This is mine”. One of my favorite episodes is the one where Rimmer ends up on a planet of Rimmer clones. At the beginning of the episode, Kryten has given him a set of large metal worry beads to shake to reduce stress. (“Are you still holding your beads, Sir? Start shaking them for all you’re worth.”) At the end of the episode, they are worn down to tiny ball bearings. The last few seasons were a bit disappointing, but I’m still sad that the movie doesn’t seem to be coming out. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-red-dwarf/297983/37 "2005-04-06T17:13:27Z")
I can’t believe that no one has picked Holly as their favorite character. “Still, you have to laugh.” ---
**Author:** ![Monstre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@Monstre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monstre)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-red-dwarf/297983/38 "2005-04-06T17:15:50Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > If you liked Talkie, make sure to read Red Dwarf: Better Than Life. Talkie plays a much bigger part and is quite hilarious. > > And heroic. I have only seen a couple episodes from the actual show (just recently gotten into it), but I just finished that book last night. (of course, having read “Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers” first). So I’m recognizing a lot of the lines here from the two books. Now I **must** go watch the series itself. 🙂 You’re right – Talkie is quite fun in the book. ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-red-dwarf/297983/39 "2005-04-06T17:51:15Z")
Favorite character; Kryters fav. ep. a tie between Polymorph and Backwards quotes, oh there’s so many… Cat- is that what i think it is? Lister- why, what do you think it is? C- an orange whirly thing in space! Kryten’s whole sequence in Polymorph when he lost his guilt was a riot Rimmer - there’s a pot noodle, oh and i found a tin of dogfood in the cupboard L - well, i know what gets eaten last…i can’t _STAND_ pot noodles ---
**Author:** ![NoPretentiousCodename](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/82dd89/32.png) [@NoPretentiousCodename](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoPretentiousCodename)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-red-dwarf/297983/40 "2005-04-06T18:01:30Z")
> [@Weaver of Nightmares](#): > > Lister, hands down. And later Ace Rimmer. > > ‘Smoke me a kipper, Skipper, I’ll be back for breakfast.’ Stroke me a clipper, I’ll be home for Christmas! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-red-dwarf/297983.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-red-dwarf/297983.md?page=3)