Red Dwarf X [Blu-ray]

So happy I added this to my Red dwarf blu ray collection. Been a epic fan of this comedy for years and just love it

I don't think I was alone way back in 1997 when Red Dwarf came back after leaving us hanging on a cliffhanger for years and it was... different. Disappointingly different. Another short break and Series VIII was the same situation. And Back To Earth was a massive letdown after a decade without the Boys from the Dwarf.Even watching the trailers on Dave for Series X, it was obvious this was a massive return to form - the trailers alone had me tittering and sniggering more than series VII and BtE combined! Luckily, the series delivered on everything it promised, and what we have here is a DVD that has earned its place along with the first six series! It looks like spending some time away was the perfect thing for the show, as Doug Naylor has probably had a number of ideas and gags floating round his head (and in the 35 versions of the movie script), the funniest of these making it to the screen.Also a special mention should go out to the amazing looking sets and triumphant return to model shots over CGI!There are complaints that space seems to be a lot more populated in Series X - this is true to some extent, but it always leads to a well fleshed out and entertaining story. Oddly enough, I've seen the most complaints for Dear Dave saying this is the weakest episode - the episode that has the fewest guest stars and, if anything, is closer to the lonely universe of Series I and II.Also, I've seen negative comments regarding how the crew has aged. If anything, I think the interactions between them have really helped this become an instantly classic series. If they were still trying to act the same way they were 20 years ago, I don't think it would have worked. I love the way Rimmer now seems like more of the gang - it feels like the other guys laugh with him, rather than at him. The characters are generally quite comfortable with each other and it comes across very well onscreen.Do I care that we never got a proper resolution to Series VIII or the gaps between that and Back To Earth filled in? Nooo. And any Red Dwarf fan worth their salt will know continuity is a fluid concept where the small rouge one is concerned!With regards to the DVD itself, the sleeve is reversible so if you're picky about how it's going to look on your shelf, you have the option to make it fit in with the rest of the DVDs.The special features are excellent - particularly the two hour documentary "We're Smegged". It covers pretty much any question you might have asked about the new series and gives you an amazing insight into everyone's opinions and the amount of work they put in.Naturally, there are a slew of deleted scenes and smeg-ups to enjoy. The only real disappointment is the lack of commentary for the episodes (unless there are easter eggs I haven't found yet!)Based on the strength of Series X, hopefully Series XI is already a foregone conclusion, and it's just a case of us waiting for Dave to make the formal announcement!

I have to admit feeling a little nervous at the return of my all-time favourite TV show (by some distance) following three disappointing series (though to be fair, Seven never had a chance without Rimmer and 'Back to Earth was always going to rile with its brazen self-indulgence). However I am more than delighted to say that the boys are well and truly back in town!Series 10 effectively follows on from Series 8, with the four crew members - without Holly - back to being deserted in deep space - the rest of the crew having scarpered from 'Only the Good''s corrosive virus. Its never explained as to how they 'got out of that one', but there is a hilarious and self-deprecating tease at the end of Episode 6. And right from the start one can appreciate the true essence of the show. Gone are the extraneous characters from 8 that ruined the sense of isolation and forced companionship that makes Red Dwarf. The boys are alone, isolated, getting on each others nerves, and the results are hilarious!Indeed, the throwback to earlier 'Dwarf' is imprinted on all the episodes...'Trojan' and 'Entangled' could be straight from Series 6, 'Fathers and Suns' smells of 'Queeg' from Series 2, and 'Dear Dave', with its entirely on-ship setting, is Series 1 through and through.Despite the similarity to earlier 'Dwarf', Doug has introduced an interesting new writing style to the agenda - Red Dwarf has traditionally been written around a single plotline per week - the guys get into a fix and get out of it - not much happens alongside. However several of the episodes incorporate the use of 'B' and sometimes 'C' subplots - in particular 'Fathers and Suns' and 'Dear Dave'. Occasionally this backfires - the payoff to the 'Chinese Whispers' subplot in 'Fathers and Suns' is weak and the ending to 'Entangled' is unclear and feels rushed, a by-product of trying to fit too much into half an hour. But the formula pays off outstandingly in 'Dear Dave' (along with 'The Beginning, the Series' high point) in which four sub-plots come together as a beautiful denouement in true 'Fawlty Towers style!The jokes are nearly all razor-sharp, and the performances from Barrie, Llewellyn, John-Jules Charles and the guest performers exemplory. Craig Charles' acting has improved no end since Coronation Street - witness the brilliant 'dad to son' talk in 'Fathers and Suns'. But its Danny John-Jules as the Cat who steals the show - although used as a joke-cracking tool rather than a central character (as usual) he is simply side-splitting through all 6 episiodes!!Of course there are imperfections - as mentioned earlier, trying to cram too much into half an hour affects the quality and delivery of both the plot and some of the jokes. Kryten is particularly under-used this time around, and - again because of the weight of material in such a short space of time - plot inconsistencies abound. For example in 'Lemons' why did they get transported back to earth, and why didn't Kryten have an attachment they could have used to power the remote? Explanations would have satisfied the more pedantic among us, but one has to take these flaws with a pinch of salt with Dwarf - it's not Star Trek.Imperfections aside, Red Dwarf X is an outstanding return to form. Not quite at the level of Series 4 to 6 but well up there with 1 to 3. The open ending leaves the possibility of an eleventh series, which apparently will depend predominantly on DVD sales. So you know what to do...