Red Dwarf: Series 3 [DVD]

Having bought the basic series 1-8 box set some time ago (so that I could introduce Red Dwarf to my teenage daughters to this glorious series!) but half regretting it because it's lacking any extras. So now I am starting to collect the more detailed individual series sets so that I can get the extras I've always thought that series 3-6 were the best - although that's doing a huge disservice to series 1 and 2 because they were funnier than they are often given credit for - and then I'll go back and get 1 and 2 afterwards. So that's why series 3 is the first individual box set I bought, and I wasn't disappointed - and you won't be either! Believe me, the extras make the box set worthwhile on their own, even without watching the brilliant episodes themselves! Fantastic cast commentaries (where the cast are clearly having a ball with each other) which are amazingly detailed, considering they did all the cast commentaries years after they actually made the episodes, and in many cases were re-watching the episode themselves for the first time in years! Also included are some excellent interviews and documentary-type productions which are very interesting; I learnt loads about the background to the show and the series I had no idea about from the on on this box set! So if you love Red Dwarf, you will love this DVD - buy it today!

WARNING!! Review May contain spoilers...Red Dwarf's first two Series were good. Series III is better. With a new shuttle ship named Starbug replacing Series II's Blue Midget, Series III finally allowed the crew alot more time away from the eponymous ship, and establish itself as a Sci-Fi series and not just a Sitcom, whilst still keeping the jokes coming. With the introduction of Robert Llewellyn as Kryten (the character appeared in the Series II opener, played by David Ross), the Series hit comedy gold and the other new comer, Hattie Hayridge replacing Norman Lovett for the role of the senile computer Holly, stiull providing a lot of Deadpan humour, despite getting less screen time then the original. Craig Charles, Chris Barrie and Danny John-Jules reprise their roles as the space bum Dave Lister, the wound-too-tight hologram of his dead bunkmate Arnold Rimmer and the creature evolved from the ships Cat, who is still as vain as ever, respectfully.The Series takes them to a Backwards reality (literally), an Ice Planet and Back in Time, the Series is better for the changes. Well worth a look in if your a fan of the genre, Series III never fails to satisfy.Backwards 10/10Marooned 10/10Polymorph 10/10Bodyswap 8/10Timeslides 9/10The Last Day 10/10Overall: 10/10

While the first two series were very simple in terms of set production, the third series really steps things up, introducing a great improvement in the quality. Also, after the success of Kryten as a guest star in the second series, the writers decided to bring him back as a regular character, which really also helped the series go on to greater things. It's a shame that Norman Lovett left after the second series, but Hattie Hayridge does a decent job as a female version of Holly.The third series features some of the best episodes of the entire series, including Backwards where the crew find themselves in a dimensions where everything happens in reverse; and Marooned where Lister and Rimmer are left stuck on Star Bug after crashing on a deserted planet while Kryten and Cat attempt to rescue them. Marooned is probably my favourite episode of Red Dwarf as the moments between Lister and Rimmer rank among the funniest of the entire series.

This was the series in which Red Dwarf went from cult show to popular hit. The cast were well settled and a plot had been established – but in the best traditions of cult sci-fi, the writers Grant and Naylor could not see a future for it so dumped it in favour of an entirely new one. So out with the old - grey sets be gone – and in with the new; Kryten (Robert Llewellyn) is established as a new main character, and Hattie Hayridge replaces the excellent Norman Lovett (whose deadpan Holly was the highlight of the previous series – no one could announce an emergency quite as well) and there is some character development of the existing regulars. The Cat is just as self-obsessed, Lister is slightly less disgusting (his clothes look like they may have seen a washing machine at some point), but joy of joys Chris Barrie is at his nose flaring best as Arnold Judas Rimmer, at who’s expense the audience can extract maximum fun.Every episode from series 3 is a corker – in fact ‘Polymorph’ is often voted as the fan’s favourite, but for me the real treasure here is the superb ‘Backwards’ where to get to see a pub brawl entirely in reverse (a technique later used in an advertising campaign).Both this and series four were to prove the highlights of this comedy series simply because they managed to combine the best effects they could afford, great characters and sharp writing – something that could not be sustained (particularly when Rob Grant stopped co-writing) which is a shame. As a fan I hope that some that it can return to this standard for the rumoured film version.Given the excellent packages so far for these DVD releases the standard of extras should be high once again.

The first two series of Red Dwarf were absolutely brilliant, but I have to say, this is the series where it really began to pick up steam and hurtle to being one of the best comedies ever made. The introduction of Robert Llewllyn as Kryten was a stroke of genius by the writers. Hattie Hayridge takes over the reins as Holly and, although arguably not as good as the orginal Holly, is superb in the role. The set had been up-dated, as had Rimmers uniform (even if it did make him look like something out of Thunderbirds), the series is much more polished than the first two and had obviously had a severe budget boost.Again, there's bucket loads of extras (why the BBC can't seem to treat any other comedy like this I really don't know). Again, a MUST HAVE DVD for anyone.