Blue (Red Dwarf)

"Blue" is the fifth episode of science fiction sitcom Red Dwarf Series VII and the 41st in the series run. It was first broadcast on the British television channel BBC2 on 14 February 1997,^[1] was written by Kim Fuller & Doug Naylor and was directed by Ed Bye. Until Red Dwarf: Back to Earth, it was the last episode to feature the hologram Rimmer until Back to Earth in 2009.

Plot

Kristine Kochanski is trying to get back to her own dimension and Kryten is still jealous of the relationship that she could have with Lister. Meanwhile, Lister begins to miss Rimmer and reflects on some of the fun times that he and Rimmer spent together in the early days after the accident. When he has a dream that Rimmer returns and he and Rimmer kiss, Kryten tries some psychology to get to the bottom of Lister's problem. However, Kochanski has a little talk with Lister and (relatively effortlessly) makes him realise why he misses Rimmer, much to Kryten's disgust.

The Rimmer Experience

Kryten, having to be one step better than Kochanski, creates "The Rimmer Experience", a virtual reality rollercoaster ride created from Rimmer's memories. The ride depicts Rimmer thinking of himself as a 'Hero' and 'Remarkable', giving Cat fashion tips (which Cat declares would make him no better looking than "a woodwork teacher"), and believing that Lister has called for Rimmer to save him before Lister wets himself. The ride culminates with a song and dance by animated Rimmer puppets. As the ride ends, Lister declares that he never wants to hear from "that scum-sucking, lying, weasel-minded smegger" ever again. A self-satisfied Kryten then declares, "Sigmund Freud, eat your heart out!"

Production

Another new writer added to the credits was Kim Fuller, writer of Spiceworld. His script for "Blue" was also edited by Naylor to fit into the Red Dwarf universe. As part of Naylor's plan to mix up the episodes between Science Fiction and comedy, "Blue" was tailored towards the latter.^[2]

"Blue" marks Rimmer's last appearance as a hologram within a Red Dwarf series until the Red Dwarf: Back to Earth specials in Easter 2009. His next appearance would be as a human in Season VIII's "Back in the Red: Part I".

Howard Goodall performed as the singing Rimmer Munchkins.

Continuity Goof

When Lister is reminiscing about the good times he had with Rimmer, he recalls them breaking into the lockers on Red Dwarf with Rimmer. In this flashback, Rimmer is dressed in blue, signifying his hard-light hologram status. Rimmer was not made a hard-light hologram until they met Legion, after they lost Red Dwarf. This is also mentioned in the Series VII DVD Collector's Book.

Reception

"Blue" has been seen as an episode of rather mixed quality. DVDActive complained about the "weak" flashback sequences, the "overlong" dream-sequence, and "Kryten and Kochanski continuously squabbling"; however, the reviewer enjoyed the "dazzling musical finale."^[3] Sci-Fi Online thought the episode had a couple of "classic, attention-grabbing moments" including "that kiss and the unforgettable Munchkin Song at the end."^[4] BellaOnline liked the episode, calling the final musical sequence a "classic moment" with a "song [that] is as catchy and sticky as 'It’s A Small World After All' at Disney’s Magic Kingdom."^[5]

References

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to: Blue

• "Blue" at BBC Programmes
• "Blue" at the Internet Movie Database
• "Blue" at TV.com
• Series VII episode guide at www.reddwarf.co.uk