Customer Reviews
Red Dwarf - By: Vicky Welsby, 31 Aug 2008 
At long last, the BBC has seen fit to treat one of its very best with the respect it deserves. Plenty of extras, out-takes, documentries, the lot. Red Dwarf is definitely one of the best comadies ever. The concept of the series is hillarious in itself - Dave Lister (Craig Charles), the last man left in the universe, stranded 3 million years into deep space, accompanied by a hologram simulation of his dead bunk mate Arnold J Rimmer (Chris Barrie), who he hates with a passion, a creature who evolved from his cat (Danny John Jules) on a mining ship piloted by a senile computer, Holly (in this series, played by Norman Lovett).
The first couple of series were made on the cheap in Manchester with grey sets & not much in the way of special effects. The writers, apparently, wanted experienced actors for the series & eventuallly ended up with a poet, an impressionist, a dancer & a stand-up comic, none of whom had done much, if anything, in the way of acting.
Some people say this is one of the poorer series but, for me, it's one of the best, I was hooked from day one & it's as funny now, 20 years on, as it was then. There are some classic lines in this series, my personal favourite is hollys "April fool" on Lister when he tells him that Norweb Electricity are coming after him because he "left a light on in the bathroom". Classic.
The first (and best) Red Dwarf series - By: M. Evans, 12 Mar 2008 I think this first series of Red Dwarf is the best. The characters are more interesting & the jokes less juveniile & repetetive than they would become in later series. There are some reallly imaginative & well thought-out storylines & the emphasis on character-based situations makes for a more satisfying show than the frantic, comic runarounds of later series. Lister's plight is much better presented here & Rimmer has a nastier but also tragic edge to him. I actuallly quite like the dull grey sets too as it adds to the melancholy tone of the show. I think the show deteriorated after the second season when it was revamped to be glossier & more action-oriented. You also get a feeling of progression throughout the first two series, & it's the focus on the characters rather than the jokes & stories which makes this first series such a winner.
Great series - By: SHANN, 19 Nov 2007 The first series always have a lasting magic & this is certainly true of Red Dwarf. The fact that the DVD version is not loaded with the very poorly done CGI that was applied after is great. The chemistry between the characters is there from the off, casting superb, special effects are creative & low budget (but its the low budget that brings out the best). Everything about Red Dwarf series one oozes creative & writing genius. Such a great cult series & a must for any brit com lovers DVD collection. Buy it.
The first series is one of the best - By: Reaper, 25 Oct 2007 I have a very high opinion of the first two series. Both have hilarious bunkroom scenes & Holly is seen as a character rather than someone in the background because he/she was replaced by Kryten.
The End:
A humourous pilot & the writers ingeniously create the relationship between Rimmer & Lister is just under thirty minutes & commence explanations on holograms & Cadamin II. 4.5/5
Future Echoes:
The only real 'sci-fi' plot of the first series is a great start to long line of similarly filmed stories. There are a few mysteries in this episode & one neatly links to the conclusion of Series Two. 5/5
Balance of Power:
Rimmer is a complete smeg head in this episode & when he looks down hologrammatic Kochanski's blouse you connect with Lister & agree Rimmer is at his most hateful in this ep. Fortunately his character is lightened towards the end of this series. 3.5/5
Waiting for God:
I am not entirely keen on this episode & I feel it is the weakest of this series. The Cat Priest is too shalllow & we do not know enough about him when he dies to feel sympathy for him when he finallly dies. The backstory with Rimmer & the 'Quaagers' is worth the rating I am going to give it. 2.5/5
Confidence & Paranoia:
This is not a fan favourite but I feel fondly of it & is my fifth favourite episode throughout. Rimmer is somewhat caring in this episode that is until the end... There is also the first villain of the series here- Confidence. It may be argued whether he is a villain or not but he does try to kill Lister on the cat walk by trying to take his helmet off. 5/5
Me2:
This & the previous episode could be a two-parter as it carries on where the 'Confidence' episode left off with two Rimmers.
Overalll I am a big fan of this series but I believe the second series is better by a 'gnat's wing' as Rimmer would say.
Excellent show - By: Lancebastion, 20 Aug 2007 
Red Dwarf is British Sci-fi at it's best. The six shows from series 1 set up the series to gain cult status.
Though the sets are ropey & the stories less extravagent compared to later seasons, the shows are just as funny. Series 1 features, the cat, Lister, Rimmer & Holy (in Norman Lovett) form. Kryten appears properly in season 3 & changes the dynamic.
If you've never seen Red Dwarf I highly recommend it. The shows are great, the cast commentary is great. The only reason I give it 4* instead of 5* are the extras aren't quite up to later series. Don't let that put you off purchasing though.
