Back to Earth (Part One)

In the words of Public Enemy may I urge you, Don't Believe the Hype! Having been a fan of the old days (when Rob Grant collaborated) I was looking forward to this with a healthy dose of cynicism. Sadly, I wasn't proved wrong. It all seemed a bit tired - tired actors, tired scripts... The banter seemed strained and flowed about as much as my non-existent tears of laughter. The introduction of the nubile new hologram to add some interest was a bit embarrassing - it didn't work with Chloe Annett as Mk2 Christine Kochanski and doesn't work now as far as I'm concerned. I'm reserving judgement, however, at least until part two. This instalment left me a bit cold and instead of excitedly anticipating the next part I'm more inclined to dig out some DVDs and reminisce about the good old days!

Afficianados who attend conventions, call each other smegheads and think Kochanski is a cost-effective substitute for Viagra, may have been disappointed by this resurrection - aptly on screen at Easter. But after a slow start, with the arrival of the Russian Hologram and surrealistic twists and turns, I think we got our moneyworth.

Topical comments about the banks abounded, the aforesaid Ms Kochanski made an appearance towards the end and the aging performers gave it plenty of oomph. There's such a dearth of decent comedy on television, when vintage stuff like this materializes, it takes a while to acclimatise.

I think the metaphysical notion of searching for your maker to extend your life is entirely plausible. Had Luc Goddard directed, instead of Doug Naylor, it might have made media studies courses. True there were not many huge belly laughs...but it's not that sort of comedy. A good effort, a reminder of our past successes before the degeneration into "character" comedy with little or no situation. And a lesson for all of us. You may think it's all over...it is now.

I don't usually write reviews but all these rubbish comments denigrating an exceptional effort have me miffed.

After a decade and several weak seasons Red Dwarf returns to its core with the 4 main characters doing what they do best, dealing with the trials and tribulations of being 3 million years in deep space.

The story is solid as Doug Naylor delivers a great script. The Blade Runner references are both smart and funny, but they won't confuse it if you've never seen Blade Runner. The special effects are excellent despite a very limit budget. The actors are all spot on.

I for one was thrilled to have Red Dwarf return. Perhaps Doug, Chris, Danny, Robert and Craig deliver best with a tight budget and the odds against them.

Darn the movie – Make more shows like these!

Great stuff!!!! Now this was always going to be a love it hate it and people don't like change, and yes it was missing details and fill in's from when we last saw the crew but face it when getting the green light you pitch a show that will fill 3 half hour shows/will not be so far up a fans backside that only they will understand/fill it with past events and run out of time for a new story/be fresh and funny, and then once they can do this money changes hands and they get their shot at what is really a pitch at another series, yes money from making it but more so with DVD sales in mind but if it gets the numbers then they will get another series and thats the big money for the guys. For the people who hate it well it comes down to would you rather they never do anything ever again? or get a shot at getting a series? because if you want them back on TV everyone must get behind the show and sales of DVD which will prob be out soon, its only then will the show be made, not saying like it just because of this......you can still not be keen but its only way to get them back as its been so long and this was testing the market and to be honest I loved it, its grown and though the jokes were thin on the ground in places it had some gems and the acting was up a few grades and the effects, I also loved the very nice setups from the all time great BladeRunner, and the guys though with a few more wrinkles were as they have always been and seem to love playing the parts once again and I hope they get the chance to do so again but I do think that they could do with some new talent for stories should they ever get a new series, until then I do think the boys done good with Back To Earth.

Really not that good. I suggest skipping this season, and going straight to season 10.