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Mr. Hippo reviews Episode 2 of "Red Dwarf" Series 8
SPOILER ALERT !!
Glen here...
..with another review from MR. HIPPO!
As requested (and as promised), The Hippos will be reviewing Series 8 of UK's Red
Dwarf for the next several weeks. Mr. Hippo, and his wife Mrs. Hippo, have kindly committed
to reviewing each episode of the new season as it airs.
But there is a problem: due to a Public Television station fund-raising campaign here in the
States, many stations here in the U.S will be airing most of (if not the entirety of) Red Dwarf
Series 8 on one evening towards the middle of March (it's March 7 in the San Francisco area,
March 11 in Austin, etc.)
None the less, not everyone in the States will be fortunate enough to have this opportunity - and
many folks overseas will not be able to partake of the coolness either. As such, the reviews will go
on - one way or another. Perhaps we'll have some folks here in the States pick-up when we move
past Mr. Hippo's place in the series. Perhaps we'll let Mr. and Mrs. Hippo go on doing what they're
doing, as many seem to enjoy the Hippo reviews very much.
Anyway, there's still a few weeks before this conundrum has to be resolved. For now, sit back
and enjoy this latest review from Mr. Hippo. The second episode of Red Dwarf Series
8.
Mr. Hippo wrote:
London Calling!
Mr. Hippo here to review the latest Red Dwarf episode,
"Back in the Red - Part II".
Mr. Hippo has seriously thought about taking
Vorlon's advice (Vorlons always being wise, if slightly cryptic creatures)
and produce two reviews for the Coaxial readers - one a non-spoiler and the
other a major spoiler review.
However, Mr. Hippo has some problems with
Vorlon's otherwise excellent suggestion - one: in doing a review immediately
after the episode finishes, and he can - at this very moment - hear in the
background the end credits ('Fun, fun, fun... in the sun, sun, sun'), he
has no opportunity to watch the episode again for the kind of detail
necessary to produce a major spoiler review, hence increasing the
likelihood that he may say something really stupid. And two: the simply
fact is Mr. Hippo is a busy hippoman and has other things which must be
done and they all have to be done right now!
So, he has decided to go halfway and produce a series of 'sort of'
non-spoiler reviews for the Coaxial readers which will give an overview of
the story, hint at some of the highlights and provide a categorical 'thumbs
up or down'. Hopefully, this will be enough to get people's pulse
quickening (no, not the DS9 variety) but not enough to ruin the episodes
for most people when Red Dwarf VIII arrives stateside.
Mr. Hippo should
produce a warning though and here it is:
Mr. Hippo does not know what other
people may consider spoilers so if you don't want to chance it, then don't
read it.
Give a hoot! Don't pollute!
Now, before we get into this latest Red Dwarf episode Mr. Hippo thinks it
is important (having read Ain't It Cool News for a while) that people know
where he is coming from television personality-wise, how his opinions fit
within the grand scheme of the universe, etc... If you don't have anything
nice to say, then don't say anything at all or Mr. Hippo will turn this
review right around!
If you don't care, then just skip below.
HIPPO CREDENTIALS
Mr. Hippo grew up watching Star Trek and Doctor Who. Favourite Doctor -
Colin Baker (yes, Mr. Hippo is a bit of a rebel). Let's get right into it
at the start. He DOES NOT believe that enjoying Star Trek and Babylon 5 are
mutually exclusive endeavours. Mr. Hippo loves them both. He believes that
Season 3 of Babylon 5 represents the best science fiction ever seen on
television, in a word - incredible!
However, it is Mr. Hippo's opinion that
DS9 overall is a better series because of its consistently good stories,
acting, character development, production values, etc... and it has been
doing it longer. The end of the Shadow War ('will you come with us?' MY
GOD!... the worst Star Trek cop-out Mr. Hippo has ever witnessed) through
all that Byron (get a haircut for god's sakes) crap was a big
disappointment for Mr. Hippo in a way DS9 has rarely disappointed him.
Think of it this way: force Mr. Hippo to choose a SEASON for him to watch
through all eternity and he will say Season 3 of Babylon 5; force Mr. Hippo
to choose a SERIES for him to watch through all eternity and he will say
DS9. (By the way, Mrs. Hippo hates Babylon 5 and implies she merely
tolerates DS9, though Mr. Hippo thinks she secretly loves DS9 but just
can't admit that Mr. Hippo is right).
((Glen Note: I sense a domestic disturbance forthcoing in the Hippo Hovel))
Mr. and Mrs. Hippo both love ST: TOS
(There's only one Jim Kirk!) and Mr. Hippo loved ST: TNG during its first
run but now thinks it looks outdated in a way TOS never has. Mrs. Hippo
could care less about TNG, loves TOS and believes it isn't Star Trek unless
the Captain is trying to make it with some alien girl (and so lives on Gene
Roddenberry's vision). Mr. and Mrs. Hippo both thought ST: First Contact
and Insurrection sucked big time though both liked Generations enough.
Mr. Hippo's latest fav is Buffy the Vampire Slayer though to be honest,
Sarah Michelle Geller could just sit there and read the telephone book, and
Mr. Hippo would watch. Mr. Hippo is adamant that The Empire Strikes Back is
a better film than Star Wars and he has seen the trailer for Episode 1
about 300 times (via Internet and the movie theatre).
He is envious that
people in the good old US of A will get to see it 2 months before him
though Mr. and Mrs. Hippo may fly with friends to New York especially for
opening weekend (Mr. Hippo hopes and prays). Mr. and Mrs. Hippo are both
professionals living in London now for 7 years and have several college
degrees between them (lost count, to be honest).
Mr. and Mrs. Hippo are
both in agreement that their favourite Red Dwarf episodes are (in order):
"Quarantine", "White Hole" ('toastie's the name and toasting's the game') and
"Back to Reality".
Favourite Series: Red Dwarf V.
Favourite Character: Rimmer (and he will never need a Zimmer).
Now.... what you really want to hear...
"Back in the Red - Part II": THE REVIEW
Let's cut to the chase: an amusing episode with some funny lines but
story-wise it appears to be a transition to what happens in the next
episode and so seemed to be a bit stretched.
The episode ended "To be
continued" so I guess it's "Back in the Red - Part III"? I'm not sure what
is happening next, but it appears so.
For this episode, you will laugh but
nothing so witty as to kick your ass our of your seat doubling over in pain
from laughter (see Series 5's "Back to Reality" classic 'escape' from the
fascist police, for example).
There are several things happening in this episode, some of which are quite
funny (though not so funny, it hurts) and some good gags but the overall
story started in last week episode isn't really progressed in any manner -
we are still not sure what is going to happen to our smeg heroes.
Basically, it is two concurrent storylines about Lister and gang's (sort
of) escape from the dock, and Rimmer's latest attempts to move 'up the
ziggaraut, lick-a-di-split' as well as the effect the Sexual Magnetism
Virus has on both him and the female crew members.
Highlights included:
** Rimmer's new, never-ending salute for extra special people (which showcases
Chris Barrier's talents for physical humour);
** Kryten's medical examination which has some unforeseen results;
** The length to which Kryten goes in his attempts to say 'no' to the crew's
plans to reset him to his factory settings;
** Cat's idea (his second one, really) of a disguise to hide from the crew
(featuring the return, if only in appearance and in a different form, of a
past favourite which wins this year's award for 'Best Use of Mop-heads and
False Teeth' in a TV series);
** Cat's understanding and recreation of courtroom drama;
** and, yes... the return of the scutters (which features the best gag)!
Low points included:
** Holly (Norman Lovett) does not make an appearance in this episode;
** Rimmer's attempts to get the coffee during dinner with the Captain and five
other female crewmembers is a little long-in-tooth. Actually, Chris Barrie
hardly interacts with Lister, Cat or the others in this episode and that is
drawback. In Mr. Hippo's opinion, he is underutilised in this episode. What
we want to see is the 'posse' back together again. Chris Barrie is asked to
carry too much of this epsiode on his own.
So there you have it: funny but not great. Don't get your hopes up too much
and you will enjoy it. Mr. and Mrs. Hippo did, though we both agreed it
wasn't as funny as last week's episode.
However, "Back in the Red - Part II"
is still more funny than most of the Red Dwarf VII (non-Rimmer) episodes.
Enjoy and let's hope this is leading up to a 'big' laugh next week. Thumbs
up (but not fully erect).
Mr. Hippo welcomes positive criticism...
Glen
Or call:
(512) 347-1992
Mail can be sent to:
Glen Oliver
P.O. BOX 160812
Austin, TX 78716-0812
USA
P.O. BOX 160812
Austin, TX 78716-0812
USA
Austin, TX 78716-0812
USA
USA
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March 8th is a Monday, Glenn. Are you sure? Normally KTEH shows off the new season durring their pledge drive on Sci/Fi Sunday nights from 7pm till midnight... Just checking .Still, we're getting new RED DWARF YAY!!! From your friends in the bay area!! --Mck!
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Glen here...my mistake. I meant March 7. It has been corrected in the body of the article. Thanks for calling it to my attention.**Glen**
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It is a great idea to have Mr. Hippo review the RD episodes after they've aired--I think that all of us U.S.A. Dwarfers are happy to hear his reviews and that the episodes are on and doing well.
Is Series 8 getting the spectacular ratings so far that Series 7 got?
As far as I am concerned, you can never have too much RD news, and a great big "Thanks" to AICN and Glen for doing this (and Mr. Hippo)!
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RE "Kryten's medical examination which has some unforeseen results." -- I'm sorry. I have to go on record here. That medical examination was one of the funniest things I've seen on Red Dwarf in years. That visual image of Kryten in the stirrups, and the doctor moving in with rubber gloves and power drill, well it will stick with me forever.
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I agree with the esteemed Mr. Hippo. This was a "middle part"episode that idn't stand too well on its own. I think they should have put the 3 episodes together for ultimate satisfaction.
I too enjoyed Chris Barrie, particularly his scene with Capt. Hollister,"Permission to look smug, sir."But I am troubled that his girth is starting to go the way of Mr.Frakes (not quite to Doohan and Shatner just yet.) Also it was sad to see Norman Lovett relegated to the sort of one line role that Majel Barett seems to specialize in
Carry on Mr. Hippo! You're doing great work. -
I thought this episode was a slight improvement on last weeks, actually, at least in terms of gags. Also, I've heard rumours that "Back to the Red" runs through all eight episodes (ie. to be continued every week). Anyone know if they're true? It might explain the somewhat leisurely pace of the story.
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The first three episodes of Red Dwarf VIII were meant to be run together as a 90min special to kick off the new series but for some reason the beeb decided to split them up. I thought eps 2 was excellent. It reminded me how good Chris Barrie can be.
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I agree wholeheartedly with Mr.Hippoo, it just didn't have the "laugh out loud" factor of the previous episode. I was especially pissed off with the pseudo-revival of the Dibley joke, one which I'm sure made a few others cringe with embarrassment too. Rimmer however was on top form both vocally and visually in everything he performed. I have a slight niggle too about the "to be continued" method of airing these episodes. In past series, each half hour contained a particularly memorable story which was dealt with in this time. I'm praying that we can kill off the rest of the crew pretty soon so that the stories can return to their formal singular glory. Just a thought....
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LAST NIGHT EPISODE OF RED dWARF WAS FUNNIER THAN LAST WEEKS EPISODE.PERIOD.BRILLIANT PULP FICTION HOMAGE AND EVERYTHING ALRIGHT,SO FUCK OFF HIPPO
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I think starting the new series with 3 connected episodes was risky. I found Back in the Red Part 1 funny, but rushed. (Still it was great to see Norman Lovett back as the original Holly). Part 2 seemed to lack content somehow, though clips involving Kryten were as good as ever. Also, when I read about Rimmer's intricate salutes in the books it was hilarious. Watching Rimmer giving the salute when he came in took long enough, but sitting through it again when he left the Captains room was pushing it a bit. Hopefully the pacing will settle down next week!
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I think you'll find that guys with shades walking in slow motion to "Little Green Bag"is a Resevoir Dogs homage. Everybody has an opinion, right?
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I agree totally with waht has been said about the opening going on too long.
Originally they talked about the hour long opening episode and I think they should have stuck to that.
I think the reason they are trying to do a 90minute thing is as a dry run for a film but it just shows they need more storyline and jokes to fill the gaps.
check out my review of bothe episodes at:
http://www.geocities.com/capecanaveral/5849/RD.HTM
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